[Classical Liberal]

I was watching question time last night, it was in Scotland, and politicians such as Charles Kennedy were making statement like this.

"I am a Scotsman first, then British, and a proud member of the European community"

This got me thinking about what I would call myself. I would definitely call myself British as I visit, enjoy and have connections to all parts of the UK, except Northern Ireland.

What struck me when I thought about what I would call myself is how unEuropean I feel. I do not feel like I have any connection with Europe. When I go to Europe it feels very foriegn to me. I do not understand the varied culture of Europe and I have no connection with it. It is just somewhere I go for good weather, otherwise I do not give a dam.

In fact I really dislike parts Europe. I do not like France at all and I do not like the French. There is very little I like about French culture. And lets not forget that large parts of Europe waged war against the UK in the past.

I actually have a much closer connection to America and Canada than Europe. When I go to America and Canada, I can fit in. I have relatives in America, unlike Europe. I feel like I understand the culture in America, I can walk down a street and it feel a little bit like home.

I would much rather consider myself to be part of a Northern American community than a European community. Not that I have very strong connections with Northern America, but I just feel much closer to Northern American that Europe, which feels like a person I have never really met and not sure I really want to.

Who else feels a little bit like this?

[AspiringGenius]

By being part of britain you are also European. No matter how much you like America, you are not American/canadian until you go there and get citizenship. You are British and European. You don't have to understand the culture in the majority of Europe to be part of it. I'm a pretty sure soe of y friends from belarus think some of our customs are strange.

[Giant]

European is more associated with mainland Europe - France, Germany, Italy and whatnot

I consider myself British

Although if you asked a German I'm sure they'd consider themselves German before European and ergo France, Italy, Spain etc.

[Snagprophet]

I'd call myself Northern European at least, because when you go to the Netherlands and Germany it feels very English apart from the languages spoken and the side of the road. Southern Europe, which I'd call Latin Europe, is the sort who tends to have the whole kissing each other greeting. I think Latin links the countries as well. The climate has an effect, they're Mediterranean countries, which is different from the less humid north.

I consider myself English first. I don't even see why I should call myself British, it's England which is where most people live and is the powerhouse. 15% of the UK don't living in England.

[snailsareslimy]

I'd call myself Northern Irish or British European to me seems more to do with France etc so I don't think I'd ever refer to myself as that...

[fuzznbass]

I agree, I feel little affinity with Europe and why should I ? , I feel that I have more in common with America and its culture than Europe.

[TitanicTeutonicPhil]

(Original post by Classical Liberal)
I do not understand the varied culture of Europe and I have no connection with it.

That's sad. Blame your parents for not taking you abroad and introducing you
to foreign cultures. Blame yourself for not exploring the richness of cultures,
languages, and cuisines which are basically on your doorstep.

[WillowSummers]

(Original post by Snagprophet)
15% of the UK don't living in England.

However, more than that can write the language properly.

I'd happily say I'm Welsh, British and European, because I have relatives in all those areas. I also enjoy the culture of places such as Italy, France and Spain (the regions where my relatives live and consequently where I visit most) and their foods.

However, I must agree that I feel less of a link with, say, Germany.

[TitanicTeutonicPhil]

(Original post by Giant)
Although if you asked a German I'm sure they'd consider themselves German before European and ergo France, Italy, Spain etc.

Not really. The younger German generation does consider themselves at least
as much European as German. This is probably aided by the brainwash we get
in school to get every iota of nationalism out of our heads (history beckons).
On the other hand, the current situation in Europa (greatly simplified: everyone
****ing up, and us paying the bill) works against that trend.

[green chica]

Such a stereotypical belief. I hope you do realize how arrogant this makes you sound.

[Giant]

(Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil)
Not really. The younger German generation does consider themselves at least
as much European as German. This is probably aided by the brainwash we get
in school to get every iota of nationalism out of our heads (history beckons).
On the other hand, the current situation in Europa (greatly simplified: everyone
f...ing up, and us paying the bill) works against that trend.

I just fear with this growing economic crisis that there may be a return to the attitudes of the Early 20th Century, with a rise in Greek, Spanish, Italian and Irish nationalism and right-wing extremism as/if they break away from the Eurozone. Not sure if it would actually happen though, as circumstances have changed since the first half of the early 20th Century with steps in place to ensure that extremism doesn't become too popular (UN, EU, globalisation, trade etc.)

[Hobo389]

(Original post by green chica)
Such a stereotypical belief. I hope you do realize how arrogant this makes you sound.

Why does it make him sound arrogant? A lot of British people don't view themselves as particularly European because a lot don't have very much to do with Europe and of those that do, a lot are Euro-sceptic.

[Aaron_xyz]

I don't know why they say that, apart from Christianity (which is fading), football and race Europe is not really homogenous; I'd say that Europe is a collection of multiple cultures like Celtic, Latin, East/West Slav, Hellenic etc but with some overlap inbetween. I doubt many Brits would feel home in Albania or in the western region of Kazakhstan.

Well, we live in Europe regardless, so we can call ourselves European for whatever reasons. Its a rudimentary form of identity between nationalism and internationalism (can't remember what its called).

[Hobo389]

(Original post by Aaron_xyz)
I don't know why they say that, apart from Christianity (which is fading), football and race Europe is not really homogenous; I'd say that Europe is a collection of multiple cultures like Celtic, Latin, East/West Slav, Hellenic etc but with some overlap inbetween. I doubt many Brits would feel home in Albania or in the western region of Kazakhstan.

Well, we live in Europe regardless, so we can call ourselves European for whatever reasons. Its a rudimentary form of identity between nationalism and internationalism (can't remember what its called).

Bureaucratism.

[RyanT]

(Original post by Classical Liberal)
Who else feels a little bit like this?

Not me.

I have a lot more in common with the Danes, Dutch and Germans then I do with Pakistanis waving British passports. Have you seen Birmingham, London or Manchester recently? I have. They're some of the most developed places in the third world.

If you honestly think you have more in common with people from South Asia, many of whom can't even speak English then with the continentials then you need your head checking.

Officially there's 50 million spanish speakers in the USA. In reality, that number will be much higher. On top of that there's many non-Europeans in the USA such as ex-slaves from Africa....then you're left claiming solidarity with maybe 40% of American society.

40% of Americans versus 80% of Germans...hmm this is a hard choice.

The continentials are our friends and we're much more similar to them then we realise especially when compared to brash, vulgar American culture.

If the Americans spoke French, people like you would be arguing the complete opposite of your present position.

[Bellissima]

i love europe i think it is beautiful (and yes that includes the UK). if i go to america i always like it but it feels fake like micky mouse land and i start missing home even if i am loving it there. there's so much more interesting culture in europe and i love the diversity. i could easily see myself living in many european countries (western ones, though would love to visit eastern) though couldn't see myself living in america. it is too bland (though like i said i really lik visiting and it has some great spots).

[Left Hand Drive]

I see myself as Scottish. I never really describe myself as British although I know I am. I do however feel and am perfectly happy being a European.

[Aj12]

I don't consider myself Europe at all either. If I'm honest I feel more connection to the country my parents are from (not Britain) despite only visiting it once than I do with Europe. Geographically people may consider me European but I really feel no connection and see Europe as being just as different as I see Asia or Africa.

[Classical Liberal]

(Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil)
That's sad. Blame your parents for not taking you abroad and introducing you
to foreign cultures. Blame yourself for not exploring the richness of cultures,
languages, and cuisines which are basically on your doorstep.

I have been to many parts of Europe, and quite frankly, I think it kinda sucks.

I don't like their cuisine, I don't like their sports, I don't like their cultures. I was wrong, I have met Europe and I don't really like him very much.

[Sir Fox]

(Original post by Classical Liberal)
When I go to Europe it feels very foriegn to me. I do not understand the varied culture of Europe and I have no connection with it. It is just somewhere I go for good weather, otherwise I do not give a dam.

Apart from your attitude which is your personal opinion which I don't judge, let's face it: at the moment you wrote that you were sitting on European soil. You don't have to go to Europe as the British Isles are part of Europe (which, by the way, doesn't mean the EU).

Chinese people might be totally different from Indians in terms of culture and attitude, yet they are both Asians. Same way with Britons and Greeks, you might hate Europe's guts, you're still European, whether you like it or not.

Anyway, wishing you only the best in your splendid isolation ...