The idea of "British Culture" is just Bunk

swimmer · 07-02-2006, 04:34 PM

Anthony Blutcher wrote on the roger on news night link

'I think that this whole concept of Britain having a specific culture is just bunk. It is just a convenient way for people to have a pop at "foreigners", or in this case different looking locals. '
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Are you a closet Lib Dem or something? If Britain does not have a specific culture then no country on the world has a specific culture. I suppose you think our culture at most is battered fish and chipped potatoes. Our culture is vanishing yes. However our language,history, religion and customs has made a beautiful island culture that you are clearly quite ignorant of.

I suppose you would also throw a fit if someone referred to themselves as Indigenous, so 2 questions to mull over

1. The Maoris landed in New Zealand an empty island from Polynesia around the same time as the last invasion INTO phpbb_England, the Normans in 1066. The maoris are given indigenous rights and are classed as indigenous people. Should white British be refered to as indiginous and expect indigenous rights?

2. The Archbishop of York can trace its lineage back as far as the Dalai Llama. In the interests of multiculturism the ancient ceremony was adapted to include African drummers. If an English Buddhist became Dalai LLama would the tibetans adapt their ceremony and have morris dancers in it??

The question about British Culture ie. the culture of the Island of Great Britain is why do people think it is nothing more than a reason 'to have a pop at foreigner' as Anthony says and how did they come to this conclusion and what agenda does it serve?

Anthony Butcher · 07-02-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

Are you a closet Lib Dem or something?

There's no need to get insulting

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

If Britain does not have a specific culture then no country on the world has a specific culture.

Yes. The word "culture" is just a weapon people use against other people. Britain doesn't have a single "culture". The traditions, religion and customs of the upper class bear no resemblance to those of the working class. The Internet generation is a completely different way of life to the non-Internet generation.... and so on.

As for British "culture" being indigenous, for many of us curry is a national dish, watching imported American programmes is the norm, etc. things change according to what the current generation wants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

I suppose you think our culture at most is battered fish and chipped potatoes. Our culture is vanishing yes. However our language,history, religion and customs has made a beautiful island culture that you are clearly quite ignorant of.

I am ignorant of British history and language because I don't agree that Britain has a single "culture"? :shock:

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

I suppose you would also throw a fit if someone referred to themselves as Indigenous, so 2 questions to mull over

You can call yourself whatever you like, but it seems a bit silly given the mix of peoples in the British isles who have collected here over many years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

1. The Maoris landed in New Zealand an empty island from Polynesia around the same time as the last invasion INTO phpbb_England, the Normans in 1066. The maoris are given indigenous rights and are classed as indigenous people. Should white British be refered to as indiginous and expect indigenous rights?

Indigenous rights is discrimination on the basis of race, which both UKIP and myself are against.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

2. The Archbishop of York can trace its lineage back as far as the Dalai Llama. In the interests of multiculturism the ancient ceremony was adapted to include African drummers. If an English Buddhist became Dalai LLama would the tibetans adapt their ceremony and have morris dancers in it??

Do I care?

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

The question about British Culture ie. the culture of the Island of Great Britain is why do people think it is nothing more than a reason 'to have a pop at foreigner' as Anthony says and how did they come to this conclusion and what agenda does it serve?

Define British culture to me, and how it differs from American, Irish and French culture and then we can talk about it.

swimmer · 07-02-2006, 05:29 PM

Well I suppose the way things are going we will just be a nation of fatties, eating curry and pizza, on an island that resmbles one big housing estate, with a few runways, motorways and supermarkets. Children locked in their homes to avoid weirdos and traffic. Divorce rate 50%. I could go and on and on.

It would break the heart of the spitfire and hurricane heroes wo gave their lives if they could see the country today. My Grandad who is 92, just thinks the whole country has turned INTO phpbb_a very strange place. And no he isnt just a dithery old fool with rose tinted specs. He can compare and contrast Britain of yesterday and today and despite the poverty of his youth firmly believes the country was such a better a place back then. I reckon millions would agree, despite what 'Call me Dave' says about not liking britain of yesterday but of today.

He musn't be that bright if he was he would realise a man of his position if it was Britain of yesterday he would be dining out everynight in a tux, living in Chelsea in a bigger house with a few servants, and getting chauffered in a Roller, not panting away on his pushbike ! Dont beleive it, read Chips! The diary of Chips Channon, an MP in pre war Britain, always having dinner with Churchill and Wallis Simpson. What a great wild time they all had!!

John Carter · 07-02-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

Define British culture to me, and how it differs from American, Irish and French culture and then we can talk about it.

Watch any George Formby film.

swimmer · 07-02-2006, 06:00 PM

American culture was similar to ours as its foundations are based on principles etc from this island. Ireland not to much difference as over the centuries they have had the same influences ie. Viking/Norman and Celtic and of course western Christianity. France being only 20 miles away again similar but more pronounced differences due to their revolution and lack of protestant influence. Though Normans ensured certain culture similarities.

Of course all cultures are similar to an extent no matter where you are on earth you sleep eat and drink. Differences are often small but many small differences can mean large cultural differences. Your choices were a bit boring perhaps you should have asked

'how it differs to Japanese, Saudi Arabian and Swaziland Culture and then we can talk about it' Put in this context you can see our island culture is as different to them as them to us.

Of course globalists would like to see all cultures with their eccentricities, races and varied outlook on life snuffed out and replace it with a world culture where the only culture is consumerism and conformity.

In this context the UK is not far off mission accomplished, Japanese and Saudi etc. however will take quite a bit more work.

Anthony Butcher · 07-02-2006, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carter

Watch any George Formby film.

I used to love the George Formby films. Haven't watched any in a while.

Were you being sarcastic?

Anthony Butcher · 07-02-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer

Of course all cultures are similar to an extent no matter where you are on earth you sleep eat and drink. Differences are often small but many small differences can mean large cultural differences. Your choices were a bit boring perhaps you should have asked

'how it differs to Japanese, Saudi Arabian and Swaziland Culture and then we can talk about it' Put in this context you can see our island culture is as different to them as them to us.

You still haven't defined "British culture", even if it is only in comparison to others. You are also assuming that Japan and Saudi Arabia have single "cultures" as well. Is this really the case?

The dictionary defines it as:
"the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group".

Well, I would say that the social forms of these groups in Britain would be very distinct:

City business types
Farmers
Internet nerds
Upper classes
Working class
Students
Single parents

The collective "culture" of today is very different to what it was just ten years ago, let alone pre-war. Cultures, traditions, ideas and beliefs all change with the times.

The cultures of the past are no where near as important as how we want the future to be.

Your grandad may think things were better back then, but he wasn't a woman, black, gay or disabled was he? I think that things have moved on for the better in many many ways.

What he probably feels is lacking is social cohesion - the sense of belonging. Big wars tend to bring people together in a collective effort, which our generation has never witnessed.

John Carter · 07-02-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carter

Watch any George Formby film.

I used to love the George Formby films. Haven't watched any in a while.

Were you being sarcastic?

Nope. Those films are saturated with "Britishness".

swimmer · 07-02-2006, 07:18 PM

Just because someone works in the city does not mean they cant have the same national culture as a farmer, they just have different jobs???

As for my Grandpa, you say -
What he probably feels is lacking is social cohesion -

NO what he feels is that the country is pap compared to 60-80yrs ago, 60-80 years ago we had unspoilt countryside, family values, doors were not locked, streets were free from paedos and druggies, people had respect for their country and unfashionably monocultural. As for woman, I think my Grannies and their sisters had a great life full of love, laughter and fun from what they told me, with the chance to see their kids grow up. What makes you think they were hard done by compared to todays bridget jone brigade, making 30,000 at a pr firm, but stressed lonely and childless ?

Have we progressed?

B.A.Ware · 07-02-2006, 10:46 PM

I’m sorry Anthony there is a British Culture I am tired of people saying this is a multicultural society; it is not we have a British society with multicultural people living here.
Yes these people add things to our culture and over time it becomes part of our culture.

Some of the things that make up our culture.

Food
Afternoon tea/ High tea/Supper
Cottage pie
Sheppard’s pie
Roast beef Yorkshire pudding
Ploughman’s
Fish and chips
Toad in the hole
Spotted dick
Trifle
Bread and butter pudding
Victoria sponge
Crumbles

Class system

Upper class
Middle class
Working class.

Royal Family
Cricket
Football
Gardening
Big Ben
Parliament
Shakespeare
British pint
Pubs
ETC
Now I know a lot of these things are dated but you will probably find most British people will include some parts of them in there life one way or another 8)

07-02-2006, 04:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
swimmer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	The idea of "British Culture" is just Bunk Anthony Blutcher wrote on the roger on news night link 'I think that this whole concept of Britain having a specific culture is just bunk. It is just a convenient way for people to have a pop at "foreigners", or in this case different looking locals. ' ------------------- Are you a closet Lib Dem or something? If Britain does not have a specific culture then no country on the world has a specific culture. I suppose you think our culture at most is battered fish and chipped potatoes. Our culture is vanishing yes. However our language,history, religion and customs has made a beautiful island culture that you are clearly quite ignorant of. I suppose you would also throw a fit if someone referred to themselves as Indigenous, so 2 questions to mull over 1. The Maoris landed in New Zealand an empty island from Polynesia around the same time as the last invasion INTO phpbb_England, the Normans in 1066. The maoris are given indigenous rights and are classed as indigenous people. Should white British be refered to as indiginous and expect indigenous rights? 2. The Archbishop of York can trace its lineage back as far as the Dalai Llama. In the interests of multiculturism the ancient ceremony was adapted to include African drummers. If an English Buddhist became Dalai LLama would the tibetans adapt their ceremony and have morris dancers in it?? The question about British Culture ie. the culture of the Island of Great Britain is why do people think it is nothing more than a reason 'to have a pop at foreigner' as Anthony says and how did they come to this conclusion and what agenda does it serve?

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07-02-2006, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
swimmer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	Well I suppose the way things are going we will just be a nation of fatties, eating curry and pizza, on an island that resmbles one big housing estate, with a few runways, motorways and supermarkets. Children locked in their homes to avoid weirdos and traffic. Divorce rate 50%. I could go and on and on. It would break the heart of the spitfire and hurricane heroes wo gave their lives if they could see the country today. My Grandad who is 92, just thinks the whole country has turned INTO phpbb_a very strange place. And no he isnt just a dithery old fool with rose tinted specs. He can compare and contrast Britain of yesterday and today and despite the poverty of his youth firmly believes the country was such a better a place back then. I reckon millions would agree, despite what 'Call me Dave' says about not liking britain of yesterday but of today. He musn't be that bright if he was he would realise a man of his position if it was Britain of yesterday he would be dining out everynight in a tux, living in Chelsea in a bigger house with a few servants, and getting chauffered in a Roller, not panting away on his pushbike ! Dont beleive it, read Chips! The diary of Chips Channon, an MP in pre war Britain, always having dinner with Churchill and Wallis Simpson. What a great wild time they all had!!

07-02-2006, 06:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
swimmer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	American culture was similar to ours as its foundations are based on principles etc from this island. Ireland not to much difference as over the centuries they have had the same influences ie. Viking/Norman and Celtic and of course western Christianity. France being only 20 miles away again similar but more pronounced differences due to their revolution and lack of protestant influence. Though Normans ensured certain culture similarities. Of course all cultures are similar to an extent no matter where you are on earth you sleep eat and drink. Differences are often small but many small differences can mean large cultural differences. Your choices were a bit boring perhaps you should have asked 'how it differs to Japanese, Saudi Arabian and Swaziland Culture and then we can talk about it' Put in this context you can see our island culture is as different to them as them to us. Of course globalists would like to see all cultures with their eccentricities, races and varied outlook on life snuffed out and replace it with a world culture where the only culture is consumerism and conformity. In this context the UK is not far off mission accomplished, Japanese and Saudi etc. however will take quite a bit more work.

07-02-2006, 07:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
swimmer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	Just because someone works in the city does not mean they cant have the same national culture as a farmer, they just have different jobs??? As for my Grandpa, you say - What he probably feels is lacking is social cohesion - NO what he feels is that the country is pap compared to 60-80yrs ago, 60-80 years ago we had unspoilt countryside, family values, doors were not locked, streets were free from paedos and druggies, people had respect for their country and unfashionably monocultural. As for woman, I think my Grannies and their sisters had a great life full of love, laughter and fun from what they told me, with the chance to see their kids grow up. What makes you think they were hard done by compared to todays bridget jone brigade, making 30,000 at a pr firm, but stressed lonely and childless ? Have we progressed?

07-02-2006, 10:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
B.A.Ware Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 4,629 Party: UKIP	I’m sorry Anthony there is a British Culture I am tired of people saying this is a multicultural society; it is not we have a British society with multicultural people living here. Yes these people add things to our culture and over time it becomes part of our culture. Some of the things that make up our culture. Food Afternoon tea/ High tea/Supper Cottage pie Sheppard’s pie Roast beef Yorkshire pudding Ploughman’s Fish and chips Toad in the hole Spotted dick Trifle Bread and butter pudding Victoria sponge Crumbles Class system Upper class Middle class Working class. Royal Family Cricket Football Gardening Big Ben Parliament Shakespeare British pint Pubs ETC Now I know a lot of these things are dated but you will probably find most British people will include some parts of them in there life one way or another 8)