As a patriotic Brit I often wonder what the world would be like without Britain. Would Europe be all French or German? Would the USA exist? Would what, would have been the commonwealth be locked in the dark ages? Would we have experienced QUEEN and the BEATLES? and finally, where would the french go on holiday?
212973
Very good question. \n\nLet's see. There would not have been any punk, no Iron Maiden, no Def Leppard, no Judas Priest, no Sex Pistols, etc, etc, etc. There would not have been no drop dead gorgeous Jaguar XKE, Aston Martin DB4, Land Rovers, Mini Coopers (although its creator was Turkish), no Lotus Elan, Lotus Esprit, Triumphs, Rolls-Royces or Bentleys. There would not have been many things that all the world enjoys. But at least, without England, Northern Ireland would have been free.\n\nBut let's see other variants: \n\nCanada would have ended up all French or part French and Spanish or maybe even Mexican.\n\nThe USA could have been a huge colony of Spain, which in turn could have ended up as another Latin country (or countries), or maybe even Mexican (remember that a huge portion of present day western USA belonged to México).\n\nPart of the USA also could have ended up French, for the French owned a huge chunk of central North America (remember the Louisiana Purchase).\n\nHad Europe ended up all French, there would have definitely been better cooking in the British Isle.\n\nWithout England, the world would have never known those lovely red phone booths.\n\nAlso, no James Bond or Mr Bean.\n\nYes my friend. Your question is definitely food for thought.
117662
Most European nations were over run by the Nazis in WW2 and the French were at the front line on Hitler's plans to invade England. Some nations stayed nuetral, however Hitler was intent on not only conquering these nations, but plundering them as well.
134863
That is a question I could ask myself.I am no European, It is just that nobody really seems to know-and I'm in Florida!My car broke down in a touristy area in Orlando,so I stayed the night.A lot of people had on these huge,thick overcoats-they themselves were huge.Not fat, just gigantic.They would give you a serious look and stare into your eyes,like "You vill giff me your identity papers plees."More than a few times I have seen and actually talked to English people and it was alway a joy.Just to hear the nearly same language spoken differently is unceasingly interesting.Plus a lot of Britishers are moving to my area and I'm glad.At least they are nearly civilized.I actually prefer them to the crude,violent,refuse-to-be-educated barbarians I grew up with.Nobody ever talks about Europe that I know of,it doesn't seem at all important.Oh,sure some rich wife of a local politician went to Prague on vacation.That's all we ever heard about for three months afterword.She didn't say pray-eg,she said prog,like frog....oops and about the French......... The dimwits in America[north america the place with all the Mexicans]believe everything the t.v. tells them.It is frightening.I have a little better grasp of history,having a intense interest in it.The French are a very romantic and heroic people, who sacrificed everything including their own lives in the war and helped Americans.They are notorious for being rude and deodorant free.The last thing I heard about Spain was they were the most polite.I had a boss that went there evey year,it was his favorite thing to do.My personal opinion has not much experience,never been there,and nobody knows a thing about that place.A former "colonist".
216395
Its true that many US people do have bad steriotypes about the british. But those r only french-americans or people who side with the french. Most of the french r a snotty bunch of assholes. Both america and the UK helped them out in WW 1 and 2 yet they arent grateful. Any way it isnt most americans but the reason some do is cuz there different. People here dont know many if any British people so they only know what movies potray. Movies like Austin Powers. Im sure that there are steriotypes of americans in the UK . Like that we eather have a thick new york/ bostan accents or hick southern accents. There are mixes of different accents just as there are in Britain. But any way the french should change there flag 2 a white 1
330588
I am an American...was born and raised in Michigan....I am currently living in England about 45 min from London.  Its alright...it rains alot....but there is alot of history here and its really cool to see some of the old castles.  The Tower Of London is great but Stonehenge really wasn't that impressive.
377918
HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE IN THE UK DO YOU REALLY THINK WANT TO GO INTO EUROPE.....ANSWER ...NOT MANY.......STUFF THE KRAUTS AND THE FROGS....WE ARE BRITISH AND PROUD OF IT.........AND I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT THE GOOSE STEP....LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
298649
I would emigrate over to Europe, the Netherlands.  I love the country, I have friends and family there.  I appreciate the laws and freedoms this country has.  Its history and present are beautiful.  I dont think i would pick another place.
144719
USA No 1!!! U.S.A, U.S.A!!! Yeeeaaahh!! Whooo!!\n\nWhat's an "italy" or a "portugal"? I know what an "england" is, that's something you tie on a lead and drag into warzones so that you're not in it on your own.\n\nBrad Friedel Brian Mcride for president of UK and Brian Mcride for UK first lady!!!!
590261
The United States would go into chaos if we had a monarchy! Most people don't have a clue about how the royal families work, or Parliament, for that matter (if you are saying we should have royalty like the U.K.). To change our way way of existence as a nation to having a royal family would be a complete 180.\n\nWho would be our king and queen, anyway? Brangelina?
268662
I don't think England would be wise to give up the monetary system they currently have. Joining the Euro system would be the same as using the American dollar. You would be assimilated, with no identity then. I am an American, and I don't like the fascism going on with the Republicans, and the current Bush Administration. Americans wont go along with it for to long without a revolt, and I see that happening really soon.
167165
Seeing that God Save The Queen is the national anthem of the United Kingdom as a whole, it would perhaps be good if each of the constituent nations adopt a song as a "national" anthem when they play internationals since they play as seperate countries anyway. I think Land of Hope and Glory would be a perfect choice for England.
660790
What about the uk Ideally suited.They already follow uncle sam blindly,they have influence with australia,canada.new zealand and others. Mind you they are a constitutional monarchy..Would this be a problem?The brits won't give up thier sovereign
462578
(nb I'm an American and unabashed Anglophile).  I wish the UK were closer to North America so it could be a natural trading partner of NAFTA rather than the EU.  The military alliance between the UK and US is very strong; would that we could have the same relationship vis a vis trade.  (The "EU Citizens" and "All Others" lines at British airports make me cringe: When I visit the UK, I'd like to have the same legal status a Frenchman or Pole has, rather than being lumped in with the Mongolians and "all others.")  \n\n I've long maintained that the US would be a nicer nation if it had been a British territory for about another hundred years, the way Canada was.  We'd have gotten rid of slavery a lot sooner, might have been able to avoid the Civil War and might have gotten industrialized a little faster if we'd had direct British influence.  \n\n In establishing Rhodes Scholarships, Cecil Rhodes hoped to draw the US into the British Commonwealth by exposing the cream of US academia to Oxford.  How I wish he'd succeeded...
647342
Without Britain, America's staunchest ally in Europe becomes Poland.\n\nIf Britain were to join the EU, America would be up in arms.\n\nAt the UN, Britain regularly sides with the US, and can help convince other countries who don't like America and wouldn't side with America to at least side with Britain.\n\nSo, in terms of strategic diplomacy and global influence, Britain is very beneficial to America.
22656
What do you mean exactly, by saying the US is #1 Nation?\n\nHow do you compare Nations? Are Americans better than the British or the Dutch, or everyone?\n\nIt's a powerful country, perhaps the most powerful though. Nice and all. And they do make good movies. And invented the fast food chains.\n\nI think if your scenario happens and all countries are attacked with the same force. And the US didn't stand up to the occasion. I can only think of one country that would go unharmed.\n\nThe beautiful Switzerland. Even the Aliens keep their money there;)
475400
i think that our character is basically tolerant, humourous, religiously and democratically apathetic and yet, strangely, determined.  i think that if our status quo is threatened our innate ( as much as a hybrid race can have an innate character ) but well hidden belicosity emerges.  things that provoke us are political and religious extremism ( including that dumbass american evangelical christianity ), aggression of any sort by others and challenge to our common belief in freedom of speech.  we're alright really, doing fine.  some may hate us at the moment but we'll win them round .  i'm proud to be british.  proud to be english as much as that matters and, here's where i'll lose even some of my fellow english... proud to be european.
347016
I'm British.\n\nI technically am English, but I have some Irish Blood. I feel that I am British by birth, and am from the same nation as a Scotsman, a Welshman and a Northern Irishman. We are four Countries united into one Nation. I bear a Union Flag with pride from my window and on my clothes (in fact, wherever I can), I don't own a St George's Flag.\n\nI am a serving member of the RAF and have very good friends from all walks of life and from all of the Countries that make up Great Britain. I am a patriot and am proud of my British roots.