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Why am I so insecure about the British?

13567

Comments

  • #62
    optogirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,113 ✭✭✭optogirl


    Downlinz wrote: »
    Racism is the belief that the genetic factors which constitute race, ethnicity, or nationality are a primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that ethnic differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

    I never said once that I believe British people are inferior or lesser people or anything else of the sort that'd even infringe on anything remotely racist. I said I don't like their culture. None of the things I said we're remotely focused on racial features, they were all cultural.

    To put it in a black equivalent (since you're seemingly so eager to try and depict me as something sinister) it'd be the same as me saying I don't like rap music, backwards baseball caps and that basketball is a stupid sport.

    and also that you despise people who do


  • #63
    sensibleken
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,650 ✭✭✭sensibleken


    LondonIrish90 wrote: »
    Its not the British you are insecure about. You dislike them. Its the Irish and Irishness that you are insecure about. Watching peep show or whatever won't suddenly turn you into an Englishman!

    This!

    OP I you are very insecure about your national identity. I suspect you havent read that much history outside of 800 years rabble rabble and dont know how much of the British culture you hate has been influenced my Irish culture.

    I suspect you don't see how much Irish culture there is but just see Irish culture being swamped by British culture. read a bit about it or go to a session, just dont sing any ****ty rebel songs!


  • #64
    Downlinz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Downlinz


    In a sense happier they're gone though tbh. People who covet the british should get the hell out of my country and go to where they want to be. I say I despise emigrants to the UK but in reality I don't give them a second thought I'm just glad they're gone. :D


  • #65
    westendgirlie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,125 ✭✭✭westendgirlie


    Downlinz wrote: »
    To clarify I have a problem with Irish people integrating themselves into British culture. I've been in England and the people are lovely and have no problem whatsoever what they're into. It's their culture and I respect it for what it is.

    Their brand of entertainment, comedy, music and tabloid culture isn't to my personal taste but then neither is eating sushi but I don't think disliking that personally is a slight on the japanese.


    Britain is pretty much a multi-cultural society so you hate all societies then!


  • #66
    Downlinz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Downlinz


    sensibleken wrote: »
    This!

    OP I you are very insecure about your national identity. I suspect you havent read that much history outside of 800 years rabble rabble and dont know how much of the British culture you hate has been influenced my Irish culture.

    I suspect you don't see how much Irish culture there is but just see Irish culture being swamped by British culture. read a bit about it or go to a session, just dont sing any ****ty rebel songs!

    A good post.

    I guess my feelings on it are based on how things are in other countries like the US/Germany/UK. You go to places like this and they have a very strong culture that isn't strongly influenced from the outside. I feel like Irish culture is a lot less embraced than these and the people here are constantly looking to dilute it and take on new cultures.


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  • #67
    optogirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,113 ✭✭✭optogirl


    Downlinz wrote: »
    In a sense happier they're gone though tbh. People who covet the british should get the hell out of my country and go to where they want to be. I say I despise emigrants to the UK but in reality I don't give them a second thought I'm just glad they're gone. :D


    I'm unsure as to whether your grinning smiley indicates that you are trolling or you really feel like this. If you do really feel like this then yes, as you mention you do have a problem. It is nonsensical to feel this way about people who emigrate to Britain where the benefits are clear (near to home, similar culture, no need for visas etc) but not about people who emigrate to Oz, US etc. To despise or wish people gone from 'your' country because they live 40 mins away by Olearyjet is just strange to be honest. You dislike people for not having the same hang ups as you. It's like somebody with a phobia hating people who don't share it.


  • #68
    KeithAFC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,239 ✭✭✭✭KeithAFC


    This thread is so offensive. Lock please.


  • #69
    dpe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 520 ✭✭✭dpe


    Downlinz wrote: »
    A good post.

    I guess my feelings on it are based on how things are in other countries like the US/Germany/UK. You go to places like this and they have a very strong culture that isn't strongly influenced from the outside. I feel like Irish culture is a lot less embraced than these and the people here are constantly looking to dilute it and take on new cultures.

    You've got that completely arse about face. The UK is probably the culture most open to outside influence anywhere in the world. Huge swathes of "British" culture comes from outside, including from Ireland. Hell, their most popular food is Indian.


  • #70
    LondonIrish90
    Closed Accounts Posts: 882 ✭✭✭LondonIrish90


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    Britain is pretty much a multi-cultural society so you hate all societies then!

    No we aren't. Even in melting pots like London, we have predominatly white areas and predominatly minority areas. :o David Cameron has been the first person brave enough to say in parliament that Britain isn't at all multi-cultural. Divided, and growing more so by the year in all truth.


  • #71
    smugchik
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 143 ✭✭smugchik


    Downlinz wrote: »
    It's something I've been thinking a lot about lately and began wondering if others felt this way or if there was anyway to be less uncomfortable about things like the below.

    -> I won't watch television programs if they're british based. Which might be fine if it was out of loyalty to Ireland or not enjoying foreign culture based things expect 90% of what I watch is american programming.

    -> I don't like people who use british based phrases like "yummy mummy" "mum" "boxing day" yet people who use american phrases are no problem, and will point out what they're doing to make them feel awkward and bad.

    -> I don't like people who follow british soaps and not fair city, X-Factor/Dancing on Ice but not all-ireland talent show or watch the english coverage of sporting events covered on Irish tv.

    -> I don't like people who study abroad in the UK

    -> I despise anyone who emigrates to the UK but can sympathise with someone who emigrates to Australia/America or somewhere else.

    -> I don't like people who follow the english national team in any sport with any level of higher interest than any other country. e.g. Sports news reporting Irelands results and afterwards England, Scotland, Wales, NI's results while ignoring Spain and Frances games.


    To summarise it I have nothing against the English but I really don't like how their culture is jammed down my throat in this country and seemingly an awful lot of people like to get in on it, and those people really grate with me.

    I think its ok to dislike a culture but theres probably a more healthy way to do this than scowl or complain at anybody who shows the slightest interest in it. Any wannabe interest psychologists with comments on this behaviour? :pac:
    I think what you are suffering from is called INVERTED SNOBBERY

    Apart from the Gaelic language, GAA sport or Irish traditional music, which, let's be honest, most of us do not willingly speak or have any part of as it is OLD FASHIONED. I have been to Donegal - the Gaelic part is extremely...(sorry, lost for words -great scenery though!) For those of us not living in An Gaeltachta, what is the difference in culture? Is there any difference? Vernacular useage of words an phrases "Eye" instead of yes or "How's it going?" instead of Hello, how are you is just incorrect use of English. NOT a cultural difference - more a class one.

    I just cannot see what 'cultural' differences you describe. There is a difference between city and country but that stands everywhere. It all seems a bit 'chip on shoulder' to me - like a country person 'hating' anything/anyone that comes from Dublin. Do you begrudge those with more than you?

    There were the 'pigs in the parlour' fighting drunken irish [sic] that went over to England in the 50's and 60's - not in any way representitive of every Irish person (but alas, representing an awful lot!) are these who you are identifying with?

    It would be very difficult to define English culture - the 'mate' thing is very working class (cockney geeza-bloke) I know dozens of English professional people who would never use it. Most English have much better manners than the majority here. (Yes, there will always be exceptions - fighting drunks on a Saturday night are never pleasant in any country. Also, Council Corporation Housing will always attract the roughest in any country - just watch the participants on Jeremy Kyle or Jerry Springer etc they will match anything you will find in Dolphin's Barn on the scary scale) Just check any prison documentaries - monosyllabic criminals are the same in every country.
    English tv is much better too. Try watching a Richard Curtis film - they depict the English perfectly.

    You obviously watch US tv so have 'proper' channels and are not dependent on RTE (English tv and SKY perhaps?) RTE just doesn't 'cut it'. It is too low budget and backward. Oh, and they don't have any original ideas that work. The good programmes have all been on US and/or English tv first - Dragon's Den, The Apprentice etc. The Irish versions are just 'dummed down' low budget versions. Also, why do you 'sympathise' with people emigrating to Australia etc? Shouldn't they be congratulated for escaping??

    Tell me, do you begrudge Graham Norton and Terry Wogan their success too?

    Unless you are a member of some extreme nationalist group - your comments don't make any sense to me at all.


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  • #72
    sensibleken
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,650 ✭✭✭sensibleken


    Downlinz wrote: »
    A good post.

    I guess my feelings on it are based on how things are in other countries like the US/Germany/UK. You go to places like this and they have a very strong culture that isn't strongly influenced from the outside. I feel like Irish culture is a lot less embraced than these and the people here are constantly looking to dilute it and take on new cultures.

    Youll find that it is. Look at the archetecture in Britain, France and Germany. It is not home grown buy neo-classical or gothic. The religions are international and have been anything but insular over the centuries. Even the borders are very recent. French wasnt even the main language of france until relatively recently

    No country is an Island but if you want to see some Irish culture go to see a passage tomb or a dolmen (also in normandy) go to a pub session (containing banjo, bozuki and mostly developed in london pubs)


  • #73
    Krusader
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,057 ✭✭✭Krusader


    Downlinz wrote: »
    It's something I've been thinking a lot about lately and began wondering if others felt this way or if there was anyway to be less uncomfortable about things like the below.

    -> I won't watch television programs if they're british based. Which might be fine if it was out of loyalty to Ireland or not enjoying foreign culture based things expect 90% of what I watch is american programming.

    -> I don't like people who use british based phrases like "yummy mummy" "mum" "boxing day" yet people who use american phrases are no problem, and will point out what they're doing to make them feel awkward and bad.

    -> I don't like people who follow british soaps and not fair city, X-Factor/Dancing on Ice but not all-ireland talent show or watch the english coverage of sporting events covered on Irish tv.

    -> I don't like people who study abroad in the UK

    -> I despise anyone who emigrates to the UK but can sympathise with someone who emigrates to Australia/America or somewhere else.

    -> I don't like people who follow the english national team in any sport with any level of higher interest than any other country. e.g. Sports news reporting Irelands results and afterwards England, Scotland, Wales, NI's results while ignoring Spain and Frances games.


    To summarise it I have nothing against the English but I really don't like how their culture is jammed down my throat in this country and seemingly an awful lot of people like to get in on it, and those people really grate with me.

    I think its ok to dislike a culture but theres probably a more healthy way to do this than scowl or complain at anybody who shows the slightest interest in it. Any wannabe interest psychologists with comments on this behaviour? :pac:

    You don't dislike their language though


  • #74
    readyletsgo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,276 ✭✭✭readyletsgo


    filthymcnasty wrote: »
    probably doesn't happen too much in fairness


    I dont hear people say 'mate' here, it tends to be 'alright bud' or 'buddy'.

    Cant wait for Queeny to get here, what will OP watch or listen to for the day lol.


  • #75
    westendgirlie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,125 ✭✭✭westendgirlie


    You know what OP, you are slating my entire family history 'ere. So in my Poshest Peckham accent, "OP......YOU'RE A PLONKER!" :mad:


  • #76
    RichieC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,331 ✭✭✭RichieC


    Republolcanism is a hell of a drug.

    Oh and Small penis.


  • #77
    kieran26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭kieran26


    The op is a 14 year old boy off sick from school! an obvious troll!


  • #78
    Downlinz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Downlinz


    smugchik wrote: »
    Tell me, do you begrudge Graham Norton and Terry Wogan their success too?

    Yes actually. :pac:

    Well I don't begrudge it, I don't agree with people in Ireland who feel we should be proud of them or anything of the sort. As far as I'm concerned both should be forgotten and ignored.

    I don't consider people to be Irish who by their own free choice choose to ply their trade elsewhere. I'd consider someone like Brent Pope more Irish than Norton or Wogan. Even Dara O'Brian or Craig Doyle.


  • #79
    westendgirlie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,125 ✭✭✭westendgirlie


    LondonIrish90 wrote: »
    No we aren't. Even in melting pots like London, we have predominatly white areas and predominatly minority areas. :o David Cameron has been the first person brave enough to say in parliament that Britain isn't at all multi-cultural. Divided, and growing more so by the year in all truth.


    From my own experiences, and I am a Londoner. My entire upbringing was with a respect to all cultures as that is what surrounded me and who I interacted with. From my all girl catholic school, to jobs I worked in. But I guess I can only speak from my own experiences and what I got from them ;)


  • #80
    dpe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 520 ✭✭✭dpe


    smugchik wrote: »
    Try watching a Richard Curtis film - they depict the English perfectly.

    I LOL'd. My poshest, posh mates (Oxbridge types) wouldn't fit in a Richard Curtis film.


  • #81
    UglyBolloxFace
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,867 ✭✭✭UglyBolloxFace


    Downlinz wrote: »
    I don't like people who study abroad in the UK

    Well, I don't like you either:mad:


    :pac:


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  • #82
    smugchik
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 143 ✭✭smugchik


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    You know what OP, you are slating my entire family history 'ere. So in my Poshest Peckham accent, "OP......YOU'RE A PLONKER!" :mad:


    Isn't 'poshest Peckham' an oxymoron? :P


  • #83
    optogirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,113 ✭✭✭optogirl


    Downlinz wrote: »
    Yes actually. :pac:



    I don't consider people to be Irish who by their own free choice choose to ply their trade elsewhere.


    does this apply to Irish people anywhere in the world or just Britain?


  • #84
    Downlinz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Downlinz


    optogirl wrote: »
    does this apply to Irish people anywhere in the world or just Britain?

    I wouldn't consider them Irish anywhere in the world (reasonable)

    I'd only dislike them if that place was in Britain (unreasonable)


  • #85
    LondonIrish90
    Closed Accounts Posts: 882 ✭✭✭LondonIrish90


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    From my own experiences, and I am a Londoner. My entire upbringing was with a respect to all cultures as that is what surrounded me and who I interacted with. From my all girl catholic school, to jobs I worked in. But I guess I can only speak from my own experiences and what I got from them ;)

    Being from Peckham though ;) thats surely a bit of an exception, even in this city.

    Not saying I don't fully respect other people who live here, as long as they abide by our laws. However, just as it is in their nature to build large communities of their own people and culture, it is in our nature too as white Londoners, imo at least. Nothing racist in it, its just a fact of humanity. Would I move to, for example, Tottenham? no. because I would feel completely isolated and alone among the ghanaian and caribbean communities.


  • #86
    westendgirlie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,125 ✭✭✭westendgirlie


    Downlinz wrote: »
    I wouldn't consider them Irish anywhere in the world (reasonable)

    I'd only dislike them if that place was in Britain (unreasonable)

    Mods - I've has enough of this crap. The above is a direct attack on my parents and me.

    Would this be an acceptable topic to say he dislikes gays or muslims? I think not


  • #87
    Downlinz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Downlinz


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    Mods - I've has enough of this crap. The above is a direct attack on my parents and me.

    Would this be an acceptable topic to say he dislikes gays or muslims? I think not

    How on earth is it a direct attack on anyone when I even concede it as unreasonable?

    I'm perfectly entitled to my opinion and entitled to broadcast especially when you ask me the damn question to begin with. You can't just ask someone this then cry to mods because you don't like the answer.

    Jaysus.


  • #88
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,369 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    Downlinz wrote: »
    How on earth is it a direct attack on anyone when I even concede it as unreasonable?

    I'm perfectly entitled to my opinion and entitled to broadcast especially when you ask me the damn question to begin with. You can't just ask someone this then cry to mods because you don't like the answer.

    Jaysus.

    So, what would you prefer people to do instead of latching on to British culture?:confused:


  • #89
    Downlinz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Downlinz


    ejmaztec wrote: »
    So, what would you prefer people to do instead of latching on to British culture?:confused:

    latch on to Irish culture.


  • #90
    towers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21 ✭towers


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    Mods - I've has enough of this crap. The above is a direct attack on my parents and me.

    Would this be an acceptable topic to say he dislikes gays or muslims? I think not

    People who define their personality so largely by their regionality are crashing bores - leave him to hoist by his own petard.


    Is OP a taxi driver?


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  • #91
    Krusader
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,057 ✭✭✭Krusader


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    Mods - I've has enough of this crap. The above is a direct attack on my parents and me.

    Would this be an acceptable topic to say he dislikes gays or muslims? I think not

    Get a grip,
    he concedes that it is an unreasonable thought process to have, probably a form of OCD or something


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