Not only from textbooks but from videos, they keep saying that people from different countries dislike to be called as a British.
There is a question: Do you prefer the name rooted from your own country rather than British? And please tell me your reason.
I just want to know people's real thought and don't wish to trigger any conflict.
Thank you for your responses.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island (the full name) is a country comprised of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Island.
The British Isles is actually a geographical term, rather than a political entity. It includes the United Kingdom, Ireland and other islands.
Then there are the British Islands, which refers to the UK and Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, which are not actually part of the UK.
Then there is Great Britain which is the name of the island containing England, Scotland and Wales.
Don't worry if you're confused, I think we all are, and I'm from London!
You're right that the Welsh, Scots and the Irish have distinct cultures. I think that technically they are British, as they live in the British isles, but that they probably prefer to be called Welsh, Scottish or Irish. I think that what they hate is to be called English, which they are definitely not.
I don't think that many scottish/welsh/northern irish people get upset when they're called British. They are British, after all. Calling them <em>English </em>will upset them, because that's an entirely different thing.
I suppose there are some nationalists in NI (and Scotland these days) that would take particular offense at being called British, but they're in the minority.
Speaking as an Englishman, I consider myself English before British.
Do I understand your question correctly if I think you mean the Scots and Welsh don't like to be called British? Could you clarify?
I agree with Niall, I think there are very few English, Welsh, Scottish or Irish people that would strongly object to being referred to as British...but woe betide you if referred to the Welsh, Scottish or Irish as 'English' as the terms are definitely not synonymous.
I think (and refer to myself) as English first and foremost, rather than British. Until quite recently the English didn't seem to be particularly bothered about whether they were called English or British, but nationalism seems to be on the rise (perhaps in response to Scottish, Welsh and Irish nationalism and anti-Englishness), which means that people are more inclined nowadays to refer to themselves as English rather than British (at least in my experience).
You'll also notice a greater amount of St George flags on display in England these days, as opposed to the Union Jack which is the flag of the United Kingdom.
A referendum relating to the age of voting in Scotland
