Viewing 40 posts - 81 through 120 (of 134 total)
  • should the word Great be removed from Great Britain ?
  • Malvern Rider
    Free Member

    How about a winsome yet endearing contraction:

    ‘Brian’ (the 51st State of the USA)?

    ‘Hey, look at the State of Brian…’

    kelvin
    Full Member

    We all the know the real answer for our future name… “Little Britain”.

    funkmasterp
    Full Member

    I’m liking Brian

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middlin...
    Latest Singletrack Videos
    crazy-legs
    Full Member

    We could go back to the two Roman regions around 2nd Century AD where it was Brittania Superior and Brittania Inferior.

    Except we wouldn’t need the Superior part.

    Kryton57
    Full Member

    Difference being, the English hate everyone, the Welsh (and Scottish and Irish) just hate the English. And I increasingly can’t blame them.

    its bullshit like this that stirs up emotional hatred.  The “English” dont hate everyone so kindly back down from your generalisation on behalf of us English and stop feeding the trolls and far right.

    The other sad thing about this thread is the general lack of national pride.  We may be in a tricky political situation and not covered ourselves in European glory recently, but there’s a lot to be proud of on this small Island we populate.  It’s about time we listened to the other nationalities And they way they carry their pride and be grateful for what what we have, promote our industrial, geographical and national treasures, be proud of The Lakes, the architecture, the fact that you could jump on an MTB and have a pint with the next man, the fact we are generally a kind hearted nation with a Gnusmas type spirit behind us.

    This country is in general by no means the shower of shit some people make it out to be.

    scotroutes
    Full Member

    So glad you didn’t include “sense of humour” in that list.

    tjagain
    Full Member

    Kryton – right now I am ashamed to have a uk passport and if I could have a differnt one I would in a heartbeat.

    disgusting racist government, PM and policies, disgusting lack of care for the poor, the old, this disabled.

    Institutional bias and lies accepted as the truth, completely dysfunctional parliament

    I loathe what the UK has become and have no pride in it whatsoever. I am ashamed to be considered british

    molgrips
    Free Member

    I quite often say I’m Welsh these days rather from the UK.
    It saves awkward conversations about how rediculous and racist the English are.

    I don’t, most people have no idea what I’m talking about; unless I’m in a country that plays rugby.

    but there’s a lot to be proud of on this small Island we populate

    I used to share that idea a few years ago but I really can’t see it any more. There are a lot of people doing their best to be good and do good things but they’re being drowned out by a baying mob. So no, not much to be proud of. We might be less racist overall than some places, for example, but our trajectory is downwards and that is shameful in itself.

    BadlyWiredDog
    Full Member

    Boristan – the country formerly known as village England. It’s going to be so amazing.

    Drac
    Full Member

    Well this thread seems to be going as well as Ton hoped for.

    tjagain
    Full Member

    I find when in continental europe that saying ” I am from Scotland” gets a much better reception . Usually the conversation goes ” are you english? ” No I am from Scotland” then get lots of smiles and much better attitudes from folk

    BadlyWiredDog
    Full Member

    Well this thread seems to be going as well as Ton hoped for.

    That’s archaic nationalism for you. A brilliant mechanism for uniting downtrodden people, starting wars and killing millions unnecessarily. We need to get a grip on the reality that we’re just a small to medium-sized state like lots of others with good points and bad points and stop trying to pretend that we have some god-given right to rule the world.

    We’re a bit like post-Wenger Arsenal. Had a brief period of outstanding success brought about by a confluence of geopolitical factors, fluke and leadership, now struggling to come to terms with the reality of being just another football club. Emery out!

    BadlyWiredDog
    Full Member

    I find when in continental europe that saying ” I am from Scotland” gets a much better reception . Usually the conversation goes ” are you english? ” No I am from Scotland” then get lots of smiles and much better attitudes from folk

    How do you know? Have you tried saying that you’re English instead to see what happens?

    ads678
    Full Member

    I find when in continental europe and talking to racists, saying ” I am from Scotland” gets a much better reception . Usually the conversation goes ” are you english? ” No I am from Scotland” then get lots of smiles and much better attitudes from folk

    FTFY….

    ton
    Full Member

    Well this thread seems to be going as well as Ton hoped for.

    I asked a topical question on a chat forum. but as you know, asking a normal topical question on here is always going to create a bit of conflict. this place is a bit like Britain I reckon.
    some good, some bad and some other.

    piha
    Free Member

    Mattyfez spews forth;
    I quite often say I’m Welsh these days rather from the UK.
    It saves awkward conversations about how rediculous and racist the English are.

    There is nothing quite like a lazy generalisation to demonstrate your blatant racist views.

    Malvern Rider
    Free Member

    It’s going to be so amazing.

    No it’s not.

    niksnr
    Free Member

    benv

    Member
    As I was taught in school in 90s (west of Scotland).

    Great Britain = mainland Scotland, England and Wales.
    British Isles = as above plus Ireland (the island) Scottish Islands, English Islands, Welsh Islands and the Isle of Man.

    Not quite right. Isle of Wight is an Island off the south coast of England. It is a county of England and part of Great Britain. It is it’s own administrative authority (just) and has an active member of parliament. (I use the term active loosely here!).

    tjagain
    Full Member

    Guys

    Its obvious from the attitudes. ~”Are you english ?” is said with a scowl or a neutral expression. “I am from Scotland” is greeted with a smile.

    its my experience over a long time and every year it gets more obvious

    Nothing racist about it apart from the attitudes of some english that leads to this. Scots simply are liked more than English.

    timbog160
    Full Member

    These days I usually say ‘I am from Yorkshire’….like the tea…

    bikebouy
    Free Member

    The other sad thing about this thread is the general lack of national pride.  We may be in a tricky political situation and not covered ourselves in European glory recently, but there’s a lot to be proud of on this small Island we populate.

    Yeah, kinda.

    National Pride comes from within and being lead somewhat by a government that support its.. and then all the infrastructure such as teachers/doctors/police/fire/ambulance workers and the like.

    As is, they’re just normal people who are as pissed off with this current crop of contras who started the fire causing rifts and division.

    And that filters down into the general public.

    We all feel ostracised by a none interested government who only seek to create division and anger amongst it’s public, rule by a stiff rod and control.

    If you want a change, change the system.

    I personally have changed my attitude drastically since 2016 referendum. Once I thought the UK was a fairly decent staidly progressive place to live and work. Fairly inclusive and always happy to help others. I don’t see that anymore, I’m as angry and frustrated by the rise of the rightwing nut jobs and HATE them for that. I knew there was always an undertow of rightwing movement, but that was saved for the UKIP’ers and EDL types that are morons and I never mixed in those circles…. pretty much like any other European Country really (basically were the same/similar social mix) Now though, anytime I’m in waitrose I flinch at the fact I’m sharing space with a population 50/50 mix with racism and division, and you don’t know who to trust anymore.

    And that will never change now, not over time, not when I lay my head on my coffin pillow.

    Causing rifts and division is what the conservatives want and they’ve certainly got it. Along with no national pride, along with feeling embarrassed about being a British citizen.

    I’m lucky in one respect, I’ve learnt one valuable lesson.

    niksnr
    Free Member

    ^^^ What bikebuoy said! +1 👍

    funkmasterp
    Full Member

    I’ve never understood national pride. Just comes across as a bit odd and a way to separate people to me. Clearly none of us are that proud of the bits of land we populate. If we were we’d spend a lot less time royally **** them up.

    ton
    Full Member

    can you be ashamed to be british and still be a racist?

    niksnr
    Free Member

    I think you manage both traits marvellously Ton! 😂😉

    tjagain
    Full Member

    I guess so Ton – if you are EDL types and think we are too welcoming to brown folk. I think I may even have seen hard right memes that display this twisted logic

    boomerlives
    Free Member

    anytime I’m in waitrose

    Stealth humblebrag

    Kryton57
    Full Member

    disgusting racist government, PM and policies, disgusting lack of care for the poor, the old, this disabled.

    Yes, thats not me though is it, thats our Government.  Who I didn’t vote for.   Thats kind of what I’m saying and bikebouy sums it up well, we’ve been out in this position but its not an individual view its political and its what people see in the news.

    It didn’t suddenly make the Lake District shit, London or Liverpool less of an architecture, Kent less of a garden, Devon less of a utopia.    To flag me as a foreigner hating, right wing anti European lying tosspot is about as far away from the truth as you can get.   That isn’t “English” in the main, thats “Boris” or “Tommy”.

    winrya
    Free Member

    Kryton – right now I am ashamed to have a uk passport and if I could have a differnt one I would in a heartbeat.

    disgusting racist government, PM and policies, disgusting lack of care for the poor, the old, this disabled.

    Institutional bias and lies accepted as the truth, completely dysfunctional parliament

    I loathe what the UK has become and have no pride in it whatsoever. I am ashamed to be considered british

    Much of my feeling right now. Total opposite to how I felt 4 years ago. And it’s getting worse. When travelling Europe I’ll try and pretend I’m Scottish as it seems I’ll look less pathetic

    Kryton57
    Full Member

    I’ll try and pretend I’m Scottish

    Interesting you should do that rather than try to fix the problems you communicate.   Its just burying your head in the sand.

    You know, I feel I’m probably the least politically astute person on the forum sometimes, but I’m spending a lot of time getting into policy & outcome, news and fake news before I place my vote on the 12th rather then running away.

    ton
    Full Member

    I’m probably the least politically astute person on the forum sometimes

    give over. I hold that title pal.

    tjagain
    Full Member

    Na – thats Binners!

    ads678
    Full Member

    To flag me as a foreigner hating, right wing anti European lying tosspot is about as far away from the truth as you can get.   That isn’t “English” in the main, thats “Boris” or “Tommy”.

    …and me. I’m **** sick of being called a racist just because I’m English. Any one who knows me knows that couldn’t be further from the truth, but the high and mighty Scottish have lumped us all in the same boat. Which seems, well, pretty racist to me!!

    Edit: actually no I’m being drawn down to that level, it’s not all Scottish people I’m sure, but there are a few very vocal anti English on here and it really pisses me off!

    Kryton57
    Full Member

    give over. I hold that title pal.

    Lol, fair play.

    BadlyWiredDog
    Full Member

    Its obvious from the attitudes. ~”Are you english ?” is said with a scowl or a neutral expression. “I am from Scotland” is greeted with a smile.

    Well, as someone’s who’s ‘English’, in a typically English/British mongrel sort of way – I don’t think genetically I’m more than about 1% native – I’ve rarely come across the whole ‘scowl / neutral expression’ thing when someone asks where I’m from.

    Have you considered that maybe it’s not about disliking English people, but finding it charming that you are from a small, proud nation? I once met a guy walking in the Picos and asked him where he was from, his response in a fantastically theatrical style, with a huge smile was to proclaim, arms proudly open wide, ‘I am from Pamplona, in Navarra’. It made us smile too, he was, if you’ve missed the point, proud of being Basque. But it had nothing to do with antipathy towards any other nationality or location.

    Maybe we need to stop defining ourselves and others in terms of nationality eh.

    BadlyWiredDog
    Full Member

    When travelling Europe I’ll try and pretend I’m Scottish as it seems I’ll look less pathetic

    Americans, US Americans that is, I met Colombia used to pretend they were Canadian, but that was mostly to reduce the risk that they’d be kidnapped.

    Kryton57
    Full Member

    but finding it charming that you are from a small, proud nation

    Aka Kiwi’s.   I’ve never met a Kiwi not proud of New Zealand, yet there are similar issues there as there are anywhere,.

    nickc
    Full Member

    Scots simply are liked more than English.

    Careful TJ I think your prejudice is showing. Personally I’ve found that folk either like or dislike you based on your personality, rather than where you come from.

    I was recently (3 weeks ago) in the Basque, and in the group of cyclists we had British, Dutch, Finnish, Spanish (obvs) and US citizens, at no point did any of us feel the need to pretend to be from anywhere else other than our home states. Over dinner all of us managed to speak about the good things and bad things of our respective homelands and listened to the thoughts of others about our own was viewed around the world.  We managed to agree that Trump is an idiot, and that despite what the 2 Dutch thought, Verstappen is in fact a cheating-cheaty-cheater

    epicyclo
    Full Member

    So to return this into its geographical context, are the official government cartography experts Ordnance Survey right or wrong?

    ie they say

    The mainland of England & Wales & Scotland = Great Britain

    but without Scotland it is no longer Great, but just = Britain.

    nickc
    Full Member

    @epicyclo, AFAIK, the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland become after the 1707 Act, The Kingdom of Great Britain. this lasted until about 1805 (ish I think) when it was replaced by the the name The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Viewing 40 posts - 81 through 120 (of 134 total)

The topic ‘should the word Great be removed from Great Britain ?’ is closed to new replies.