For those that are unfamiliar with the series two comics travel around Britain trying out the most bizarre and most British of sports, I have to say it warms the heart to see people that are proud to be British and keep the most noble of traditions alive and well despite the negative views of things 100% British!
thats very sweet of you but unfortunately be prepared to be argues with. Sadly it appears to be british is to be everything that is wrong. This country cannot do anything right in many people's eyes. I am proud of my country and if it wasn't for the democracy that it is, then this forum would not exist.
Originally posted by smiley cat: thats very sweet of you but unfortunately be prepared to be argues with. Sadly it appears to be british is to be everything that is wrong. This country cannot do anything right in many people's eyes. I am proud of my country and if it wasn't for the democracy that it is, then this forum would not exist.
But I think that is the general perception that alot of countries have about the brits now when it is simply not true. What this programme is showing is Britain at its best and I completely agree with you I think you are all very lucky to have what you have here, and should be proud.
Originally posted by steste: For a long time I have thought that the British identity was fast fading for a number of reasons but I recently saw a programme on TV that reminded of the reasons I came here and that was Rory and Paddys great british adventure http://demand.five.tv/Series.aspx?seasonBaseName=RoryPa...tishAdventureSeason1
For those that are unfamiliar with the series two comics travel around Britain trying out the most bizarre and most British of sports, I have to say it warms the heart to see people that are proud to be British and keep the most noble of traditions alive and well despite the negative views of things 100% British!
100% of nothing is,,,,
Britain and Britishness are false concepts. They are supposed to make Scots, Irish and Welsh feel more like little Englanders than Scots, Irish and Welsh.
Those two comedians are English and rightly proud of it. They not British, which is indisputably a false concept. The Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland are anti-democratic and was simply a diktat bought by London possessed Gold, land and promise. If you or anyone else can be proud of such a horrific concept then please share it with the rest of the free world!
Its sad to see that you think that one must choose between having an interest in British society and the plethora of different cultures which are easy to observe here too. I do not believe the two interests are mutually exclusive nor do I believe that everyone having similar tastes or opinions is a good thing. Pluralism, Pluralism, Pluralism.
Originally posted by steste: For a long time I have thought that the British identity was fast fading for a number of reasons but I recently saw a programme on TV that reminded of the reasons I came here and that was Rory and Paddys great british adventure http://demand.five.tv/Series.aspx?seasonBaseName=RoryPa...tishAdventureSeason1
For those that are unfamiliar with the series two comics travel around Britain trying out the most bizarre and most British of sports, I have to say it warms the heart to see people that are proud to be British and keep the most noble of traditions alive and well despite the negative views of things 100% British!
100% of nothing is,,,,
Britain and Britishness are false concepts. They are supposed to make Scots, Irish and Welsh feel more like little Englanders than Scots, Irish and Welsh.
Those two comedians are English and rightly proud of it. They not British, which is indisputably a false concept. The Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland are anti-democratic and was simply a diktat bought by London possessed Gold, land and promise. If you or anyone else can be proud of such a horrific concept then please share it with the rest of the free world!
Complete and total drivel, if you watch the series they travel through Britain sampling the very different and unique sports that define that region and was practised well before the union. Each are a unique identity to that part of this wonderful place. Politics does not come in to it and I find it very sad that people like your good self cannot appreciate good honest fun.
Originally posted by zchabj5: Its sad to see that you think that one must choose between having an interest in British society and the plethora of different cultures which are easy to observe here too. I do not believe the two interests are mutually exclusive nor do I believe that everyone having similar tastes or opinions is a good thing. Pluralism, Pluralism, Pluralism.
Indeed I agree nor am I suggesting that you should chose between the two (apologies if that is how I came across) I was merely stating that after a week of listening to people force feed you with the reasons why they think that Britain is the arm pit of the world something like this can remind you that it isn't all bad
Originally posted by zchabj5: Its sad to see that you think that one must choose between having an interest in British society and the plethora of different cultures which are easy to observe here too. I do not believe the two interests are mutually exclusive nor do I believe that everyone having similar tastes or opinions is a good thing. Pluralism, Pluralism, Pluralism.
Indeed I agree nor am I suggesting that you should chose between the two (apologies if that is how I came across) I was merely stating that after a week of listening to people force feed you with the reasons why they think that Britain is the arm pit of the world something like this can remind you that it isn't all bad
Well then I agree with you, pride, with constraints is not always bad. National critique can also be a form of patriotism.
Originally posted by zchabj5: Its sad to see that you think that one must choose between having an interest in British society and the plethora of different cultures which are easy to observe here too. I do not believe the two interests are mutually exclusive nor do I believe that everyone having similar tastes or opinions is a good thing. Pluralism, Pluralism, Pluralism.
Indeed I agree nor am I suggesting that you should chose between the two (apologies if that is how I came across) I was merely stating that after a week of listening to people force feed you with the reasons why they think that Britain is the arm pit of the world something like this can remind you that it isn't all bad
Well then I agree with you, pride, with constraints is not always bad. National critique can also be a form of patriotism.
If that is true then you guys are seriously patriotic!!
Originally posted by steste: Complete and total drivel, if you watch the series they travel through Britain sampling the very different and unique sports that define that region and was practised well before the union. Each are a unique identity to that part of this wonderful place. Politics does not come in to it and I find it very sad that people like your good self cannot appreciate good honest fun.
So you think Rory and Paddy are not English?? You also imagine that Britain, Great Britain or the United Kingdom of Britain is a real country? And you write about others talking drivel? The whole premise of your thread is as hopeless as your pride in a non-existent country! The UK is dead, let it be.
Originally posted by steste: Complete and total drivel, if you watch the series they travel through Britain sampling the very different and unique sports that define that region and was practised well before the union. Each are a unique identity to that part of this wonderful place. Politics does not come in to it and I find it very sad that people like your good self cannot appreciate good honest fun.
So you think Rory and Paddy are not English?? You also imagine that Britain, Great Britain or the United Kingdom of Britain is a real country? And you write about others talking drivel? The whole premise of your thread is as hopeless as your pride in a non-existent country! The UK is dead, let it be.
Sorry you have lost me with your ridiculous ranting. Go out side take 10 seconds maybe try smiling though it may hurt because I would imagine those muscles in your face haven't been used in a while. Come back and try and make some sense please..... thanks for listening.
I like Rory and Paddy as individuals, both funny in their own way.
I can't say that the programme stirred any previously quiescent "Britishness" though, in fact I'm not sure I'd want to be associated with a shin-kicking contest under any circumstances
Originally posted by Scandalista: Technically, surely Rory is Scottish & Paddy Irish originally? The Scots & Irish don't like being lumped with the English for good reason...
I googled & Rory's from Cornwall & Paddy's from Lancashire.
Originally posted by Scandalista: Technically, surely Rory is Scottish & Paddy Irish originally? The Scots & Irish don't like being lumped with the English for good reason...
I googled & Rory's from Cornwall & Paddy's from Lancashire.
Complete and total drivel, if you watch the series they travel through Britain sampling the very different and unique sports that define that region and was practised well before the union. Each are a unique identity to that part of this wonderful place. Politics does not come in to it and I find it very sad that people like your good self cannot appreciate good honest fun.
In other words, this programme demonstrates that the different parts of the world have different identities that pre-existed the notion of "Britain" and the "United Kingdom" and that these different identities and means of expression has persisted despite the idea of "Britishness".
Does this not make clear that the notion of Britain and Britishness are a completely artificial concept that has failed to unify people from different parts of the world as was intended.
In the same way that the attempts to rename Scotland as "North Britain" failed to supress the pre-existing Scottish culture and identity, it has failed with the examples highlighted here.
As an aside, if these guys were to take their travels further to Western Europe of elsewhere, is it not possible (if not highly likely) that they would also find that different countries (and regions within countries) had their own similar examples of local traditions and sporting activities.
Could this be hailed as an example of the "Best of British", or would it show that these findings are nothing to do with "Britain" at all and more to do with the human condition, the world over.
Complete and total drivel, if you watch the series they travel through Britain sampling the very different and unique sports that define that region and was practised well before the union. Each are a unique identity to that part of this wonderful place. Politics does not come in to it and I find it very sad that people like your good self cannot appreciate good honest fun.
In other words, this programme demonstrates that the different parts of the world have different identities that pre-existed the notion of "Britain" and the "United Kingdom" and that these different identities and means of expression has persisted despite the idea of "Britishness".
Does this not make clear that the notion of Britain and Britishness are a completely artificial concept that has failed to unify people from different parts of the world as was intended.
In the same way that the attempts to rename Scotland as "North Britain" failed to supress the pre-existing Scottish culture and identity, it has failed with the examples highlighted here.
As an aside, if these guys were to take their travels further to Western Europe of elsewhere, is it not possible (if not highly likely) that they would also find that different countries (and regions within countries) had their own similar examples of local traditions and sporting activities.
Could this be hailed as an example of the "Best of British", or would it show that these findings are nothing to do with "Britain" at all and more to do with the human condition, the world over.
And what's wrong with being English, by the way?
Eloquently said
I still don't see how throwing eggs, kicking shins and rolling a cheese, would make me feel more British
Complete and total drivel, if you watch the series they travel through Britain sampling the very different and unique sports that define that region and was practised well before the union. Each are a unique identity to that part of this wonderful place. Politics does not come in to it and I find it very sad that people like your good self cannot appreciate good honest fun.
In other words, this programme demonstrates that the different parts of the world have different identities that pre-existed the notion of "Britain" and the "United Kingdom" and that these different identities and means of expression has persisted despite the idea of "Britishness".
Does this not make clear that the notion of Britain and Britishness are a completely artificial concept that has failed to unify people from different parts of the world as was intended.
In the same way that the attempts to rename Scotland as "North Britain" failed to supress the pre-existing Scottish culture and identity, it has failed with the examples highlighted here.
As an aside, if these guys were to take their travels further to Western Europe of elsewhere, is it not possible (if not highly likely) that they would also find that different countries (and regions within countries) had their own similar examples of local traditions and sporting activities.
Could this be hailed as an example of the "Best of British", or would it show that these findings are nothing to do with "Britain" at all and more to do with the human condition, the world over.
And what's wrong with being English, by the way?
Eloquently said
I still don't see how throwing eggs, kicking shins and rolling a cheese, would make me feel more British
Because it is quintesentially British (apologies for spelling. These sports are completely unique that have a fantastic history and an even more fantastic following. And I think it is the unique things that seperate you from others that give you an identity.
There is a nice short film by Martin Parr the photographer about Englishness. It shows people bracing the wind in Blackpool, country side fetes with competitions for the best jam or largest vegetable, some loutishness is involved also. However it is great, particularly when a lovely liverpudian lady talks about Englishness as accepting other cultures and I think she says something like "There is always room for another potato in the pot". We all have our own ideas about Englishness, it isn't anything to be ashamed of in my opinion.
