UK vs England

[Pooky 3,680]

England and the cross of St George

Each of the countries of the Union should be proud to be its own country as well as a part contributing to the whole.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

My husband is always Scottish first but also takes pride in being British as well. You would be surprised how many Americans consider the UK to mean only England and do not seem to recall the other 3 countries at all. So I use the Scottish flag because that is where he was born and raised.

I don;t think any of the flags are controversial. It's kinda cool to see all of them.

See if you can find a flag for Northern Ireland.

[Laura & Kyle 16]

My husband is Scottish...and always says he's from Scotland.. never the UK, Great Britain, etc. That's why we chose the Saltire. Sometimes when I've said he's from the UK and people hear his accent, they assume he's from Ireland... While it makes me giggle, my husband scowls. We're just safer saying Scotland.

[teach_says 4]

Lot's of varied opinions...

Although I am 3rd generation I would consider myself British rather than English, but my kids state they are English and proud on a regular basis... I think the negative associations with the English flag are definitely deminishing with each generation oh and with the Football... London (my house too) is awash with St George flags for the Euro 2012.

[Shari 6]

I put the English flag for my hubby just to be more specific.

[Pooky 3,680]

My husband is Scottish...and always says he's from Scotland.. never the UK, Great Britain, etc. That's why we chose the Saltire. Sometimes when I've said he's from the UK and people hear his accent, they assume he's from Ireland... While it makes me giggle, my husband scowls. We're just safer saying Scotland.

Scottish vs Irish isn't too unreasonable.

But mistaking me for an Australian? Unbelievable!

[BrockUK 26]

Think of it this way:

UK = United Kingdom

US = United States

Therefore think of it as Kingdom = States (Each has their own flag to identify don't they?)

Its like me saying that my fiancee is Tennessian rather than American. Each to their own, but I prefer to be British (old tradition etc...)

[orangedesk 27]

But mistaking me for an Australian? Unbelievable!

Speaking of accents, my guy just informed me a few months ago that the geico gecko was English and not Australian

Edited June 11, 2012 by orangedesk

[Pooky 3,680]

Speaking of accents, my guy just informed me a few months ago that the geico gecko was English and not Australian

Blimey! Where's me pie ' n' chips?

[HelenBradley 28]

Think of it this way:

UK = United Kingdom

US = United States

Therefore think of it as Kingdom = States (Each has their own flag to identify don't they?)

Its like me saying that my fiancee is Tennessian rather than American. Each to their own, but I prefer to be British (old tradition etc...)

I see what you are saying.

Scotland is not a 'state' within the UK though. That would happen if all countries were equal, as all US states are deemed to be within the union. There's a long history and a current sociological subtext that ensures a lot of Scottish people don't feel an equal part of the union. (I only speak of Scotland because I am Scottish) States got to opt in to the union right...that is not the same as what happened in the UK.

I don't have an opinion on what people should refer to themselves as. Only what I refer to myself as, and why.

I saw a can of Irn Bru in a store the other day under a Union Jack with the heading 'English Food'. That reminded me of how little people appreciate the distinction

Edited June 12, 2012 by Helen Louise

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Hmmm, I picked the English flag because, although hubby is proud to be British, he was born in England...not Wales, not Scotland, not Northern Ireland. All very distinct, individual countries with their own reasons to be proud.

Speaking as someone who was a VERY ignorant American, I have to say I totally never understood that there was much of a difference. OK...don't make fun of me...but I didn't even KNOW that Wales was its own country till I met Glyn.

As for accents, I am the American, and people here ask myself and my USC daughter (who has only been here for 3 months) if we're from 1) Scotland 2) Ireland and 3) Australia

Although yesterday, a boy in my daughter's science class asked her how she does her "cool American accent" and how she does it so well. She looked at him funny and said, "um because I'm American??"

[teach_says 4]

Its like me saying that my fiancee is Tennessian rather than American. Each to their own, but I prefer to be British (old tradition etc...)

I've spend ages pronouncing Tennessian... LOL I see what you mean though

[Holly2234 66]

Hmmm, I picked the English flag because, although hubby is proud to be British, he was born in England...not Wales, not Scotland, not Northern Ireland. All very distinct, individual countries with their own reasons to be proud.

Speaking as someone who was a VERY ignorant American, I have to say I totally never understood that there was much of a difference. OK...don't make fun of me...but I didn't even KNOW that Wales was its own country till I met Glyn.

As for accents, I am the American, and people here ask myself and my USC daughter (who has only been here for 3 months) if we're from 1) Scotland 2) Ireland and 3) Australia

Although yesterday, a boy in my daughter's science class asked her how she does her "cool American accent" and how she does it so well. She looked at him funny and said, "um because I'm American??"

Thats crazy! How does an American sound like any of those?! My husband always gets weird comments like "You have an accent. Is it American" And they go on to ask where in the US he is from. He says New York. They always assume city. Apart from the man who works in the post office who's sister lives in Buffalo I have yet to meet anybody in the UK who actually knows that there is an entire state above NYC!!!

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Thats crazy! How does an American sound like any of those?!

I know right? My hubby didn't believe me until he heard someone ask me if I was Irish. And, its happened on SEVERAL occasions.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Speaking of accents, my guy just informed me a few months ago that the geico gecko was English and not Australian

He's an Aussie.