To be unpatriotic?

[malificent7]

Im really worried about all of this nationslism rising atm.
Whilst i think the UK is a beautiful island, i do not think we are beyond reproach. For example... i hate our colonial past, Brexit and East Enders.

I m just not feeling this bling jingoism atm. The wall between the US and Mexico is appailing in my eyes.

Aibu to ignore all ttjis jingoistic nonsense, to not wave the union jack and to not fall for all this white wing rhetoric?

It's perfectly normal and fine imo to have a strong attachment to your country and a fondness for the good things about it. It's your home - it would be odd not to. Patriotism is different though - that flag-waving, 'my country right or wrong' attitude which is really a way of looking down on other peoples' countries and cultures simply because they are 'other'. That's an ideological standpoint, not a love of your home.

And I'm quite sure my idea of "best" is not the same as Farage's or Cameron's.

Since it starts with, "serving all the country's residents as best it can".

I'm patriotic about the many good things about GB, but I certainly don't think that automatically makes it better than anywhere else. I hate the fact that the Daily Mail mindset holds such sway and leads to idiocies like Brexit and wanting to lick Trump's arse, and I'm quite fearful of what the future will bring as a result of that mindset. I particularly hate the fact that we have a government that holds such contempt for the poor and vulnerable, and that there is little prospect of that changing.

I think there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. A patriot is one that loves their country and tries to improve it i.e. By doing something positive you can be patriotic. It's not just God save the queen.

Exactly, Eolian.

My country is frequently wrong. If I care about my country, I want to fix that.

OP, I absolutely agree with you if "patriotism" is defined as waving a flag and having to like beer.

I'd just prefer to reclaim the word.

My dictionary defines a patriot as "a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it". Not loves it, but thinks it's got a few problems.

For me the word patriotism has, and always has had, the implication that you're standing up for your country because it's the done thing, the duty of a good citizen, because it's your country and your right and duty to defend it and uphold its traditions etc, even when they are questionable. It's a fixed mindset based on a 'them and us' instinct. I think that is a bad thing.

prettybotanicals the conversation was about patriotism in any country so why does the OP need to move somewhere else ? Same problems with the concept that some people place on it in any country surely? I have lived elsewhere, happy living here lots of positives, doesn't mean I can't criticise though. Also loved living in the other European countries I lived in.

I like some other commenters ways of seeing patriotism as wanting to make your country the best it can be without looking down on other countries or thinking it can do no wrong. That I can get behind.

I wouldn't say I was particularly patriotic when it comes to Britain but I do like lots of things about it and have no desire to live abroad. I would also be a bit miffed in a terribly British way if someone said was a terrible place in comparison to their country.

Patriotism is supporting and loving your country and pointing out it's failings.
Nationalism is supporting it even when you know it's wrong.
imho

I'm a patriot ( and a anti-monarchy leftie feminist one ), I appreciate and would defend the liberal western civilisation ( freedom of speech, equality, gay rights entrenched in our law, chips with curry sauce ) we are lucky to have compared to a huge amount of the world, especially as a woman.
I appreciate it and think we're bloody lucky to still have it. I don't identify patriotism with jingoism or xenophobia as plenty of idiots ( imho ) do. I think that's a cop-out to avoid difficult conversations people might need to have.

I do like living here in some ways. I know im very lucky but i want the best for all countries ... not just my own.
I have travelled and lived in very poor countries... mud hut poor so i know we are lucky but there were things i loved about them too.

I'm a patriot ( and a anti-monarchy leftie feminist one ), I appreciate and would defend the liberal western civilisation ( freedom of speech, equality, gay rights entrenched in our law, chips with curry sauce ) we are lucky to have compared to a huge amount of the world, especially as a woman.
I appreciate it and think we're bloody lucky to still have it. I don't identify patriotism with jingoism or xenophobia as plenty of idiots ( imho ) do. I think that's a cop-out to avoid difficult conversations people might need to have.

Abso-bloody-lutely.
Except the chips and curry sauce.