No Jubilee decorations in Northern Ireland

[Futball13]

Preparing for a party this weekend and thought I would double up as a Jubilee party...but to my surprise when I went to three shops,-Asda, B and M bargains and Home Bargains there wasn't a single paper cup, plate or decoration for the Jubilee. I was expecting large displays when I walked in. AIBU to expect to have the choice to buy decorations in local shops like in the rest of Britain? Obviously (like in the rest of Britain) some people do not support the royal family and will choose not to celebrate. I was just a bit shocked shops were missing out on the profit from sales.

Oh, you've met every single Nationalist and Republican, aye?

Did I say that? No.

I did however grow up in a nationalist area and have never once heard a nationalist use that word. Literally never. Everyone I know would consider that word to have sectarian undertones.

So interestingly, my mum is catholic and my dad is Protestant. I grew up in a nationalist area but now live in a predominantly loyalist area.of the people I know on both sides of the community, they both use the term mainland in conversation. For example, “isn’t west coast cooler amazing, I wonder why they don’t sell it in the mainland”. I guess if you are really looking to be offended I can see how people would take it the wrong way, but certainly the people I know who say it don’t mean it that way

Exactly.

Like you, I've friends and family from both communities. Holywood is full of Catholics and Protestants living together with no problem.

Mainland absolutely has no political connection. Its used by every country around the world which has islands or a bit of land located offshore.

Mental seeing one person trying to make a mountain out of a molehill over that!

The definition is clear - Northern Ireland is part of the UK as per the GFA I assume ThisIsMax supports and that means Great Britain is the mainland.

It's not controversial in Northern Ireland.

Mainland absolutely has no political connection.

You saying that doesn't make it true. It doesn't take much in the way of grey matter to figure out why it would be a controversial word for nationalists.

Yes! A million times yes!

I've said before I'm a Catholic Unionist, so I can attest people do use it like that in every day life. Absolutely.

Is there a word for unionists telling nationalists what they can or can't find controversial?

You know, the equivalent of Tansplaining.

looks like we need one. 🙄

If there's ever a united Ireland ye'll need to snap out of that pretty sharpish.

Check out the definition already provided.

You attempting to narrow the discussion down doesn't change a thing. I know of Catholics and Protestants who have zero problem with 'mainland'.

If you're determined to find offence, noone can stop a foolish endeavour. But that's no reason for everyone else to stop using a perfectly good term that isn't political per se.

Crack on!

Be interesting if there is a "united Ireland" how the nationalists down south would feel about their taxes skyrocketing and having the pleasure of subsidising us 🧐 they want the land but not the responsibility of actually having one island of Ireland. Most Irish folk I've spoken to don't want us because they know they can't afford it 😂 but sure crack on...

Check out the definition already provided.

Have a look at this while you're at it

cain.ulster.ac.uk/othelem/glossary.htm#M

one island of Ireland
Last time I looked that's all there already was.

Be interesting if there is a "united Ireland" how the nationalists down south would feel about their taxes skyrocketing and having the pleasure of subsidising us

I think in all fairness, ROI don't actually want this. Not when the implications are properly spread out anyway.

Looks like meaningless rhetoric is all you have here.

You do not, for one second, speak for the entire Nationalist and Republican population. I see you left out Republicans.... 🤪

Furthermore, you have no right to tell anyone not to use 'mainland'.

They'd be mad to! We are a money pit 😂

You do not, for one second, speak for the entire Nationalist and Republican population. I see you left out Republicans

Thats okay then because I never said I did 🙄

gosh I'm having to use that a lot tonight.

Furthermore, you have no right to tell anyone not to use 'mainland'.

And once again, I never said I had. I've simply pointed out that it's a controversial term for many nationalist, which tbh I never would have thought I'd have to say, but you live and learn, huh?

They'd be mad to! We are a money pit

And speaking as someone living in ROI, taxes here are PLENTY high enough.

It states:

The term is widely used but more so by Unionists. It is considered derogatory by many Nationalists...

Widely used, i.e., not just by Unionists.

Likewise, "many Nationalists" does not suggest a majority either. Just that a chunk of them apparently find it derogatory. But other Nationalists don't.

Well, that was not the slamdunk you were hoping for.....

And where would everyone go to get their cheaper Christmas presents? There would be no nipping over the boarder to Banbridge or Sprucefield for £80 off the new Xbox 😂

It says

The term is widely used but more so by Unionists. It is considered derogatory by many Nationalists as they claim it belittles the island of Ireland because of the conations of it being merely a small off-shore island of Britain.

Im not sure what you think I was 'going for', but to counter your 'everyone uses it, including all the nationalists, nothing controversial about it, look at my definition' I think it's achieved it's purpose.

Sorry OP but Northern Ireland isn’t in Great Britain. Britain is England, wales & Scotland.

And where would everyone go to get their cheaper Christmas presents? There would be no nipping over the boarder to Banbridge or Sprucefield for £80 off the new Xbox

Well I'd be the worst affected, we do so much shopping in newry 😂

Your posts are clearly implying there's a monolith here in regards to 'mainland'. Nationalists and Republicans are no more a monolith than Unionists and Loyalists.

And I'm pointing out it's not a controversial term for many a Nationalist/Republican. In all my years, I've never come across anyone in real life actually finding it offensive in any way.

Other terms in Northern Ireland are clearly much more controversial. Especially the actual name 'Northern Ireland' which far more Nationalists and Republicans are literally loathe to say.

Seriously, 'mainland' is far away from being particularly controversial in Northern Ireland. Its used in line with the literal meaning of the term as defined in many dictionaries. It is consistent globally.

Seriously, 'mainland' is far away from being particularly controversial in Northern Ireland.

You can keep telling yourself that if you want. It really doesn't take much in the way of deductive reasoning to understand why it would be, but you do you hmm.

The United Kingdom...

Good on you, it makes sense! Although the cost of fuel now it depends how far you have to go! 😂