'British' doesn't mean 'English' (rant, sorry!)

[TunjiLees]

We are having a BIG health care debate here in the USA and they constantly point out how bad the English health care system is. Guess they don't realize that Scotland and Wales are part of the same system.

Ina: Actually, they are correct in talking about the English health care system.
Health care in Scotland is separate and there are considerable differences with the English system.

[Ted]

Just to add to the fun - I met a couple from London whilst on holiday in Greece last year. The woman was very interested when she found out I was from Scotland as she had never met a 'Jock' before (her words) - she asked (seriously) if we had television yet and if I had heard of the internet !

Some folk never evolve do they ?

Regards

Ted

[Anne H]

Hi Ted,

Sounds like that woman had a little too much Ouso to drink and numbed her brain.

Regards,
Anne H

[joette]

When I was living in Utah in 1979/1980 one lady asked me
"Did you learn English at school"
I was also asked if I had running water,electricity & had seen TV before arriving in the US.
I took great delight in telling people that I lived in an earthern floor But-Ben,that I bathed in the nearby Loch & had just taught myself English from an old text-book-reading by the light of an oil lamp- I was amazed at how many people actually believed me!

[Andrew C.]

I think if we are going to be uppity about this we have to be consistent. If we get upset when someone calls Andy Murray British we can't get upset when Lewis hamilton is called English. We either call everyone British or by their sub-nationality. I am not up on country houses however perhaps the best country houses are in England and to throw Hopetoun House or a Welsh or Northern Irish house in would be perhaps tokenism and devalue the merit of the programme

[margarita]

I find it a struggle to convince folks here that England is not the same as UK or GB.

I have the same problem here in Crete. Mostly, if I mention I was born in Scotland or am visiting Wales to see my mother, I get a response along the lines of "You mean England, then."

I don't think you can actually blame people whose only knowledge comes from TV or radio which often gives out misinformation.

Regards,

maggie

[mulberry]

I did add my tuppence worth but unfortunately under the wrong subject. If anyone is interested its under 'drowning not waiving'
Addendum. I don't pay much heed to English folks clangers anymore,it's not their fault that they lack a broader sense of what goes on around them.
rachel

[jennyblain]

Very interesting discussion on 'Dinner with Portillo'! Well worth watching (BBC4). It's only recently started - and will be on again later in the week.

Jenny