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

jennyblain · Post by **jennyblain** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:50 pm

I just sent a complaint to the bbc regarding their 'Saving Britain's Past' series on BBC 2. Once again it was disguising 'English' behind the term 'British'. Does anybody else feel strongly about this?

They had a programme on 'The Country House'. It turned out to mean ONLY 'The English Country House' - surely something different - and to feature both comments and critique of the National Trust for England. I don't mind them using an English example as their main focus, but they need to give a broader focus, surely, or to bill it honestly as an 'English Country House' programme.

I mean, they didn't mention anything outside their narrow remit - not even Hopetoun!

Jenny
(annoyed!)

PaulaD · Post by **PaulaD** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:26 pm

Hi Jenny,

It drives me up the wall as a Scot living in England

Take Andy Murray for instance - when he wins he's British BUT if he loses or makes some silly comment about football THEN he's Scottish.

And the weather forecast - when they tell you it's going to be really hot (but only if you live in the Southeast) everywhere else we will be freezing.

Just don't get me started

Paula

Post by **Tracey** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:07 pm

Doesnt bother me you Scots being labelled the same as me

Post by **emanday** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:24 pm

I long ago gave up moaning about this kind of "regional" wording.

As a Glaswegian living in Bristol, I don't need to hear the word Scottish to know that Scots were and still are world leaders in many fields.

If it makes some folk feel better to hang on to our coat-tails anytime then "Go for it" is what I say

Post by **paddyscar** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:20 pm

American quiz shows often ask questions about 'countries' i.e. What country serves Haggis at New Year? / In what country was Dickens born?/ In what country will you find County Down? Then they accept United Kingdom or Britain or Great Britain.

Drives me around the bend!

Frances

Post by **Ina** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:43 am

I was once teamed up with an English girl to play a team tennis match. I joking said to her "let's kick butt, us Brits against the Americans". She politely told me not to consider myself British as I lived north of the border. Needless to say it was not a pleasant match.

Now when people aske me if I'm British I tell them no........I'm from the good part of the UK.....north of the border.

Ina

Post by **Anne H** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:50 am

Yes, Jenny...it's very annoying, and Ina, your tennis partner couldn't have been paying attention when she had her geography lessons in school. Last I heard, the United Kingdom consisted of four countries, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales...we are all British...at least, that's what my passport tells me...so yes, I'm British but Scottish first.

I have an English acquaintance who insists on referring to me as English because it's the same thing (as she puts it). I simply point out to her that she couldn't have had a very good education if she wasn't aware that Scotland and England were two different countries! She's slowly learning.

Regards,
Anne H

Post by **Ina** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:00 am

Hi Anne,

Yes I find it amusing that most people think British is only England.

Right now in this country we have a big health care debate going on. The news media keep talking about the English system........they fail to mention that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also come under the same system.

Ina

Post by **Anne H** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:06 am

Hi Ina,

We'll just have to educate the lot of them.

Regards,
Anne H

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:20 am

As a Scot, I do find it irritating when England is used to mean Britain.

However, as they have the larger population, it is understandable.

Rarely is there any deliberate intent to insult or offend.

It is one of the penalties of being in the minority. Perhaps this is why some people object to being in the EU.

Hugo