Are you proud of your nationality ?

[Goldiegirl]

Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.

 

[kiedistidus]

nowadays i think it is hard to be proud of a nation as a whole theres always good points and bad points to everywhere you go but i definetly think some places are worse than others.i think politics is the main problem with any country, whos up for a revolution??? lol.

 

[diceke]

I think that americans are very fond of using the word proud. Many nationalities might have positive ideas and sentiments in connection with their own nation.
I have often wondered why americans are so fond of using to word proud. If a friend told me: "I am so proud of you", my thought would be: "you have no business beeing proud of me - I do not belong to you". I would most likely say nothing or: "I like you too".
Among americans and Irish 79% foud that they could answer either yes or no, while most other nationalities only around 50% could respond. To my mind this shows that many people have problems with the question. It would have been much more relevant to ask if people had positive feelings towards their own nation.

Is it possible that different cultures/languages have different ideas about what pride is?

In my opinion, one can only be glad that you are born in a certain country, but not proud.

 

[EmperorHirohito]

To be totally honest I am proud that I am British and I am also proud that I am English, to some people in this country that statement would be hard to understand due to the fact that in this country some people would class that as being Politically Incorrect and would not want to refer to themselves as British but as either English, Welsh, Scottish or Irish.

In the past I have been very proud to be British, standing in the Colosseum in Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympic games and seeing a British athelete winning a gold medal made me very proud that I was from Britain.
Also having served both Queen and Country, just like my Dad, makes me proud to be British and very patriotic as regards to my country.

But within the last few years my pride about living and being a citizen of this counrty has been altered due to certain politicans around the world, whom along with the help of others hidden from public view, have made this country that I grew up in, less safe than what it was ten years ago.

 

[Sarapva]

Some very good points raised (that pride might be interpreted differently by different cultures, that pride in nationality is different from pride in government, that in a "free" country we can speak against the government, which is something to be proud of). I'm not proud that in this country it's the rich who make the rules (however indirectly). I am proud of the fact that most Americans, I believe, are compassionate at heart and, when informed of the facts of a situation, will make decisions based on compassion instead of selfish gain (I'm thinking of all the companies and people across the country that have stopped buying animal fur after becoming informed of how it gets to us, and other instances like that).

 

[Elizabeth]

Is it possible that different cultures/languages have different ideas about what pride is?
In my opinion, one can only be glad that you are born in a certain country, but not proud.

Yes, many Americans say that they are proud of a country that has been a leader for justice, opportunity, tolorance etc at home and abroad. Pride is a useful "tool" or "mechanism" for everyday citizens to focus on those ideals, feel a sense of vicarious accomplishment, as you would take pride in your own family, and try to live up to those virtues in their own lives. We want to be similar to the people/things we admire. Hence we often imitate them and try to act as they would.

Imagine the difference being born into a tiny, powerless disadvantaged country where nothing in the environment works well or is in a constant state of destruction and destabiliziation. Even for those that survive physically, there's no positive model to emulate or feel good about that would be the basis for further improvement and development. I'm not saying it is impossible to feel pride in any nationality, just that it helps when sacrifices have been made in the past as 'shoulders to stand on' so to speak. Obviously no government or country is perfect. No need to repeat that. The crucial factor, to my mind, though, is to have a vision of national ideals and citizens commited to fulfilling them through a democratic system that is self-correcting
when things become too unbalanced in a negative direction.

Perhaps the difference with Japan is it is that there are more opportunities and encouragment for people at a grass level to get involved in their communities as 'volunteer activists' that makes it is easier to feel more involved with civic life in the states.

 

[Goldiegirl]

I've thought about pride a lot today...I think that when I say proud, I am not denying that other countries can be proud as well...Sorry to be confusing. I get the feeling that if you say you are proud of your country you are looking down at all the other countries and that is not what is meant. I think vanity gets confused with pride. Words don't equate equally in all languages, so maybe some see pride as wrong, or being to into oneself, and that's where I think vanity would be a better term...what do I know though!

 

[Homerduff]

Well, im sorry for messing with you guys brains, I just literally took the phrase from the nationmaster website.

 

[EmperorHirohito]

Homer you dont need to say Sorry, I dont think you are messing with peoples brains, I take it you are not a Brain surgeon?

I do find that this topic is very relevant in the modern world as individual Nationality is very important.

 

[Elizabeth]

I have often wondered why americans are so fond of using to word proud. If a friend told me: "I am so proud of you", my thought would be: "you have no business beeing proud of me - I do not belong to you". I would most likely say nothing or: "I like you too".

I wouldn't say anything if I suspected they were hanging around only to bask in the glow of my halo and feel better about themselves vicariously.
Oh, wow, you've done such a great deed...and now you are my friend. I must be a pretty special person too...

It is understandable, though. Most of us would rather not be associated with people or places in our roots that we are ashamed of no matter the outward distance from them we may have the blessing to eventually traverse.

Well, im sorry for messing with you guys brains, I just literally took the phrase from the nationmaster website.

You can start off with the German, French or whatever part of Belgium you're from ! Seriously, it would be interesting to have some translations and perspective of their native speakers.

 

[Sarapva]

There's something that's been bothering me about this whole "pride" thing, and now I think I know what it is - that when we say we are proud of being a certain nationality, we are separating ourselves from other nationalities. Even though countries are physically separate, isn't it better to try to unite in spirit?

Citizens For a United Earth has a bumper sticker that reads:

MANY COLORS, ONE HUMAN FAMILY

http://www.c-u-e.org/cuehome.htm

 

[Sukotto]

isn't pride one of those seven deadly sins or something?

not really, and definately not.
often times ashamed.
i'm just about fed up with the whole usa lie thing.
the entire history of the usa is a lie. its mythology is used to justify
disgusting pograms today. but there is always hope for a better tomorow...

while i do not blame others for such group mentality in the face of misuse of it by US leaders, i do not think highly of it for connection to the rulers of the us. In the US, there are just too many people and their interests are just too diverse for any one national pride to exist.

 

[Sukotto]

These are 1990s surveys..Do you have new ones?
Very proud of their nationality Countries Compared by Lifestyle > Very proud of their nationality. International Statistics at NationMaster.com

Weird.
I did not know that those 17 were the only nations in the country. (haha!)

 

[diceke]

I've thought about pride a lot today...I think that when I say proud, I am not denying that other countries can be proud as well...Sorry to be confusing. I get the feeling that if you say you are proud of your country you are looking down at all the other countries and that is not what is meant. I think vanity gets confused with pride. Words don't equate equally in all languages, so maybe some see pride as wrong, or being to into oneself, and that's where I think vanity would be a better term...what do I know though!

Here are dictionary definitions (from Longman American Dictionary)

Pride:
3. too much pride
A feeling that you are more important, skillful etc. than you really are.
e.g. In the end, the main character is destroyed by his own pride and ambition.

Vanity:
1. too much pride in yourself, so that you are always thinking about yourself and your appearance.

e.g. Her vanity kept her from getting a hearing aid.

Is vanity like pride in excess?

 

[Goldiegirl]

Let's not forget the the rest of the definitions of pride...you can't just pick and choose...

Pride, Pridefulness a feeling of self respect and personal worth.

also satisfaction with your or another's achievment.

So I can say that I have pride and be proud of it.

 

[Homerduff]

I wouldn't say anything if I suspected they were hanging around only to bask in the glow of my halo and feel better about themselves vicariously.
Oh, wow, you've done such a great deed...and now you are my friend. I must be a pretty special person too...
It is understandable, though. Most of us would rather not be associated with people or places in our roots that we are ashamed of no matter the outward distance from them we may have the blessing to eventually traverse.
You can start off with the German, French or whatever part of Belgium you're from ! Seriously, it would be interesting to have some translations and perspective of their native speakers.

Belgium is divided into 4 different language-regions (the dutchspeaking which is Flanders, the dutch and french speaking which is Brussels, the frenchspeaking which is Wallonia and the Germanspeaking which is a very tiny part that borders with Germany). The main problem between those regions (or lets say between flanders and wallonia, the 2 biggest regions), is that a lot of money of flanders goes to Wallonia to support their economy. Flanders is a rich region which an outstanding economy, while Wallonia is rather poor and there isnt a lot of industry there. So they get money from us (Yes im from Flanders) for the last decennias, but still there hasnt been any improvement there. The money that we have to pay is invested in rediculous things, or has been put on personal bank accounts of important people in Wallonia..

Soon we have elections in Belgium. And most parties in Flanders agree that something should change about this. Theres even 1 party that wants an independent Flanders, which would economically make us even more stronger but to divide the country is a rather extreme solution.

I could give you a lot more information on why we have 4 different languageregions in belgium but that would take me a lot of time (you can find more about it on wikipedia). Indeed its interesting. Many countries visit Belgium to see how our political system works between the regions (peacefully), cause it could be a solution for countries that are also divided in different politicall regions. Belgium has everything to start a civil war, yet there has never been one.

 

[KirinMan]

Let's not forget the the rest of the definitions of pride...you can't just pick and choose...

Your wish is my command.......

Here are the first and second definitions of the word pride in the Logman's Dictionary of Contemporary English;

1▶FEELING OF PLEASURE◀
[uncountable] a feeling that you are proud of something that you or someone connected with you has achieved
ￚsee also proud He wore his medals with pride.
pride in
He takes great pride in his children's achievements. The people have a sense of pride in their community.
His heart swelled with pride when his daughter came in. She felt a glow of pride when her name was announced for the prize.
Success in sport is a source of national pride .

2 ▶RESPECT◀
[uncountable] a feeling that you like and respect yourself and that you deserve to be respected by other people
ￚsee also proud
somebody's pride
It hurt his pride when his wife left him.
I think that getting a job would give him his pride back . She didn't try to hide her anger and injured pride . It's a matter of pride for some men that their wives don't have to work.

Taking pride or respecting the acheivements of what people in one's country have accomplished I think is admirable, so long as it doesnt turn into

3▶TOO MUCH PRIDE◀
[uncountable] a belief that you are better than other people and do not need their help or support

Which happens to be the 3rd definition in the same dictionary. There are many more definitions for the word pride and I am curious as to what each person here defines how they came to their use of the word in regards to their country and if they have pride in it.

I see no problem with people feeling pleasure or happiness when their country accomplishes something worthy of national pride, winning a gold medal in the Olympics or doing something for the betterment of mankind.

 

[KirinMan]

and here are a few more to help people here pick and choose their definition of the word pride used as a noun.

4 take pride in your work/appearance etc
to do something very carefully and well, in a way that gives you a lot of satisfaction
Your should take more pride in your work. She took great pride in her appearance.

5 somebody's pride and joy
a person or thing that someone is very proud of
His garden is his pride and joy.

6 the pride of something
a) the thing or person that the people in a particular place are most proud of
Wigan's rugby team was the pride of the town.
b) the best thing in a group
a beautiful Japanese sword that is the pride of our collection

7 have/take pride of place
if something has or takes pride of place, it is put in the best place for people to see because it is the thing you are most proud of
A large photograph of the children had pride of place on the sitting room wall.

8▶LIONS◀
[countable] a group of lions
A young lion had strayed some distance from the pride.

 

[diceke]

Let's not forget the the rest of the definitions of pride...you can't just pick and choose...
Pride, Pridefulness a feeling of self respect and personal worth.
also satisfaction with your or another's achievment.
So I can say that I have pride and be proud of it.

What I mean is they are not totally different words, these two words are like on one spectrum.

 

[Goldiegirl]

No they aren't the same words...it depends on what exactly you want the word to mean...it's the use of the words in the context of a whole sentence.

Pride can have positive meanings not just negatives. I was proud my son graduated from college. Where as vain is always negative. His vain attempt to proove his point was fruitless.

My point here is not to give English grammar lessons, just to show that how a question is worded can affect the outcome of the answers. Obviously not everyone who answered that question was a native English speaker, assuming that it was written in English. And on the other hand, if it was written in the persons native language, not all words translate equally. There is not always a word for word translation.

 

[diceke]

No they aren't the same words...

I didn't say they are the same words? I said those two English words are on one spectrum. Imagine the colors in visible light, yellow and green are not the same colors, but sometimes in immediate proximity to each other, they only vary just within one and the same continuum.

It is getting irrelevant, so I will stop RIGHT HERE.☝

My point here is not to give English grammar lessons, just to show that how a question is worded can affect the outcome of the answers. Obviously not everyone who answered that question was a native English speaker, assuming that it was written in English. And on the other hand, if it was written in the persons native language, not all words translate equally. There is not always a word for word translation.

True. Saussure said different languages divide up the world differently. I wonder how the question was worded.

 

[Arlet]

neatral.. I'm not proud to be dutch.. But I'm glad I am..

There are a lot of stupid dutch people.. But also a lot of nice..

I agree... But still i'm , dont know... I like to be dutch...
Coz it helps good with the other languages i want to learn.
We dont have a special accent i guess.
Anyway, all the Stupid dutch people (like Tsukiko-chan said) are stupid

 

[Goldiegirl]

The most beautiful man I ever knew was Dutch, so I have a real soft spot for the Dutch! Also, most of the flowers in my garden I have purchased are through Dutch owned bulb companies. What a beautiful country, I would love to see it in spring with all the tulips and other spring flowers in bloom. I must admit that I don't know a lot about your country, but your flowers are the best in the world to me! :55:

 

[Arch]

Why not. Even though I live in Germany now, I'm still proud of been born in England. Even though I'm not hugely proud of the politics or some of the British History, I'm happy that I can call myself English. I wouldn't trade it for anyother nationality.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Although I can objectively understand that I was lucky in many ways to have been born in my country of birth, I don't see how I can be proud or not be proud of it. Where I was born was pure chance.

It's like being proud that you rolled a '6' on the roll of the dice. It may or may not be nice, but pride has nothing to do with anything at hand.