What's GREAT about Britain?

Question

Personally I think our educational system is one of the best in the World. The British "Dunkirk" Spirit is World renowned. Despite all it's flaws, the NHS is still the most effiecent and advance. Britian has Historical pedigree.

Answer 1

In today's Britain it's hard to find some positive aspects to British life. However if we were all doom 'n' gloom and generally downbeat about the state of the Country, then where's that going to get us?
I think we should have a "Britain Day" that celebrates everything British. Could be an annual event, street parties, flag waving, impromptu Queens speech, pomp & ceremony, and a general feeling of well-being. Having suggested that, I very much doubt it will ever happen because we're not as patriotic as 'our' American cousins. Prehaps that's where the problem lies, we need to display the Union Jack a lot more. In the U.S the stars and stripes is everywhere, so much in fact, it's sickening.
So come on Britain!! We've all been abroad and isn't it GOOD to return to "Ole' Blighty"

Answer 2

If our educational system is so good, how is that nobody seems to know why this is called Great Britain?

It is a geographical name. Just as two villages might be called Great Trumpton and Trumpton, there is a Great Britain and there is a Britain. The other Britain is Brittany in France, their language is similar to Welsh and they are most certainly Britons (Bretons).

Also, look at other European languages:

In French,
Grande Bretage - Great Britain
Bretagne - the other Britain

In German,
Großbritannien - Great Britain
Bretagne - the other Britain

In Spanish
Gran Bretaña - Great Britain
Bretaña - the other Britain

So the thing that has always been great about Great Britain is that it is the largest of the two Britains and nothing more. Its a shame that so many people have chosen to interpret 'great' as meaning something other than 'big'.

Answer 3

You will find that most people who say Britain isn't great are either a) under the age of 18 b) politically far left wing, or c) Scottish. The majority of mature and educated people know why Britain is great.

The education System needs alot of work at the moment, however in terms of educational availability and rights it's still very good. The special needs schools in this country are far and away the best in the world, though under threat from Labour. The NHS is not as good as other countries like Holland, but its a hell of a lot better than a lot of countries. At least we have a national health service.

Despite the rubbish you hear on sites like this and over zealous and irresponsible media coverage, our tolerance of other cultures, and community's is very, very good. I've met very few truly racist or homophobic people in England. Scotland is full of them by the way.

And for some misconceptions... People say the foof is awful, you can eat whatver you want in GB. Any food from any country. And as for the weather, it rains more in Barcelona than it does in Leeds, and the average temperature of London is hotter than many more southern countries ( I forget which ones)

Answer 4

The greatest thing about Britain is the ease with which it can be left. Just look at the numbers of UK citizens leaving; which far outweigh the number of migrants coming the other way.

But I still treasure my passport (and so do all the other ex-pats)!
Illogical, yes, but maybe it tells us that "British" is now greater than "Britain". What's wrong with the country that was once great but isn't any more?

As an ex-pat of 13 years I would suggest (largely from frequent trips back to blighty) that work related stress is an important negative factor, as is the breakdown of the nuclear family. Cost of housing is also a factor, as is the lack of government backing of both the NHS and education. Meanwhile the politicians have deteriorated to the level of tv presenters and think they can win elections on the strength of their marketability alone.

I once was proud to belong to "Great " Britain, now I'm just fortunate to be British because it gives me employment (as an English teacher) abroad.

Answer 5

Here is something a little different ,a bit more lighthearted which I think is "great" in Britain!!
Legends, Myths, and Stories. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland are countries which are rich in ancient legends, myths and stories. The origin of these stories and legends is often not known but these tales have been around for many centuries often passed down through the generations by the spoken word alone.
Here are some of the more well-known or interesting legends.
Beasts - there are several stories about enormous dogs and beasts of various descriptions inhabiting the less populated parts of Britain.
The Cerne Giant - the 60-meter tall prehistoric hill figure, with a giant phallus, which has been known as a fertility symbol since ancient times.
Glastonbury - the place where many of the most famous English myths and legends are based: King Arthur and his Knights, Camelot, the Holy Grail and more
Ghosts and Haunted Houses - Stories about the ghosts and most haunted places in Britain.Read some of the books! Scary!
Robin Hood - The legend of the master archer, Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and his band of merry men.
Loch Ness Monster - the story of the Lock Ness monster.
Stone Circles - the mysterious megaliths and stone circles of the United Kingdom!

Answer 6

It was once Great, and now it simply used to be great. The old empire planted the seed for a world spanning state, and set the standard by which all subsequent societies will be judged. The Americans are your inheritors. We will see where this leads.

But better a Has-Been than a Never-Was.

Answer 7

Here's a wee tale... My family tried living in Spain.. for the nice weather cheap fags & booze..etc etc... but living there turned out to be a whole lot different from just holidaying.. Believe me ..Britain may have its problems but - when you want Help...be it Medical or Legal...you would rather have the rain & be back on the plane..than stuck in another slightly less advanced country than here.

Answer 8

Scotland

Answer 9

We have a great cultural heritage, although it's being buried by the idiots who worship any celebrity who wipes their ar$e in public.
We have great sporting traditions.
We have been at the forefront of liberal social policy (anti-slavery, work reforms, human rights etc)
We have a secular society - the religious freaks don't have any great power.
We have great places to visit with beautiful scenery.
It aint such a bad place - althought the people fcuking complain too much - selfish b@$tards.

Answer 10

its was great once before we had all the refugees move in, the only reason why the NHS is in trouble now is because we have to pay for their health care too, the soon the goverment closes the doors to all the immigrants the better and maybe then it could be great again.