I am glad to be British because

Yes, I agree.

not sure about that, thatbags, as so many want to come and live here. and we don't want to go and live there.
I am English first, British second, Yorkshire last.
not sure what to add , as so many have already given all the good reasons,
this is still a great country to live in, despite the few who obviously would be happier elsewhere.
I like the modest, understated character [ nothing like the U.S. one]
politeness generally, the ability to queue in a friendly patient way, the magnificent and varied countryside.The food, which is so different these days and a great deal of choice,the proper Seasons, old churches, villages of golden stone [or grey] our village pubs! roadsigns that say ducks crossing, free speech, democracy, not too many rules and regulations,
a spirit of enterprise,tolerance of eccentricity.We should think about this more often when we moan, as we have so much to be glad of.

Mmm. Good point, roses. I guess I feel comfortable about being British because it's a good country for all the kinds of reasons people have said.

I'm glad to be British for all the above reasons plus little things like we always say ' thank you' to the bus driver when getting off the bus, and we so love talking about the weather when meeting someone, to the point it's almost rude not too

Hmm, I have mixed feelings really. Sometimes I feel glad to be British for many of the reasons above, but after ten years in France, some things now feel a bit strange and alien. I am always glad to escape the crowds and the traffic and come back here to big skies, bright stars and absolute silence.
The countryside here in Normandy is green and beautiful and like the England of my childhood. France has a varied and beautiful landscape, is as safe as anywhere in Northern Europe, has a wonderful health service, good natural produce and an excellent infrastructure. People talk all the time about the weather here and are polite and friendly. I have some of the best and most loyal friends that I have ever had in our strong, local community.
But, I can't get to grips with the humour and am forever getting into trouble because my irony and jokes are misunderstood. I miss shopping, theatre, ballet and concerts (the last three available but too far away).
So on the whole I am glad to be British in France with England a short hop across the channel.

I fly the Union Jack flag in my back garden, I think that tells you how I feel about my country.

Pleased I do not live next door to you, then, petra. In fact I'd definitely avoid your house.

Petra's probably pleased she doesn't live next door to you as well, durhamjen...

Good for you Petra, and why should anyone not fly our flag? I did notice on holiday in Wales that many people fly the Welsh flag ( not the Union Jack mind) so we should fly the union flag and also the English flag, plus Welsh And Scottish too depending on where we live. people in other countries fly their flags all the time, without all the nonsense of people sneering at them.

Durhamjen. You seem almost proud to sneer at our flag. Shame on you.

I really can't understand people sneering at the flag of their country. No need to stick the flag-pole up anyone's nose, but to sneer at it is to sneer at themselves.

If they are so ashamed to be British one wonders why they stay here.

I did think the exchange was very funny, but then realised it was serious

They'd probably be the same anywhere else, permanently grumpy and negative. They'd get short shrift in most countries if they sneered at the national flag.

Too much negativity is not good for your physical health .....

The far right BNP. The National Front, Britain First and odd other far right groups (which may have switched names) have in the past' used our Union Flag to as a neo fascist symbol. They used to stick such flags in their windows.

Now when I see one in someone's garden other than at a time of national celebration I right away think of those groups. That comment excludes international sporting events.

A misuse of a national symbol if there ever was one.

Oh dear, what a pity this thread, like so many others is heading for oblivion via grumpy polarised disagreements. I acknowledge the negative associations with the Union flag but for pity's sake not everything done in its name has been Bad. I'm mightily fed up with the view that it's ok to be ashamed of your country if its Britain, but ok to be proud of your heritage and traditions if you're from almost anywhere else (excluding the usa of course)

That's sad if it has been taken over as a symbol of the far-right.

We did get our national flag bunting out the other week when we had a party for the Queen's longest reign.
Is that allowed, or are we thought to be far-right? (I am sure some of my neighbours are far-left but they had bunting too!).

X posts there Nellie and I understand your comments , other countries manage to fly their flags despite far right groups doing so

Petra I get concerned about the Union Flag being displayed because of the connexions of the fascist groups I have just described. Not the flag itself.

IMO those who display the Union Flag with what they clearly feel is anti foreigner intent are sneering at our flag as a symbol of the country.

Oh for goodness sake! Poor Petra - I'm sure she harbours none of the feelings some of you think displaying the Union Flag represents...

I thought it was the England flag that had been hi-jacked anyway, not the Union Flag. Which is a pity, because no-one makes remarks about the Welsh, Scottish, Cornish flags.

I am not going to display the England flag now, not after Friday .....

I understand nellie's comments too. She's right. But my attitude is that we need to claim the flag back for ordinary decent folk and not allow it to become a fascist symbol. We shouldn't assume it is used this either without further evidence.

Actually, it's quite common to see the union flag flying in Scotland. I've seen it far more often here than I ever did in England. Bet that surprises a few people. It did me initially.

used thus

Why should anyone be anti-foreigner just because they display the Union flag of their country? I do think the problem is with the person who perceives the flag as something that it is not.

Agreed.