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

Good question Siope. I have a friend who turned up at a wedding in Italy (he is Italian, born and bred) in full highland dress, because his grand-parents were Scottish, and he always loved going there.

Galaxy, do you have any idea why your dad did not acquire British nationality earlier?

As mentionned by another poster earlier, who had a Polish dad (so sorry to hear you lost him when very young)- it is perhaps different for those who were pushed by war, and forced to settle in another country. My OH's parents were pushed by a terrible regime, but they wanted to take British nationality and become 'more British than the British' and put the past behind them, asap. Easy as father was British.

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?

It's an interesting question. My dad is German, has lived here for over 60 years, only took British nationality when Brexit made it necessary. I think he would feel it doesnt matter whether people thought he was British or not.

kircubbin2000

If you met Miss Fulani I don't think British would be your first thought, specially in that outfit!

If you go out if your way to appear in an outfit more usually (though not necessarily) seen in a different country, then you’re likely to be asked your nationality and where you come from.
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 if you match the criteria posted by Blossoming.
www.gov.uk/types-of-british-nationality.
Racism is something else.

And now, we’ve all been made aware of the dangers of pursuing the questioning based on appearance, whether usual or carefully organised.

I am British and could easily take French nationality but no French person would mistake my accent.
The only time I have wanted to change was this year , I felt so ashamed of Boris Johnson, but he's subsided so I'll stay British

Oreo, you just could not be more wrong. You seem determined to turn this thread/question, into a nasty personal argument. Have you ever heard about 'playing the ball'.

What woud be interesting, as said, is your opinion about the question in the OP. I am British, by the way.

Ta * lemsip*
I think I joined in October, so not new.

I think you have some sort of chip on your shoulder about the British Fleurpepper from what I’ve seen recently.
Hope that’s interesting to you.

Oreo is not new to gransnet

Complained, not been complained.

I think I’ve been complained - in varying degrees - about every country I’ve lived in. I’d find it a little weird, I think, to sit with friends who were bitching about something that was evidently a problem, and remain silent. And it would be unconscionable to ignore injustices of any kind.

I pay my taxes, I get a voice.

Oreo, what do you think about the question in the OP. That would be interesting, thanks, especially as you are totally new to GN it seems.

Oreo

I don’t know Gagajo but I can see the negative in this thread a mile off.
Leave you to ponder on it.

What a very strange comment.

There is nothing negative about the OP, at all. If someone, or some, choose to turn it into an argument, and negative at that, then it is their prerogative.

Or perhaps an indication of stereotype or prejudice of their own making. That would be a great pity.

Oreo

I don’t know Gagajo but I can see the negative in this thread a mile off.
Leave you to ponder on it.

I think if the participants are open to discussion, it should be fine.

I don’t know Gagajo but I can see the negative in this thread a mile off.
Leave you to ponder on it.

Oreo

GagaJo

Iam64

Fleurpepper. Do you have any positive views on British people, no matter where they live

This is a light hearted thread.

Yeah right!😄😖
We aren’t all mugs Gagajo

No, but we can at least try not to lower ourselves to be unpleasant. Why always see the negative?

It is indeed not a 'lighthearted' thread. It is an important subject, for more and more people in this increasingly shrinking world, with huge mobility across countries and continents. Probably more so for our ACs and GCs in future. But it is certainly not a confrontational thread, nor an argument, but hopefully an intelligent discussion, and perhaps, for some, an eye opener (or not).

Orea, mugs? Who and why?

GagaJo

Iam64

Fleurpepper. Do you have any positive views on British people, no matter where they live

This is a light hearted thread.

Yeah right!😄😖
We aren’t all mugs Gagajo

Siope

I agree that citizenship is in the eye of the beholder. My sister-in-law has lived in the UK for over 60 years, my spouse has been a citizen for over 20, and resident longer, but to some people they will never be British.

They are both white, and have the joy of being regularly told both that they are not really British, and that they’re not really immigrants (ie not black or brown or whatever nationality the Daily Fail has an issue with that week).

Great post. So glad you understand what this thread is about.

Allsorts

Where your heart is.

Back to this one, as it is really interesting. But this is not just about people who live outside the UK. I have friends in London, who still think of themselves as Geordies, or from Yorkshire, or Northern Ireland, first and foremost. In many ways, their heart is still there, but they are economic migrants.
Friends in Paris who still think of themselves as being from the 'Midi', with strong accents to match after 50+ years, and so on, all over the world. You don't have to move countries to have your heart elsewhere, or indeed, in two or more places. Peopple who go back home and then return home (where they live now).

My DH is from New Zealand and has had a UK passport since about 1980, but he never complains about the weather so not really British yet.

Casdon

Hardly any of the British population can lay claim to being ‘really British’. Just have your DNA tested.

Yes, we're a nation of mongrels all right.

Iam64

Fleurpepper. Do you have any positive views on British people, no matter where they live

Oh I do, you have no idea. So many wonderful family, friends and people. This post is however, not about me. The response I gave is about Anglo-Saxons expats, who sadly, have a really bad reputation abroad, overall, for not integrating, not learning the language even after decades- there are 1000s of exceptions of course.

Now about that Spanis Lady your friend married, MeryllStreep- if she has worked in this country, contributed to this country in many ways, learnt the language, got stuck in in so many ways, why should she not have a say and an opinion?

Your post illustrates exactly what perhaps this thread was about, so in a way, thanks.

Mamie, I do think the situation is very different if anyone moves into a country to retire, or work for their latter years- and as you say, have no intention of taking the nationality. It does not mean however, that those who do are not entitled to have an opinion.

I have friends from Israel who have got British nationality and have lived here for 15 years. They are told that are not 'properly' British and shouldn't 'meddle in British politics'- despite working for the NHS in key jobs. And when visiting adult children in Israel, are told they not live abroad, so have no right to an opinion in what is happening there. So do they become 'nobody' with no rights to an opinion anywhere, perhaps?

Hardly any of the British population can lay claim to being ‘really British’. Just have your DNA tested.

I agree that citizenship is in the eye of the beholder. My sister-in-law has lived in the UK for over 60 years, my spouse has been a citizen for over 20, and resident longer, but to some people they will never be British.

They are both white, and have the joy of being regularly told both that they are not really British, and that they’re not really immigrants (ie not black or brown or whatever nationality the Daily Fail has an issue with that week).