With reference to the recent issue with Lady Susan and Ngosi Fulani- at what stage does someone become British?

Very British Problems is a Twitter account, and yes it’s very funny.
I didn’t know it was a shop too.

Callistemon21

^I think you've become British when queuing becomes second nature and you automatically apologise when someone bumps into you^

😀

There is a website specialising in “Very British Problems” T shirts and sweatshirts.
Very amusing, “translating” what we say into what we mean

Allsorts

Where your heart is.

I agree. In addition, for me, it is where I built the informative years of my childhood. Being multilingual gives me insight into several European cultures which I love and appreciate but no one will ever take the Britishness out of me - it's where I grew up and is part of the very fibre of my being irrespective of my blood line.

Then I add "Nous sommes tous Normands". They are obliged to agree with that. 😂

Yes MOnica but if I reply with the name of my French village, then I inevitably get asked where I am originally from. I usually say "about 130km from here, but the other side of the channel".

My DD has Australian citizenship, but I think she always sees herself as British.

Her 3 children have dual nationality, their Australian dad says they are Aussies, I (privately) don’t agree, they are half each.

When someone asks me where I come from, I reply 'South Oxfordshire'

I am British. I live in Canada and obtained citizenship so I hold duel citizenship now. Canadian citizenship gives me a sense of belonging and gives me the right to vote. Having both British and Canadian passports makes travel easier too.

And does it matter? I know individual anecdotes dont prove anything, but my father was/is in many ways more loyal to his community than I am. He is always 'in the middle' of his local community, much more involved in helping out his neighbours than I am. Yet for most of his life in this country he hasnt been British, whereas I have.

Mamie

I think the interesting question is why people need or want to acquire nationality. If we were young working people needing to cross EU borders to work then it would make sense for us. I completely understand why EU citizens in the UK now feel they need it, as do others vulnerable to changing policies in a host nation.
If our host nation is happy to accept us as we are and we behave within the requirements of that nation and make a positive contribution to it, then I am not sure why we have to "become" anything.
As for "where are you from" there can be a line of intent in the question between curiosity and racism. I think it should be pretty clear when that line is crossed.

It's an interesting question.

Years ago, nationality wasn't even a concept. There was loyalty to a tribe, but that wasn't necessarily connected to geography.

Allsorts

You are not British until you get British Nationality. Then it's legal.
What does annoy me is that people that acquire it spend so much time trying to alter the country or peopIe. think if you dislike your country so much you should seek a better life in one where your heart is.

Could you give some examples.

You are not British until you get British Nationality. Then it's legal.
What does annoy me is that people that acquire it spend so much time trying to alter the country or peopIe. think if you dislike your country so much you should seek a better life in one where your heart is.

I think the interesting question is why people need or want to acquire nationality. If we were young working people needing to cross EU borders to work then it would make sense for us. I completely understand why EU citizens in the UK now feel they need it, as do others vulnerable to changing policies in a host nation.
If our host nation is happy to accept us as we are and we behave within the requirements of that nation and make a positive contribution to it, then I am not sure why we have to "become" anything.
As for "where are you from" there can be a line of intent in the question between curiosity and racism. I think it should be pretty clear when that line is crossed.

Callistemon21

^I think you've become British when queuing becomes second nature and you automatically apologise when someone bumps into you^

😀

A market researcher called around this week (He was French, but that’s irrelevant)
At one point he dropped his pen.
I apologised,
And then I apologised for apologising

I have never felt any criticism from French friends for not acquiring nationality. Our decision was based on the fact that it is a lengthy process with a backlog of applications and we felt that we should give way to younger people with a more urgent need. We speak French, know very few other British migrants, pay our taxes and get on with our lives. I think French people understand this very well; many live in other countries but they remain French and retain the right to vote in France.
I csn't comment on expats as this is not an area where people work for British companies on a short time basis.
In answer to a previous poster Spain does not allow dual nationality.

I don't think we need to go over the Palace incident yet again
The subject is in the heading.

We don't, no, an apology has been given and accepted.
Lessons have been learned.

I think you've become British when queuing becomes second nature and you automatically apologise when someone bumps into you

😀

I think you've become British when queuing becomes second nature and you automatically apologise when someone bumps into you.

I don't think we need to go over the Palace incident yet again.

I'm not much enamoured of an undercurrent I sense is developing, either.

Yes, I saw that, grannydarkhair

At what stage does an apology become insufficient?
We've had one or two threads about this already.

Ngozi Fulani was born here.

Rather than start a new thread, thought I’d post this here.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64005705

Siope

^For example, try appearing at a wedding in France in full highland dress. You would certainly be questioned, possibly even asked why you’d chosen to wear that outfit. Objecting to those questions in those circumstances shows a level of disrespect to your hosts, but it wouldn’t stop you being British^

But what if you were French?

Exactly-Even if you were French, wouldn’t you expect to be asked about where you came from and even why you chose that outfit?

Hi dragonfly46, wrong about what? My DGS was born in Spain. He is also British. I agree with you.

You are wrong GagaJo my son was born in the Netherlands but he is as British as you or me.

My ex husband isn't British. But he loves it here. Has lived here all of his adult life. Has a British wife (no. 2). No intention of giving up his nationality and also no intention of ever going 'home'.

I suspect he just didnt feel it was necessary or important. Possibly laziness . I am going to ask him that tomorrow.