The Union Jack

[SocketRocket]

Loving your country is not something you can simply say is due to a) b) and c), you wouldn't be able to describe in simple terms why you love your Children, Wife, Family etc, it's something intrinsic in most people. Most people around the World would say they love their countries even though they are a lot less hospitable or habitable than ours. IMO it's a very sad development when people have to ask why someone would want to love their country and be proud of it.

Regarding buying British. Of course you don't have to but when you do you are supporting British jobs and helping the British economy, you are helping our people to not have to rely on benefits, food banks and the scourge of long term unemployment. I have worked in countries like Germany and Japan where their first consideration is to purchase home made products and they also make sure that the quality of these products are good. Buying cheap foreign products is a false economy unless it helps generate trade for countries in the underdeveloped World.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Loving your country is not something you can simply say is due to a) b) and c), you wouldn't be able to describe in simple terms why you love your Children, Wife, Family etc, it's something intrinsic in most people. Most people around the World would say they love their countries even though they are a lot less hospitable or habitable than ours. IMO it's a very sad development when people have to ask why someone would want to love their country and be proud of it.

Regarding buying British. Of course you don't have to but when you do you are supporting British jobs and helping the British economy, you are helping our people to not have to rely on benefits, food banks and the scourge of long term unemployment. I have worked in countries like Germany and Japan where their first consideration is to purchase home made products and they also make sure that the quality of these products are good. Buying cheap foreign products is a false economy unless it helps generate trade for countries in the underdeveloped World.

Are you defining "buying British" as something just made in GB or it's also made by a British Company etc

 

[SocketRocket]

Are you defining "buying British" as something just made in GB or it's also made by a British Company etc

I am suggesting something British made that supports British jobs. Obviously there are many cases where you cant do this or it may be difficult, I am just saying that if you can then you are helping your fellow countrymen/Women with work.

If people don't agree with this type of thinking then would they support the NHS services being farmed out to foreign suppliers.

 

[Tashyboy]

Loving your country is not something you can simply say is due to a) b) and c), you wouldn't be able to describe in simple terms why you love your Children, Wife, Family etc, it's something intrinsic in most people. Most people around the World would say they love their countries even though they are a lot less hospitable or habitable than ours. IMO it's a very sad development when people have to ask why someone would want to love their country and be proud of it.

Regarding buying British. Of course you don't have to but when you do you are supporting British jobs and helping the British economy, you are helping our people to not have to rely on benefits, food banks and the scourge of long term unemployment. I have worked in countries like Germany and Japan where their first consideration is to purchase home made products and they also make sure that the quality of these products are good. Buying cheap foreign products is a false economy unless it helps generate trade for countries in the underdeveloped World.

:thup: Socket for primeminister

 

[Tashyboy]

That's all values though - you can still display all those traits but not be patriotic to GB/ England etc

Why would you not want to though. Cannot see one reason why?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I am suggesting something British made that supports British jobs. Obviously there are many cases where you cant do this or it may be difficult, I am just saying that if you can then you are helping your fellow countrymen/Women with work.

If people don't agree with this type of thinking then would they support the NHS services being farmed out to foreign suppliers.

Well I reckon 95% of the country buy products made or built in the U.K. At some stage - but the majority of those products aren't made by British Companies but foreign companies that have based factories or distribution centres which also supports British people in jobs and the economy etc

Normally the phrase "Buy British" refers to buying from a British Company based in GB etc

Hence the clarification

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Why would you not want to though. Cannot see one reason why?

Because not everyone is "patriotic" and display a blind pride in a bit of land and just because they were born there or their parents were

 

[SocketRocket]

Well I reckon 95% of the country buy products made or built in the U.K. At some stage - but the majority of those products aren't made by British Companies but foreign companies that have based factories or distribution centres which also supports British people in jobs and the economy etc

Normally the phrase "Buy British" refers to buying from a British Company based in GB etc

Hence the clarification

Buying products that are manufactured in the UK but are foreign owned companies is fine as it is creating jobs for British workers, Honda and Nissan cars for example. Just having the products passing through a British warehouse is not what I am suggesting.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Buying products that are manufactured in the UK but are foreign owned companies is fine as it is creating jobs for British workers, Honda and Nissan cars for example. Just having the products passing through a British warehouse is not what I am suggesting.

But those warehouses which are a great number employ thousands and thousands of people giving them jobs, helping the economy, stopping them needing to claim benefits , keeping the unemployment down

 

[SatchFan]

I'm currently flying the Union Jack for our very own tennis heroine, Johanna Konta, born in Australia to Hungarian parents.

 

[IanM]

I'm currently flying the Union Jack for our very own tennis heroine, Johanna Konta, born in Australia to Hungarian parents.

Exactly. No one said patriotism had to be rational. Shes one of ours now! Go Jo!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

This in a nutshell from what paul says.
How far are British values from patrotism, to me it's pride and what we hold dear (values) as a nation.



Our nation is built on the understanding of a changing world of sexual, religious, race and all things diverse. The acceptance of other cultures! Manners, family values, democracy whoever you vote for.

That is being Patriotic to British values, it is what our nation has fought for through wars and the ballot box. Argue amongst yourselves re the small print but me flying the Union Jack stands for all things British.

^^^Exactly, you can't portray and embrace all the values that make you British without being proud of those values and so by default being proud to be British

 

[SocketRocket]

But those warehouses which are a great number employ thousands and thousands of people giving them jobs, helping the economy, stopping them needing to claim benefits , keeping the unemployment down

You are quite entitled to consider it that way, I would prefer those warehouses to have as many British made products as possible. Please note that I have not suggested we never purchase foreign products.

 

[Hacker Khan]

^^^Exactly, you can't portray and embrace all the values that make you British without being proud of those values and so by default being proud to be British

OK, it's rate my patriotism time.

I always buy as much as I can from the local farm shop who farm from the fields around my house, I give up plenty of my time for free chairing the governing body of my local community school, I openly laughed when England lost to Iceland at football and was routing for Iceland in the final minutes, I thought Andy Murray winning Wimbledon for the 1st time was one of the greatest sporting achievements I will ever see and think the Olympic Team GB is the greatest sports team ever.

My car is German, my phone is South Korean, my golf clubs are American and the 'Britishness' of produce does not impact my buying preferences in any way, but I am firm believer in supporting your local firms. Made in Nottingham over made in Spain every time, made in Swindon V made in Italy make no odds to me. I passionately believe in the British values taught in schools nowadays but also thought we made a massive mistake when voting for Brexit and the whole process, especially the rise and perceived legitimacy of intolerant views by some, kind of brought shame on our nation.

I thought the Olympic opening ceremony in 2012 was possibly the best show I have seen and summed up what is great about Britain, and for those few weeks we truly were Great Britain, I think the flying of union jacks outside houses is a bit naff and mostly assume that the occupants are little Englanders. I really enjoy going abroad on holiday, the fewer Brits around in football shirts drinking lager at 10 am and having a full English breakfast in 30 degree heat the better but also spend 2 holidays a year in the UK as I think we have some wonderful holiday location. I quite like the Royal family as absolutely superb tourist attraction but think once Liz goes then unless they go straight to Wills and Kate then the nation will lose a lot of affection for them. I also despise the Daily Mail's view of what the UK should be. Am I patriotic??

 

[SocketRocket]

OK, it's rate my patriotism time.

I always buy as much as I can from the local farm shop who farm from the fields around my house, I give up plenty of my time for free chairing the governing body of my local community school, I openly laughed when England lost to Iceland at football and was routing for Iceland in the final minutes, I thought Andy Murray winning Wimbledon for the 1st time was one of the greatest sporting achievements I will ever see and think the Olympic Team GB is the greatest sports team ever.

My car is German, my phone is South Korean, my golf clubs are American and the 'Britishness' of produce does not impact my buying preferences in any way, but I am firm believer in supporting your local firms. Made in Nottingham over made in Spain every time, made in Swindon V made in Italy make no odds to me. I passionately believe in the British values taught in schools nowadays but also thought we made a massive mistake when voting for Brexit and the whole process, especially the rise and perceived legitimacy of intolerant views by some, kind of brought shame on our nation.

I thought the Olympic opening ceremony in 2012 was possibly the best show I have seen and summed up what is great about Britain, and for those few weeks we truly were Great Britain, I think the flying of union jacks outside houses is a bit naff and mostly assume that the occupants are little Englanders. I really enjoy going abroad on holiday, the fewer Brits around in football shirts drinking lager at 10 am and having a full English breakfast in 30 degree heat the better but also spend 2 holidays a year in the UK as I think we have some wonderful holiday location. I quite like the Royal family as absolutely superb tourist attraction but think once Liz goes then unless they go straight to Wills and Kate then the nation will lose a lot of affection for them. I also despise the Daily Mail's view of what the UK should be. Am I patriotic??

That's a question for you to answer. It really is nothing to be ashamed about if you are though.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

OK, it's rate my patriotism time.

I always buy as much as I can from the local farm shop who farm from the fields around my house, I give up plenty of my time for free chairing the governing body of my local community school, I openly laughed when England lost to Iceland at football and was routing for Iceland in the final minutes, I thought Andy Murray winning Wimbledon for the 1st time was one of the greatest sporting achievements I will ever see and think the Olympic Team GB is the greatest sports team ever.

My car is German, my phone is South Korean, my golf clubs are American and the 'Britishness' of produce does not impact my buying preferences in any way, but I am firm believer in supporting your local firms. Made in Nottingham over made in Spain every time, made in Swindon V made in Italy make no odds to me. I passionately believe in the British values taught in schools nowadays but also thought we made a massive mistake when voting for Brexit and the whole process, especially the rise and perceived legitimacy of intolerant views by some, kind of brought shame on our nation.

I thought the Olympic opening ceremony in 2012 was possibly the best show I have seen and summed up what is great about Britain, and for those few weeks we truly were Great Britain, I think the flying of union jacks outside houses is a bit naff and mostly assume that the occupants are little Englanders. I really enjoy going abroad on holiday, the fewer Brits around in football shirts drinking lager at 10 am and having a full English breakfast in 30 degree heat the better but also spend 2 holidays a year in the UK as I think we have some wonderful holiday location. I quite like the Royal family as absolutely superb tourist attraction but think once Liz goes then unless they go straight to Wills and Kate then the nation will lose a lot of affection for them. I also despise the Daily Mail's view of what the UK should be. Am I patriotic??

Are you embarrassed to say you are English or British when abroad?

Saying you are or you are not patriotic doesn't come with a tick list.

Are there things I hate about this country? Damn right, am I embarrassed by some of the British behaviour abroad? Absolutely. Am I proud to British? Definitely, do I consider my self patriotic? Certainly.

I may not fit the mold some use when describing what being a patriot means to them, but that's their judgement.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Are you embarrassed to say you are English or British when abroad?

Saying you are or you are not patriotic doesn't come with a tick list.

Are there things I hate about this country? Damn right, am I embarrassed by some of the British behaviour abroad? Absolutely. Am I proud to British? Definitely, do I consider my self patriotic? Certainly.

I may not fit the mold some use when describing what being a patriot means to them, but that's their judgement.

When I'm abroad I'm neither embarrassed or particularly proud to say I'm British. It's more a factual thing to me. I'm more proud of my home city.

I do not see myself as particularly patriotic with regards to Britain and especially England. But think I am more proud of my local community and where I live. So may be localism is more important to me than national patriotism.

 

[Hobbit]

When I'm abroad I'm neither embarrassed or particularly proud to say I'm British. It's more a factual thing to me. I'm more proud of my home city.

I do not see myself as particularly patriotic with regards to Britain and especially England. But think I am more proud of my local community and where I live. So may be localism is more important to me than national patriotism.

Interesting point, and thought provoking. I've moved around a lot, living in several countries. I usually love where I live, and try and get involved locally, but when I move on it only becomes a memory. My affinity is where I am. Yet I'm a Middlesbrough supporter, the place of my birth, and an England/GB supporter when it comes to sports.

*Mmm, ruminates thoughtfully...*

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Re cheering on British or USA golfers...if the British player was a complete dork and the other was Tom Watson I know which one I would be cheering on.

It has nothing to do with to do with patriotic feelings.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Interesting point, and thought provoking. I've moved around a lot, living in several countries. I usually love where I live, and try and get involved locally, but when I move on it only becomes a memory. My affinity is where I am. Yet I'm a Middlesbrough supporter, the place of my birth, and an England/GB supporter when it comes to sports.

*Mmm, ruminates thoughtfully...*

Ah but but.. my English daughter who has now lived in Scotland for 12 years jumped out of her chair with a loud YES and a fist pump when Scotland scored their second goal against England. Proud of that girl.