I am glad to be British because

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

I agree Eloethan with your post.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surely not, jings!

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

(I think you are )

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!)

Petra lovely as English Rose is, it might be considered exclusive. I have put together a little list of other music you might like to bring along too.

Spanish Rose (Van Morrison)
Rose of Tralee (Dennis Day)
Sweet Kentucky Rose (Kitty Kallen)
Yellow Rose of Texas (Johnny Desmond)
Lovely Rose of Clare (The Dubliners)
Carolina Rose (Gloriana)
My Wild Irish Rose (Chauncey Olcott)
Tokyo Rose (Idle Eyes)
Yankee Rose (David Lee Roth)

I'm happy for anyone to add to the list if they know of Rose songs mentioning other countries/nationalities/counties/US states etc

If you have British nationality government definitions here, then you are British. The concept seems fairly straightforward to me though I haven't looked at the details of the government definitions.

Sorry Indinana no can do Trumpet Vuluntary I'm still on 'A Tune A Day' I do a very nice version of 'Go and Tell Aunt Nancy' though.

Thanks for the offer Bags but I only have the one mouth.

I suppose it depends if a person wants to be British?
My kids have lived abroad for a couple of years, and as yet I dont think they have any desire to want to be x country or y country.
If they did, I am not sure what legal steps they would have to take, but they could still call and feel themselves to be that country.

Is that allowed/PC Petra?

Music. How could we forget music. I'm not bringing the obvious. I'm bringing Paul weller's English Rose.

Not posted for last couple of days, because this thread has (again) turned out so unpleasant. BTW my comment here was very positive.

Just wondering though- what 'qualifications' do you need to be accepted as British. Do you have to have been born and bred in the UK? How many years residence otherwise? Will the passport do? Does having another nationality automatically excludes you? Do you have to be currently resident in the UK', etc, etc. Your views please. (btw having had to sear my allegiance to the Crown nearly 45 years ago, married to a Brit, with British children and grandchildren, a British Degree and career, etc, etc, I do consider myself British- should I not?). Thanks for your replies.

I hope you all have the mental picture that I have. It's hilarious.
Anya. What colour am I painting it? Are you serious? There is only one way to paint it. RED WHITE & BLUE.

No, I don't think you can have two names - although I suppose if you had two or more computers and two or more emails accounts you could?

Have we been hacked?

I seem to remember someone objecting to the use of the word 'willy'
What is wrong with Willy?
One of my favourite singers is Willy - sorry Willie - Nelson.

In our last house the ghost was called Henry and he lived in the loft. He kept shifting things about so I could never find them.