Why do Scottish, Welsh, Irish hate the English???

Question

I'm English and have no problem whatso ever with Scotts Welsh or Irish, my Grans Irish and ex Boyfriend who i was with two years and loved was Welsh. But why do they hate us, i dont understand what we've done thats so bad. Ok so theres some bad History but English people today have never done anything to them so why hold a grudge?

Ok so there is a lot of bad history, but we are talking decade/centuries ago, English people today have never done anything to them and a lot of English people today, myself included, have roots in Ireland Scotland and Wales.

And another thing, Gordon Brown is most likely going to be next priminister, will this make the Scottish happier about sharing parliment?

in response to one_cross_three_nails, i really dont think english people see themselves as superiour at all. And if scotland were playing in the world cup as opposed to england, i'd support them-we're all britain at the end of the day, why cant we support each other, i mean, for god sake we have enough against us in this world at the moment, without hating each other. I'm probably just harbouring a idealistic point of view, but wouldnt it be a good thing?

Answer 1

Tribalism, plain and simple, they have stronger feelings on the subject, or rather, we have less need because history shows "our" tribe successfully out performed "their" tribe in military matters.
As you pointed out, with pretty much everyone inter tribal now it makes little difference 99.9 of the time, when it will matter is in moments of high emotion especially combined with alcohol!
I mean if someone is a prick and he's Scottish he becomes a "Scots prick" but the underlying problem is that he's a prick, right?


So, finally my point, most of the time "them" hating "us" is simply not true BUT it's extremely PC within any "Tribe" to express hatred/fear/blame for another tribe, especially one that is seen to be dominant.

Answer 2

there's a LOT of bad memories there. I mean im from northern ireland and from a young age we've been taught to not like the english, always support the opposite team in football mathches etc. Im sure this goes for wales, scotland too. All of the countries in the Uk today have at one time been conquered by the English, often in brutal ways.
Also, even though i agree all those things happened centuries ago, a lot of english people still see themselves as superior to the welsh, scottish and irish, which is just ridiculous.

Answer 3

I am welsh and went to a welsh school. I went to an english uni and now i live in england. My dad is english also. I dont hate the english so i think its a pretty general comment to make. BUT i know what your saying. I once went to a local welsh pub to watch the Enlglan v Wales rugby match and there was 3 english supporters in the pub. Everytime they cheered England scoring, a lot of the Welsh people swore at them! I just thought it was pathetic myself....My welsh ex used to say he hated the english too, but he wouldnt be horrible to them. But dont some English hate the welsh too? thats what im led to believe anyway. I just think the hatred has come down in history. And i think the countrys love of football and rugby just emphasises that hatred when theres a match on.
I want to add also, when i went to a welsh school, every St Davids day the teachers would often go on about keeping the welsh language alive!! So i think its a heritage thing also. I cant speak for the other countries.

Answer 4

I am with you on this. I have mentioned on a previous answer regarding the fact that people from Scotland choose to support a team opposing England rather than offer support to England, a fellow member of the UK. There may be bad history, but battles and wars of the past involve at least two interested parties, so it is rarely one sided. Some people bear a life-long grudge on people, cultures, races, countries, etc., continuing their grudge long after those involved have died. It is just a fact of life that some people refuse to compromise and accept that people are different. The main thing is that we English do not lower ourselves to join in with the misguided or misinformed hate expressed by other countries.

Answer 5

Eight hundred years of murder, rape and toil!!!
Seriously, it is basically human nature to project negativity
onto any available target. I think the selection of the English has to do with the perception of the English as intelligent , as a world power, as of a higher "class" socially.
Being conquered can also be a sore point and holding a grudge is a general Celtic characteristic.
This is of course stupid and cruel.
As an Irish person i would say that any enmity that the Irish have for the English would be extremely light-hearted as runs more as friendly rivalry. ie soccer.
I would say that today actual hatred would be confined to
a very small number of ignorant/drunk people.
Personally i admire the English and appreciate their introduction of culture, education , language and hot beverages, which certainly have helped bring Ireland and other countries prosperity and civilization.

Answer 6

This question needs to be looked from both sides. It could be argued that the English also 'hate' the Scotish, Welsh and the Irish.

I recognise and respect that it has historical tones after the invasions and Acts of Unions, but it appears more predominatley in every part of society that 'hate' is acceptable.

Going through questions and answers in this forum, there is so much hate for so many things from people, sub-cultures, to Nations. From rounding people up to nuking nations.

There is no tolerenace for differences anymore. As as time moves this seems to be compounded and accepted. Whats a sad way evolve.

In answer to your question, it easy to hold on to a National identity when seeking a personal identity. Individuals seem to have lost their own personal identity and pride so seek a collective. And with collective thinking, then its easier to feel superior.

It's easier to also put people into boxes, ie nations as opposed to disliking the one individual. So by hating a nation, its easier to hate everyone.

Answer 7

I'm Scottish but grew up in Southern England so I certainly don't hate the English. I loved living down there although that was about 11 years ago now. I sometimes find English people to be more open minded than Scottish people. Think cos there is a much larger population and you can blend in more

Answer 8

If you have a TV License and watch BBC, then you know who Anne Robinson is, right?

Enough said.

And the Welsh don't necesarrily hate the English, they just want their country back, in many cases.

Unfortunately, unscrambling eggs that are 600 years old is not very easy, but Rhodri and the Assembly have been trying.

Truth be known, most Welsh have some English blood, and vice versa. So God save the Queen, and Cymru am byth! (Wales forever!)

Answer 9

Countless wars, murders, upheavals, religious intolerence, national patriotism; you name it and those are the reasons. Most of it boils down to religion and battles over who should rule Scotland, Ireland and England - that stuff was going on for eons from the time of the Roman occupation and before. Plus the Irish and the Scots and the Welsh are raised up with certain nationalistic ideologies and they like to fight.

Answer 10

Everyone hates the English apart from the odd American. Obviuosly we're making some huge generalisations here but really, the rest of the world hates us too.

Answer 11

the hatred is because England has been so successful and their countries haven't. The Scott's have to remember that it was a Scottish King who united the kingdoms not and English one! It's just old fashioned racism really that they can't get over. they always think they're the under dog but they aren't. Scottish and welsh ministers vote on issues that only effect England. That is highly unjust and why should Scotland Wales and N.Ireland have their own Parliaments? another waste of taxes.......