UK / England..

[VSL]

OK, I'm not English, but I am British [Welsh].

I was talking to an English friend the other day, and I was saying that Antony Hopkins is from where I live (Neath Port Talbot). She said, 'But Anthon Hopkins is British', and I was like 'Yeah, British/Welsh'.

She thought that Britain/UK/England was all the same thing.

Now, as you can imagine, I was horrified, and quickly pointed out that the UK/GB consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and N.Ireland. She honestly had no idea - I think she also thought that the Union Jack was another English flag (in addition to the St. George's Cross).

It also bugs me no end when someone refers to the UK in Epcot as 'England' *pulling my hair out*!

Please tell me there are people out there who know the difference!
Give me back some faith in humanity!

 

[Gaspode]

Hiya,

LOL, don't worry, I know the difference! I live in England but I'm British (English father, Welsh mother). I never call myself English.

Honestly, I've never heard anyone call the UK Pavillion in Epcot 'England', even when I worked there!

Your thread reminded me of a skit by Eddie Izzard, "talk British to my kids!"

You are not alone!!!!! (but I'm surprised your English friend was confused, thats a shame)
Gaspodé

 

[laurie31]

I'm an American and I know the difference.

Btw, It bugs me too when people don't know. I can understand not knowing the finer points of what some of the unstable 3rd world countries are calling themselves this week, and lots of people can't pronounce the names of the former pieces of the USSR, but sheesh - the UK? It's not that hard

Of course, there are people over here who don't know that New Mexico is a state, just like all the others. It's not part of the country of Mexico

Laurie

ps - I have had the pleasure of visiting Wales and it is a beautiful place. I can't spell the names of the cities I visited there, though

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm American and I know the difference as well. A good friend of mine is Welsh.
Don't feel bad. I live in Rhode Island and you wouldn't believe the number of Americans that don't know it's a state.

 

[saucymb]

I'm an American who also knows the difference. However, I must confess that until I started thinking about studying abroad in college, and researching the university that I had chosen, I had never really thought about it. But I quickly learned that calling someone who is Welsh "English" is sort of like calling a US southerner a "Yankee"!!!

BTW, I ended up at UWIC in Cardiff for 4 wonderful months. Love South Wales!

 

[Teejay32]

Now, as you can imagine, I was horrified, and quickly pointed out that the UK/GB consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and N.Ireland. She honestly had no idea - I think she also thought that the Union Jack was another English flag (in addition to the St. George's Cross).

I didn't think N. Ireland was part of Great Britain. I do know of Wales but I wouldn't know what to call it - country? state?

 

[VSL]

Don't worry about the spelling/pronunciation of Welsh place names (as BlackAdder said, 'You need half a pint of phlegm in your throat just to pronounce the place names!').

It's nice to see that there are people who have visited and like it here! (although I often wonder if it's because many people who visit England go straight to London, while in Wales it is mostly countryside wherever you are)

Wales is a country, Teejay32 just like Scotland, England and Ireland are countries in themselves.
N.Ireland is seperate from the rest of Ireland (I do believe), but I don't know the details.

From the looks of it, it would seem that many people experience this in some way or another all over the world.

(I'm in UWS - University of Wales Swansea - BTW!)

 

[NMAmy]

I knew. DH would beat me if I didn't. He's English but spent a lot of his childhood living in Northern Ireland which was quite difficult for his very non-religious family. He lost a lot of his English accent on purpose, then moved back to southern England and had to ditch the Irish accent.

His family is originally from Yorkshire--his parents still have a cottage there. Hi, Gaspode! Basically, everyone in his family has a different accent.

ETA: I lived in New Mexico for many years and you wouldn't believe the number of people within the United States who don't realize it's a part of this country. I've had people ask if we use pesos for money and why my Spanish isn't all that great. Look at a map once in a while, people.

 

[Gaspode]

How strange, even I know that New Mexico and Rhode Island are states! Ah well, just shows, doesn't it?

Hi NMAmy

Cya,
Gaspodé

 

[Teejay32]

Wales is a country, Teejay32 just like Scotland, England and Ireland are countries in themselves.
N.Ireland is seperate from the rest of Ireland (I do believe), but I don't know the details.

Thanks.

N. Ireland is part of the UK, but not of GB - GB is the island. On the other hand if N. Irish people want to call themselves "British" you don't argue with them, it's pointless. LOL.

 

[Sian]

I think I'm right in saying that Great Britain = England, Wales, Scotland
UK = England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Southern Ireland/Eire is a completely separate country that has no connection with either of the above (disputes about who Northern Ireland 'really' belongs to aside)

 

[carolfoy]

Can we throw in The Channel Islands just to really confuse everyone??

 

[Planogirl]

I had it right! I thought that Ireland consisted of Ireland (the country) and Northern Ireland while Great Britain included England, Wales and Scotland. The actual country with everything besides Ireland is the United Kingdom right?

Some people are really clueless about geography. I remember knowing someone who honestly thought that Japan was in Europe. Please!

 

[Teejay32]

It sounds about right, though I don't know if you include all of the British Isles in the UK, and "Ireland" doesn't always recognize that it is two countries...

and since we're here, it seems like New Mexico could have done a better job of naming itself. (j/k!!)

 

[disykat]

Ok, I know what the UK and GB are. I've traveled to England, Scotland, and Wales.

However, it's been awhile since I've been to WDW and I could very well see myself saying that they have an "England" pavillion in Epcot. Most of the the pavillions represent an individual country. I can kind of picture it, and it brings up a notion of England to me. If I had to list the pavillions I can easily see myself visualizing it and saying England. Sorry!

 

[USA Here I Come]

His family is originally from Yorkshire--his parents still have a cottage there.
.

Ooooh, which part of Yorkshire? I live in West Yorkshire

 

[Gaspode]

Hola another Yorkshire DISer! I'm in South Yorkshire

 

[USA Here I Come]

Hola another Yorkshire DISer! I'm in South Yorkshire

Wow, cool I thought I was the only one

 

[NMAmy]

Ooooh, which part of Yorkshire? I live in West Yorkshire

Richmond--we were able to visit a couple of years ago and it was just beautiful. DH would love to retire there but I don't think it would be very practical for us. But...you never know!

 

[Gaspode]

LOL, actually I'm always surprised by the number of DISers who hail from this area!

Currently I'm in West Yorkshire (work here) but looking forward to getting on home soon

Cya,
Gaspodé