To want to tell old school friend she’s being thick?

[StillCoughingandLaughing]

I won’t, because I haven’t seen her in 20 years and she’d think I’d gone barmy, but I really, really want to.

She’s just shared this poem on Facebook. For a start, most of it is total nonsense. Take pride in being ENGLISH, yet wave the Union Jack?! Kids don’t learn Shakespeare any more? Since when? And kids never did learn Milton or Shaw at school - I didn’t cover Shaw until ‘A’ Level or Milton until degree level. I’d put money on her not knowing who they even were.

But this isn’t what annoys me most of all. What really gets my goat is this: Where does this true patriot, misty-eyed for the days when we all sat around discussing Saint George and Agincourt whilst eating Yorkshire pudding, live?

Texas.

I mean, it's actually so bad I read through thinking that surely it was a spoof???
If not it shows a REALLY worrying lack of intellect

Thick A F.

I think some people imagined the day it was declared that Britain was leaving the EU, that spitfires would be flying overhead and the time of Dambusters would be played over every loud speaker in the land.

I would definitely be unfollowing this buffoon.

*theme

Does she think only English soldiers fought and died at Arnhem and Mons? Also the poster who “agrees with the sentiment”
Stupid, stupid people

This is one of the reasons I left FB, having to read shite like that from stupid people.

The Union Jack is only a Union Jack if it is flown from a ship.

No. That's not correct

I wouldn’t bother to do anything. She is not a close friend, just someone you knew years ago who you’ve caught up with through Facebook. I think we all get cut and paste drivel on all sorts of subjects from people we think should know better. Just ignore.

Thank you Seasword.

I think its pernicious, lazy nonsense. Who agrees with the sentiment?

The Beeb do endless series about England. There was just a really good series about the English Civil War. Theres one about the Armada on now, 12 days to save England.

Try flying a flag if you want to, of course you'll be taken away by the secret police. Oh no, my mistake. Possibly some of your neighbours will wonder what the hell is going on. What oppression.

Your friend is nuts and George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin .....

I also had someone who I went to school with post this. I did point out that Shakespeare was still taught and other completely false elements. I was hanged up on by her equally thick mates and told I was wrong. Linked to the sections of the national curriculum that showed the history elements. I was still wrong. I have blocked her.
Again this bastion of English-ness lives in..... Turkey.

Shaw was Irish for a start

She's foolish, and if you haven't had any contact with her in 20 years I would wonder what on earth you are following her on Facebook for. I cannot remotely support her views. But resorting to questioning her intelligence for having views that differ from your own, well that isn't a mature or appropriate response. You do not convince others that their views do not stand up to scrutiny by calling them "thick". Attacking the person instead of questioning their views is a very Mumsnet approach.

BTW, I was taught Milton, and Shaw from the age of 14; and Shakespeare earlier than that (11, I think) - at state, not private school. I was appalled, a few years ago, to be told by a younger member of staff that he had never read a full book, play or poem because in schools literature was taught by using and studying "excerpts" not the full work. I do not know if that was uniformly true, nor whether it is still the case.

@nakedavengeragain

No. That's not correct

My ex military DH has a bee in his bonnet about the Union Jack thing - says it's only a Union Jack flown from a ship, otherwise it's a Union Flag.

Myth about the union jack on ship thing

I just find it weird you are looking at someone's FB page that you haven't seen for last 20 years and getting agitated.

I think I'd have to comment, both about Shaw and the Union flag for starters.
She sounds like a complete prat and there is nothing wrong with pointing out her stupid mistakes. Then block. 😄

^nakedavengeragain

The Union Jack is only a Union Jack if it is flown from a ship.

No. That's not correct^

Sorry, Dave, it is.
When Miss Texas is flying it from her front porch, it the Union Flag.
A Union Jack is actually a specific Union flag, flown from the jack of a ship. The pp is correct.

The name Union Jack has, over time, become a colloquial term for all union flags; thus most people refer to it in this way.
A bit like when you say you are going to hoover your carpet; hether you are using a hoover, a Dyson or an electrolux.

Agree with OP, it's mindless twaddle and I find myself lamenting over similar shite old school 'friends' have shared. Then I unfollow.

Who wants to “learn about” Shakespeare or Milton? Try reading them! That might help avoid the temptation to write awful poems like this.

Just google the first line, it gets worse, it’s a song 🙄

m.youtube.com/watch?v=KtlZHJJRzDk

I just find it weird you are looking at someone's FB page that you haven't seen for last 20 years and getting agitated

You don’t have to look up their page; things come up automatically on your feed unless you unfollow them.

Milicentbystander72

I do think there is a minor point to make about expressing a love for 'England' can sometimes come across as xenophobic.....

That's a very valid point, and I often think it's at the root of the extreme Brexit feelings. People complain about 'England' more or less running the UK, with the other three just minor players. But what's gone along with that is an inability for English people to be comfortable with declaring their pride in their country. The rest of us can be as patriotic as we like, but the English dare not claim that their country is wonderful, and rub our noses in their wonderfulness.

I've seen this and similar on fb. I always point out that it's bollocks and tell them what's incorrect.

I feel embarrassed for her. Total cringe.

I hate Facebook.