Re: the Queen's Jubilee, preposterous fawning over "Britishness", and vigorous waving of Union Jacks

Being proud of simply being from a place, be it Britain, London, or anywhere else, is like being proud of having toenails or breathing oxygen. It's not an achievement, and it's not anything you've had any influence over whatsoever. If you really need something to be proud of, try looking at something that directly relates to you: your achievements, your family, your friends, their achievements. Chances are they're much more worthy of the sentiment than something as completely arbitrary as the country you're from, or the centuries-old leftovers of a ruling class.

So have you just got out of bed the wrong side?

17 million people in Britain watched the celebrations yesterday evening, they could have watched something else, but like you they felt unable to change channels. If you don't like it, watch something else.

Some people are simply patriotic, and I think nearly every British person has a fondness for the Queen. The other family members leave much to be desired.

So what are the alternatives? Chop their heads off and suffer Nicolas Sarkozy? Bring in Presidents that abuse their power, as in the USA? Choose a leader that allows his friends to rob the country?

The Queen has been excellent value for money, she even pays her taxes! And full marks to the British public for standing in the rain to pay their respects.

I think it is more about respect for what has happened in the past. When the chips were down did British people crumble or did they stand and fight, that sort of thing.

Being proud to follow in traditions and proud to be born in a certain place are not the same thing.

OP, even if not a true sweattie, must have been influenced by the salmon(d) trying to swim upstream against the flow, and dislikes everything over the wall.

One can still be proud of one's heritage - even if was not chosen - as well as personal achievements.

Don't yer just hate those who believe that their place in the world is purely determined by their own achievements, compared to others'.

I am just superior by circumstance of birth, alone.

You Brits have a lot to be proud of after the spectacular show last
night..nothing wrong with waving your flag for the queen.Wow..wow..
wow..what a well-organised and brilliant Jubilee concert last night..I
couldn't get enough..there wasn't a dull moment..the artists were superb,
the comedians tops and no matter what anyone may think of Gary Barlow,
he had a huge part in putting it together and is a proud Brit.I think the
Brits could forget their problems last night and just be united as British.
Brits sure know how to do pomp and ceremony like no other
nation in my opinion!!!Good on you!!!!No matter what anyone thinks of
the monarchy,they are great for tourism!!

"All men are equal; it's not birth but virtue that makes the difference"

Jean Paul Sartre

Indeed, saw a program on the Battle of Britain last night.

Definitely something to be proud of (and I'm no Brit)

Tom

Why must we only be allowed to be proud of our achievements? I think we're free to be proud of whatever the hell we like, and don't really need some arsey internet nobody to tell us otherwise.

uh oh.. sounds like someones just had the horrible realisation they arent British

Yeah, but that wasn't a fair fight. The Messerschmitt 109s were at the edge of their combat range and afforded little aerial coverage for the Heinkels and Junkers which were outperformed by the RAF's Hurricanes and Spifires. And the Germans were led by a cocaine addicted fat Göring who had no idea of tactics ...

Alright, just joking. Their Finest Hour and all that. ....

You can be proud of something or someone whether or not you have had any influence over them.
I am proud of my family, my husband, and other things including my country, with its highs and lows, its failures and achievements. I am not a great royalist or nationalist, but I think the Queen has been a wonderful asset to Great Britain, she is 86 years old and still working. Yes I know, not in a factory or a coal mine, but she is working, representing our country at home and abroad.

Ooh, have been itching to post this. Make sure you watch the following sequences; there are nine overall.

Contains nudity - so Not Safe For Work - but it's not innappropriate.

*deep breath*
I am Canadian by birth, proud of my homeland and will celebrate 01 July with friends.
I am a US citizen by law, proud of my adopted homeland and will celebrate 04 July with friends ( maybe I won't stop from Canada Day )
and while I am not a Brit citizen anyone who had the pleasure ( ) of seeing me on Saturday at Grumpies party knew I was proud to be invited to share in the Queen's party.

I think we should ALL be proud of where we are from and not angry at others for being proud.

he he Grynch - is the size of the flag directly proportional to the standing of the country?!

has no one ever taught you?... its not the size ( of the flag ) it's what you do with it.

( speaking of size ... did you watch the boat parade on the Thames?.. did you see the size of the St. Pirans flag on the cornish gig )

Poor Brits, one small isolated show of patriotism and we're instantly labelled flag waving scounderals
Usually its the opposite, people too squeamish or embarassed to display a union jack for fear of being tarred with the same brush as the BNP

you've unfortunately mixed complaints here - while I agree with the sentiment that celebrating the inherited aristocratic trappings of complete strangers is utterly inane (as is the celebration of our own military-industrial complex in the US), I think that pride in one's heritage is a virtue. your sentiment that you've not had any influence over the country of your birth is not an indictment of that country, it's an indictment of you - think globally, act locally / the world is what you make of it, etc.

No I didn't, sadly, although I trust it was suitably enormous

You mean like this?...

off topic.. turns out it wasnt a gig but... "barnabus, 40ft St Ives mackerel driver, from 1880"