Anyone But England

[TobyEsterhase]

My social media is jam packed with Scots declaring their support for DR Congo/Mexico/Norway/ whoever England are playing next.

I find this obsession with our neighbours weird and cringeworthy.

Do you think Canadians make such an issue of supporting Anyone But USA or the Dutch supporting Anyone But Germany ?

Doubly ironic when players like Scott McTominay and Che Adams are about as Scottish as Morris Dancing.

I'm not ignorant at all. I am a qualified historian and have been to both places. That vote was to propose to start thinking about a vote, not, as the headline suggests, that people voted to become part of Norway. And I'm not sure how that offers any explanation as to why someone in Glasgow might be all over the ABE narrative?

You know about the Danelaw, though, don't you?

And the whole point of this thread was to debate ABE and whether it is a "silly joke". I believe, often, that it's not. It certainly doesn't feel like it when you've been on th ened of it like I have. And that it is beyond tedious.

The ABE seems to be limited to football. England play west indies, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand at cricket - there does not seem to be the hate there. Ireland and Scotland, south Africa at rugby - rivalry but not hate.
Is it a football and maybe male football thing?

Also
Could there be a correlation with self confidence, success and prosperity in Scotland diffusing the hate?
If we're all unhappy, poorer, and embittered then the search for an "enemy" "baddie" "victim" is all the stronger? If we're content, happy and feel confident then - meh.

BS. Scotland's still "ruled" by England in all but name. They make up almost 90% of the lawmakers in Westminster. Scotland makes up 8%. We're constantly getting governments and crap like Brexit, forced on us, when we voted against it. Yes, we are ruled by England, in all but name.

The difference is, you'd hardly hear about it. We're forced to share the broadcast media with England. They dominate the media like they dominate everything else.

That's the point, and what you're missing. Imagine your home news being dominated by stuff going on in another country? It's bad enough when the BBC etc won't shut up about stuff going on in the US. They don't do it for any other country. But in Scotland, I want to hear on my main news channels, news about my country. Not England, or the US. I don't care about a heatwave being experienced 700 miles away from me.

@Inverness1900 you’ll be aware that countries do not exist in a vacuum? It’s pretty important that we know what’s going on in the wider world. It’s not like there isn’t plenty of local news available in all parts of the uk.

That kind of parochial mindset is so stuck in a bygone era.

We are all citizens of the UK and the majority of Scot’s want to keep this status. Our vote is just as important as any other citizen of the UK. No more, no less. That’s democracy. Cope.

Using your logic, Inverness is "ruled by Central Belt".

Are you not aware there has been a devolved Scottish Parliament since 1999 with complete responsibility for health, education, transport, agriculture, environment, police, courts etc ?

So you would rather be kept informed of the latest stabbing in Coatbridge rather than whats happening in Ukraine or Iran ?

Scottish people make up 8% of the British population, that's why. That's how democracy works. And most of the British population don't have the luxury of being able to vote for a devolved local government as the Scots do, nor a chance for my country to become independent from the UK as the Scots did. I am English and I have had Brexit forced on me as well, again because, democracy though I'm still not over it. I'm not quite sure why Scots people feel a special grievance with Brexit.

I'm genuinely a bit offended by it tbh (I'm English), I watched the Scotland games and cheered them on, don't think it would hurt Scottish fans to do the same for us 🤷🏻‍♀️ I realise it's a simplistic view but yeah, that's how I feel.

#ABE is very popular.

Two of my cousins, partners and 5 kids between them, proudly posing on FB in full Argentina kits.

I just don't get the amount of money they'll have spent just to make their point 🙄.

More money than sense I guess.

What ‘point’ do they think they’re making? That they’re xenophobic wankers? Cause that’s what I and many, many others would assume.

Their point is that they're true Scots and if you don't want Argentina to win, you're a traitor and have no business calling yourself Scottish.

Yours is a great description 😅

I’ll add this to the things you have to do to be a true Scot:

Loathe the English with a passion, even if you have liked every English person you’ve ever met (‘I hate The English but you’re ok’).

Think that Nicola Sturgeon was great (even though she shoved women’s rights under a bus).

Think that Indy is an excellent idea (even though every single economist ever says it would be like idiotic turkeys voting for Christmas).

Like the sound of bagpipes (even though they sound shite).

Think that Scot’s is an actual language (rather than just NED-speak. Although those MSPs that claim to speak it are HILARIOUS!!!)

Brian Cox, the actor, was just sitting with the ITV pundits before the France/Spain semi final. He was waxing lyrical about the English team, watches the matches etc. Thinks they can win. Bet some Scots cancel him. I guess Brian isn’t a small town boy, loves his Scottish roots but has had an interesting global life. I think ABE is just a sign of small minds.

Brian Cox lives in London and has a second home in NY. He does not own a property in Scotland.

He is still a proud Scot though.

Well have you ever heard British anthem in full? )) There's your answer...

I see what you did there with your Coatbridge comment. 🤔

I think the more nuanced point is, it is more relevant to Scottish viewers to hear about the latest stabbing in Coatbridge than the latest stabbing in Lewisham. Nobody is saying they want to be completely uninformed about the state of the world, but more they want to news to be relevant to them. A piece on La Niña and its global effects would be relevant. Tips to keep cool in the heat and how to water plants during a hosepipe ban are largely irrelevant.

Anyway, with Norway out I’m now supporting England all the way! I hope they can do it!

@Quine0nline I think certain people back “anyone by England” in football because they want to watch football but don’t have a team. Scotland are better and more present at rugby tournaments, so that’s who they support. On the whole, cricket is not that popular in Scotland outside of people who might have a heritage team to support.

"You’d never hear “Anyone but China” in Hong Kong or Taiwan. Or “Anyone but Japan” in China. "

No, and things between those places are far more hostile. Would you prefer that over harmless, team opposition? Do you need to have everything your own way, all the time?

"As a Scot, I despise the anyone but England pish. Its not friendly banter and those dishing it our would be up in arms if the rest of the UK took an anyone but Scotland stance."

If you were a Scot, you'd know how little we'd care. Honestly, I couldn't give to flicks who supports or cheers against Scotland. It's irrelevant. I don't feel entitled to support from people in England and elsewhere.
And also, plenty of folk in England take great pleasure in Scotland's losses. Just scroll through twitter and reddit and see the gloating. But like I said, it makes no difference to us.

Why do you suppose all Scots - and I am one despite you suggesting otherwise - think the same?

thankfully we do not.