UK Identity Questions

I have a question for all you's across the pond living in the UK. But before I do, a little background:
2 years ago I got a job working for a polling company called Ipsos Reid. The 'team' that I worked for was one that called the UK and polled the people regarding sports and leisure. For my training I was told of 2 very important things when addressing the respondents, 1)It’s a post code, not a postal code (like it is here in Canada) and 2) They are not ‘Brits’ or ‘British’ they are ‘English’.
I couldn’t understand the difference so I decided to be sly and take the opportunities when they arose to ask the respondent about their take on it. I remember one guy got really upset at the notion of being called a Brit or known as British, he said something like ‘Bloody hell I’m English not some wanker Brit’ (sorry for the bad word but I heard that particular word (wanker) a lot when making calls there, mostly people calling me a wanker). However, I did have some people go on to say that being called a Brit or British was alright, one even said it was like referring to a Canadian as a North American.
At any rate, would any of you English/Brits/British/UKers like to voice your opinion on this? I would love to know!

I would say if we were born in the United Kingdom we are British, maybe English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish depending exactly where. Much like an American can be a Texan, etc

I suspect the W word you heard so much of quite possibly related to what might be perceived as an unwarranted intrusion into someone's time and privacy. Like any other unwanted sales or marketing call ... ;-)

My passport, on the front cover, says "European Union" and "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Inside, my nationality is documented as "British Citizen". I was born and have lived all my life in England.

On forms, I tend to put "English" in preference to "British" but it's not something I'd get into a row about.

So, I'm English, British and European, probably in that order.

As for being called a "Brit", I guess it depends on the context and who's doing the calling ;-)

When I am in France and I try to speak my best French, they usually say, "ah, English?" ... not, "ah, British". C'est la vie ...

Maybe this will be put to the test next year when we visit your country ... North America, did you say? We're planning to fly into Calgary, drive around Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, before taking the Rocky Mountaineer down to Vancouver. A few days in Vancouver and Victoria Island before flying home. I'm sure there will be opportunities for your countrymates to use some local invective (in relation to my driving, maybe, rather than because I am a "Brit") We'll see.

Hope this helps your search for understanding.

Regards

TMS

LoL, TMS, I hope you enjoy your stay here in North American / Canada ! As for your driving, most drivers here (in my city and in Calgary [I was there last year]) drive horribly so you can't do much worse. Just remember, we drive on the right side of the road.

As for being called the W word, it always made me laugh, still does! I understand why people would get upset at the calls from Ipsos but the calls weren't for marketing or selling, they were on behalf of your local authorities.

I find people's opinions regarding their identities interesting. Take Canada for instance, ask 100 Canadians what it means to be Canadian and you will most likely get 100 different answers. I think this is because we are so multi-cultured here that a single word like 'Canadian' regarding our culture is not possible. However, our passports will say Canadian Citizen and that's it. My own opinion regarding who I am is: I am one of many in Canada and Canada is one of many countries in the world. That's my story and I am sticking to it!

I took a fishing trip up to Northern Ontario last month and I noticed that first hand Mordred. There was a lady working the camp that who was French Canadian NOT Canadian. For her, it was a big difference and she scoffed at being called just a Canadian.

they were on behalf of your local authorities

... and that makes a difference, how!? ;-)

Regards

Originally Posted by davegugg

I took a fishing trip up to Northern Ontario last month and I noticed that first hand Mordred. There was a lady working the camp that who was French Canadian NOT Canadian. For her, it was a big difference and she scoffed at being called just a Canadian.

The french here really take that seriously!

Originally Posted by TMShucks

... and that makes a difference, how!? ;-)

Regards

Apparently it didn't make a difference at all!

Apparently it didn't make a difference at all!

No surprise there then ;-)

I would say if we were born in the United Kingdom we are British, maybe English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish depending exactly where. Much like an American can be a Texan, etc.

Americans are either Texan (if they're lucky) or "other."

I would say Americans are either Chicagoans or "other" (if they are lucky).

I always thought it was rather presumptious of us (in the USA) to refer to ourselves as Americans (in such a way that only people in the United States are American). I guess American can be anywhere from Canada to Argentina. We don't have an alternative here (except localized like Texan or New Jersite). We're not United Statians.

Or, more locally, those Paramours from North Jersey.

Or, more locally, those Paramours from North Jersey.

Hmmmm, I guess this is in reference to the reality show "Jersey Housewives"? I guess it beats "armpit of the United States" or "Middle of the Rude Belt" or.... I've always been partial to "Sarcasm Capital of the World."

We normally choose to suit the circumstances - Andy Murray (a well known tennis player) is famously regarded as Scottish when he loses but British if he wins......

guess this is in reference to the reality show "Jersey Housewives"?

Blessedly have never seen it.

Paramus => Paramours ... nvm

I thought the world was divided into Brits and colonials...

Originally Posted by daddylonglegs

We normally choose to suit the circumstances - Andy Murray (a well known tennis player) is famously regarded as Scottish when he loses but British if he wins......

So in other words, there's no rhyme nor reason!

Yes, of course there is ... we're happy to support the underdog ... but we hate to back a loser. :-)

Originally Posted by TMShucks

Yes, of course there is ... we're happy to support the underdog ... but we hate to back a loser. :-)

Don't we all? Don't we all... Like a Fox!

I thought the world was divided into Brits and colonials

close mate but it's
Brits , colonials and johnny foreigner

I'm English and proud of it hence my red rose avatar ,No different than say shg being a Texan(Texican?)
doesn't mean I'm not British tho. Just not Irish/Welsh/Scottish, absolutely nothing to do with race