British or English

[Dellspoem]

Currently having a conversation/ debate with a friend. Are you British or English? Do you consider one a nationality and one an ethnicity?

My Asian family members describe themselves as British Asian. Saying 'I'm English' is synonymous with something else, mainly because of the connotations with the English flag and nationalism.

They are both geographic locations, so technically this shouldnt be that different. And you don't get the same with Scottish or Welsh.

What are your thoughts?

British - born in Scotland. Live in England.

I use British usually but if someone asks if I'm English I say yes. I'm really not bothered though I'm half Scottish. If I'm being precise I say I'm a British-Finn.

Whatever option they have in the scroll bar of the form I'm filling in!

It says on my passport that I'm a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. So I'm British. That I was born in England doesn't seem any more relevant than the fact I was born in Kent.

My official nationality is British, but I’m English, as distinct from Scottish, Welsh or N Irish.

It would be so fascinating to know what people think about Northern Irish folk saying they are British - nothing else, just British, not even Northern Irish as that has the word ‘Irish’ in... I’ve met people from the North who are mortally offended by other Brits saying they have an “Irish accent” as they consider themselves to be purely and only British. It’s always quite a smack in the chops to drive around parts of the North and be faced with hundreds and hundreds of union flags and bunting and painted kerbs, murals and posters demonstrating how British the residents are. You’d never see it in England, (well maybe for a Jubilee or something; our street in Sussex went bonkers with the bunting). Probably the strongest definition and expression of Britishness there is. And most people in the rest of the UK have almost no knowledge of this!

Welsh then British.

But if someone asks where you're from you wouldn't say Britain, I would presume you would say England? British isn't a nationality as it's not one country, is Britain not made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? I'm Irish so maybe it's harder to understand as I only claim Irish. I imagine it like when Americans claim to be Irish but they're not, they're American

Welsh first, British second.

Definitely English. Welsh, Scottish and Irish cultures are quite individual.

I'm English. My family are English. My children are English. I have a St George's Flag and am proud.

No, nothing like the same thing. Great Britain and Northern Ireland - the U.K. - most certainly is a country. Olympic team, international treaties, passports etc etc. It's made from previous countries which still retain their unique identities, cultures, and to varying extents language and institutions.

Best of both worlds imo.

I'd always say English. Only really hear British from foreigners aka Americans!
Obviously I'm aware I AM also British, it's just not the description that feels like me. Although it's not something I've ever given much thought to and never comes up in conversation!
FWIW I am white, all family born and bred in England for many generations, so I wonder if I were more (at all!) mixed heritage if I might feel differently.
Editing to add: I am definitely not a flag waver and activily dislike most people who describe themselves as 'patriotic' as it seems to go hand in hand with racism and anti immigration and general narrow minded bigotry

I'm a Londoner.

I would have said British and English, but according to Kemi Badenoch I can't be English because my parents are forriners.

Born in England but of Scottish heritage on one side and NI (British-identifying variety) heritage on the other. English doesn't fit right, "British" has always been my cop out as it's an umbrella identity and I don't have to choose... or get past the more negative connotations of "English", though it maybe needs reclaiming from those.

DS is uncomplicatedly just "English".

DH, born in England, always proudly puts "Yorkshireman" on the census :-)

I say I'm British. Neither of my parents was born in England.

I think everyone born here should be able to identify themselves as "English" though - it's your choice what feels right, nobody else's.

I am Scottish AND British.

both identities are important to
me.

I am English.

I must be English - Ancestry tells me my DNA is 95% from Cornwall 😁
(Feeling a bit deprived that there isn't a "pasty" emoji)

Obviously you can think of yourself however you like, but I only have one English parent and I don’t feel fully English. That’s because for me ‘English’ is not just a nationality. I do feel British though.

This is a good point. If asked, I would say London, England.

Interesting the English Flag has Palestinian Origins soooooo yeah but funny when racists hijack that 😂

I'd probably say I'm from the UK.