Can English people explain how they feel about this?

[Green215]

As an English person, do you hold resentment towards any country based on historical grievances like war, invasion, famine, colonialism etc? If so, which; if not, why?

The reason I ask is because I’ve always found it odd how the English tend to be the only people in the world who do not hold such grievances.

Irish people are always complaining about British colonialism; many Scots and Welsh likewise complain about England on a historical basis; Greeks and Turks complain about one another; Africans, Indians, Arabs etc complain about European colonialism and American invasions; China complains about Japanese atrocities and vice versa; Russia complains about German atrocities; post-Soviet states complain about Russian occupation; France and Germany complain about one another; America often complains about the Revolution; Canada complains about the War of 1812; Mexico and Latin American countries and Caribbean countries complain about American invasions or interference or colonialism; some Australians resent British rule etc.

But, rarely do English people demand reparations or sing “rebel songs” or complain about historical grievances. Why?

I could understand if maybe some English people resented Germany due to the two world balls or resented America for things like the Suez crisis and the funding of the IRA. And truth be told, I have come across some English people that are like that. But, they are very few compared to the other peoples I described.

I understand that this is sort of an academic question, but I wanted to come on this forum to ask ordinary English people how they felt and I hope you can give some honest answers rather than sarcastic responses or not answering the question properly.

Why do you keep starting threads about English people, American people, whatever, and then never coming back to them? Do you have an end goal here?

My grandad was in Burma and hated the Japanese with a passion.

it would be weird if I hated them, but it’s perfectly understandable that he did and his family did

Generations ago, they really need to move on

I think the English have generally had more to fear/hate about our own leaders rather than any foreign power (Germany and possibly Russia excepted).

I feel that the American culture has had a detrimental effect on our culture and I wish we didn't share a language. I dislike the politics, gun violence, film and music industry and junk food.

The Italians!

No i don't hate anyone i will however joke about certain countries like Germans liking to sit right next to you on a beach or Americans being loud or French being grumpy. But if I met someone from any of these countries I would have absolutely no issue with them, would happily have a conversation with them and help them if they needed something. But I also have no issue with people taking the piss out of us brits. I however would not like to be blamed for something that happened 50 years before I was born.

i love the French, it think the English and French love each other really but we just keep up the rivalry in an ironic and cheeky way. We both know we love each other really.

We’re like two people who once in a while have a passionate one night stand then go back to negging each other. France is an incredible country and I often wish I could move there.

My grandfather hated the Japanese because they tortured his brother in a prisoner of war camp (WWII). The brother (my great uncle) survived the war but died at a young age as his health never recovered. My grandfather couldn't get past it and for example would never have owned a Japanese car.
I can understand it, and don't blame him for feeling like that. But I have a Japanese friend, and don't share the animosity.

On a more lighthearted note, the English can be a bit anti-American, I think because of the perception that the Yanks think their own country is the best in the world and are ignorant about other countries. At the same time we love American music, films etc so go figure.

Yes zero judgement for those who suffered so greatly at their hands.

When I was in Myanmar the hotel owner was very pleased to get out his family photos and show me his granddad who served alongside British forces. He had a Union Jack flying alongside the Myanmar flag on the front desk.

Surely you’ve heard of generational trauma? Very well studied. The generational traumas in Ireland and their impacts is very interesting (and sad)

At one point in history the English controlled 85% of the world. And until the reign of Elizabeth II continued to exercise control over vast swathes also known as the British empire. Whatever loses suffered by the UK in the two world wars is far less significant than say the Germans. The UK has been the proud coloniser and beneficiary of most of the world’s wealth. Why would the people as a whole hold resentment in the same way as other nations? Of course individuals do, but on the whole the English know that this would be absurd. Self-awareness is key. It’s one of the things I love about England. (I am a Scot with English and Irish family)

I think because maybe we were the ones creating all the grievances!

But seriously, we have not in recent history been conquered or colonised so there's nothing really to be that resentful about. I don't even think we're particularly bothered about losing America in the war of independence, as it's just too long ago.

And the Viking weren't great. We always seem to be able to gloss over raping when it accompanied by pillaging.

This is so true 😂😂

1972 - Bloody Sunday, and many many years after.
I was spat at on the street of my hometown in England for wearing an Irish rugby shirt. I was 12.
My cousin was stopped every time she went through security while working at an English airport, to the point that her Spanish friend noticed. Why? She had an obviously Irish name.

It wasn't generations ago ffs

No, because generally we've moved on and despite all the hyperbole, the English are generally a nice, welcoming and forgiving lot

The only people I dislike are those who follow oppressive regimes, or are openly bigoted. They could come from anywhere, including England.

Vikings. Treated the people of the UK horrendously. Rape, pillage, murder. Burning churches. Etc.

apparently it was the Romans that brought ground elder to this country, I definitely resent them for that

LOL- absolutely not.

Im acutely aware as an English person, that the vast majority of my country’s wealth, (one time) global
geopolitical influence and museum exhibits were obtained by invading, colonizing and pillaging a huge number of nations- and some of it still happening not SO very long ago.

I rather think we could quite rightly be on the receiving end of more grievances than we are, TBH.

OTOH I would have to go back to the Viking invasion and the Danelaw - so well over a thousand years ago- to find anything comparable that happened here. Which is hilarious to
me, when I see that weird little crossover of the far right and faux-Viking/ Norse mythology subculture.

The Italians. Guess they ate too much.

Oh yes I’ve heard of it, lots of things are “very well studied” by academics wanting to make a nabe for themselves/receive funding. You can also find lots of them convinced men can become women. There’s a whole department in Oxford studying whether we are some kind of similar simulation. Maybe “generational trauma” exists because people are told it does

Interesting re America.

I struggle with the States at the moment, I’ll be honest.

I suppose it’s like watching your offspring go completely mad and take up OnlyFans or something. They have so much potential, and it’s a beautiful country filled with such positive and hardworking people, yet it seems to make such terrible choices sometimes - mostly regarding guns and its relationships with the rest of the world. Right now they seem to be sulking, and quite insulting to us whenever we offer friendly words of advice. I hope it’s just a phase and they grow out of it.

Aren’t we the villain in most historical situations. We’re the ones who mistreated other countries. That’s why everyone hates us, jokingly or not.