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It's a strange place, England

We are a very strange country! We make up about half a small island on the outer fringe of Europe, yet our language is widespread. The English were immigrants here ourselves, yet many of us protest when others immigrate to these shores. We claim that Football is coming 'home' to England even though versions were played all across Europe, and the Scots wrote the first known rules.
A nation of contradictions; some hate us, others laugh at us, some people may even like us.
Some among us don't even know the difference between England and Britain! Our ignorance of our own history and geography is appalling yet - were we a force for good rather than bad?
Only history will decide that.
Most of us just live our lives, suffer our shockingly poor politicians and hope for better things for our children- just like every people everywhere!
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badminton · 61-69, MVIP
Wherever the British empire left its mark there is a love of cricket. I worked for a tech company with many guest-visa workers from India. They were all cricket fanatics. The only exception is the U.S. Maybe because of the popularity of baseball?

Things I love about the U.K. A huge number of writers, prose and poetry. Everyone from jane Austin to S.T. Coleridge to George Orwell and hundreds more. Bertrand Russell. Music in many forms. A unique sense of humor, which is often surrealistic. Victorian-Edwardian erotic fiction.

Walking the streets of London, or any U.K. city, on a grey damp day, finding a pub, having a pint or two. A vibrant modern inclusive culture thrives. Villages which retain their character and traditions.

Today cities in the U.K. often look rather run down, at least in sections. Faded post-industrial revolution-empire melancholy. Yet those same cities also have elements of beauty; fine brick buildings aging gracefully, grand houses from another age, gardens, old rail lines. And new buildings looking to the future.

Not so good things; Empire and class system.
LizOwen · 41-45, F
@badminton The leading piece in this thread was about England, not Britain. Different animal entirely. However, your comments are noted, and thank you.
The Empire was a mixture of good and bad - I can't see any of the new countries the UK created getting rid of the civilisation the the UK gave them!
The class system is an abomination.