Why don't the British people seem as patriotic of their soldiers as Canada and America?

Question

I have been serving in the armed forces for 7 years and have always been proud of what I do, regardless of the reasons I have to do it!
I spent several months in Canada and during that time I was thanked for doing what I do, given discounts without even asking, bought drinks and was told that people had been proud to meet me. Also every shop and most cars had a "support our troops" sticker on display.
Now, Britain.....I have been refused entry into clubs, can get a discount in an outdoor store, been treatened by people I don't even know (through people saying I look like a squaddie) and I have seen no sign of any flags or mention of the soldiers serving in Iraq! Remeber, we don't want to be there, we HAVE to be there!
So what's the deal here!

I have been serving in the armed forces for 7 years and have always been proud of what I do, regardless of the reasons I have to do it!
I spent several months in Canada and during that time I was thanked for doing what I do, given discounts without even asking, bought drinks and was told that people had been proud to meet me. Also every shop and most cars had a "support our troops" sticker on display.
Now, Britain.....I have been refused entry into clubs, can get a discount in an outdoor store, been treatened by people I don't even know (through people saying I look like a squaddie) and I have seen no sign of any flags or mention of the soldiers serving in Iraq! Remeber, we don't want to be there, we *HAVE to be there!
So what's the deal here!

* and when I say HAVE, I mean regardless of what we think of the reasons as to us being there we are sent,and YES I signed the dotted line,I don't expect discounts either...just high lighting a difference....and I am not better than anyo

Answer 1

From a Canadian point of view, we do support our troops because they are not just soldiers, they are Canadians. We understand that it's the government that decides where the military is deployed and what they do when they get there....not the soldiers themselves! Although at the moment, the military's main concern is international disputes, we must not forget that as soon as there is turmoil at home, the military will be there. I think that a lot of soldiers join the military with the intention to not only serve their country but to protect it and it's citizens...that right there is a very good reason to honour them.

Answer 2

I'm sorry you feel the way you do, I don't have a problem with UK soldiers although it is a valid point that we do not have a conscripted army. No doubt 7 yrs ago when you joined up the outlook was very different and your own expectations of where & in what circumstances you would serve Queen & Country were very different. Fair play to you as well for you appear to be honouring your contract for the period you signed up for and are not buying yourself out.
The sad truth is that in the UK we were lied to and, as more details emerge,clearly Blair did not have the bottle to tell Bush that 7/11 was nothing to do with Saddam. This is bound to reflect in how people see things and you are part of the big picture which maybe accounts for the non enthusiasm although I still respect you as an individual.
Yes, I agree Canada and Canadians are far more supportive all ways round - I think of it as my 2nd home with family out there. As for America - sadly they are perceived by us as being gung ho, the army is so often the only way out of the trailer park & unemployment, and the tide is turning. Bush has no exit strategy and more people know it. Their patriotic fervour does worry me a bit though, they are as unquestioningly fanatical at times as those they are fighting.
As for discounts and similar, again it is a different culture of showing friendship and suport in Canada which does not have a UK equivalent, here we see it as a bit of an inappropriate way of dealing with each other.
Finally, good luck, may the enemies bullets never find you.

Answer 3

I would have to disagree with your sentiment..Canadians are NOT AT ALL patriotic about their soldiers at least not en mass....Canadians in general are hopelessly passive and HARDLY EVER raise a peep about anything--- good, bad or indfifferent.

The US is very patriotic though and there is indeed a stark contrast. US people may not always be right--but they always hold true to their convictions and make noise! It's something to be envious of sometimes when you're elsewhere wondering why your own group/country never stands up for anything!

The British founded Canada --there's a lot of similarities and I think that historically--military work was perhaps viewed a little like grunt work and has always been looked down upon....okay, that's maybe not the right way to say it....but I believe that soldiers are something distant from so called "important" people or people of higher classes and it is traditionally those people that have the powers to drive a group of people to recognize something or behave a certain way ie) display patriotism. If the sons/daughters of affluent people were in the military front and centre, believe me, we'd never hear the end of it.

As for not being allowed into a club in Britain--is it possible that they didn't recognize that you were really a soldier and not a skin head???

But as it is today, soldiers are something that you don't really hear too much about until there's a major catastrophe, a hero, a victory or they finally come home and that's really unfortunate because it's because of them that the hoity toities can live the way they do.

Answer 4

Personally, I am very proud of anyone serving in the military. And you are right about having to be there, you make the choice to join knowing you may be sent to do something (which you may not agree with the politics behind it)

I have applied to join the British Army (as a dental nurse) I want to do something with my life that will actually make a difference, I am so fed up of my 9-5 job and the feeling that I am not doing anything constructive on the grand scheme of things.

Also, I hate the people who have answered your question but clearly not read it!!

Answer 5

There are a lot of mindless idiots and I don't know why people seem to treat the forces in the uk the way they do. Not every one is like that , I think you all work extremely hard and we should be proud of what you do. Everyone says you do have a choice of not to go , but if everyone signed of because they did not agree with certain issues like Iraq or Afghan then where would we be. People would soon start moaning and shouting if we were left with hardly any kind of forces . I wish you all the best and take care x

Answer 6

I can't speak for British people, being an American, but I can speak partly for American people.

Personally, and this goes without saying, I truly do commend and respect the job that our soldiers do. I would buy a soldier a meal or give him/her my spot in line.

However, some of the things that you see, like "support our troops" stickers and American flag pins on our politicians suits are there more out of a sense of fear...fear of being called unpatriotic or unAmerican. These actions are only cosmetic. It is funny to see Americans argue back and forth (especially Democrats and Republicans) about whether or not the other side supports the troops. We all do! And I don't need a damn sticker or pin to prove it!

Answer 7

I went to America when I was in the Navy. Flew over to see friends whilst I was on leave. And you know what US immigration guards are like, no sense of humour, miserable greeting faced @rseholes normally. They asked my what I did for a living, I said I'm in the Royal Navy and produced my ID. It was like the sun rising. All of a sudden I'm whisked through immigration by a guard who's actually smiling.

When the Invincible visited New York a couple of years ago, all the lads were told they could go ashore in civvy clothes or they could wear dress uniform... Everyone wore uniform. And it was almost impossible to buy a drink while you were wearing it. We just got given them, no arguments allowed. New Yorkers really ran out the welcome mat because not only were we in the military, we were fighting alongside their guys. It was like being honorary US Navy. For a very brief moment I actually thought it might be worth applying to join the US Navy permanently.

In the UK, you say you're in the Navy, and someone has, in the past, called me 'baby killer.' Of course, that got a less than polite response (I was a matelot, not a bloody saint!) Normally you get something like complete apathy.

Our forces simply aren't valued by the public, mainly because we always get shat on by the government to do things the general population doesn't like.

Answer 8

some of us are patriotic & very proud of all our service personel & show our suport as much as we can & yes i have heard of soldiers being turned away from night clubs i was told by a bouncer its because if trouble starts there will be alot of people hurt if the soldier involved & the normal punters are easy to control,
there are a fair few places giving discounts burger king in moto service's do the AA do there is a site you can go on to view who does discounts DELL do a discount.
a lot of people i know in the motorcycle comunity are with you all the way & would be proud to buy you a beer as we do when we meet soldiers at rallys,
so take care mate we realy are proud of you,

Answer 9

I have Great admiration for people that have the gutz to join the army , especially now with all the wars and conflicts going on. I do agree Britain dont support their Soldiers enough , the Government included, the conditions some are made to live in are Disgusting.
You Guys are real Life Hero's and should be treated as such.

*hugz* for ya hun. xxx

Answer 10

Great Britain has already had their military period - they have conquered so many countries - but that was long ago, sort of "Been there done that, now let's move on". They were great during WWII, though - did a lot of battle, and and took many hits - in their own country, no less - long before we even entered that war.

So, give them that. Maybe a lot of folks don't consider the Iraq war a valid war - I don't - but I DO appreciate that you all are over there, if just because YOU feel it is the right thing to do. I didn't realize that you HAVE to be there, though - my friends and family who were killed and injured in Vietnam were drafted. Do we now have a draft?