British members - what is your identity?

[rhiannon]

My personal opinion is that it is wishful thinking for you colonials to think of yourselves as being British, and an insult to members who are British by birth.

I would never claim myself as British...as far as ethnicity goes in the strictest sense....because of what you said....but I did vote under the OTHER option

I think that is fair.

[AussieScott]

My personal opinion is that it is wishful thinking for you colonials to think of yourselves as being British, and an insult to members who are British by birth.

Fair enough.

Does that include the British Commonwealth?

[Occident]

Why not include an option of 'British New Worlder'?

It isnt an insult for British decended individuals to openly subscribe to their heritage, on the contrary its a tribute to the success of the British people and culture. However there is a distinction between being an ethnically British occupant of the British isles and being part of the of the British related countries abroad; its not exactly the same thing.

[Germanicus]

Fair enough.

Does that include the British Commonwealth?

As long as you understand what the commonwealth truly means of course!

[Fortis in Arduis]

Actually, I am British first and English secondarily.

I really do feel British.

[AussieScott]

Why not include an option of 'British New Worlder'?

It isnt an insult for British decended individuals to openly subscribe to their heritage, on the contrary its a tribute to the success of the British people and culture. However there is a distinction between being an ethnically British occupant of the British isles and being part of the of the British related countries abroad; its not exactly the same thing.

It would not take much for me to get a British passport being only 1 generation removed on my fathers side. Not that counts where you are born.

My step father in-law is British, English, served in the British forces, is not even a naturalised Australian. He is the biggest British self hater I know. Doesn't claim to be British or Australian. Weird.

We have great dis... arguments.

[AussieScott]

As long as you understand what the commonwealth truly means of course!

If only the politicians from the 50's did, we'd be right in Australia and the UK to this day. But no greed got in the way...

[Savant]

Interesting to note that most of Southeastern Africa and Pakistan is also in the commonwealth. I guess they're more "British" than Anglo-Americans...

As long as you understand what the commonwealth truly means of course!

[Occident]

It would not take much for me to get a British passport being only 1 generation removed apparently on my fathers side. Not that counts where you are born.

My step father in-law is British, English, served in the British forces, is not even a naturalised Australian. He is the biggest British self hater I know. Doesn't claim to be British or Australian. Weird.

We have great dis... arguments.

Dont misconstrue my meaning, I'm not trying to tell you have no right to the concept of Britishness; you evidantly do. We are cultural and ethnic kin no doubt about it and I hope that we maintain strong ties between our countries in perpetuity. But we're not identicle and we shouldnt want to be. There is a geographic sense of Britishness which you dont possess, just as our common language and heritage doesnt make me an Australian. The geographic componant of your culture is not something I have experienced and couldnt do unless I emmigrated. That aspect of our modern cultural make-up is what makes you and I distinct from one another. Its a beautiful thing, the ingenuity of our race to adapt and innovate in these multitudes of enviroments.

[Occident]

Interesting to note that most of Southeastern Africa and Pakistan is also in the commonwealth. I guess they're more "British" than Anglo-Americans...

A disgrace isn't it. The commonwealth as any meaningful unit died in 1949 when India became a republic and wasn't immediately ejected from the so-called British Commonwealth. Its not for nothing the word 'British' has since been dropped.