LOL

[wicked_g]

LONDON - The French have their "Liberté, égalité, fraternité." The Americans have "In God we trust." Even tiny nations like Antigua and Fiji have stirring calls to nationhood, faith, solidarity.

Not so Britain. Remarkably, for a country with such a rich history and distinctive national traits, there have been no formal

Comments

[libertyelyot]

Gah! I hate Mission Statements. This is an exercise in pointlessness if I ever saw one.

Icon for vous.

[wicked_g]

Yup, gotta agree with ya there.

Found it funny though. Like how they also want to have the flag being waved about a lot more than normal. But then, when it comes time to raise said flag for special occasions, doesn't the meaning get lost?

Oh, you silly politicians.

[humbuggirl]

Meh. I hate the whole current trend towards trying to make us all feel British like its going to solve all the problems in this country. Another example is this idea they're throwing around of having a 'British Day'. It's silly. I mean, I feel quite British enough already and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. Plus, it makes me laugh that a government who is pushing us towards becoming a bigger part of Europe and who introduced de-evolution is now trying to make us feel more British by introducing pointless things that probably cost £250k for some overpaid advertising mogul in London to think up.

As for us not have having a "grand cataclysmic moment of creation"... well we've had plenty. It's just that we've been formed and reformed as a nation about a hundred times so nothing really stands out.

*ahem*

*steps away from the soapbox*

Anyway, amusing article.

[wicked_g]

That is EXACTLY why I found it so funny. It's like, the British, apart from having a monarch and an Empire, were and aren't really known for big things, like religion, or freedom, etc.

You guys are exactly what you are. You purse your lips shut, you've got that good old fashioned 'grit' when it comes to just plowing on, even in the bad times, and, well, you don't question who you are.

For example, if an 'American' doesn't like to celebrate the 4th of July, they're kinda, well, automatically questioned for whether or not they are. The 4th of July is a HUGE thing, and it's a defining thing as to whether or not someone is 'American' or not.

In England? Aside from the stereotypes, you haven't got much to say, really. Oh god, don't take this in a bad way. I mean, it's not like the new motto can be a comment about the rain, now can it? If anything, the British are just known for being glib, and witty, and non-conformist. As the article really states.

[humbuggirl]

No offence taken. We do talk about the weather a lot. In fact it rained an awful lot today - that fine drizzle that drives you crazy and makes my hair about five times bigger... lol.

Lol. If we started question who were are then we'd probably end up having another civil war. We've been conquered by that many different cultures over the years that there is no one who is truly 'British' anymore.

[libertyelyot]

'Fine drizzle'. Bah. It was torrential hail and thunder here.

All this 'define Britishness' that constantly goes on in the media and government is too tedious, as if anything and everything can be determined by a focus group. John Major tried it and had the piss ripped out of him ever since - 'Spinsters cycling to morning service...long shadows on the cricket pitch'. What a knob. Let's all have a national group hug...bleurgh.

motto

[benicek]

Strange that this 'national' motto idea should have surfaced, when we've had one for hundreds of years. It's written under the Royal Arms on the front of all our passports. 'Honi soit qui mal y pense.' Suitably vague and chivalric. An appeal for manners and tolerance. I like it.

Re: motto

[wicked_g]

That is quite nice. I'd like to think that the whole world should have it. Or at least try to abide by it.

I have no idea what my mottos are, but...eh. I tend to say "it's what we do" by way of explanation, so I suppose that should work.

Oh oh! You've friended me! *friends back*