Country vs. Nationality

I see far too much of this sort of thing:

The Britsh have done this, the Polish are doing that...
The Americans invaded Iraq, the Russians are fighting in Chechnya...
The French did nuclear testing in the Pacific, the Belgians are boring...

When how is should be written and understood is:

The UK has done this, Poland is doing that...
The USA (and allies) invaded Iraq, Russia is fighting in Chechnya...
France did nuclear testing in rthe Pacific, Belgium really is boring...

Spot the difference anyone?
Being British does not mean anything the British establishment does is therefore something I do, does it?
And when it is something from long, long ago, is it still me?
Did I beat the French in some battle a few hundred years ago? Did I lose my empire?

What kind of person stands by everything their country does and has ever done?
Surely the answer must be: no-one. Or is it?

while a person can love his country, he doesnt have to agree with everything it does.

I agree with you there. I just find it laughable when someone bears a grudge which spills over into the personal, over something that happened 50, 100, 500 years ago.

I feel shame for what "my country" is doing in the world today!





I hope the Belgiums feel shame because of this!

I remember visiting there and feeling like I was trapped inside a 1980's Burtons shop window with no escape !

There are some very interesting Belgians, not all of them fictional.
The first two that come to mind are Django Reinhardt (Belgian-born Gypsy, spent most of his life in France) and Audrey Hepburn (only Belgian by birth, didn't spend much time there).

Wasn't Tin Tin real?

I didn't know that. I think I will use that in the Pub later tonight, don't know how I will fit it in to the conversation tho...

isn't that like deflecting some repsonsibiliy for your gov's actions?

Tin Tin was Belgian ?

Yes.


Yes. Ish.


Yes. I don't like everything my government does, whether I voted for them or not. Particularly if I didn't vote for them.


She was half Flemish (whether Dutch or Belgian I'm not sure). She was gorgeous as well.

Yes he was!

Utterly ridiculous. Happening in some of today's posts, I see.
I know I didn't.

Also when people (as often happens on here) have a problem with a few people of the one nationality and the entire nation is then responsible. Even people who are telling others off for it sometimes do it in return and then there is a pointless debate:
My country did this..
Yes but where was it when..
At least "we're" not... (speaks for nation)

I wouldnt,she was Dutch,raised in Arnhem,living there during the battle....if you squint you can see here behind Sean connery in the movie;)

Wiki says Brussels, with English dad and Dutch mum

audreyhepburn.com says Brussels.

I'd rather look at Audrey.


They're advertising sprouts these days?

Cant argue,and thanks for the link :)
ps,she's still dutch and lived in arnhem :) brit dad,dutch mum dont = belgiumnness :)
pps,
Belgium,famous for two things,but the joke is maybe a bit strong to post here !! ;) lets just say it explains why they make such great chocolates ......