Sally Redux

They seem to come in bunches.

fatbrit

Yep!

meauxna

Maybe they're just happy they know who their ancestors were?

I'm getting to be too much like youse guys though. I read a quote from a US politician the other day that said "I'm Scandinavian and..." blahblahblah some Scandinavian trait and it took me two reads to understand that he meant he's of Scandinavian *heritage*.

orangemirror

I think we've got some kind of in built tribalism/patriotism. All people in all countries have it.
When someone from Ethiopia wins a gold medal in the Olympics the people over there go nuts. It doesn't make sense because they haven't done anything but they are so proud that someone from their country has achieved something.

However I completely agree that patriotism can be 'taught' into people. As an outsider it is easy to see here in the USA with the constant singing of the national anthem, pledging, respecting the flag and all that. However, I'm sure there's patriotic stuff that I grew up with in the UK that I don't even realise because I'm conditioned to it.

Sally Redux

Kind of. But I find it interesting with the really little kids at sports day, the race starts and they look around waiting for their friends I think we are not innately tribal/patriotic and it has to be learned. In fact it often has to be really drummed in.

Bob

and that's if you can find anything covering volume one

But seriously though, they're not bad actually.

Bob

They do a nice cup of tea too...very talented them folk, shame parking is a bit of a bugger

Bob

don't forget single handedly winning ww2, the enigma machine etc.

It's all spin but some of it, well those examples are a bit of the naughty side of fibbing, but it's okay as it's American. If Japan, Germany or any other country put that kind of spin on things there would be an outcry leading to another war

Elvira

Can I borrow this for future reference?

Elvira

I think I have become a whole lot more patriotic since leaving the UK. Funnily enough, whilst I still lived there, I never even thought about patriotism* - just not something that was even on my horizon.

(* or about healthcare... )

chartreuse

Hey, don't blame us for the existence of politicians!

N1cky

But does that make them Proud to be Ethiopian, or proud of an Ethopian's achievements?

I'm guessing I see a distinction between these, other people see it as one and the same.

I always love that spin. We were talking about this the other day as to what history our daughter will be taught in school. Fact or American Fiction

lansbury

With history there is no such thing as 100% fact. Every country puts their interpretation on events.

Most countries rely on historians to do it, America relies on Hollywood

chrisfromusa

Funny thing is, I just realized something arguing on here. I dislike the U.S. more than I like it so I take back my earlier statements. Which now makes me wonder, why do people move here anyway? I thought you guys had it better back in the UK? I always thought the UK was, the land of milk and honey, even if it is a tad expensive to live in

Jerseygirl

Why do you assume it's more expensive? I suppose it depends where you live in the UK vs the US...but for us it's about the same...if not more expensive here.