I am born in the Far North of England to Scottish parents. I am only "English" by literally 5 miles, my family always raised me as a Scot, like the rugby team we supported, the fact I lived with my Granny in Scotland for a while, how I have a Scottish name etc. Some people call me English and I don't particularly feel this way at all
It depends on the person. When I talk Dutch, people sometimes assume I'm German, because they don't know the difference. That might be the case for you too. When people are not sure, they make a guess. It's not personal. If they call you English deliberately when you have told them you are not (and you don't want to be called English), there's indeed a reason to be offended.
I saw that you're living in Ireland. I assume the being from the UK the Irish might simple refer to everyone as English. As a Scot myself, I wouldn't see myself as being terribly offended by this, despite some very chauvinistic attitudes. I'm first generation American so I am a bit removed. If it's an habitual error used by the same person then maybe it be offensive.
I would first ask your nationality, just so I don't wrongly assume that you're from somewhere and you're not. I guess I can understand how this would offend you though, even if that wasn't the person's intent.
Just explain that you're Scottish when people do. I was born in England, but I'm Indian, born to Indian parents and people in my class call me English as a joke, even though I'm clearly not. If people are joking when they say it then just forget it, and if not then explain it to them.
I guess it is really am individual thing, some people might be offended by it and others not.. There is no right or wrong cause it's how you feel and I think there is never anything wrong about how someone feels in a particular moment.
I was born in England and have lived in England all my life, but both my parents are Irish through and through so I tend to consider myself as Irish. To me that is my ethnicity or my racial identity, and that's what I'll say I am. If someone asks me where I'm from, I'll say England because that's where I've lived all my life. Nationality is a technical matter so if someone asks that, they'll get the technical answer, which is that I have dual nationality (Irish/British).
I wouldn't waste your time being offended. In my opinion, being offended is little more than whine anyway. You can identify as what ever you like. If you are raised Scottish and wish to identify as such, the that is absolutely your parogative. Happy days
Absolutely. Identity is complicated. Some people identify as both English and Scottish, or American and Irish, or Canadian and Thai, etc. etc. Just tell people you're Scottish if you feel Scottish rather than English
I always thought english was the language ; British the identity . Unless youre a scot, welsh or Irish. I say be you and thank F you're not Australian .
English, Welsh and Scottish people are all British, but depending on which part of the UK you're from, you can be English, Welsh or Scottish. So it definitely is possible to identify as English. I'm a dirty mixture of English, Welsh and Irish. I was born in England and live there now but I spent the majority of my life in Wales. Yet I still call myself English because I support England in football and rugby championships