St George's Day (3 Viewers)

St Georges Day just required the ENGLISH guys to send each other their best wishes. Can't understand why we needed all the other stuff???????
Mitch
 
Sorry if I have unwittingly ruffled any feathers here Mitch - that wasn't my intent at all. Perhaps I should explain my interest. You see St. George is a surprisingly popular Saint around the World - and one of my sister-in-laws is a Catalan who lives not far away, near Perpignan on the Spanish border. St George is their Patron Saint too. Folks there exchange gifts on the day - which is a very popular one, with an almost carnival atmosphere - traditionally a red rose from a man to a woman (symbolising love) and a book from a woman to a man (symbolising eternity).

I went to see them a couple of years ago around this time - and was surprised how popular "El dia del Rosa y Libres" as they call it is. She explained to me that George was a Roman Soldier - who was made a Saint back in antiquity for his bravery in protecting early Christians. He has been adopted by many countries around the World. That's also when I found out about the celebrations with special cakes made and these traditional gifts. He is also popular in Georgia ( most obviously perhaps), Hungary, Bulgaria - other regions of Spain and most surprisingly Syria -of all places - there were other countries - but can't remember them all now.

Lastly - lest I forget - I must own up to my Maternal Grandfather being born in Gloucester! - so despite St Geeorge's legendary dragon slaying capabilities - I quite like this former Soldier too! Hope you all had a good day. johnnybach
 
Mitch said:
St Georges Day just required the ENGLISH guys to send each other their best wishes. Can't understand why we needed all the other stuff???????
Mitch
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Because the English are an oppressed minority, Mitch, and we need all the support we can get. The Scots, Irish and Welsh can all strut their stuff and proclaim their origin, but as soon as someone says "English" there is a collective growl of "Don't you mean British". Many official forms will not recognise English as a nationality, personally I always enter "British by birth, English by the Grace of God." So thank you all for your kind wishes, they are much appreciated. Trooper
 
Well said. Never ever thought of myself as anything other than an englishman and always will. I stayed in a hotel recently which, had to remove the term full english breakfast as someone complained????? It was changed to a fried breakfast!!!! Beggars belief.
Mitch

trooper said:
Because the English are an oppressed minority, Mitch, and we need all the support we can get. The Scots, Irish and Welsh can all strut their stuff and proclaim their origin, but as soon as someone says "English" there is a collective growl of "Don't you mean British". Many official forms will not recognise English as a nationality, personally I always enter "British by birth, English by the Grace of God." So thank you all for your kind wishes, they are much appreciated. Trooper
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No feathers ruffled just curious as to why you raised all the stuff on a thread celebrating a seemingly ever decreasing proudness in being English. Was not just me who was enquiring either. My birth certificate states I am English and I am proud of it I am sure your proud of being welsh sadly, as Trooper has stated we are becoming a minority and its almost a dirty word to say your english and, thats something I won't accept.
Have a nice easter
Mitch

johnnybach said:
Sorry if I have unwittingly ruffled any feathers here Mitch - that wasn't my intent at all. Perhaps I should explain my interest. You see St. George is a surprisingly popular Saint around the World - and one of my sister-in-laws is a Catalan who lives not far away, near Perpignan on the Spanish border. St George is their Patron Saint too. Folks there exchange gifts on the day - which is a very popular one, with an almost carnival atmosphere - traditionally a red rose from a man to a woman (symbolising love) and a book from a woman to a man (symbolising eternity).

I went to see them a couple of years ago around this time - and was surprised how popular "El dia del Rosa y Libres" as they call it is. She explained to me that George was a Roman Soldier - who was made a Saint back in antiquity for his bravery in protecting early Christians. He has been adopted by many countries around the World. That's also when I found out about the celebrations with special cakes made and these traditional gifts. He is also popular in Georgia ( most obviously perhaps), Hungary, Bulgaria - other regions of Spain and most surprisingly Syria -of all places - there were other countries - but can't remember them all now.

Lastly - lest I forget - I must own up to my Maternal Grandfather being born in Gloucester! - so despite St Geeorge's legendary dragon slaying capabilities - I quite like this former Soldier too! Hope you all had a good day. johnnybach
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The good thing is I do see St Georges day gradually increasing in popularity with many more flags appearing these days. I am English to the bone and I don't just bleed Red, I bleed Red AND White!:wink2:^&grin

Funny thing, I think in say for instance in a world cup most English supporters would , if England were out, probably root for Scotland Ireland or Wales, I just dont think those countries have the good nature to return the favour, we just don't appear to have that bitterness I think. Never forget the Scottish Tennis player Murray who was quoted as saying ' anyone but England' re the world cup, however he pretty quickly slammed it into reverse when it dawned on him that Wimbledon is held in the greatest city in the world and he might just need English support, what a ****!

Rob
 
I probably shouldn't get involved in this but it's not just an English holiday and perhaps no implication was made that it was but as a kid growing up in Spain I remember celebrating Dia de San Jorge.

Anyway, to all my mates over in England, have a happy St. Georges Day.
 
Rob said:
The good thing is I do see St Georges day gradually increasing in popularity with many more flags appearing these days. I am English to the bone and I don't just bleed Red, I bleed Red AND White!:wink2:^&grin

Funny thing, I think in say for instance in a world cup most English supporters would , if England were out, probably root for Scotland Ireland or Wales, I just dont think those countries have the good nature to return the favour, we just don't appear to have that bitterness I think. Never forget the Scottish Tennis player Murray who was quoted as saying ' anyone but England' re the world cup, however he pretty quickly slammed it into reverse when it dawned on him that Wimbledon is held in the greatest city in the world and he might just need English support, what a ****!

Rob
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My daughter and her husband are moving from Scotland next week. One of the reasons is the anti English racism!

Martin
 
Hi everyone. Yes I do see where you are all coming from - I feel the same. I was trying to point out that whilst most in the UK use English as a language ( for mainly historical reasons) - there are still very strong National identities outside of that.
Living in France for periods of the year just reinforces that - as my bike riding example was meant to show. Many of the much smaller Celtic Nations (numerically) to those in England do get really irked by the assumption that you are English - when you ain't. Imagine a Texan speaking to someone in his/her version of English - faced with a question " So which part of Cornwall do you come from?"

See what I mean??

I am not knocking you for being English!! Just pointing out that there is also an alternative view from other parts of the UK, many of whom speak another British language. Now I am pleased that some English people are proud to be that - and are showing it at long last. Welsh folk always have done - at least where I come from, where Dewi Sant has always been strong. Good luck to you - keep it going.

I might also add, as it has been brought up, that it was my priviledge to shake the hand of Johnny Wilkinson at Leicester Rugby football ground a few years ago - shortly after England won the Rugby World Cup. I said to him " I'm not English - but thank you for what you did for BRITISH rugby". He just smiled and said " I've heard that so many times before - thanks!" Nice Guy. But I meant it then - and do so still now - and I think, so did he. I'm not one of those who wish ill on England - and I know that I'm not alone. And that's that!
 
Johnnybach Having read your words I for one believe you in what you say, I also appreciate your wishes for us in an earlier post.

Perhaps your examples of English folk getting stuff wrong, the Welsh language etc could have possibly waited for another day, it was not I believe out of malice but just wrong timing I'd say.

What you may also not be aware of is that feelings amongst English members are running high at the moment after a pretty pathetic slur on our fighting soldiers abroad on the very day we lost a brave female soldier, but you are no way in the same bracket as that individual who I understand now resides on half a dozen English ignore lists!

Whilst I am English to my marrow I'm also proud to be a Brit, and having studied WW1 and then WW2 since I could wield a book I know just how much our Welsh, Irish and Scottish neighbours have done for Britain in the past

Respect for all I say

Regards

Rob
 
Jonny mate, I didn't take offence at all. I, like you served in the British army and I have life long friends from all of the Guards regiment.

Martin
 
Its not an English Holiday as in a bank holiday which, it should be IMO but, its for me not an excuse for a p*** up. I don't think any of the other stuff on here about alternatives and the histories were relevant. purely and simply, this was to offer best wishes to the English members on a day, which for me, asserts my pride in being English.
Shame but, I expected that it would go off the rails with all the other absolutely irrelevant stuff.
Mitch

jazzeum said:
I probably shouldn't get involved in this but it's not just an English holiday and perhaps no implication was made that it was but as a kid growing up in Spain I remember celebrating Dia de San Jorge.

Anyway, to all my mates over in England, have a happy St. Georges Day.
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It wasn't all that bad, just a progression of a conversation. Nothing really to get all worked up about.
 
Mitch said:
Its not an English Holiday as in a bank holiday which, it should be IMO but, its for me not an excuse for a p*** up. I don't think any of the other stuff on here about alternatives and the histories were relevant. purely and simply, this was to offer best wishes to the English members on a day, which for me, asserts my pride in being English.
Shame but, I expected that it would go off the rails with all the other absolutely irrelevant stuff.
Mitch
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I believe, as apparently we have less bank holidays than most other European nations, moves are afoot to make either St Georges day or Trafalgar day a bank holiday, although I guess our French partners may not welcome a Trafalgar day . I think maybe Battle of Britain day would be a good choice as it symbolises the hard won freedom we have.

Rob
 
Rob said:
I believe, as apparently we have less bank holidays than most other European nations, moves are afoot to make either St Georges day or Trafalgar day a bank holiday, although I guess our French partners may not welcome a Trafalgar day . I think maybe Battle of Britain day would be a good choice as it symbolises the hard won freedom we have.

Rob
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Good thought, Rob, but as we have to tippy toe around everyone's feelings these days and avoid any remote chance of offence to practically everybody in the world perhaps Commonwealth Day might be a better alternative. Although I am sure that at least one argumentative member of this forum will start screaming about Empire, slavery, exploitation and any other reason he can find to upset the apple cart. Trooper
 
I think St Georges day definately Trafalgar day would be good but, for me, Empire, slavery and exploitation day just has a good ryhme to it!!!! We could have all the minions serve us G&T's on the lawn... What what!!!!!
Mitch


trooper said:
Good thought, Rob, but as we have to tippy toe around everyone's feelings these days and avoid any remote chance of offence to practically everybody in the world perhaps Commonwealth Day might be a better alternative. Although I am sure that at least one argumentative member of this forum will start screaming about Empire, slavery, exploitation and any other reason he can find to upset the apple cart. Trooper
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Rob said:
I believe, as apparently we have less bank holidays than most other European nations, moves are afoot to make either St Georges day or Trafalgar day a bank holiday, although I guess our French partners may not welcome a Trafalgar day . I think maybe Battle of Britain day would be a good choice as it symbolises the hard won freedom we have.

Rob
Click to expand...
I think Battle of Britain day is a great idea {bravo}}
 
Rob said:
The good thing is I do see St Georges day gradually increasing in popularity with many more flags appearing these days. I am English to the bone and I don't just bleed Red, I bleed Red AND White!:wink2:^&grin

Funny thing, I think in say for instance in a world cup most English supporters would , if England were out, probably root for Scotland Ireland or Wales, I just dont think those countries have the good nature to return the favour, we just don't appear to have that bitterness I think. Never forget the Scottish Tennis player Murray who was quoted as saying ' anyone but England' re the world cup, however he pretty quickly slammed it into reverse when it dawned on him that Wimbledon is held in the greatest city in the world and he might just need English support, what a ****!

Rob
Click to expand...

Saw load of flag where I live & mate at work even send out St George cards {bravo}}
 
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