I am glad to be British because

Gracesgran No-one wants to spoil your day, or upset you in any way. But calling us xenophobes was rather over the top.

for you if you are feeling down. (I need some of that here!)

granjura! Are you trying to start another argument with all those daffy questions?

(I think you are )

Surely not, jings!

Nope, not at all. Questions are very relevant, not to the OP, but to recent turn of thread- in which I was not in any way involved btw.

thatbags- the theory and the law are one thing- the reality often another.

I was always totally accepted, by family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, etc- even though they sometimes took the mick of the way I said something, etc, which was fine and fun.

But the number of times people told me 'oh, you are one of us, not like THEM' - them who also had British nationality and passport but were the 'wrong' religion, the 'wrong' colour, ate the 'wrong foods' etc- which always made me truly embarrassed. No chip on my shoulder re nationality, am proud and glad to have both, for very different reasons that often complement each other.

A shame this thread took the 'worng' turn- I like it, and was very positive in my comment- as I love England, my adoptive country and always will do.

I feel very fortunate to be British, and delighted to be a GN-er, as this thread has cheered me greatly on this wet, Monday afternoon. A bit of British piss-taking takes some beating.

I believe that actions - not patriotic words or showy gestures - demonstrate true commitment to a country.

I have never mixed with racists, gj. I'm sorry you had to hear that kind of comment.

Reality must depend on the law though and, as to Britishness, the government definitions of what counts as British nationality. I had a quick look at what they are and, yes, some of them look a bit complex. But then, life tends to be a bit complex doesn't it?

My fil, though born in Calcutta to British parents, and living in the UK from the age of five, had to reprove his Britishness every time he applied for a new passport. Pain in the butt like much else in life.

I believe that actions - not patriotic words or showy gestures - demonstrate true commitment to a country.

Yes, true, Eloethan

We're not talking about patriotism, gestures, actions etc, we're talking about what makes us glad - presumably to live here

However, I do note the subtle difference - I would still be British if I lived in Timbuktu, then I would in all probably be longing for Britain and the things I have listed - even rain.

Petra lovely as English Rose is,
So kind Indinana, although a bit past my bloom I think

'Rose of England' by the Welsh Ivor Novello

I've read through the whole thread and have copied and pasted Elegran's remark to my note pad because it reminded me that the best thing about being British and why I love being English is because of our wonderful language all 500,000 or so words of it.

Oh but you are lovely, roseq, I can just tell. (And even slightly faded roses still look and smell lovely )

And Elegran I've had a thread deleted and it didn't hurt much,well just a twinge like a splinter.

I agree Eloethan with your post.

However, I don't look much like an English Rose Indinana
Although I am a bit faded
I hope I smell nice though

I'm proud to be British, a right old mixture of Welsh, Irish, English and Scottish to boot and a few drops of je ne sais quoi aussi, I suspect

As for the GN roses, nothing can beat the English rose in my opinion bet that starts another argument <sigh>

Hear, hear, eloethan.

A whole thread deleted Stansgran that's impressive! I've had a few posts deleted but never managed a thread yet, but it's something to aspire to

Thank you Anya it's good to be a role model at this late stage in my life

I'm proud to be British because today I've realised I've got a fortune in carrier bags stashed under my sink!

My hero!

Xenophobia my arse derriere.

Isn't it strange how the most intolerant people shout the loudest.Maybe because they look for something to pick up on,when the rest of us haven't a clue what they mean.You need to come to one of our family get togethers.
You will see someone of every shade ability and sexual orietention all getting on very well.

lots of English roses (David Austin) in my Swiss garden- hurrah- despite all the snow and extreme cold temps. Flowers have adjusted and are a bit smaller here. I make Anglo-Swiss fusion food, speciality is the kirsch and cherry dark chocolate trifle. Perfect. Proud of both.

Granjura, my son's partner feels the same as you. When listening to people talking about "them" she reminds them that they are talking about her.
No trace of a foreign accent, like you said, but occasionally she does not get the nuances of the language. They always say they do not mean her.
Nobody would say anything about foreigners in front of my daughter in law, as she is Spanish and has a strong accent.

I have read bags link (how dare she, putting up a link) about citizenship, and still cannot work out whether my grandson is automatically British. I went through two different tracks, and read over fifty pages. One says yes; one says no but he can pay £900+ to get registered. It might all change again before he is 18.