Foreign National Anthems

[All Else Failed]

oh by the way, reading through the rest of the thread, I like the points made in AllElseFailed's post. Why do we need to be 'proud' of our nationality?

It's totally irrational and useless to be proud of your ethnicity or nationality. Its not like you chose to be born that way.

 

[All Else Failed]

It's just that....well...it just feels "right" that a person should exhibit some loyalty to the country they live in. My first inclination is to say, "If you don't like it enough to love it and respect it, then leave and find a place you can cherish". Of course, I realize that is an unrealistic thing to say, but...what in the world DO you hold in high esteem?

I pay taxes, thats as loyal as anything gets.

I hold many things in high esteem, not silly notions of nationality. They don't even matter to be honest.

 

[Peter Parka]

It's just that....well...it just feels "right" that a person should exhibit some loyalty to the country they live in. My first inclination is to say, "If you don't like it enough to love it and respect it, then leave and find a place you can cherish". Of course, I realize that is an unrealistic thing to say, but...what in the world DO you hold in high esteem?

To be honest, most politicians these days seem to be inspired more by greed than anything. I seriously doubt it was true patriotism that inspired Bush and Blair to invade Iraq and why should we expect anything more of the citizens of these countries? I think it's also very important that we don't let patriotism spill over to racism which unfortunately happens far too easily.

 

[DavyBoy]

It's just that....well...it just feels "right" that a person should exhibit some loyalty to the country they live in. My first inclination is to say, "If you don't like it enough to love it and respect it, then leave and find a place you can cherish". Of course, I realize that is an unrealistic thing to say, but...what in the world DO you hold in high esteem?

I consider myself loyal to the human race, certainly. But to my country? That I find harder to grasp.

As for the question - I suppose I hold my own life in high esteem, as I do my girlfriend, my family... and, as I said above, humanity. Nationality, and race, however, just aren't that important in the scheme of things, in my view. Just my two cents.

 

[Breath]

I hold many things in high esteem, not silly notions of nationality. They don't even matter to be honest.

You don't believe that a people are bonded as a group when they feel pride in their nation? The phenomenon of group dynamics extends not only from families, co-workers, neighbors and friends...but also to nations.

 

[c_squared]

I would ,but if i did not know the words i would stand and be quiet

 

[All Else Failed]

I consider myself loyal to the human race, certainly. But to my country? That I find harder to grasp.

As for the question - I suppose I hold my own life in high esteem, as I do my girlfriend, my family... and, as I said above, humanity. Nationality, and race, however, just aren't that important in the scheme of things, in my view. Just my two cents.

I like your thinking.

 

[All Else Failed]

You don't believe that a people are bonded as a group when they feel pride in their nation? The phenomenon of group dynamics extends not only from families, co-workers, neighbors and friends...but also to nations.

What should they be prideful of? They had no part in creating it, they were just born there. You're thinking of a more communal devotion.

I'm half German, does that mean I should be loyal to Germany, as well?

 

[Breath]

...Nationality, and race, however, just aren't that important in the scheme of things, in my view...

So you consider yourself a citizen of the world, rather than an individual country? Okay. I can see that POV, although it's not my perspective.

 

[Jersey]

Well.. I'm damn proud to be Italian... but I still show pride for America... I'm thankful for the things afforded to me for living here.. I know I wouldnt be where I am/who I am if I were born somewhere else, although I really have no choice in the matter...

 

[Breath]

What should they be prideful of? They had no part in creating it, they were just born there. You're thinking of a more communal devotion.

I'm half German, does that mean I should be loyal to Germany, as well?

Ron,
You had no part in your conception (creation), but you love your parents none-the-less.
You had no say-so if you have siblings, but you love them as well.
And I could go on and on just with family relationships. The point is: you "belong" to that group, through nothing that you accomplished, and they are your family.
Look at my POV from that perspective. Your fellow citizens are like "family".

 

[All Else Failed]

Well.. I'm damn proud to be Italian... but I still show pride for America... I'm thankful for the things afforded to me for living here.. I know I wouldnt be where I am/who I am if I were born somewhere else, although I really have no choice in the matter...

What makes you proud to be Italian? I'm not asking to be a dick, but what about being Italian makes you proud?



Oh, and btw, being thankful and having pride are two different things that get mixed up and lumped together very easily.

 

[All Else Failed]

Ron,
You had no part in your conception (creation), but you love your parents none-the-less.
You had no say-so if you have siblings, but you love them as well.
And I could go on and on just with family relationships. The point is: you "belong" to that group, through nothing that you accomplished, and they are your family.
Look at my POV from that perspective. Your fellow citizens are like "family".

Ok, but I'm not proud of my parents for having me. I'm thankful, which is totally different.

 

[Peter Parka]

You don't believe that a people are bonded as a group when they feel pride in their nation? The phenomenon of group dynamics extends not only from families, co-workers, neighbors and friends...but also to nations.

I like your notion but I think it gets taken far too seriously. Nationalism easily spills over to racism about things which really don't matter, you only have to look at the football riots which happen. I enjoy a good bit of banter and frenzy in the world cup but when it spills over to people rioting, fighting and dying over a game, you really have to ask wtf??? A lot of people have no control and find it hard to be passionate about something without going over the top, how do you think nasty stuff like Nazism ect started?
I will passionately support my country in sport but also have the grace to say well done and have a pint with the opposition supporters afterwards if they are being the same. Fighting over silly things like sport, a flag or a song is......well......silly when you put it in perspective!

 

[Jersey]

Well.. I show pride for my ancestors I suppose more so than Italy itself... They came here with nothing and made quite a nice living for themselves.

I am both thankful and prideful. I know the difference...

 

[All Else Failed]

Well.. I show pride for my ancestors I suppose more so than Italy itself... They came here with nothing and made quite a nice living for themselves.

I am both thankful and prideful. I know the difference...

What you're describing is thankfulness and happiness. I don't see pride entering into this. You can't have pride in anything that you didn't have a part in.

 

[Breath]

Ok, but I'm not proud of my parents for having me. I'm thankful, which is totally different.

Fair enough.

What would have to happen for you to be proud of them?

 

[Jersey]

I do have a part in America... I pay my taxes, I vote, I have choices... Things arent decided for me... I feel as small as my vote may be.. I have made an impact in America.. at least I would like to think I have... call me stupid...

 

[All Else Failed]

Fair enough.

What would have to happen for you to be proud of them?

It would have to be something I took part in myself. People aren't getting what pride means here....Pride should be restricted to responsibility for what happens. Like, if I built a boat with them out of scratch, we could be proud of that. But to be proud of a neighbor's boat would make no sense, would it?

 

[Jersey]

Well, I'm proud that my ancestors were proud people... how bout that... They had a vision, knew they couldnt make it work where they were.. hopped on the boat and came here... They were proud and persistent... as am I... perhaps its genetic