'Happy St Georges Day'

LordSutch

"Happy St George's Day" to everybody, especially to our English friends . . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_George_by_Raphael.jpg

Not that anybody knows that its St Georges day today, and even in England you would be hard pressed to know that it was the equivalent of St Patricks day over here, most (but not all) English people couldn't care less

mgmt

Pity they can't make it a national holiday like St Patricks Day here. Apparently it might offend people.

kfallon

Nobody does National holidays like us

orourkeda

mgmt wrote: »

Pity they can't make it a national holiday like St Patricks Day here. Apparently it might offend people.

Vomiting in the street after a day of drinking tends to offend or upset certain sections of society.

OutlawPete

/Dusts off Morris Dancing get up.

mike65

St George is a common sort of a saint - loads of countries claim him

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George

mike65

Also this fellas birthday/deathday (Shakespeare)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDZVxbrW7Ow

KeithAFC

Happy St Georges day to our English brothers and sisters.

Wibbs

LordSutch wrote: »

Not that anybody knows that its St Georges day today, and even in England you would be hard pressed to know that it was the equivalent of St Patricks day over here, most (but not all) English people couldn't care less

Always thought this kinda weird alright.

stovelid

Maybe time for a Cromwells Day.

KeithAFC

Wibbs wrote: »

Always thought this kinda weird alright.

Thought it was obvious?

Show your english culture = Racist
Put up a St George flag = Racist
Celebrate St George day = Racist


Many factors as to why its low profile. Which is a shame.

ciano1

More importantly... Its my Birthday!!

Predator_

KeithAFC wrote: »

Happy St Georges day to our English brothers and sisters.

Our? This is an Irish forum Keith. Although you wouldn't know sometimes.

mossyc123

KeithAFC wrote: »

Thought it was obvious?

Show your english culture = Racist
Put up a St George flag = Racist
Celebrate St George day = Racist


Many factors as to why its low profile. Which is a shame.

Sad but true.

Every nation has xenophobes who'll wrap themselves in the national flag while spewing bile.

It's a pity that in England it's almost entirely associated with these types.

Dozen Wicked Words

Happy St. Georges Day!!!

The George cross proudly flying in my house (indoors, with the curtains drawn).

Stupid Royal spendathon (hopefully the Anarchists will get enough time from destroying Bristol Tescos to get up to London on that day) gets a holiday but not the national saints day.

AfterDusk

ciano1 wrote: »

More importantly... Its my Birthday!!

Me too!!!

Coriolanus

Predator_ wrote: »

Our? This is an Irish forum Keith. Although you wouldn't know sometimes.

I'd say most people have an English relative, past or present.

Thomas828

If I was still living in England I'd have my Cross of St George fluttering proudly outside my window, even though I'm Irish. But I think it would look a bit out of place in Downpatrick.

Though if I was in a staunchly Loyalist place I might get away with it.

Killer Pigeon

Let's all go to The George to celebrate!!

BrookieD

yeah the english national day the UK gov would like to go unnoticed to avaoid upsetting any not english living in England,........ morons.

still thanks for the thread.... now off to drink a pint of bitter and eat my yorkshire pudding... ;-)

LondonIrish90

There is no such thing as an English identity in the UK.

The scots are scottish, the welsh and welsh, the English have to be British (everyday life would have you thinking this anyway).

Shows no signs of changing either. There is quite a lot of shame and jealousy of St Patricks day among a lot of English people, who have no real way of celebrating their identity, apart from at sporting events. Always makes me laugh that people from elsewhere complain that the English are too nationalistic. Couldnt be more wrong.

We even have a big festival in Trafalgar Square (admittedly most of the attendees are Spanish and Japanese) for St patrick, which is a fun day out, but also quite disappointing. We can do it for others (even wales), but not ourselves.

brummytom

It's really annoying me that half of the people sending blackberry broadcasts saying 'Happy St George's Day, send this to your contacts if you're English and proud' also sent the same thing about Paddy's Day. Make up your minds!


It is a shame I suppose that the George's flag is so closely associated to ignorant, racist, skin-head oafs; but that's just the way it is. Ah well.

stovelid

Most national flags are identified with their own section of idiots - including the Irish and English.

Xivilai

Pffft, all he did was kill a dragon where as Saint Patrick took on an a wave of angry snakes :pac:

Either way happy George's Day

LondonIrish90

brummytom wrote: »

It is a shame I suppose that the George's flag is so closely associated to ignorant, racist, skin-head oafs; but that's just the way it is. Ah well.

Only if you want it to be. There is a st george's flag flying outside the royal british legion club, less than 5 minutes drive from me. 90% of the people that you see going in and out are pensioners. No ignorant skin heads that I have seen. In fact, your post is quite ignorant. It represents one of the biggest and most diverse countries in Europe. Sure you wouldn't automatically think Ra head if someone was flying a tricolour would you?

SharpshooterTom

English people don't have a strong sense of identity anyway. I mean if you were to define English culture...what would it be exactly??

dlofnep

Happy St. Georges day to all our English posters Drink one for dlofnep!

Sunnyisland

mike65 wrote: »

St George is a common sort of a saint - loads of countries claim him

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George

Didn't know that



Happy st Georges day anyway.

LondonIrish90

Gnobe wrote: »

English people don't have a strong sense of identity anyway. I mean if you were to define English culture...what would it be exactly??

England has probably made more of a cultural contribution to the world than anywhere else in Europe.

Sunnyisland

Wonder if the george Bar in Dublin be packed tonight with queens.

Sunnyisland

stovelid wrote: »

Maybe time for a Cromwells Day.

Of with your head stovelid:D

mike65

English culture is frequently found at the back of the fridge.

To be entirely serious England impact on "broad" culture is so multifaceted that its hard to point to a couple of particular issues, Ireland is easy - writers, drink, music, craic and a bit of sport. England is everything from the World Wide Web to Liverpool fc to Monty Python to Fox News (sad to say that would never have happened without Sun style tabloid values being applied to a news context).

SharpshooterTom

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

England has probably made more of a cultural contribution to the world than anywhere else in Europe.

Yeah, I'm the sure the Aborigines and Native Americans are thanking you for that!

Aoifey!

ciano1 wrote: »

More importantly... Its my Birthday!!

neil2304 wrote: »

Me too!!!

Happy Birthday

LondonIrish90

Gnobe wrote: »

Yeah, I'm the sure the Aborigines and Native Americans are thanking you for that!

so, you take back your point about the English not really having a culture?

And to say that English people don't have much of an identity is wrong. Doesn't mean the English are racist and unwelcoming, but they certainly are aware and pround of their history and identity.

SharpshooterTom

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

so, you take back your point about the English not really having a culture?

Can you tell me what it is, within England?

People go and out and celebrate st.georges day and all things English which consists of....??

brummytom

I don't really think there is such thing as an 'English culture' to be honest. Obviously there's the stereotypical Englishman, us all sitting round the patio sipping tea from our china mugs with our little finger poking out, and eating scones, but obviously that's nothing like the truth. England's like most other European countries, just with more miserable weather (most of the time, it's beautiful at the moment) and less respect for the elderly.

I think because this country's such a melting pot of other cultures, there is no real 'English' one. We're just a mish-mash of everything.


I don't think that's a bad thing, though.

LondonIrish90

Gnobe wrote: »

Can you tell me what it is, within England?

People go and out and celebrate st.georges day and all things English which consists of....??

English sport, literature, film, music, illustrious and famous history, english tradition, architecture systems of government, justice etc. iconic imagery of England, to food and drink etc. I could go on - there is an awful lot for English people to be proud of in regards to culture and history of this small nation that has for a long time punched well above its weight.

Not sure why you care though, with your thoughts on nationality and humanity as shown in other threads you have created.

pragmatic1

Gnobe wrote: »

English people don't have a strong sense of identity anyway. I mean if you were to define English culture...what would it be exactly??

In fairness they actually do have a fairly influential culture. We're using their language, we listen to their music, we play their sports.

Count Duckula

How amusing. I'm spending my St. George's day (which I didn't even know it was, by the way!) "otherwise occupied" in bed with my Irish girlfriend in Ireland.

You good folks don't understand HOW GRATEFUL I am that I'm going to be taking refuge in your fine country and escaping from the farce that is the royal wedding.

AskMyChocolate

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

England has probably made more of a cultural contribution to the world than anywhere else in Europe.

They have certainly made a massive contribution but I'm not sure if I agree with the above. I realise how unfashionable it is to be proud of our little island, but I don't think the contribution of Irish monks in transcribing and preserving manuscripts and books from all cultures during the dark ages can ever be overestimated. It is a huge contribution to the world that we should be proud of (or rather proud of them, as we didn't do anything.) imho.

cml387

neil2304 wrote: »

Me too!!!

Me too!

Agent J

Isnt it usually delayed when it falls on Easter?

It isnt until May 2nd this year...


http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/Info/Ordo2011.pdf
http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/the-calendar/common-worship-rules/rulesyear.aspx

Dionysus

Gnobe wrote: »

English people don't have a strong sense of identity anyway. I mean if you were to define English culture...what would it be exactly??

pragmatic1 wrote: »

In fairness they actually do have a fairly influential culture. We're using their language, we listen to their music, we play their sports.

Culture and identity are not synonymous. The vast majority of people on this website would claim to be Irish, but culturally many/most of the same people probably speak the English language as their first language, watch British soaps and reality shows or follow British soccer teams.

To the outside, insensitive, eye these Irish are essentially English in culture, although few would deny the strength of Irish identity.

Likewise with the "British"; as much as it would annoy the Scots and Welsh (and ideological British nationalists) most of them, too, are culturally English. Their culturally Scottish or Welsh things are more accurately termed provincialisms, sops to their identities rather than to their cultures.

Zebra3

Fair play to the English for not celebrating St George's Day.

Most English are not religious and St George had nothing to do with England.

So not really much for them to celebrate is there?

Lapin

Zebra3 wrote: »

Fair play to the English for not celebrating St George's Day.

Most English are not religious and St George had nothing to do with England.

So not really much for them to celebrate is there?

It's also Shakespeare's birthday (and the anniversary of his death).

Arguably the Englishman attributed to having made the greatest single contribution to the cultural identity of his country.

Surely thats something to celebrate !

Krusader

Lapin wrote: »

It's also Shakespeare's birthday (and the anniversary of his death).

Arguably the Englishman attributed to having made the greatest single contribution to the cultural identity of his country.

Surely thats something to celebrate !

Really

efb

I thought it was moved...

Badgermonkey

Saw a documentary on BBC4 by Rachel Unthank about Morris dancing and the history and culture behind it's local variants - I'm worried to report it was an interesting watch.

Happy St. Georges day to na Sasanaigh

OPENROAD

brummytom wrote: »

I don't really think there is such thing as an 'English culture' to be honest. Obviously there's the stereotypical Englishman, us all sitting round the patio sipping tea from our china mugs with our little finger poking out, and eating scones, but obviously that's nothing like the truth. England's like most other European countries, just with more miserable weather (most of the time, it's beautiful at the moment) and less respect for the elderly.

I think because this country's such a melting pot of other cultures, there is no real 'English' one. We're just a mish-mash of everything.


I don't think that's a bad thing, though.

Disagree Brummy that there is no such thing as English culture, do you also think there is no such thing as Irish culture?

You are spot on about the various cultures particularly in London, which makes the city such a great place.

As for St Georges Day, believe they had celebrations in London today, special concerts etc.. and of course special offers in the pubs, God I would love a pint of London Pride now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrs3uShIlwg

Zebra3

Lapin wrote: »

It's also Shakespeare's birthday (and the anniversary of his death).

Arguably the Englishman attributed to having made the greatest single contribution to the cultural identity of his country.

Surely thats something to celebrate !

Well then call it Shakespeare Day or something.

Don't name it after some bloke from the modern day Leb.