The word "British"

[Alex]

xx123456

[rice_pudding]

I am unaware that it is recognized as broadly offensive but i can understand some of the reasons why. I'll attempt an answer.

The two main factors are that "British" carries with it many stereotypes and that being "British" is hard to define as we are such a cosmopolitan nation. The later might seem like an understatement but having been to France, Spain and Sweden in recent years i can tell you we are a real mix. The fact that i only have three "English" friends, kinda proves that.

To say that someone is "British" carries with it a certain set of assumptions that just aren't true these days, particularly among ethnic groups who hold strong ties to other nations. The extent to which it is offensive really depends on how big the stick up their ass is

Britain's former empire spread across the globe and spread "british" values, and Britain is normally near the front line of global politics. This legacy often has a profound impact on how other nationalities identify us. That is to say a heck of a lot of people think they know us. (teadrinkers etc.) Personally, interacting with other society's I've been cussed on various matters from politics to cooking because "I'm British". Which is daft because only older generations represent those stereotypes, which i myself am often at odds with.

Domestically it can be very offensive to Welsh, Irish or Scottish nationalists if you call them British, they prefer to be called, well... Irish, Welsh etc.

Rob

[Trigger]

I am not offended by being called British but As a person who hates the British Empire history with a vengence I don't like being called British to be associated with my nationality, I live in the part of Britain which is called England but as I am not patriotic or nationalistic I would not consider myself English ever preffering the label British.
To be a Brit' you have to value the act of union which united all the parts of Britain but I have find myself identifying myself more as a European in the past few years as I find myself wishing all of Europe could find a way of uniting into a single nation.

In short the British identity relies on what your politics are and how you recognise your place within the nation.

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

Hmmm, well the Northern Irish in particular are not British - and the ones I have met, don't seem to like to be mistakenly called British. Many Scots, Welsh and Southern Irish also like to be referred to by the country they live/were born than the blanket term British.

Personally my family back ground is Welsh (going to my grand parents on both sides and further), but I love England and the music and literature that it has created, so I proudly say to people (and write on forms etc) that I am 'white English'. I don't mind being called British either, especially abroad, where all the above can be so confusing I just like to keep things simple.

Over centuries the British Isles has been invaded so many times and also invaded others, plus like Rob says, our former world power status, means that we have a huge multi cultural heritage in our blood and continue to embrace other countries joining us.

To be British now is to be all embracing of all cultures. Whether that is a good thing, is a hotly discussed topic in the media.

Matt

[Trigger]

To be British now is to be all embracing of all cultures. Whether that is a good thing, is a hotly discussed topic in the media. Matt

It is the most important thing and the reason why we travel so well, but vital to understand our past so we know when to be sorry for some of the wrongs we have done.

[The Flying Dutchman]

I spend a great deal editing Wikipedia, and there seems to be a fairly global consensus that describing someone as British is or can be greatly offensive.

Why is that? Anyone from the UK who can share any insight?

That's new to me. But I think any word can be offensive in some way eventually.
To me "British" sounds always positive though, especially when talking about rock music!

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

I don't know if feeling "sorry" is something I feel. What any one's ancestors does, is not their fault in the present. I don't want Germans today, to feel sorry to the world for The Nazis, I don't want Americans to feel sorry for black slavery...hell! I don't want Italians to apologise for the Roman empire and I don't want us to feel guilty for what our ancestors did in being the British empire.

To my own values, apologising is a part of the problem now that has bread political correctness and people (and countries) with incredible guilt complexes. lets all be proud who we all are. Our respective countries have committed much cruelty but also created many wonderful things that have changed the world.

Matt

[Tito]

PERFECT MATT!!! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT!!!!!!!myself i dont use the word latino hispanic etc...i usually say im of cuban and puerto rican decent born in america y hablo espanol AND HELL YEAH I GOT MY PAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LMAO!!

[Trigger]

My own willingness to feel disturbed by our past is about facing up to it and making sure that I understand those who I meet, freinds with or debate with politicaly. If they know I fully understand the past it can't be used as a tool against me, I also can't fake my own feelings and that is fully understood.

[tedeeoo]

Not sure if anyone will view this as pertinent to the discussion, but when I hear the word "British", it makes me think of royalty, perhaps because the British Empire played such a big role in world history,( perhaps cause I watch to many "Pirates" movies, lol!!!!) . And when I say that, I mean royalty in the best way, if I were from someplace that is considered to be part of Britain, and particularly with ties to the Britain of historical significance, it would be an honor to be called "British", much like I consider it to be to be called American. Just my view from the outside, lol!!!!!

[Trigger]

The Monarchy in Britain is of little interest or concern to modern Britains, we are by and large Republicans now who see the Queen as an un important work shy spender of our hard earned tax money!!
Many of us would sooner be a Republic than a Monarchy. The Queen still has powers that can remove our government and can also remove governments of countries that we are in control of the last time i remember this being done was when her Goveror general in Australia removed an Australian Prime Minister for politicing that they saw as anti British! She can also remove our right to live in Britain as well as remove the land that we have purchased from us because though we can buy land and pproperty all Land belongs to the Head of State (Monarch). These things are unlikely to be acted out but the fact that they can be I find unworthy of this modern Nation.

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

LMAO cheers Ian!

The only tiny thing I think the Royal family do, is bring people like Ted to the UK!! (I jest)
On the Gibson forum my mate Roger got a few pms from people, that had 'eye balled' his estate he owned asking if he knew or was related to royalty in England We had a beer and giggle over that.

Matt

[Trigger]

Hello Matt dear, I know we don't all wish we were a Republic but that veiw has gained ground over the years and you will know that if you take an overview of history since the end of WWII, Britain was in broad support of its Monarch even though following the awful things the soldiers saw they voted to remove a Conservative Government and replace it with a Socialists which went on to gift the heroes of WWII with a full welfare state to take care of them following all the suffering they endured to Liberate Europe and the free world, and to recognise the principles they showed by resisting the idea of Nazism from the start of the War in 1939.
NOW though we have moved on and the Monarchy is less considered and feels as if it isnt in touch with our daily lives and I see us like most of the other Euro nations who did away with their ruling families during the 1930's and 40's, I don't wish to shoot them! just retire them away where they can either work or manage an estate mush like our Heir to the Throne does already whilst waiting to assume the Throne from his Mother.....The Parasite in Chief!! or Queen as she is better known.

I have heard the suggestion that they bring in tourism to the Country but I don't seee that changing without a Monarch! we will still have the Palaces which can be visited we still have the history and historic locations, after all removing a Monarchy didn't halt tourists visiting Paris or the other parts of France.

[Cpt Matt Sparrow]

my dad always says about shooting them all - he HATES the royal family

Cheers to you again; if I was Shaun, I would definitely say thanks for the history lesson xxx
Yes, I think they are outdated like you and many others like my dad do; but also don't wish them any harm. I would love to see them pay their way like everyone else and leave the decisions of the country completely to the politicians. Unfortunately It is just another thing on a long list of world injustices that doesn't rank as high as many other ones, in the order of things, but yes it would be nice if I woke up and the news announced the end of Royalty. Mind you I do like the Royal Schools of music logo on my Licentiate

Matt

[tedeeoo]

Hey, I think ya'll took my use of the word "royalty" wrong, I meant "prestige" because of Britain's contributions to our world and societies not anything to do with the royal family or any type of monarchy. If I ever get the chance to visit over there it will have nothing to do with the "royalty" of your Queen or anything to do with that, but it will have everything to do with the "royalty" of your country. I hope that makes a little more sense as I know I am lacking it (sense) most of the time, lol!!!!!