How do the British refer to themselves and their homeland?

Question

Two questions from a clueless American for some British folk:

If a native from England were travelling abroad, would you say "I am British", or "I am English" (or something else?).

When referring to your homeland, what would you say/what is the most popular term - "I am from ___."?

Thanks for your help!

After reading some of these responses, perhaps I should clarify: I am aware that England is it's own country and that UK and Great Britain include not only England but Scotland and Ireland as well.

My question was asking if someone from England (London, if you like) was traveling how would they most likely refer to themselves if someone asked them where they were from. But thusfar reading the answers it seems as if England is the preferred reply over UK or GB.

Thank you for those who offered honest answers and not sarcastic criticisms.

Answer 1

I say either that I'm English or British, from The UK or from England. It all kind of depends whether we feel like including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in the conversation or being Nationalist and elitist as I have to say the other nationals of the UK so often do while adding how much they hate the English! Generally though I say English from England because I think you always get a better sense of pride for your own Country when in the company of people from elsewhere in the world, don't you think?
Great Question and I don't think your being clueless, we all have cultural blind spots and what better way to clear them up than ask someone you think would know!

Answer 2

I say I am English and from England (apart from on forms when they usually want you to say you are British from Britain for some reason). It doesn't mean too much, but I live in England, not Wales or Scotland or anywhere, so that is the main difference.
Wales is Britian and England, we're under the same rule (Charles, Prince of Wales?)

Answer 3

I'm an Englishman living in the US. I always tell people that I'm English or from England as British covers the UK ( England, Ireland Scotland and Wales ).

Answer 4

I used to say Im British, or a citizen of the UK OR Graet Britian and Northern Ireland

after the nationalism, petty mindedness and vindictiveness of the Scots I regard myself as English, or Lancastrian first.

I live in Manchester, was born in Manchester, at a time when Manchester was part of Lancashire.

I used to regard my self as British, having worked in Scotland for a few years and seen the ignorance and stupidity of some Scots I quickly reappraised that to call myself English, having seen some of the narrow minded Scots viewing the world through tartan specs with their "anything but England" approach I redrew my perception of the UK.

Answer 5

England.

Answer 6

Great Britain or Britain comprises of England, Scotland & Wales - so being British means you can be English, Scottish or Welsh.

I am English (& British).

When you refer to the UK it means The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

EDIT: Just to correct you BargainMama, it is only NORTHERN Ireland (or Ulster) that is 'part' of the UK...but that is not accepted by all of Northern Ireland's citizens - hence the years of so called 'Troubles' - i.e. murder & bloodshed that included the IRA's bombing of England.

Ireland (The Republic of Ireland or Eire) is not part of the UK.

PS What I have said is factually true - but the thumbs down are probably from Welsh or Scottish nationalists who despite being British, don't accept the historic union or the title ‘British‘..

...so your question is not as straightforward as you might think.

Answer 7

Everybody's different.
I'm a Londoner first, a Brit second and English third - but that's me.
I have friends in Dallas who are 'Texan' before they're 'American'.
A friend of mine has to travel America saying she was from 'Australia' while she traveled the UK saying she was from 'Queensland' (she had to change the answer in the US as no one ever seemed to know where Queensland was!)
So I'd also say the answer depends on who has asked the question!
At DFW Airport I call myself British as that's what it says on the passport, in and around Europe I just say I'm from London. I don't define myself by where I was born or choose to live, I'd only say if asked. My name, job, likes and dislikes are more appropriate conversation!

Answer 8

some will say they are from Britain some will say from England, Scotland etc.. Most people use "British" nowadays I think...But when I went to northern England I noticed that people refer to themselves as English, Scottish, indian etc..That's in this country but when abroad I have not met one who refer him/herself as British or from Britian, It usually was as English, Irish etc,..

I personally don't think that it matters..

Answer 9

I live in Wales but come from Heywood in Rochdale near Manchester.Or I would say from the North West of England.I am proud of my roots and never say I come Wales just because I live there,even though I like it better than where I come from.Calling us British is just a broader term, of which I am proud of also.

Answer 10

England. Country first for me, the Union is less important.