The English...Do we really have an identity crisis?

[0iD]

A lot has been made of the so called English identity crisis recently. Ask a Scotsman if he feels Scottish or British, he'll more than likely say scottish. Same goes for the Welsh and Irish, and for other ethnic groups. However, if I'm to believe what I read these days, an Englishman is just as likely to say either English or British.

As I see it, the English don't have a defined sense of identity any more per-se. It's not something for me you can easily difine or pidgeon-hole. To my mind, you eather feel English, or you dont.

But what is it to be and feel English? Should we try and difine it, look at the farce that is the nationalisation questionare that people have to complete and learn when applying for citizenship. Obviously just being born here does not suffice for some.

And does it really matter?

[Saracen]

I'm English and I certainly don't have an identity crisis about it.

I'm also quite happy to be British, along with those that hail from other parts/countries of the UK. I also don't much care if we have a Britain (or UK) or not. I'm happy enough with the UK as it is and being part of a Union with Scots, Welsh and N-Irish, but I'm quite content with the UK breaking up ito independent countries too ..... IF that's what the other countries want. I'm not convinced it is what they want, but if they do, and they were to vote for it, so be it. What I don't want, though, is a Union that's held together artificially if the peoples of that Union want independence. If they want independence, give it to them, and I wish them the very best with it. But I wish the political elite would just get on with it and hold a referendum to find out. Then, one way or another, we can put it behind us.

What I do very much object to is the stupid way the Parliament at Westminster works. THAT needs to be sorted out in a hurry, because that does breed resentment. I refer, of course, to the West Lothian Question.

[Blitzen]

Im English and thats it.
The Scots, Welsh, Irish are happy to do the same and thats fine by me.

Lets keep England English and let all the home nations fend for themselves.

Also............regardless of whochever party is running the country (UK unfortunately), lets get an Englishman running the show. We may get a bit of fair treatment then.

[Stewart]

I'm English, I feel English, and I don't have an identity crisis.

[TeePee]

I'm far more English now than when I lived in England.

[Hunkulus]

I would not do a very good job trying to pass myself off as anything other than English...

[breezer]

If asked, id say English. And proud. Even if this country is a joke.

I know a few scottish people from online gaming, and theyre highly insulted if someone from say the US says theyre from England. And they refuse to call themselves British, because they want to be known as being Scottish.

[staffsMike]

Im proud enough of being english to say..

[schmunk]

I'm British.

[Stringent]

I'm definitely not a European ... Despite what the front of my passport says.

[mediaboy]

I'm english.

British tends to confuse too many people when I say it.. as they have no idea where Britain is.

However, as someone else mentioned, the Welsh/Scots/Irish prefer to be Welsh/Scottish/Irish because it prevents people form mistkaing them for English. The few UK gamers I know from outside of England refuse to be British for that very reason

May just be gamers though. I don't get out enough to talk to real people who I can be reasonably sure aren't just going to lie to me because they're peadophiles or perverts or whatnot. Online Gaming is really a drag sometimes.

[Stewart]

I'm British.

Which mean what, exactly?

I'm English, I was born in England, and I've lived here all my life, and I couldn't tell you what British means.

All you are saying is 'I'm English, Scots or Welsh'. Indeed. But which one?

[yamangman]

Referring to the OP, I thought the normalisation questionnaire was a set of questions about Britain, rather than England specifically?

Which mean what, exactly?

I'm English, I was born in England, and I've lived here all my life, and I couldn't tell you what British means.

All you are saying is 'I'm English, Scots or Welsh'. Indeed. But which one?

OK. So you couldn't tell anyone what British means. You can do a better job with what English means? I'd like to hear it.

[mediaboy]

How to be english

[Stewart]

English - born in England, supports English national football team. Erm... drinks tea.

What I'm saying is, why if you were born in ENgland would you call yourself British? Same for Scotland?

Why choose British, which doesn't really mean anything, over the country you were born in?

If the Scots go indy on us, then where will you say you were born?

[schmunk]

OK, Stewart, I'll reiterate - I'm British.