So embarrassed to be English today

[UpSlyDown]

Usually I am slightly defensive of the criticism the English get but today I feel like I have nothing left to defend. Riots, defacing murals of wonderful role models for our children, racism, violence. Horrendous behaviour from a considerable number of English fans. We are just playing up to the thuggish, drunk, stupid stereotypes. That along with the decision to just open everything up which has been highly criticised for being bonkers, the never-ending shame of Brexit. For the first time I feel embarrassed to be English and associated with any of this. Having said that, I personally don't know a single person who behaved badly post match or spewed vile racism online (thank god). I also mainly socialise/spend time with left wing remainers it seems.

Does anyone feel the same? Are there any redeeming features of the English or are we doomed to be the laughing stock of the world? I was so proud of our football team (still am) and the unity and excitement everyone felt. Part of me thinks this would have been so different if we won but why should it be?! We should be able to respond to a disappointment like rational adults instead of abusive idiots.

No, have you seen the state of the Italians and how they trashed their streets etc last night? Not to mention their dirty play.

I'm not proud of a few dickheads spoiling it for the rest but I'd prefer to be English today and I'm not ashamed

Totally agree with everything you said.

You get idiots in every country. And yes the Italians did not redeem themselves last night either but I don’t blame that on every bloody Italian.

YABU. I’m proud to be English.

This isn’t an English thing - it’s worldwide. Take the dirty play from the Italians, for example, grabbing a young smaller kid by the scruff of the neck and throwing him backwards. That would make me ashamed.

As for opening up - what the hell else can we do now? Better now than in the winter.

Proud to be mistaken for English

I'm ashamed to be English. The racist abuse of footballers is just the latest thing in a long list of English entitlement and arrogance and I hate that I have to be associated with it. YANBU

I'd be proud to be English, represented by such a great team, that have done great things on and off the pitch.

I'd be pretty bloody angry at those English who have done such ugly, cruel, and criminal things, and used the football as an excuse for their hooliganism, racism, and thuggery.

@walkoflifewoohoo

No, have you seen the state of the Italians and how they trashed their streets etc last night? Not to mention their dirty play.

I'm not proud of a few dickheads spoiling it for the rest but I'd prefer to be English today and I'm not ashamed

This.

It’s not just England who has problems with football hooliganism you know.

I’m livid with rage at the treatment of Rashford, Sancho and Saka. I just don’t understand men. Would any of these cretins sending them racist abuse like to get onto the pitch and try to give them a run for their money?!

I don’t care about football but I do care about common decency. Especially given how young these 3 are.

Does this happen in other countries? Is it just us?

I don't even follow the football and I'm embarrassed by the behaviour of racists using this as an excuse.

@Blessex

As for opening up - what the hell else can we do now? Better now than in the winter.

Wrong thread?

Does this happen in other countries? Is it just us?

@Puppysharness 🤦‍♀️ You get dickheads in every country, hun.

Does this happen in other countries?

Yes.

Oh op get over yourself. By all means be angry at the scum that behave like that but this self-flagellating is just tedious.

@pinkcircustop

YABU. I’m proud to be English.

This isn’t an English thing - it’s worldwide. Take the dirty play from the Italians, for example, grabbing a young smaller kid by the scruff of the neck and throwing him backwards. That would make me ashamed.

A nation who has to be told not to racially abuse players because they lost a football game is not one to be proud of.

@Crunchymum nope - OP was also lamenting that the she embarrassed to be English because we are opening up

The British seem to have a particular problem with our alcohool culture. And yes, since Brexit I do feel ashamed. The ignorant insularity. How happy many older people were to deny our youth the chances they themselves had, despite knowing that they won't be around much longer and it's the young who will have to pick up the pieces.

Does this happen in other countries? Is it just us?

Most likely not but I didn't see this kind of abuse make headlines around the world when Mbappe missed the penalty that knocked France out.

England is xenophobic and jingoistic now thanks to Brexit and that shower of racists in the cabinet.

@Legomania

Oh op get over yourself. By all means be angry at the scum that behave like that but this self-flagellating is just tedious.

I'm not even angry its just despair. And the sheer volume of people behaving badly is mind blowing. Its not 10-15 dickheads its hundred/thousands up and down the country. And generally I hate the self-flagllating and those who constantly badmouth England and criticise but its got to the point of wondering what have we actually got to be proud of now? Theatre and arts was a massive thing for me but the complete and utter lack of support during Covid is incredibly depressing. Our once lorded NHS has finally been shown just how hard the austerity cuts have been been and its no longer fit for purpose (I work in the NHS myself). Schools/teachers ignored/barely any money put into them during covid or for the catch up programme. We are being humiliated again and again.

Or maybe that should read now openly xenophobic and jingoistic now thanks to Brexit and that shower of racists in the cabinet.

They're idiots and at the very least embarrassing and at worst criminal, but they're still a minority of people.

Are there any redeeming features of the English

Can't stand all the insistence that "the English" are inherently stupid/violent/evil/racist/whatever. No one is inherently something just be virtue of where they happen to be born. If we assumed this about any other country, we'd be rightly called out for being xenophobic and/or racist. But it's OK to decide that because maybe 20,000 people out of 60 million are stupid violent twats, that everyone is like that. It's incredibly tiring. And yes, I'm embarrassed by those "fans"(let's be real, the ones doing this care more about vandalism than football), but not because I think that they're representative of the behaviour of the average person in this country.

Yes, the NHS needs to be privatised. It is not fit for purpose.

No. I refuse to let a minority of thugs take away from the pride I have in the English people.

I love living in a multi cultural community where people can freely be LGBTQ, choose their own religion, and criticise the government whenever they see fit. Yes there are problems but I think this young football team who stand up against racism and poverty is testament to things getting better.

Surely it's possible to trace the people behind the racist tweets and prosecute them for hate crime. I can't imagine they are all smart enough to have hidden ip addresses etc. A criminal record would have consequences for their futures. And if consequences were believed to be widespread it might make people think twice. It has to stop.