Now this is just disrespecting Britain...

Originally Posted by anna

I´m afraid to say that not many English abroad would do.

No country has a monopoly of ignorant people. I expect there are lots of ignorant Brits, and if they show disrespect to other countries when applying for citizenship they should be sent back here. Do I take it that you agree with the original point that it's disrespectful not to stand for the anthem at your citizenship ceremony?

Originally Posted by CoolGirl

does this apply to the indigenous population who choose to do the same? Where would you send them?

I'd adopt the US & Canada system of state welfare. You pay into the system according to your earnings. You get full benefits for some months, then it gets halved. after a few months later you have run your emergency state pot dry, and you're forced back into work, to topup your state welfare package again, and to recontribute yourself back into society... My cousin in Toronto says they're strict on welfare cheques, and you've to meet their criteria, and attend assessments every couple of months so the welfare staff can physically see you're not screwing them for money. The IRS in America work on the same setup.. don't pay back any overdues monies, and they'll take your goods to reclaim the money at auctions.... even your house

There's very few exemptions over there when it comes to lifetime free full state benefits. Only the critically ill / disabled, etc etc get the full package. Before you get any benefits, you are interviewed to see how much the welfare man will allow you....

Encourages you to work, and keep a job.

[Biker Biggles]

No I think this is tokenism.What Im interested in is whether these people are going to contribute to their new environment or just take from it.I dont think you can expect a whole new mindset from them.If I went to live in France,I wouldnt suddenly start to think of Trafalgar and Waterloo as huge military defeats.And Id still regard General De Gualle as a comedy sketch figure with that silly hat.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

No I think this is tokenism.What Im interested in is whether these people are going to contribute to their new environment or just take from it.I dont think you can expect a whole new mindset from them.If I went to live in France,I wouldnt suddenly start to think of Trafalgar and Waterloo as huge military defeats.And Id still regard General De Gualle as a comedy sketch figure with that silly hat.

Neither would I, but if I got citizenship I would stand when they play La Marseillaise and would shake hands with le mayor of le ville where I choose to live

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Well Oiled

No country has a monopoly of ignorant people. I expect there are lots of ignorant Brits, and if they show disrespect to other countries when applying for citizenship they should be sent back here.

There are a lot of ignorant brits. My best mate accepted to live like the French when she moved over there, shes turned her back on the UK.. she can't stand the ignorant lot that she unfortunately has to call aquaintances over there, that lord it about like the archetypal englishman.
If you live in a country, you should adapt to the ways of the land. I'm sure when the mayor of her town accepted her and her family, they shook hands, and spoke French (she only speaks English on the phone to here these days and in her own home of course)

[Biker Biggles]

I probably would as well,but I wouldnt worry too much about those who dont.

[anna]

Originally Posted by Well Oiled

Do I take it that you agree with the original point that it's disrespectful not to stand for the anthem at your citizenship ceremony?

I think it is a bit stupid. Fancy just gaining your citizenship not to then stand and pay tribute to that country that has just let you in.

Not sure if I agree in sending them back only on the basis of this one event.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

I probably would as well,but I wouldnt worry too much about those who dont.

To me it's not about having to live as I live and having to like the things I like. For example there are a lot of Polish immigrants in Derby. I wouldn't expect them to cheer for England when they play Poland. but if we say it's ok for immigrants to effectively put two fingers up to the country they are applying to enter, it's just wrong.

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

There are a lot of ignorant brits. My best mate accepted to live like the French when she moved over there, shes turned her back on the UK.. she can't stand the ignorant lot that she unfortunately has to call aquaintances over there, that lord it about like the archetypal englishman.
If you live in a country, you should adapt to the ways of the land. I'm sure when the mayor of her town accepted her and her family, they shook hands, and spoke French (she only speaks English on the phone to here these days and in her own home of course)

I'd consider it an honour to stand up for another country's national anthem, and to shake the mayors hand if I was being offered citizenship in a foreign land. Then you adopt and change to how the locals work and live. You wouldn't expect to be spoken to in english all the time when living in or visiting France, wouldn't you??? At least learn the lingo, that way the locals can see you are trying to adapt, and they respect you more, and even help you. Speak in constant english in France, and you're almost certainly going to be called ignorant...and be ignored most of the time..

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by jimmy4237

Speak in constant english in France, and you're almost certainly going to be called ignorant...and be ignored most of the time..

And deserve it too.