Happy St. George's Day!

[Galant]

St. George's Day today! Historical controversy aside it brings up the question should we, and/or how should we, celebrate our 'nationalistic' holiday? It's not very PC these days but even though blind nationalism is foolish and all cultures aren't equal, nevertheless, I think all of us feel a sense of appreciation and attachment to certain good things we received from the places we grew up. They are things which we feel are attached to those cultures (although they may be found elsewhere), and which we mighty often look to as defining that culture. This applies to England just as much as anywhere else, so - all negativity aside - on this day - if you're English (or even if you're not) - what is it that you appreciate/love about England- and what does it mean to be English??

I've often tried to pin it down myself - because I felt there was something definite, and good, to be said about being English - and today, on the St. George's Day website, I found this which I think for me, sums up what I hadn't been able to before - the good ideals I feel I've been blessed with having grown up in England.

"In the year 1728 AD Maximilian II Emanuel, the Elector of Bavaria, established by Papal Bull The Royal Military Order of St George, as a means of honouring distinguished military service for it was clear that by this time, his name had become associated with the purity of spirit, selfless devotion to duty and boundless courage and valour in the face of adversity." (Emphasis my own)

[kalniel]

St. George's Day today! Historical controversy aside it brings up the question should we, and/or how should we, celebrate our 'nationalistic' holiday? It's not very PC these days but even though blind nationalism is foolish and all cultures aren't equal, nevertheless, I think all of us feel a sense of appreciation and attachment to certain good things we received from the places we grew up. They are things which we feel are attached to those cultures (although they may be found elsewhere), and which we mighty often look to as defining that culture. This applies to England just as much as anywhere else, so - all negativity aside - on this day - if you're English (or even if you're not) - what is it that you appreciate/love about England- and what does it mean to be English??

I've often tried to pin it down myself - because I felt there was something definite, and good, to be said about being English

Why the focus on English stuff? On St George's day shouldn't we also focus on Georgia, Eygpt, Bulgaria, Aragon, Catalonia, Romania, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iraq, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine and Russia?

[Galant]

[Disturbedguy]

Why does it have to be a special day to love or appreciate somethigng about the country you live in? Whether it be England, Egypt, Spain etc?

[Galant]

[Disturbedguy]

Use face palm images all you want.
This just seems like another one of your threads that will be controversial to some people, then when they put there point across you will tell them that they clearly aren't reading what you are saying or linking to and will then tell them to read it properly etc etc.

[Saracen]

Why does it have to be a special day to love or appreciate somethigng about the country you live in? Whether it be England, Egypt, Spain etc?

There's no reason why anyone that feels like that they want to appreciate their country can't do so, but nor is there any reason why cannot or should not pick a day to celebrate it, if they wish. After all, most nations seem to do it.

Why the focus on English stuff? On St George's day shouldn't we also focus on Georgia, Eygpt, Bulgaria, Aragon, Catalonia, Romania, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iraq, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine and Russia?

Because it's an English national day, that happens to be named after St George. And that is simply about tradition.

Does it matter that St George apparently never set foot in the UK? Not to me, any more than, I'd rather suspect, he never actually slayed an actual dragon.

It's symbolism, it's tradition, and it's a celebration of Englishness by the English, just as St Andrew's and St David's are to the Scots and Welsh, respectively. It could equally well be another symbol that was used, like St Alban, or Shakespeare's birthday, or whatever, but it's been St George's day for a very long time.

And, in the UK as it is today, with a blend of people from all different backgrounds, and with a lot of those that have come to this country during their lifetimes being every bit as proud of being here as those that were born here (and more so, in some cases), why not use a symbol so widely appreciated throughout so much of the world? After all, St George is not just an important symbol in Christian belief, but in Islamic belief too. It's appropriate because it's nice and inclusive.

If people want to celebrate their national day using a symbol that's also significant to many other nations, where's the harm?

Personally, I don't celebrate it, and you won't catch me waving flags or with my face painted red and white, but if that's what rocks other's boat and makes them happy, why not?

[TheAnimus]

There is one very good reason not to celebrate it, which I'm amazed hasn't been mentioned.

I saw some Morris Dancers when I was going to lunch today.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I saw some Morris Dancers when I was going to lunch today.

Gets coat\

[MadduckUK]

This just seems like another one of your threads that will be controversial to some people, then when they put there point across you will tell them that they clearly aren't reading what you are saying or linking to and will then tell them to read it properly etc etc.

spot on.

[Barrichello]

Happy St Georges day all.

Going to pop over to Leadenhall Market after work for some quality Ales, have the usual events/celebrations going on...

http://squaremile.com/events/211/St-...d-Attempt.html

[kalniel]

Because it's an English national day, that happens to be named after St George. And that is simply about tradition.

My point was that it's celebrated in several countries as well (the ones I listed), not for being English, but about St George.

It's symbolism, it's tradition, and it's a celebration of Englishness by the English
..
..
And, in the UK as it is today, with a blend of people from all different backgrounds, and with a lot of those that have come to this country during their lifetimes being every bit as proud of being here as those that were born here (and more so, in some cases), why not use a symbol so widely appreciated throughout so much of the world? After all, St George is not just an important symbol in Christian belief, but in Islamic belief too. It's appropriate because it's nice and inclusive.

It's appreciated certainly, but it's not appreciated/inclusive because of anything to do with Englishness.

Personally, I don't celebrate it, and you won't catch me waving flags or with my face painted red and white, but if that's what rocks other's boat and makes them happy, why not?

Quite agree, just like we should be able to have a discussion on topic without someone posting random images that don't contribute anything positive. But how much better would it be if we celebrated something in common with other nations, ie, St George's patrotism, rather than Englishness?

[Saracen]

My point was that it's celebrated in several countries as well (the ones I listed), not for being English, but about St George.

It's appreciated certainly, but it's not appreciated/inclusive because of anything to do with Englishness.

Quite agree, just like we should be able to have a discussion on topic without someone posting random images that don't contribute anything positive. But how much better would it be if we celebrated something in common with other nations, ie, St George's patrotism, rather than Englishness?

What does it matter what other countries celebrate about it? The fact that the English use it to celebrate an English national day doesn't stop others from celebrating whatever else they like with it.

Just because other nations see St George in other ways doesn't mean the English can't use it as a symbol of an English national day. It's about celebrating being English, and any reasonable and relevant symbol could be used to do that. Tradition just says it's St George.

This day is not about St George's patriotism. It's about an English day, just as so many other nations do, with one symbol or another.

If you either aren't English, or are but aren't interested in celebrating it (which describes me, by the way), then fine. But if people do want to celebrate being English (and clearly, many do) then ....

a) I see no problem with that, and
b) they've been using St George as a symbol of that for a hell of a long time, so ....

.... what's the problem with that?

[Galant]

After travelling a bit, one thing I found myself missing and that England does amazingly well:

Confectionery, biscuits and desserts in general:

http://www.stgeorgesday.com/all-thin...ipes/desserts/

I mean, Trifle, by itself, is culinary genius.

[Saracen]

....

I mean, Trifle, by itself, is culinary genius.

Trifle. Oh yuck. No thanks.

Custard, when hot, is okay, just about. When cold, it's a foul, slimy concoction.

[melon]

After travelling a bit, one thing I found myself missing and that England does amazingly well:

Confectionery, biscuits and desserts in general:

http://www.stgeorgesday.com/all-thin...ipes/desserts/

I mean, Trifle, by itself, is culinary genius.

What about spotted dick , or fish n chips ?

Breakfasts may not be healthy but bangers,bacon , black puddin and egg are still a nice treat . ( throw in hash browns , beans , ketchup t00 )

m