Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

When discussing Johnny Foreigner, do you do it 100% with tongue firmly in cheek or is there secret part of you that thinks, "yep we're still better than you sunshine"?

Although the British Empire and her position as a world power collapsed shortly after WWII, do we still see ourselves as better than the rest of the world?

Wolfstan wrote:When discussing Johnny Foreigner, do you do it 100% with tongue firmly in cheek or is there secret part of you that thinks, "yep we're still better than you sunshine"?

First one.

Wolfstan wrote:do we still see ourselves as better than the rest of the world?

Erm no. Patriotism is bulshit in any country in my view, and the idea of anyone viewing britians current state as any where near the "best in the world" is quite laughable to be honest. As the saying goes, 'it's not where you are, but the company you keep.'


In my eyes, sure cheer on your fellow contry men in sport, celebrate something one of you're contry persons have done etc. But when it becomes something more than a bit of tongue in cheek crack with foreingers and you actually genuinely think your own country is better than everyone else, grow up. Then of course they'll say "WE did this" and "WE did that." when in fact they didn't do any of it and someone who was born 500 miles away from them and two hundred years before them did.

Hi,

I don't truly believe Britain to be 'better' than other countries but I will support them in most moral situations.

@whatwhat You seem to be referring to the 'Mitchell and Webb' sketch about football teams

The OC-D

theocd wrote:@whatwhat You seem to be referring to the 'Mitchell and Webb' sketch about football teams

Nope, never seen it. But I don't doubt they did a sketch about that as it kind of fits in with the other obvious humour they do on that show.

Yeah, I've generally found most aspects of "patriotism" somewhat baffling. I find it odd that people take pride in simply having been born somewhere...

We'll joke about X/Y/Z etc, but in all honesty I don't think there's much difference between people the world over. I will say that their cultures can "angle" people towards certain viewpoints of views and this has an impact.

There was a bit in the G2 supplement yesterday that struck me as quite apt, from an interview with David Mitchell

I've been to LA and it's horrible. I don't want to live there. I think, fundamentally, the people I want to make laugh are British. I can't ever imagine living abroad. I love all elements of how British society lends itself to comedy - you know, it's own sort of pompousness and self-loathing and class system and cynicism and irony: all these sorts of things are strongest here. Something like Curb Your Enthusiasm, great though it is, it's like their first faltering steps into that world of self-loathing that we, as a post-imperial power, have been in for the best part of a century. I think the Americans will be doing some amazing comedy in 60 to 70 years' time. But for the moment I'd say we're in the right part of the curve of the decline of our civilisation in order to be funniest.

It's only funny as it's true.

EDIT : Ooohh Spooky Mitchell and Webb refs!

New series on Thursday BTW !

reds8n wrote: Yeah, I've generally found most aspects of "patriotism" somewhat baffling. I find it odd that people take pride in simply having been born somewhere...

We'll joke about X/Y/Z etc, but in all honesty I don't think there's much difference between people the world over. I will say that their cultures can "angle" people towards certain viewpoints of views and this has an impact.

There was a bit in the G2 supplement yesterday that struck me as quite apt, from an interview with David Mitchell

I've been to LA and it's horrible. I don't want to live there. I think, fundamentally, the people I want to make laugh are British. I can't ever imagine living abroad. I love all elements of how British society lends itself to comedy - you know, it's own sort of pompousness and self-loathing and class system and cynicism and irony: all these sorts of things are strongest here. Something like Curb Your Enthusiasm, great though it is, it's like their first faltering steps into that world of self-loathing that we, as a post-imperial power, have been in for the best part of a century. I think the Americans will be doing some amazing comedy in 60 to 70 years' time. But for the moment I'd say we're in the right part of the curve of the decline of our civilisation in order to be funniest.

It's only funny as it's true.

EDIT : Ooohh Spooky Mitchell and Webb refs!

New series on Thursday BTW !

I think that quote about us is spot on

In some ways patriotism is just another way for a government to keep the population in line. I think it's healthier looking at it with skepticism.

For example I have heard in some places in the US they make the kids sing the national anthem every morning. To me that cries a hint of brainwashing.


edit: btw thers some good self lotahing american comedy out there besides Curb. Doug Stanhope for example, well worth a look if you havent heard of him.

Don't forget seven states voted last month that
1. Dinosaurs are cool.
2. The US constitution extends to Dinosaurs.
3. Therefore every true American supports the right to arm Dinosaurs.

I've been told numerous times that the British are better than us bogmonsters from the marshes of the Lowlands. I tend to agree.

Frazzled wrote:Don't forget seven states voted last month that
1. Dinosaurs are cool.
2. The US constitution extends to Dinosaurs.
3. Therefore every true American supports the right to arm Dinosaurs.

What next? Flintstone for President?

I think the British do self-deprecation better than anyone else (maybe the dutch in second). I regularly take the pi*s out of pretty much everything around me, due in no small part to my generally pessimistic view of the world. There are a few things that i will discuss seriously, but they generally relate to things that i can directly affect (i.e. my job).

When talking to/about 'Johnny foreigner' i will always be tounge-in-cheek - that's pretty much the British norm. If you want to talk serious stuff with me, just make sure you bring an open mind or chances are that you'll get offended quite quickly.