British Passport
If theres one thing I've learned about this world, its what the British Passport allows you to do. People winge and complain that they cost £75 or whatever to get now, yet there are literally millions of people out there who would kill to get one. Most brits do not know quite how fortunate they are to have one of these. This little book with your photo on it almost allows you to travel anywhere, and stay in any european country. It is that internationally recognised proof that we are British and grants you rights above most other nations.
I would not be where I am in life today if it wasn't for my passport.
I cross a border every day to get to work, and literally sail through where as many other people I know daren't even go anywhere near that border - and this is 1600 miles away from the UK.

My British citizenship would be the first thing I'd save in a fire! Sorry for the lack of humour, but those who think their mobile phone is a cherished posession havnt got a clue.
(Miggyman, Wed 14 May 2008, 7:33, 15 replies)

Might I ask
which border?
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Wed 14 May 2008, 8:40, closed)

.
well its only Spain to Gibraltar :)
(Miggyman, Wed 14 May 2008, 8:46, closed)

with you on that one
i'm scottish and like most up here we know no form of racism - until it comes to the english that is - we even prefer the french!

however, i would not want to be staring down the barrel of an AK47 waving a Scottish Passport

i'm fine as a UK national thanks
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Wed 14 May 2008, 10:54, closed)

@spimf
I wouldn't say we Scots are immune to racism - although it's a much less serious problem than in many other parts, I still encounter people who dislike 'Pakis', which is of course a cover-all term to describe any person of Asian extraction.

But that said, integration here is generally better than in many areas of Britain, and I'm certainly in agreement with you that I would like to retain a British passport rather than a Scottish one. Although in my experience, it is sometimes useful to make the point that one is Scottish rather than English when travelling in Europe, especially France and Germany.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Wed 14 May 2008, 11:12, closed)

@K2 but i said 'like most'
tha vast majority of scots i know dont give a stuff what colour you are so long as you're not wearing a st georges cross t shirt - your in!

of course there is racism - but if you spend any time darn sarrf in that landan you feel racism is endemic

but your right - people turn their nose up in europe until you point out your scottish as opposed to english - but of course thats not the english's fault its them blaady pakis/poles/indian etc etc blah blah was a laaaverly neighborood yak yak.... just fucking drive the cab you cretinous nazi
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Wed 14 May 2008, 12:27, closed)

Being English myself
I haven't really experienced any particular problems when abroad. But then again, I'm not a flag-waving, nationalistic, boorish twat. I do possess an England shirt, but wouldn't dream of taking it on holiday with me - it's reserved for watching the footy in the pub (not this summer, though, the useful, overpaid arse-wits)!

And, I should also point out that I am only *just* English, hailing as I do from a market town on the England/Scots border (which, contrary to popular misconception is not still at war with Russia because of a technical oversight). And had I been born over 500 years ago, I would have been Scottish.

I like the Scots btw, and would always support them in a football match (assuming that they're not playing England, natch). One of my favourite pubs is the Scotsman's Lounge on Cockburn St in Edinburgh - always a warm welcome and good natured banter from the regulars. Being Northern probably helps though :-)
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 14 May 2008, 12:40, closed)

"Cockburn St"
Is that the red light district?
( Cawl, Wed 14 May 2008, 12:43, closed)

pffft!
Er, no...
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 14 May 2008, 12:51, closed)

@DG
Mr Chickenlady #1 was a Geordie and my father often described those hailing from around the Tyne as being simply Scotsmen with their heads kicked in.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Wed 14 May 2008, 12:52, closed)

I've heard that said as well
I've also heard Scotsmen described as Geordies with the sense kicked out of them.

Not a sentiment I subscribe to, I hasten to add!

Fortunately, I hail from around the Tweed, which means I merely have an identity crisis...
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 14 May 2008, 13:01, closed)

If Scotland were to become independent
which I don't actually want to happen, but if it did, I'd be quite happy for everywhere down to Tyneside to come in with us!
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Wed 14 May 2008, 13:04, closed)

Yay!
I do think that the Scots and those in the north east have a natural affinity for each each other. Probably cultural. Or in the case of the 80's and early 90's, having both taken it up the arse from the tories for way too long.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 14 May 2008, 13:07, closed)

Hate to break up the party like a true pedant,
but I would happily agree that there are literally hundreds of people out there willing to kill for a British passport, but millions?

Let's champion the use of the word "figuratively" when that is what we mean. Are you with me b3tans?
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Wed 14 May 2008, 13:14, closed)

Yes
I've told everyone a million times to stop exaggerating...
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 14 May 2008, 13:18, closed)

"and literally sail through"
What do you do if there's no wind? Do you have to row, or do you have a small engine for such occasions?
(theweapon never ever bloody anything ever, Thu 15 May 2008, 0:23, closed)