U.K., Britain, Gt.Britain, British Isles, The Commenwealth - Where am I?

Question

Hi folks.
I was asked recently in the USA where I lived.
Oh, Bedfordshire. I thought that would suffice.
But oh no. Further inquistion in a bar as to, being a "Brit", and English, was I also a resident of the U.K, or the British Isles, or G.B., or what.?
I set about trying to explain such things as the Isle of Man is independant, Eire is self governing, although the Bahamas are near enough British. etc.
It was a confusing conversation for a humble Geordie to explain.
OK he spake. So what is the diffence between a Geordie and a Cornishman ? I thought that he had kicked off a joke, but nay - he had a point. I started to explain Scoucers, Jocks, Paddys and more, but it all ended in beers.
How should have I explained it all ?
Pray tell - what are your thoughts on this ?
Cheers,
Bob.

Answer 1

Good point! This could go on for hours in an American bar but us Brits dont think about it. London to me is like another country and Newcastle has an unofficial flag, the black and white st George one and is undergoing devolution with the northen assembly. Cornwall wants separate status, Isle of man is separate but dependent and we have not even mentioned Scotland and Wales. No one is sure who northern Island belongs to. Can I go to the Falklands without a passport?? Technically it should be like going to another county.
It just goes on and on!

We should be called the united states of the United Kingdom or the Semi-United Kingdom.

Answer 2

You live in a town, which is in a County, in England, one of the 3 Countries that form the main Island of Great Britian. The British Isles are Britain and the several groups of small Islands off the coast which are governed by Britain. Excluding Isle of Man and Southern Ireland. The UK is Great Britain, Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland. The Commonwealth is a large group of Countries whose past was linked to Britain and who still regard our 'Queen' as head of State, though each has its own Goverment, laws and Prime-Minister. If asked the difference between a Geordie and a Cornishman, Scouser etc, tell them its the same as the difference between a Texan and a Californian. They too have different accents and ways of life because of Where they live! State, County or Country are just names for areas of land.
Basically you live in all of the places! Hope that helps!!

Answer 3

you have a personal identity, a local identity and a national identity and a racial identity. It would all depend on who you are describing yourself to)
If I were talking to an american (there's one - we talk about americans, when we mean folks from the USA, rather than mexicans or a native of Lima) I would describe myself as a Brit, or an englishman. If I were talking to a geordie, I would describe myself as a londoner. If I were talking to a Londoner, I would narrow it down to a more local area.

If I were talking to a martian, I would probably describe myself as an earthican

Horses for courses

Answer 4

oh its a crazy mixed up world.

Cornish, welsh, scots and Irish are all of celtic origin and have no part in the saxon english malarky. So explain that difference

the scoucers are just the Irish who could swim, so rule them out of england too.

Answer 5

You're wonderful, you know?!
You don't need to be American to ask that very question, though!
Don't worry, you are not alone on that planet to have strange issues about your country and its different languages, different lanscapes and so on...
I am Belgian, see?

Answer 6

I wouldn`t shout about being from these parts. The C.I.A. and all that!

Answer 7

Planet Earth...At least I think. Hold on, let me ask someone....I'll get back to you.

Answer 8

You're at the wrong site, that's where. Try http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/