Should you be proud of your nationality ?

humbert · 12-09-2013 4:38pm

If you've grown up in a place and you're a reasonably positive individual you've probably found lots of things about the place to be proud of. It shouldn't be an antagonistic or exclusive pride though.

Anything that can be used to excuse prejudice without explanation or responsibility will be. It doesn't mean that that thing is inheritable bad, it just means that there are a lot of dickheads out there.

ScumLord · 12-09-2013 4:39pm

Hedgemeister wrote: »

We are not as well loved in the wide world as some of us imagine.

I was shocked, shocked! By how much Irish people were loved all over the world. I could do no wrong once people found out I was Irish. Many seem to use Irish people as an excuse to go a bit cracked I think. Turn up in someones house and they immediately use you as an excuse to pull out some bottle of spirits.

bellinter · 12-09-2013 4:39pm

jimgoose wrote: »

Contrary to popular belief, Americans do not say "Ain't that swell!" outside of cheesy '50s films!

... and those with a sense of national pride

MadsL · 12-09-2013 4:43pm

I only spent 58% of my life in my native country and have lived in 3 others since then. I feel more of a European, and more proud of European co-operation and the EU than my "own" country.

I hope to become an American soon and I'm actually looking forward to swearing in as a new citizen. I will be proud to a part of that long history of multiple nations immigrants becoming One Nation. It ain't perfect, but it has provided a home for people who have suffered elsewhere and a chance at a new life for so many.

MRnotlob606 · 12-09-2013 4:48pm

its even worse when descendants of irish people jump on the band wagon

old hippy · 12-09-2013 4:51pm

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

its even worse when descendants of irish people jump on the band wagon

That's up to them if they are proud of their Irish heritage. It's no better or worse.

Hitchens · 12-09-2013 4:57pm

Ha, ha...............ROFL

Jamsiek · 12-09-2013 8:24pm

ScumLord wrote: »

Turn up in someones house and they immediately use you as an excuse to pull out some bottle of spirits.

I'm not sure I'd be impressed if that happened me, it's like saying we're all a bunch of drunks.

KwackerJack · 12-09-2013 8:28pm

Were all so proud.......until money and greed steps in, then its all for one and one for feck all else!

moe_green · 12-09-2013 8:28pm

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Simply question do you think you should be proud of you nationality ?
I ask because my veiw is you have no say in where you are born so why should you be proud of it ? everyone has to be born somewhere,
I don't mind being Irish but im not proud of it as i didn't do anything to become Irish ,
What do you people think ?
Should you be PROUD of your Nationality ?

its rarely a bad thing , even it is a little silly - irrational , like being proud of your parish , without it , how would you help it improve etc

moe_green · 12-09-2013 8:29pm

I am pie wrote: »

Not proud no, pride is a negative emotion in too many cases and leads nowhere good. Content, yes.

are you serious ? , pride is a wonderfull emotion , without it , life is pretty meaningless

KwackerJack · 12-09-2013 8:30pm

moe_green wrote: »

are you serious ? , proud is a wonderfull emotion , without it , life is pretty meaningless

You can have plenty of pride and be living on the streets! Doesn't mean your life is any better!

My name is URL · 12-09-2013 8:33pm

I'm proud of it in the same sort of way I'd be proud of my garden. Your life in any country is what you make of it.. and if the soil's good enough to allow for growth then that's something to be thankful for.

moe_green · 12-09-2013 8:35pm

MadsL wrote: »

I only spent 58% of my life in my native country and have lived in 3 others since then. I feel more of a European, and more proud of European co-operation and the EU than my "own" country.

I hope to become an American soon and I'm actually looking forward to swearing in as a new citizen. I will be proud to a part of that long history of multiple nations immigrants becoming One Nation. It ain't perfect, but it has provided a home for people who have suffered elsewhere and a chance at a new life for so many.

I can see you being secretary general of the UN someday

moe_green · 12-09-2013 8:36pm

KwackerJack wrote: »

You can have plenty of pride and be living on the streets! Doesn't mean your life is any better!

I was happier when I was far far less wealthy than I am now , pride was stolen however

Femme_Fatale · 12-09-2013 9:52pm

No IMO - nor ashamed. Although some stuff embarrasses me, but overall it's a pretty good place to live IMO.

Kristopher Echoing Caterpillar wrote: »

Definitely, we are one of the best nations on the planet. We are loved and respected the world over and punch well above our weight in politics, business and scientific achievements. We have some of the most beautiful scenery the eye can see and you wont find better craic or atmosphere on a night out anywhere else.

Ok, I'm not one of the moaners about Ireland but I'd question some of the above. I don't know that we're loved and respected the world over at all. Much of the world hasn't even heard of us. We are no better than anyone else (even if Ireland is obviously a much better place to live in than many places, but that's not the fault of the people in those places).
And really - punch above our weight in politics? How do we punch above our weight anyway? This is a first-world country that has been in receipt of a lot of EU funding and plenty of multinationals providing employment here. It's not like we haven't had any means.

wolfpawnat · 12-09-2013 9:59pm

COYVB wrote: »

Similarly though, being ashamed to be from somewhere is a bit strange. It's not like you have any say or influence on it

And yet people are fast enough to use it as a verbal insult in many cases. Not even on an international scale, but on a local one.

Am I proud to be Irish, yes. We as a nation have an amazing history and beautiful landscape. If I was born in another country I would probably be proud to be from there. You can't beat the aulde American's for national pride though.

Funk It · 12-09-2013 10:07pm

Without preaching, I think people should be proud of where they are from. It makes up part of who you are whether you like it or not.

Jamsiek · 13-09-2013 1:20am

I'm proud of where I'm from but I'm not proud of the way Ireland is now unfortunately. I wish I was.

Cody Pomeray · 13-09-2013 1:24am

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't know, If I lived in a place like London or New York I think it would be easier to say I'm proud to be from those great cities.

Yes, but 'you' wouldn't be 'you'. A person who was made up of the local social/ cultural/ moral fibre of those places may endorse and take pride in the values and traits of his community, which he may regard as exemplary.

Or he may not, many people are not proud of their society's past.

Should you be proud of your nationality? Depends on your nationality. Many regard Irish identity as, if not benign, then a positive thing. On balance, I think Ireland has one of the more honourable identities of European states, something which we all partake in to some extent, and from which we may therefore derive pride.

COYVB · 13-09-2013 1:43am

Funk It wrote: »

Without preaching, I think people should be proud of where they are from. It makes up part of who you are whether you like it or not.

But where they're from is not their own accomplishment or achievement. They can be happy about where they're from, for sure, but pride about something you have no say or influence on makes nosense

brokenarms · 13-09-2013 2:05am

We have a lot to be proud of.

The culture that we grew up in and form a part of, is globally recognised as being friendly , likable and charitable.

The country is not in the best state financially at the moment because of silly mistakes but we will get over them and they should not define us.

Just live in NY for a year . I have never really appreciated where we are from till I spent time there.

COYVB · 13-09-2013 2:52am

brokenarms wrote: »

We have a lot to be proud of.

The culture that we grew up in and form a part of, is globally recognised as being friendly , likable and charitable.

You did none of those things though. It's not because of you, or your friends, or your family that Ireland is seen that way. Why should you be proud of it?

XxMCRxBabyxX · 13-09-2013 2:58am

Artful_Badger wrote: »

You can be proud of a team or achievements or something related to your nationality but I dont get the whole "I'm proud to be Irish" thing. What is there to be proud of in the fact you just happen to be Irish ?

I know this is different to most people but for me being Irish is something that was chosen, albeit by my Irish parents, but they brought me up to be proud to be Irish. I am also proud to have been born where I was and will always have a strong connection to there but I'm still Irish and choose to be so.

Kruse · 13-09-2013 3:05am

National pride is the opium of the ignorant and uneducated.

EdenHazard · 13-09-2013 3:24am

Ahhh this comes up far too much on Boards and each time I have to read boring, depressed loners write the same things about 'it makes no sense to be proud of something I had no say in' Get over yourself, losers!

BTW Irish people(and the accent) is loved the world over, that's reality, whether this love is vindicated I don't know but for whatever reason ireland is loved(although the perception of england as being hated is wrong, I know among young people in France/Germany, English culture is everything there)

Cody Pomeray · 13-09-2013 7:16am

COYVB wrote: »

But where they're from is not their own accomplishment or achievement. They can be happy about where they're from, for sure, but pride about something you have no say or influence on makes nosense

You're appearing to misunderstand the word 'proud' and also confusing the territory with the nationality.

Firstly, the Oxford definition that seems to be escaping people:

Proud: adjective
1 feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one’s own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated:
a proud grandma of three boys

So there is nothing in the definition that prevents pride in a third party's attributes. Any belief to that effect stems from a misunderstanding of the word. Secondly, the meaning of nationality:

The Irish Nation is defined in terms of people, not territory. It is especially sensible to be proud of a group of people, in which you participate, who (usually, or on balance) come together to share projects, co-operate and aim to to good works. I think Ireland is one of the highest rank, most benevolent European states in this regard, and therefore my society (i.e Nation) is one that, as a participant, I feel proud of.

brokenarms · 13-09-2013 8:40am

COYVB wrote: »

You did none of those things though. It's not because of you, or your friends, or your family that Ireland is seen that way. Why should you be proud of it?

I did all of those things. I'm sure you did them as well when making conversation with tourists, being abroad or even givin a few pound to charity.

anncoates · 13-09-2013 8:44am

MadsL wrote: »

I feel more of a European, and more proud of European co-operation and the EU than my "own" country.
.

You might need to change your profile tag to something other than exiled so.

:pac:

Frank Lee Midere · 13-09-2013 8:47am

An attachment, maybe. Pride needs to be earned. But I don't think anybody is calling for pride these days.

Should you be proud of your nationality ?

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