What does it mean to an U.K. citizen to be "Proud to be an American?"

Question

I am curious...I know I shall recieve a verbal lashing over this but...

Answer 1

Very little.

But then "pride" in nationality is a concept with which I am not entirely familiar.

Answer 2

It means

1) The person is redneck neo-con who believes that everybody either loves America or is envious of America.

2) That have three great loves in life. Their country, their gun, and the sound of their own voice. After this come world domination, their SUV/Chevy pickup, prime steak, their barbecue grill, their credit card, and then their spouse and/or children.

3) That they find it impossible to understand how it is possible to hate the war in Iraq yet not hate individual soldiers

4) They think that Obama is an extreme left wing socialist

5) They think that Obama is a Muslim

6) That they believe that America has the right to do whatever it wants because it is America

7) They absolutely refuse to see parallels between things that America does and things which nations like n**i Germany, Imperial Japan, Soviet Russia, Iran, or North Korea do, regardless of how obvious it is to the rest of the world

8) The believe that America needs nukes, but that nobody else in the world should be allowed to have them

9) They believe that America needs the world;s most powerful army as a tool for peace, yet when countries that they don't like try to buy even modest amounts of weapons that it is a sign of aggression

10) They think that it is America's right to have troops within striking distance of anywhere in the world, yet they feel threatened at even the remotest suggestion that a foreign power might have even a modest military base anywhere near America.

Answer 3

Why wouldn't you let real Americans answer this?

People in the U.K. wouldn't have the faintest idea; They are slaves, loyal to a stodgy monarchy.

They are a tiny, tiny country that has NO relevance on the world stage.

Plus they are jealous: Wouldn't you be  if you didn't have a suv. a BBQ, good beer, and REAL FOOTBALL. Not that p***y-footing around soccer c**p for wimps.

The U.K. is pretentious at best- leave them wellalone as their opinion means nothing.

Answer 4

I'm Scottish and proud of it. You know the life you have in your own country and what it has gave you and if you can say you are "Proud to be an America" then good on you. Providing it's not 'put on' loyalty to your own country is indeed something to be proud of and I for one would not criticise you, Best wishes from 'over the pond'.

Answer 5

Melanie, the bush elections were by a hair both times and most americans are sick to death of George Bush.  Don't judge us based on him.  A country isn't its political leaders anyway, it's its traditions.

'Proud to be an American' is the same as 'Scotland Forever' or 'Brittania the Mother Land' or whatever.  For me, it basically means apple pie and fireworks.  That's fine.  I'm glad I was born here, we have a rich heritage, even if it's not a very long one.  All countries have horrendous things on their track records - the British Empire as well as the rest.  The British Empire was one of the bloodiest in recent history (Look at their dealings with India, Africa, etc) and I personally don't judge British people based on that.  

Answer 6

i guess its good to be proud of where you came from...but the majority of americans voted 4 George W. Bush 2 be presidant.... twice....how can anyone be proud of that?

Answer 7

It is an honest question, but to state it so brazenly is to say the least uncouth. When I hear it, first thing I think of, is upon what is the statement made. Maybe having no health care for all and other things is something to be extraordinarily proud of.

If I recall correctly the saying began with some song a few years ago. It is like that one "God bless America' nice thoughts but without starch in the garment, the collar still doesn't stand up well.

Answer 8

Very cheesy, predictable due to all this brainwashing through years of schooling pledging allegiance to the flag.

I'm sure the people of Hurricane Katrina were still saying it, even though the world wasn't.

Hardly anybody has a passport, so they know nothing about what the world 's about!

Answer 9

To me it is a good thing to be proud of your country, wherever you live. But only as long as you dont go over the top with patriotism in the presence of people from other countries.

Answer 10

I'm neither, not American, not from the UK.

That term 'Proud to be American" is meaningless. It's irrelevant.  

Answer 11

to me ( a UK citizen) "Proud to be an American" means just that. You are patriotic for your country.

for me it seems like more americans are proud to be american, than Britons are proud to be British. Not saying this is true, but that how it feels to me, well in my area anyway.  

Answer 12

pass the sick bowl

Answer 13

Because that country has idiots like Marky Mark we believe all Americans are the same as he is, we know it not to be so, there is a fellow in Nebraska and another one in North Carolina that is ok.

Answer 14

It's one of those jingoistic, tribal things much used by politicians to make us feel better about ourselves despite the horrible mess they are making of things.  All countries do it - think of "For England, Harry and St. George"  or "Vive La France".  It has no meaning in any practical sense.

Answer 15

Proud of your Neo-Con power-cores' constant meddling in other countries' business, proud of your countrys' conspicuous consumption, and refusal to comply with the Kyoto Agreement, proud of your youths' provincial ignorance of the ways of the world outside of America?  You aren't all bad, but you sure have some things of which you surely can't be proud!

Answer 16

I'm not American nor am I British. But to say this to someone is rather  arrogant to say the least.  

Answer 17

The overwhelming bigotry towards people from the South is completely uncalled for.

Answer 18

I don't think there's anything wrong with being proud of where you come from. Even if it is America.  

Answer 19

It doesn't really mean anything to me, its how you feel. We are all proud of our nationality. proud to be a scot

Answer 20

To me it conjures up an image of the American in question as a redneck, a supporter of the war in Iraq. pretty blinkered when it comes to world affairs or all 3.

I say this because it only seems to be Americans like that who come out with phrases like "proud to be an american".  

Answer 21

Only an inbred redneck would call themselves a "proud american". so it would mean nothing to a U.K citizen

Answer 22

Absolutely nothing!

Answer 23

ya'll better watch it with all the red neck jokes.