What does British culture have that Irish culture doesn't?

[Johnzy]

To all the pro-British posters in the NI section - why would I as a Catholic(hate to use backward religious labels like this but will for easiness) even think about going pro-Brit and when I mean that I don't mean upholding a union or marching about I mean "accepting" the British culture and history of in Ireland as my own and embrace it? without any sectarianism involved.

Basically looking at from a completely neutral point of vew - why would someone want to be British and not Irish OR even be Irish-British instead of just Irish?

[Stíofán]

What does British culture have that Irish culture doesn't?

Coronation Street and Man United. Eeegit

[Magror14]

I don't want to be British but I am severely jealous of their history and the vastness of their cultural heritage. Last Sunday, I was watching "Antique Roadshow" which was from the Spencer's house. All you can say is "Wow!". The irony is that Britain is a treasure trove of European history but now they are turning their back on Europe. A pity.

[Trefor]

To all the pro-British posters in the NI section - why would I as a Catholic(hate to use backward religious labels like this but will for easiness) even think about going pro-Brit and when I mean that I don't mean upholding a union or marching about I mean "accepting" the British culture and history of in Ireland as my own and embrace it? without any sectarianism involved.

Basically looking at from a completely neutral point of vew - why would someone want to be British and not Irish OR even be Irish-British instead of just Irish?

Benny Hill, Prince Charles, Daily Sport, Big Brother, Jade Goodwin, Posh Spice, Mr Gay UK, the amazing vomiting copulating John Prescott, Mills & Boon, The New Statesman, the Daily Telegraph, Eddie the Eagle, Jordan - the list is endless my friend.

[jfk2008]

They've got a long proud history of helping other peoples around the world by bringing the benefits of British civilization to them - building railways, schools, hospitals, developing a civil service and ehmmmmmm, killing people, enslaving them, stealing their land, destroying their cultures, taking their natural resources, causing famines, bringing in discriminatory laws and generally showing Johnny Foreigner just how superior the British and their way of life is.*

Ireland just can't compete.

*As people can see from this list, the British Empire had its pros and cons. Perhaps the cons just very, very slightly outweighed the pros - what do you think? (Note: this is sarcasm).

[White Horse]

To all the pro-British posters in the NI section - why would I as a Catholic(hate to use backward religious labels like this but will for easiness) even think about going pro-Brit and when I mean that I don't mean upholding a union or marching about I mean "accepting" the British culture and history of in Ireland as my own and embrace it? without any sectarianism involved.

Basically looking at from a completely neutral point of vew - why would someone want to be British and not Irish OR even be Irish-British instead of just Irish?

Do you choose your nationality?

[jfk2008]

People from Northern Ireland can choose, can't they?

[Johnzy]

People from Northern Ireland can choose, can't they?

Yes

[CelticAtheist]

What does British culture have that Irish culture doesn't?

Coronation Street and Man United. Eeegit

Choose a more Irish team. Like Liverpool or Everton...

[badinage]

A random selection:

1. Politics is more professional. As a Dubliner, Irish 'parish politics' makes me cringe, Questions and Answers disappoints me (watching the leader of the opposition just talk over his opponents to prevent them responding to his point is just childish) compared to the BBC version, there's a genuine left-right split (unlike our FF sitting in power by buying off the Unions while in the pocket of the property developers), and of course their prime minister would have resigned years earlier than Bertie had there been such a scandal.

2. UK civil service and public sector culture is less amatuer and crippling on their economy than ours

3. UK foreign policy and armed forces are incomparable.

4. UK police and other state bodies (including the BBC) are more professional than the ROI equivalents.

5. Broadsheet newspapers are far superior.

6. Villages are prettier and more pleasant.

7. Life feels less 'provincial' than in Ireland.

Having said all that, I prefer living here because:

1. UK is socially corrupt - divorce and infidelity are par for the course, and many of my English friends (being a child of bitter failed marriages) simply have no intention of getting married

2. UK has a problem with ethnic minorities, including virtual ghetto areas in certain cities now

3. Crime seems more severe (though I've no stats to back this up)

4. Despite our reputation, we hold our drink better than they do - Dublin city centre at midnight on a warm Friday evening is a far more respectable place than most English cities would be.

5. There is a greater community spirit here

6. Dublin is far less of a terrorist target than London.