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With respect, I come from Scotland and am here to tell you that your present "doesn't really matter" perspective could get you killed in any one of the other three countries mentioned. There's nothing united about the United Kingdom. The memories of the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish people are long, and England is hated by all three for the atrocities committed against them over several centuries. And yes, I did say hated. It's just the way it is there. There's a similar 'war' simmering between Catholics and Protestants. Not pleasant, but there you have it.
FWIW,
Mahrie.
This is nonsense! The English are not 'hated' by the other 3 nations of the UK! Have you been watching too much of the Braveheart nonsense, there may be a few 'bigots' in all of the nations (and I suspect that you're one of them) but a VAST majority of Britons get along really rather well, I have a Scottish side to my family (like a high percentage of English people) and I've NEVER had a problem in all the times I've been to Scotland, in fact the wonderfully warm welcomes I've received have always been fabulous, I also have VERY close Scottish AND Irish (Southern AND Northern) friends. So there has been troubles in the (mainly) distant past but name me a region in the world where this hasn't been the case amongst neighbouring countries, apart from the (wonderful) sporting rivalry the UK is really rather at peace, you should try getting out more.
A flip side to this, I see the regional identity of a Gulf State (GCC/ Arabian Gulf) being larger than the country. Or maybe it's the greater Muslim identity.
Regionalist identities (except in strongly separatist areas) seem to be flaunted around more within a home country itself, in front of other countrymen (and women). Once people move to a new country, then they seem to flaunt around more often a national identity.
Is a Texan going to identify as a Texan rather than an American if he immigrates, say to Sweden?
When I was in apartheid South Africa, Vrystaaters (from the Orange Free State) thought of themselves as a nationality apart.
In Canada, aside from Quebecers, Newfoundlanders who go to Toronto or Alberta still say they are going to Canada. Newfoundlanders are a very distinct nationality in Canada, and cling together like immigrants when they resettle in Canada..
Quote:
Originally Posted by BadgerFilms
Yes, yes he probably would, and I'm not joking!
When I travel overseas, I assume that everybody already recognizes me as an American, so when they ask where I'm from, I usually say Texas. Usually, the response is to point to an imaginary space next to their head and say "big hats, cowboy".
Tibet
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Provence
Quebec
Texas
California
Wallonia
Bavaria
Tibet and Hong Kong are not really the most "out of place" regions in China.
Xinjiang looks much more non-Chinese.
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