Rule, Britannia! A Club for the British (but opened up to the Commonwealth and those affected).

[Dionysos]

(Note: Despite the title, I have no desire to bring back the British Empire).

​

Hurrah! Huzzah! The British have a club of sorts. Anyone can join who has something to say about Britain.

This is not intended to be a nationalist club, or anything too prideful.

We can use this club to investigate just what it means to be British (other than simply: born in Britain). What is Britishness to you?

We can also drop any British stories that we may want to share here... Personal. History. National heroes. Cultural myths. Current affairs. Just what are we? Are we in an age where it doesn't matter? Should it matter?

So, put your feet up, grab a cream scone with jam and a cup of tea, and we shall discuss these matters.


Rules:
Typical common-sense rules apply, and general club rules, and also the forum rules.

Particular rules that should be emphasised:
1) Nationality and cultural identity is a thorny issue for most people. Acknowledge that people will have different views here, and respect such.
2) Nationality and cultural identity is sometimes regarded as synonymous with racism. Let us avoid sailing in those waters.



If you want to sign up, just say so.


(Inspired by Cali's American thread).

 

[Dionysos]

Members:
Dionysos
Big Casino
Clever Cookies
Fleur
Callisto
Harlequin
Belazor et Britannia
Stevie
LanguageSponge

 

[The Witch]

haha cheers! i wish your club prosperity!

 

[Paddy McGee]

B-B-But I'm Irish... What club do I join?

 

[The Witch]

This should have been a United Kingdom club, to include Ireland, Scotland, etc

 

[Big Casino]

This should have been a United Kingdom club, to include Ireland, Scotland, etc

Its the same thing

Great Britain though is actually a geographical term used to refer to the biggest and main Island of the British Isles. Which includes England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom refers to the 4 kingdoms which make up the UK. N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and of course the islands around the UK which belong to their relative country but all are united under the Union Jack. By saying Britain that doesnt mean ONLY England. Though that seems to be a very common misconception amongst people overseas, especially in the United States. No doubt due to the fact that England is the largest country in the United Kingdom and has the biggest population. That and a sterotypical Brit always speaks with a posh London accent whilst hiding in theyre houses from the rain...and the dentist.
Theres no such thing as a ''British accent'' really. Everyone sounds so different when speaking English. Not to mention that N Ireland, Wales and Scotland are not solely English speaking countries and each have other languages. Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Scots Gaelic etc. They were 3 of the Celtic nations afterall.

Also McGee is from Mainland Ireland and not part of the UK!

With that said you can count me in Dan. I do enjoy bantering on about British history. 8)

 

[Paddy McGee]

Its the same thing

Great Britain though is actually a geographical term used to refer to the biggest and main Island of the British Isles. Which includes England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom refers to the 4 kingdoms which make up the UK. N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and of course the islands around the UK which belong to their relative country but all are united under the Union Jack. By saying Britain that doesnt mean ONLY England. Though that seems to be a very common misconception amongst people overseas, especially in the United States. No doubt due to the fact that England is the largest country in the United Kingdom and has the biggest population. That and a sterotypical Brit always speaks with a posh London accent whilst hiding in theyre houses from the rain...and the dentist.
Theres no such thing as a ''British accent'' really. Everyone sounds so different when speaking English. Not to mention that N Ireland, Wales and Scotland are not solely English speaking countries and each have other languages. Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Scots Gaelic etc. They were 3 of the Celtic nations afterall.

Also McGee is from Mainland Ireland and not part of the UK!

With that said you can count me in Dan. I do enjoy bantering on about British history. 8)

Nice explanation you got DAR, Lew McScottson!


Perhaps someone will make a club for the inbetweeners like me?

 

[The Witch]

Its the same thing

Great Britain though is actually a geographical term used to refer to the biggest and main Island of the British Isles. Which includes England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom refers to the 4 kingdoms which make up the UK. N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and of course the islands around the UK which belong to their relative country but all are united under the Union Jack. By saying Britain that doesnt mean ONLY England. Though that seems to be a very common misconception amongst people overseas, especially in the United States. No doubt due to the fact that England is the largest country in the United Kingdom and has the biggest population. That and a sterotypical Brit always speaks with a posh London accent whilst hiding in theyre houses from the rain...and the dentist.
Theres no such thing as a ''British accent'' really. Everyone sounds so different when speaking English. Not to mention that N Ireland, Wales and Scotland are not solely English speaking countries and each have other languages. Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Scots Gaelic etc. They were 3 of the Celtic nations afterall.

Also McGee is from Mainland Ireland and not part of the UK!

With that said you can count me in Dan. I do enjoy bantering on about British history. 8)

well, then, lew. thank you for that history coarse that's why i thought a UK club would have made more sense, though since the irish dude was all "what about the irish!" in a club for britian. i did not know the term britain refers to all countries though.

 

[Dionysos]

Ireland itself used to be part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain for a time, and then there is a lot of history (mostly unfortunate) between the two, so it could count as 'those affected', if you wish. That is a VERY thorny issue though, and I'd hate to bring that sort of thing up, so it is up to what you want to get out of this club.

You don't have to all be British to join this club, but the club is to discuss various things British, and history related to Britain or something like that.

(Accepted, Lew. )

 

[Paddy McGee]

When dealing with Great Britain,the Republic Of Ireland are put into the same bracket and thrown into the mix in certain circumstances, primarily for ease. I thought it was the case for here, since population level for "Paddys" is pretty low on this particular forum.

Hence my inquiry.

 

[The Witch]

you guys are lucky. all americans hate america

 

[Paddy McGee]

Meh. Fuck it, I'll join. I have no problems with the British, tbh. EVEN WALES!

 

[Dionysos]

A lot of British people hate Britain also.

You are both welcome to join this club if you'd like. Or you can comment as special guests. I'll make allowance for that.

As for the Irishman thing... There are a couple of Irish people on this forum, but I don't know many. I can think of 3.

But since this club can be topical rather than only open to the British, you are welcome here. This is to be an open discussion on anything 'British', or whatever that even means.



EDIT - Welcome, Clever Cookies.

 

[Linnaete]

Russia: Britain is “just a small island … no one pays any attention to them”

Queen:

Sign me up for a cruise on SS Britannia as well. Let's go round to these foreign countries full of Johnny Foreigners and with our delusions of grandeur, annex them all one by one, starting with those Russians. Our Empire will rise again and we can be a relevant world power again.

@Clever Cookies; you Irishmen still have a chance to repent and kneel at the servitude of the Crown. It's not too late!

 

[Big Casino]

While the history between the Republic of Ireland and main land Britain has been yeah..pretty brutal the countries history in general is very brutal. Im referring to all the kingdoms of the UK though and not just Ireland. England especially had its fair share of power hungry Monarchs who wanted to expand and expand the nation. The British empire though was the largest ever in history. Kinda funny that its become just a fraction of its former self and even the United Kingdom is danger of being seperated. Supposing Scotland did leave the UK i wonder what would happen to the Union Jack? Would the saint Andrews flag of Scotland be removed? Then again its not a United Kingdom whatsoever if the Kingdoms arent..united. Would they make a new flag for the remaining countries of the UK? Wales kinda got left out when it came to flag design. What about websites who ask your language? Would they still show a Union Jack for the sake of simplicity or would that change too. Though nowadays the language English always seems to sit next to a stars and stripes flag. Thats always annoyed me. English then the words (american) in brackets -_______-
I think of the small things quite alot !

Oh and i forgot to say before i started gabbin on that the brutal parts of History. War, execution, plots againt the King. While bloody theyre definitely the best parts to read about.

 

[The Witch]

You are both welcome to join this club if you'd like. Or you can comment as special guests. I'll make allowance for that.

Can I be, like, your special U.S. correspondence think of it, if something major happens you can @ me and I will come in and discuss things with you. it will be so professional

Russia: Britain is “just a small island … no one pays any attention to them”

Queen:

First Russia calls Kerry a liar and a coward, now he goes after the kingdom.

While the history between the Republic of Ireland and main land Britain has been yeah..pretty brutal the countries history in general is very brutal. Im referring to all the kingdoms of the UK though and not just Ireland. England especially had its fair share of power hungry Monarchs who wanted to expand and expand the nation. The British empire though was the largest ever in history. Kinda funny that its become just a fraction of its former self and even the United Kingdom is danger of being seperated. Supposing Scotland did leave the UK i wonder what would happen to the Union Jack? Would the saint Andrews flag of Scotland be removed? Then again its not a United Kingdom whatsoever if the Kingdoms arent..united. Would they make a new flag for the remaining countries of the UK? Wales kinda got left out when it came to flag design. What about websites who ask your language? Would they still show a Union Jack for the sake of simplicity or would that change too. Though nowadays the language English always seems to sit next to a stars and stripes flag. Thats always annoyed me. English then the words (american) in brackets -_______-
I think of the small things quite alot !

Oh and i forgot to say before i started gabbin on that the brutal parts of History. War, execution, plots againt the King. While bloody theyre definitely the best parts to read about.

that is my favorite part of history as well. it's very vicarious of me but i just like reading about atrocities and how they could/should have been avoided.

all I can contribute to that is that Richard the third had roundworms.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...f76782-14cc-11e3-b220-2c950c7f3263_story.html

 

[Paddy McGee]

Fleur: REPENT? Hahahaha. No.


Although, thanks guys. You're taking care of the North's bill(Which the Irish economy during the Celtic Tiger wouldn't of been able to handle, let alone now).


All the hard-earned taxes go to support a section of your commonwealth that can't even come close to balancing the books for themselves!


I could see the "benefits" of being a member of the British commonwealth... But nah. Not for me!!! I love my porn too much.

Still, I do like visiting every so often. For something of a shit-heap, Liverpool is pretty nice. Oh, and your airports are fantastic!

P.S: Even though a former IRA commander is one of our leading politicians down south now, doesn't mean we all wanna blow London up.

 

[Big Casino]

Great so now if the topic of World war 2 comes up wer gunna have all you yanky doodle cowboys comin in like yo dude we totally saved your ass man in ww2!!
And then telling us about the great war of American independence which essentially closed the books on the British Empire once and for all.

What you said McGee about not havign a problem with the British. Ive had this conversation before a few times but ive never thought of myself as ''British'' Not for a second I mean of course im a British citizen and all that but ive always considered myself Scottish. Not British. Green said the same thing except Welsh obviously. I think Dan you considered yourself British. The Saint George only reminds you of the anglo saxons i think you said

 

[Harlequin]

Some of the Irish get offended when you refer to Ireland as a part of Britain. Rightly so I suppose.

Anyway good club count me in!

 

[Paddy McGee]

Great so now if the topic of World war 2 comes up wer gunna have all you yanky doodle cowboys comin in like yo dude we totally saved your ass man in ww2!!
And then telling us about the great war of American independence which essentially closed the books on the British Empire once and for all.

What you said McGee about not havign a problem with the British. Ive had this conversation before a few times but ive never thought of myself as ''British'' Not for a second I mean of course im a British citizen and all that but ive always considered myself Scottish. Not British. Green said the same thing except Welsh obviously. I think Dan you considered yourself British. The Saint George only reminds you of the anglo saxons i think you said

Aye, sorry about that. It was just a tad bit easier to say British instead of the different areas.


Maybe it's because my Dad spent a significant chunk of his life in London, so he's not particularly Xenophobic towards the different nationalities of the British Isles(Sounds fancier!! ). Infact, he usually speaks highly of London, and calls Dublin a shithole


It isn't that bad; I swears!