Cool Brittania: Patriotism rules once again.

Us Brits have always been fickle people. We have a notorious reputation for being hard to please and an insatiable appetite for moaning, and with our national media always quick to jump the gun on damning headlines, we probably don’t look too pretty to the rest of the world either.

Some people would attribute this to our lack of identity. Before this year the perception that British people shied away from their ‘Britishness’ burned bright in the eyes of others. I mean, there’s plenty of things that make Great Britain British, but it’s our inability to shout about it that has left the rest of the world wondering where our sense of pride has run away to.

There’s definitely lots of things that the UK is known for. We have the greatest poet of all time in William Shakespeare, the best rock ‘n’ roll music, the monarchy and of course the weather, just to name a few. I get a sneaky feeling however that everyone’s impression of us is somewhat out-dated. I fear that we’re imagined as all sounding like Hugh Grant, being able to visit the Queen whenever we wanted, all dressed in a smart suit complete with a bowler hat and an umbrella. Not only that, they must also think we must cosy up as a family every night eager for the next episode of Eastenders whilst tucking into fish and chips and a cup of tea. Whilst there is some truth in that, a lot of it I could imagine would have been the norm around fifty years ago, not in 2012.

What makes it so hard for us to embrace our country? There could be several reasons, with a notable one being that we are an alliance on four countries, with each one striving for it’s own sense of individuality and national pride. This can of course create tension between them, as we’ve seen with Scotland and England, with the Scots growing ever closer to becoming an independent nation.

The UK is also one of the most ethnically diverse countries on Earth, with London being branded as “the most multi-cultural city in the world”. It’s this multiculturalism and the waves of different ethnicities which have entered Great Britain that have divided the population’s opinion. A lot of the UK’s aboriginal inhabitants have made more than a few comments towards the government being too gracious about the number of foreigners they let reside in the country.

This has also led to the natives being stifled when they’d rather shout about their own country, with authorities too scared that it might upset other religions and ethnic backgrounds. One particular example of this is during sporting events, various taxi companies and other firms have been somewhat banned from displaying the British flag or St. George’s flag in their windows or cars. This obviously caused a lot of anger and widespread criticism amongst the British public with calls for a halt to the number of foreigners allowed in the country.

 So, with uproar garnering pace the question was posed: When would the British public be allowed to show their country off properly, and embrace it by showering it with decorations and millions of voices?

2012 is the answer. Throughout the whole year, the eyes of the world have been on us, watching eagerly. With both the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics on everyone’s agenda, it had been a long long time since Great Britain, and London, had been the centrepiece of the world. It’s easy to say that we performed, with the Jubilee an extravagant yet appropriate commemoration of our monarch, and the 2012 Games described as the “greatest Olympics ever”. However, did we ourselves get enough room to scream about it at the top of our lungs, or were we restricted to yet another whisper?

Not in my lifetime have I ever seen a greater display of patriotism in this country before. Everywhere you went this summer everyone was embracing the atmosphere, hugging it tight and not letting go until it was absolutely necessary. Name a decoration, and it was there. Bunting was laden from rooftop to rooftop, flags were in every shop window, and the streets were crammed full of people when the slightest whiff of anything to do with a British event was on the cards. The country was like a vicar rediscovering his faith, a blind person now being able to see.

 From a personal point of view, it’s amazing to be able to see the country being let loose on expressing itself, showing the world it’s true colours. There were no controversies, no public disagreements between ethnic minorities, which just makes you wonder what the authorities were moaning about. Then again, they are British and it’s what we’re best at.

Great Britain and it’s people seem like they have found their voice again. If you ask me, I’m looking forward to us further rejoicing in what makes Great Britain great again.