The English are perceived as being the ‘rich and powerful’ part of the equation.

Wales is a fiercely nationalistic country, Northern Ireland has been fighting for cultural identity for years. The English are traditionally meek and ’stiff upper lip’. The government is composed largely of Scots. You do the math, as the Americans say.

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You’re right. That is a huge problem for those of us who are moderate but who still wish to be patriotic, and claim our identity and culture.

Yeah. Pass the tea and scones. I’ll have blackcurrant jam on ‘em too, if you don’t mind.

Unless, of course, he wasn’t actually English!

I was taken quite aback; I didn’t mean anything by it, and never thought that would be considered an insult…. geez! I can’t stand all the PC crap nowadays. People are just looking for anything to get upset about…

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RMH – A real put-down! But he’s right, I guess, because you can become a British citizen, but you cannot choose English citizenship as far as I know. You’d have to be born here.

EWB Lady – The French wouldn’t stand for it, either. But we English are so ‘polite’ and don’t like to make a fuss. So there you are, we get sidelined.

Petra – No, no, no! British is not synonymous with English! It’s like this: England is one of the countries that make up Great Britain, the others being Scotland and Wales. The British Isles, on the other hand, emcompasses Northern Ireland, the Channel Isles, the Isle of Man, etc.

England is England, just as Scotland is Scotland, or Wales is Wales. But all three can be described as British.

The thing I’m complaining about with the food labelling is that Scotland gets the saltire (Scottish Flag) on food labels which say ‘Scottish’. It’s very clear – the food inside comes from Scotland. Wales gets the Welsh dragon flag and the word ‘Welsh’ – as in Welsh lamb – which is equally clear. But we in England don’t seem to be extended the same courtesy. You hardly ever see the Cross of St George (English flag), we have to put up with the Union Jack and the label ‘British’.

But food labelled British does not have to be English. It can come from Scotland, Wales OR England.

And food labelled ‘UK’, can come from any one of those three countries OR Northern Ireland. But interestingly, not the Isle of Man, which isn’t part of the UK. Lucky IOM, say I.

I’ve added a link to the bottom of the post which explains the difference, if you’re interested.

Jenn – I’m sure the needle will swing back, it usually does. And yes, I’m hoping this current obsession with lawsuits will cease, too. It’s costing us all a great deal, and not only in money!

Mr N – You know, in all the times we’ve come over to the US, we’ve never found a decent bit of cheddar. People assure me it’s out there, but I guess we’d have to search out a deli somewhere.

You’re quite right about what ‘British’ means. And yes, NI is often referred to separately, because while it is part of the British Isles, it isn’t part of Britain. Confused yet? I’ve added a nice little link at the bottom of the post if you’re interested.

I’m hoping, too, someday soon we won’t have to worry about lawsuits perpetually over inadvertently offending someone, as well.

Or maybe I’m just overly-optimistic.

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