F.pier From Italy, joined Aug 2000, 1517 posts, RR: 11 Posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 1243 times:
This question is for the UE registered users.
I am Italian, so it's easy for me to consider the European Union my home country, but I'd like to hear the opinions of other European citizens.
I am proud to be European, I am not proud to be Italian. Sincerely I don't know why, because it's a nice state, but i don't like italian way of thinking, sometimes it's too "southern".
F.pier From Italy, joined Aug 2000, 1517 posts, RR: 11 Reply 1, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1175 times:
I forgot: I'd like to hear opinion of citizens of
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Ireland
Luxembourg
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
I'm not interested in British opinions, I don't want to offend you, but I don't consider you part of my country. I feel you "foreign".
NUair From Malaysia, joined Jun 2000, 1181 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1172 times:
Until I have an EU passport, and we have an EU army/navy/marines (not NATO) I dont consider myself a citizen of the EU.
Im a citizen of France and then a member of the EU
Im also a citizen of the US from the state of Wisconsin.
The EU has a ways to go before they are as united as the States. The currency is only the beginning you have to give it time before people let down their national identities (most of all the languages that seperate us).
I think the next step is to establish an "official" EU language that will be taught along side French, German, English, Spanish, etc...... maybe bring back latin!!!!
"How Many Assholes we got on this ship?" - Lord Helmet
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 4, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1166 times:
Hear hear.
We have €urope / €uro phobia here it seems in the significant majority of us.
I feel that the UK is part of €urope. I know our €uropean partners feel so to, however unfortunately we don't. I think we feel some negative €nergy from €urope for some reason. I'm just going on becaue I want to use the €uro symbol in this post.
Oh well, better save up my €nergy so that I can do some €xtra-curricular €vents
G-KIRAN From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2000, 736 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1162 times:
I'm not interested in British opinions, I don't want to offend you, but I don't consider you part of my country. I feel you "foreign".
Funny because my passport has the words European Union on it and it allows me to live anywhere in the EU.
Klaus From Germany, joined Jul 2001, 20860 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1157 times:
Germany is my Home; And I´m a European at the same time.
There´s no mutual exclusion in there. I´m also living in the german state of Hessen, and this doesn´t interfere with my nationality in any way. It´s just a different level.
Nik From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 1142 times:
"I am proud to be European, I am not proud to be Italian. Sincerely I don't know why, because it's a nice state, but i don't like italian way of thinking, sometimes it's too "southern".
Now I'm really happy to handle Euro. "
I'm from Denmark and feel much like you do. I feel more European than specifically Danish. I am not embarrassed of being Danish , but not proud either, and I feel very 'annoyed' by many of the trends in the Danish society.
It also makes me sad and angry that so many Danes see the EU as a danger and a burden to Denmark. That is simply nothing more than nationalism and stupidity.
Airsicknessbag From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 4723 posts, RR: 38 Reply 10, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1125 times:
>>>Funny because my passport has the words European Union on it and it allows me to live anywhere in the EU.
Funny - exactly like mine!!! Hmm, could it be there really IS something like a EU citizenship?
btw, there were some Europhobes in Germany who called the Federal Constitutional Court, Germany´s highest court over that matter, arguing they were citizens of Germany, not the EU, and thus didn´t want their passports to bear the "European Union" lettering. Needless to say they lost...
OO-AOG From Switzerland, joined Dec 2000, 1426 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1110 times:
I love Europe and proud to be European, a group of countries where we all enjoy personal freedom and democracy! The Euro currency is another great step for all of us. Even if the UK is not really showing a strong interest in Europe, I consider them as one of the leading country of our past but also of our future, and hope they'll change their mind and join us with some more interest in this great challenge. Rgds from Geneva and from a Belgian.
EWRvirgin From United States of America, joined May 2001, 358 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 1105 times:
Didn't the US envision a 'United States of Europe' after one of the wars? And the U.N. a U.S.A(frica)?
If there really is deepening resentment between the UK and EU, as it seems in the papers and the media on matters such as the Euro, how deep does it go?
I think its silly to think of the UK as the 51st state. You're talking about to largely Anglo societies so its no surprise that the two countries have similar interests or policies. Our governments tend to see things eye to eye but in no way is the UK a puppet (though I can see why some might think otherwise). Look at the current situation w/ Afghanistan and the degree of independence that the Brits are exercising (i.e. leading the peacekeeping role, nation building).
Offhand, I'd say any resentment would stem from British fears of an erosion of their culture and European antagonism over the fact that the UK is still a major power wielding influence more so than any other European nation (not unlike the resentment felt toward the US). Britain still maintains a considerable garrison around the world.
Scotty From UK - Scotland, joined Dec 1999, 1875 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (11 years 4 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1091 times:
Well I'm Scottish by country of birth and residence, British by nationality and European by virtue of the UK being a member state. And I want the Euro in my country. I travel widely on the continent and dont feel like a foreigner in any other EU country.
Sebolino From France, joined May 2001, 3667 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1058 times:
I feel very French and European too. I don't see why it should be a problem.
British have a problem to cut the bridges with Americans (US is just an UK colony).
An European language ? That might be a problem.
I propose French
OH-LZA From Finland, joined Jun 2001, 1000 posts, RR: 5 Reply 17, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1056 times:
I feel mostly Finnish, after that European, my passport has the words "European Union", i don't see a point in that and have a cover to make it look like the old style Finnish passports which only said "Finland".
OO-VEG From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 1081 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1044 times:
I am Dutch and I feel Dutch. I consider myself also as a proud European but the connection is not that much as with my country.
EWRvirgin you are right. The EU was erected because of this US proposal. The idea was that 1 country couldn't start a war against each other as that would ruin themselves as well. This is one of the reasons Germany was one the first 6 members of the EU.
However the idea of 1 nation was soon rejected as each country wanted to stay independent and have its own government and rules (besides, if they would announce something like the United States of Europe 99% of all Europeans would start a revolution). So it was downgraded towards (intensive) co-operation. And that co-operation is better then merging into 1 country.
If you ask me the UK is more conservative then the other members this has to do with the fact they are an isle and therefore more independent, they are not a part of the mainland.
A similar situation is here in the Netherlands. I live in a geographic peninsula in the South of the country. Only the North part is connected with the rest of the Netherlands but the East, West and South is the German/Belgium border. Therefore we are more connected to our region then I see in other parts of the country (exept for Friesland and Amsterdam). Those are just Dutch and that's it while we also have a strong connection with the region. I think this is the same case as with the people from the UK.
Nik From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1019 times:
"I think to built a country you need not only one money (€uro), one army and one parlament, but you need one language and a similar culture.
EU hasn't the last two things, that's why I think we won't see in the nearest future the United State of Europe."
There are several countries that have more than one language.
Of course 10 different languages would be too many, but since all young people in Europe are taught foreign languages most people are going to be able to communicate with each other.
I agree that we are not going to have USE in the near future, but I certainly hope to see the USE or something close in my lifetime.
F.pier From Italy, joined Aug 2000, 1517 posts, RR: 11 Reply 21, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1009 times:
Nik, I agree 100%. I'm really euro-enthusiastic. When I'm abroad (out of the EU) I'm really proud to say I'm European.
We all have a long history, we have old traditions and the culture is from Europe.
I think we can do a lot of things for the whole world. Americans are too young, they don't have an history and I think they need our help to lead the world.
I'm not proud to be italian because I think there are too many people who easily change their mind and very often we're not reliable.
Italy is a beautiful country, but I prefer to consider the whole European Union my home country.
I hope to see the USE, too. I'd be proud and happy to see the European flag waving at the top of the world.
Together we are strong, together we can be the light of the world!!!!!!!!
757man From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2001, 370 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1003 times:
I'm English, as opposed to British. I live in a country called England, I rarely refer to it as Great Britain, or the United Kingdom. I don't feel part of the EU, basically because everyone speaks different languages and everyone drives on the wrong side of the road.
Not only that, but is it true French and German girls don't shave their armpits? Yuk!
I don't like the idea of some guy in another country making decisons for the citizens of my home country. My Parliament is in London, not Brussels.
I'm not being racist by saying this, but England (and the other members of the UK) get picked on an awful lot by the other EU states. Whenever a survey is carried out, my country is usually rock bottom, whether it be regarding the teenage pregnancy rate or the dirtiest and most polluted beeches in Europe. The French in particular seem to give my people a hard time, not least because they think they are better lovers than us.
I think the Euro currency is a good idea though, I hate exchanging to different currencies when I go over to the continent - I get ripped off most of the time.
Another major gripe I have with the other EU countries was when they had all offered to help the USA combat terrorism after Sept 11th. My country was very strong in it's support and that same support never weakened. It didn't take very long for France to start doubting their commitment to the war on terrorism though, did it?
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 23, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 989 times:
"I don't like the idea of some guy in another country making decisons for the citizens of my home country. My Parliament is in London, not Brussels."
Ditto for most of the population. The point is that the population is not informed about Europe and it's political system. In addition, people think (or rather they "know") that IF the UK joined the €uro, €urope would "control" us. However that is totally incorrect.
It's the lack of information that's keeping our €urope/€uro phobia with us, not national pride, not racism.
757man From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2001, 370 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 980 times:
We should have a referendum - Let the people decide. Hopefully it will result in war with France *
* The user 757man is very bitter due to the Frenchies winning Word cup 98 AND Euro 2000
25 Lufthansausa: I'm not European, but I'm an American who has visited Europe numerous times and is totally in love with the continent. Having said that, I think the E
26 Paulc: English first - British second The only place european union appears is on my passport (albeit smaller than United Kingdom) and I wish I could get rid
27 Steman: Pierangelo, I'm sorry to tell you this but you should be blamed for what you said! You must be proud of being Italian as well as being European. I kno
28 Sebolino: What's nice in Italy is that when you're looking at a girl's ass in the street, you're just doing the same as every other boy, and you don't have anyb
30 Banco: EWR-Virgin, It was Winston Churchill who first proposed the idea of a United States of Europe after WWII in order to prevent a repetition of all the w
31 F.pier: I should be blamed for what I said? I MUST to be proud to be italian?!!?!?!??? No, my friend, I disagree with you, I'm not proud to be italian. I live
32 Airblue: Pierangelo, this time I'm with Steman, I'm proud to be Italian
33 F.pier: I respect your opinions, but I don't understand why people think that everybody should be proud of its own state. I'm not and that's it. If you ask me
34 Coyoteguy: F.pier - I am British, and a resident of the USA, but I consider myself a proud European... although I know a lot of my compatriots would not agree wi
35 Steman: F.Pier, oh yes, we are in a democracy and nobody will restrain you from saying what you want unless you are offensive and you are not. You say that pr
36 F.pier: You're right, this is the typical italian behavior. Usually we are one of the few populations which aren't proud of their nationalities. About this yo
37 757man: It's not just Italians, I find that many of my fellow Englishmen (and women) just don't seem to point out the country's positive aspects, and I hardly
38 EWRvirgin: 4. The weather That's funny because when I spent a semester in the UK (4 months) in college I thought the weather added to the experience. In a weird
39 F.pier: I thank you very much 4 your replies and sincerely I had a good surprise. I thought that UK people was strongly against Europe, but now I can realize
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