The United Kingdom - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

8th Mar 2008, 04:25 AM

The United Kingdom is made up of four different nations. Namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I've seen many instances of people using "UK", "Britain" or "United Kingdom" as synonymous with "England" it's not. This is a bit bitchy but it gets on my nerves and I think it's good to mention.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Uk-map.svg

davo-man · 8th Mar 2008, 05:13 AM

...So I'm still a little bit confused. What is Britain? And my English (subject, not nationality) teacher had a rant about this to us, telling us that a person who comes from London doesn't have a British or a UK accent, because that encompasses Nrth Ireland, Scotland, Wales, instead we have to say an English accent

I can see how it would get frustrating, cos it's like people saying New Zealanders being Australian, and we should not have to take the blame for them (hehe totally joking, hello, we're always trying to take the credit for Russel Crowe, Peter Jackson etc)

8th Mar 2008, 05:23 AM

Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. I don't really know why it gets on my nerves actually - perhaps it's just because I'm from Scotland and it makes me feel as if my country is insignificant if people use "UK" as meaning the same "England". Even if they don't mean to. I suppose it's quite petty, but yeah...

Though I think UK should give Northern Ireland back to Ireland, maybe. It doesn't make much sense for UK to have a fragment of a country in it and people who are in Southern Ireland (who I've spoken to and such) seem to think Northern Ireland would be better just as part of Ireland again.

8th Mar 2008, 05:24 AM

My history teacher told me England is not a country...
Crazy French woman...

Paul_UK · 8th Mar 2008, 05:26 AM

I live here and I get confused! I think this is correct:

There are four areas, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

England, Scotland and Wales combined and is called Great Britain (GB)

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined is called the United Kingdom (UK)

I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong.

One thing that annoys the Scottish and Welsh, understandably, is the way the press talk about a "British success" when they win some sport event, but about a "Welsh failure" or "Scottish failure" when they lose.

beckyg · 8th Mar 2008, 05:30 AM

This has always confused me. Thanks for the clarification.

Jeimuzu · 8th Mar 2008, 05:59 AM

You think we've got it bad? Just consider how the Dutch must feel. Holland consists of about a quarter of the Netherlands.

Miaplacidus · 8th Mar 2008, 07:04 AM

I invariably use UK, or Britain but not as synonyms. When I say "England" I mean England, not Wales, Scotland nor Northern Ireland.

I just remember that someone from Scotland wouldn't like to be called "English", and that Mary, Queen of Scotland, was executed by order of the queen of England.

Davo · 8th Mar 2008, 12:58 PM

No offence to the English on this site, but Scots generally head-butt anyone that calls them English. It's just a fact

Paul_UK · 8th Mar 2008, 01:15 PM

So they should too - Scots are not English, they are Scottish. They are British though.

**Martin** · 8th Mar 2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo

No offence to the English on this site, but Scots generally head-butt anyone that calls them English. It's just a fact

This itself would have been enough.

*runs away before he gets lynched*

8th Mar 2008, 02:54 PM

Hmmm

Scotland makes a nice hat for England?

Hugh · 8th Mar 2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSG

My history teacher told me England is not a country...
Crazy French woman...

Ah yes...our long and interesting relationship with France!! may it go on for ever!! The EU would have us believe that England is not a country but there are several million who would beg to differ!! Vive L'Angleterre?

sngl · 8th Mar 2008, 03:27 PM

I always try to use the terms 'UK' and 'British' when I don't know or I'm not sure where exactly someone if from and what their nationality is. I'm a bit more sensitive to issues like this, since my nationality is Hungarian, but I'm living in Romania, so people always call me Romanian. Of course, since they can't know, I correct them the first 1-2 times but if they continue to call me Romanian, I get quite angry

So I try not to call any Scots English, because it can be quite offensive.

Skeleton · 8th Mar 2008, 03:32 PM

Hope Wikipedia can give everyone a definitive answer.

United Kingdom

Great Britain

In simple terms, Great Britain is an Island and the United Kingdom is a Unified State.
Think USA with 4 States.

Hugh · 8th Mar 2008, 03:40 PM

The Scots are very talented and tend to be prodigious drinkers. They have a very romantic view of themselves and do get a bit chippy...especially in the South!! Most people in Britain are mongrels...we have vast amounts of French blood, Scandinavian, German, Roman and nearly 2000 years ago, Hadrians Wall was manned largely by North Africans and other conquered races. I bet a few of them settled! Now we have Italians, Africans, West Indians, Asians, Chinese, East Europeans many of whom will interbreed...does it really matter? Damn right it does!!

Jeimuzu · 8th Mar 2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

The Scots are very talented and tend to be prodigious drinkers. They have a very romantic view of themselves and do get a bit chippy...especially in the South!! Most people in Britain are mongrels...we have vast amounts of French blood, Scandinavian, German, Roman and nearly 2000 years ago, Hadrians Wall was manned largely by North Africans and other conquered races. I bet a few of them settled! Now we have Italians, Africans, West Indians, Asians, Chinese, East Europeans many of whom will interbreed...does it really matter? Damn right it does!!

I don't have the french, etc, blood

I'm English, but my heritage is Irish, so meh :P

Jamie · 9th Mar 2008, 01:32 PM

OK... well that's it exactly, each are different countries.. but all are unified under the names UK and GB.

As for the accents, they do sound different depending on the country, but again the dialect and tone sound different even in different places within that country (e.g. scousers, geordies, manks, broomys)

And it despite common misinterpretation, it doesn't always rain in the UK... that's just Scotland. Did nothing but bucket it down this weekend.

Hugh · 9th Mar 2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

And it despite common misinterpretation, it doesn't always rain in the UK... that's just Scotland. Did nothing but bucket it down this weekend.

Except Luton. Even when it's not raining, it feels like it is...it's that miserable!!

Jeimuzu · 9th Mar 2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

And it despite common misinterpretation, it doesn't always rain in the UK... that's just Scotland. Did nothing but bucket it down this weekend.

Except Luton. Even when it's not raining, it feels like it is...it's that miserable!!

Pah, miserable? You don't live in Boro. You don't know you're born, you lot. :P

8th Mar 2008, 04:25 AM	#1
Connor Guest Posts: n/a	The United Kingdom The United Kingdom is made up of four different nations. Namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I've seen many instances of people using "UK", "Britain" or "United Kingdom" as synonymous with "England" it's not. This is a bit bitchy but it gets on my nerves and I think it's good to mention. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Uk-map.svg

8th Mar 2008, 05:13 AM	#2
davo-man Aspiring RENThead Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Completely Out (YAY) Location: Australia Age: 22 Posts: 3,709 Join Date: Nov 2006	Re: The United Kingdom ...So I'm still a little bit confused. What is Britain? And my English (subject, not nationality) teacher had a rant about this to us, telling us that a person who comes from London doesn't have a British or a UK accent, because that encompasses Nrth Ireland, Scotland, Wales, instead we have to say an English accent I can see how it would get frustrating, cos it's like people saying New Zealanders being Australian, and we should not have to take the blame for them (hehe totally joking, hello, we're always trying to take the credit for Russel Crowe, Peter Jackson etc) __________________ The Joker Rules all.... TwoFace comes a close second! My Friends are the best people in the world Ross: Wow, you guys sure have a lot of books about being a lesbian. Susan: Well, you know, you have to take a course. Otherwise they don't let you do it.

8th Mar 2008, 05:23 AM	#3
Connor Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The United Kingdom Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. I don't really know why it gets on my nerves actually - perhaps it's just because I'm from Scotland and it makes me feel as if my country is insignificant if people use "UK" as meaning the same "England". Even if they don't mean to. I suppose it's quite petty, but yeah... Though I think UK should give Northern Ireland back to Ireland, maybe. It doesn't make much sense for UK to have a fragment of a country in it and people who are in Southern Ireland (who I've spoken to and such) seem to think Northern Ireland would be better just as part of Ireland again. Last edited by Connor; 8th Mar 2008 at 05:31 AM..

8th Mar 2008, 05:24 AM	#4
JSG Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The United Kingdom My history teacher told me England is not a country... Crazy French woman...

8th Mar 2008, 05:26 AM	#5
Paul_UK Former Empty Closets Admin Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bournemouth, UK Age: 47 Posts: 13,155 Join Date: Nov 2004	Re: The United Kingdom I live here and I get confused! I think this is correct: There are four areas, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England, Scotland and Wales combined and is called Great Britain (GB) England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined is called the United Kingdom (UK) I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong. One thing that annoys the Scottish and Welsh, understandably, is the way the press talk about a "British success" when they win some sport event, but about a "Welsh failure" or "Scottish failure" when they lose. __________________ Paul

8th Mar 2008, 05:30 AM	#6
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: The United Kingdom This has always confused me. Thanks for the clarification. __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

8th Mar 2008, 05:59 AM	#7
Jeimuzu Wreck Cognition Full Member Gender: Heterogametic Orientation: Rawr. Out Status: 99% out. Location: Middlesbrough Age: 23 Posts: 1,744 Join Date: Aug 2007	Re: The United Kingdom You think we've got it bad? Just consider how the Dutch must feel. Holland consists of about a quarter of the Netherlands. __________________

8th Mar 2008, 07:04 AM	#8
Miaplacidus Cheshire Cat Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gayer than not Out Status: Everyone who asks Location: Atlantida, Uruguay Age: 22 Posts: 5,093 Join Date: Feb 2007	Re: The United Kingdom I invariably use UK, or Britain but not as synonyms. When I say "England" I mean England, not Wales, Scotland nor Northern Ireland. I just remember that someone from Scotland wouldn't like to be called "English", and that Mary, Queen of Scotland, was executed by order of the queen of England. __________________ We are all mad here.

8th Mar 2008, 12:58 PM	#9
Davo Is mise Daibhidh Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Almost out to everyone Location: Scotland Age: 25 Posts: 434 Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: The United Kingdom No offence to the English on this site, but Scots generally head-butt anyone that calls them English. It's just a fact

8th Mar 2008, 01:15 PM	#10
Paul_UK Former Empty Closets Admin Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Bournemouth, UK Age: 47 Posts: 13,155 Join Date: Nov 2004	Re: The United Kingdom So they should too - Scots are not English, they are Scottish. They are British though. __________________ Paul

8th Mar 2008, 02:54 PM	#12
Ty Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The United Kingdom Hmmm Scotland makes a nice hat for England?

8th Mar 2008, 03:27 PM	#14
sngl Trance Fan #1 Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Almost everyone Location: Romania Age: 25 Posts: 784 Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: The United Kingdom I always try to use the terms 'UK' and 'British' when I don't know or I'm not sure where exactly someone if from and what their nationality is. I'm a bit more sensitive to issues like this, since my nationality is Hungarian, but I'm living in Romania, so people always call me Romanian. Of course, since they can't know, I correct them the first 1-2 times but if they continue to call me Romanian, I get quite angry So I try not to call any Scots English, because it can be quite offensive. __________________

8th Mar 2008, 03:32 PM	#15
Skeleton Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: enough to answer anyone truthfully Location: Gütersloh (But from Newcastle) Age: 30 Posts: 115 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: The United Kingdom Hope Wikipedia can give everyone a definitive answer. United Kingdom Great Britain In simple terms, Great Britain is an Island and the United Kingdom is a Unified State. Think USA with 4 States. __________________ "I'm like a mosquito in a nudist camp; I know what I should do, but I don’t know where to start." "Men are simple things. They can survive a whole weekend with only three things: beer, boxer shorts and batteries for the remote control.." I need to start dating an archaeologist. That way, the older I get, the more interested in me they get.

8th Mar 2008, 03:40 PM	#16
Hugh Member Regular Member Gender: 50% male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Bedfordshire, UK Posts: 70 Join Date: Feb 2008	Re: The United Kingdom The Scots are very talented and tend to be prodigious drinkers. They have a very romantic view of themselves and do get a bit chippy...especially in the South!! Most people in Britain are mongrels...we have vast amounts of French blood, Scandinavian, German, Roman and nearly 2000 years ago, Hadrians Wall was manned largely by North Africans and other conquered races. I bet a few of them settled! Now we have Italians, Africans, West Indians, Asians, Chinese, East Europeans many of whom will interbreed...does it really matter? Damn right it does!!

9th Mar 2008, 01:32 PM	#18
Jamie Fake-Norwegian Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: I'm not Gay, my boyfriend is! Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Drammen, Norway Age: 23 Posts: 784 Join Date: Dec 2006	Re: The United Kingdom OK... well that's it exactly, each are different countries.. but all are unified under the names UK and GB. As for the accents, they do sound different depending on the country, but again the dialect and tone sound different even in different places within that country (e.g. scousers, geordies, manks, broomys) And it despite common misinterpretation, it doesn't always rain in the UK... that's just Scotland. Did nothing but bucket it down this weekend.

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