Do you consider Britain to really be a part of Europe?

[RobThePrezodent]

I was just wondering this, because although it technically is, I don't really consider it to be. If I was talking to my friends about going on holiday and I said I'm going to Europe (FYI I'm British) then there wouldn't be any confusion. Or we could talk about Europeans, and we would generally assume that to refer to people from what I'll call "mainland Europe", rather than including Brits.
So this is just to find out what everyone else thinks about the matter

 

[Zach94]

Yeah, i think that the UK is part of Europe but like you said, if someone says "mainland Europe", i would know they are not talking about Britain.

 

[thest3alth]

Uh, yeah. We're part of the EU, we're closer to the heart of Europe that say Norway is anyway (IE, Brussels). At the end of the day we fit on the map with half an Ocean to spare.

So... yeah.

 

[El Poncho]

I guess it's because we're an island, although if someone asked me to name a european country, Britain wouldn't come to my mind until i'm running out of countrys.

 

[Azraellod]

I think they are merely very close allies.

I think that Britain having it's own separate currency from the rest of Europe gives it a substantial enough difference to be considered separate from Europe.

 

[Lord George]

Only geographically, politically and cultural wise we want nothing to do with those odd food eating people.

 

[Desert Tiger]

Technically, yeah.

But I wouldn't like to think so.

 

[Soxafloppin]

I do, the same way N.Ireland is part of the U.K.

 

[Saskwach]

Ever since Britain's last ties to the continent were cut (Norman rulers having their last French holdings taken; and the Anglican Church) it's always had an island mentality. "This is England, that's Europe, and we'd appreciate it if things stay that way." England's military mindset, for instance, developed into keeping the balance of power in the continent - never letting one single mainland power having free reign, as it would inevitable turn to face England. In a way, though, that mindset reflected that England knew it was inextricably linked to the rest of Europe. It just wanted to keep those ties loose.

 

[akmarksman]

yeah it is..

as is Australia..like England's long lost cousin no one wants to acknowledge.

Dr.House said it best

House: I assume "minimal at best" is your stiff upper lip British way of saying "no chance in hell"?
Dr. Chase: I'm Australian.
House: You put the Queen on your money. You're British.

 

[J-Alfred]

Honestly, no. I don't. I've always thought of Britain and all the other Isles as the "United Kindom" (no, not being sarcastic), mainly just because they are not part of mainland Europe and have the inexplicable ability to withstand Nazi invasions. I've honestly never thought of Russia as part of Europe either.

 

[Amnestic]

We're linked to the EU and there's nothing that's going to change that in the near, forseeable future. Dropping out of such ties would have a devestating effect on us (Hyperbole? You decide!). That said, we're almost certianly the most isolationist country in the EU, probably due to the whole "Island" thing we've got going on.

As soon as they approve my "Bridge to France" proposal, that will all change.

yeah it is..

as is Australia..like England's long lost cousin no one wants to acknowledge.

Dr.House said it best

House: I assume "minimal at best" is your stiff upper lip British way of saying "no chance in hell"?
Dr. Chase: I'm Australian.
House: You put the Queen on your money. You're British.

Which is doubly amusing when you know that Hugh Laurie is an Englishman.

 

[ma55ter_fett]

Technicly yes but, britian is seperated from the mainland, they have there own currency, and if I went there I could understand what they are saying.

 

[HE Starwind]

I like to think Britian is it's own, the EU are trying to steal our pound! Never shall we revert to Euros! Let's make war!

 

[oppp7]

Ya, it is part of Europe. It's in the EU, and is close to the continent.

 

[Amnestic]

Technicly yes but, britian is seperated from the mainland, they have there own currency, and if I went there I could understand what they are saying.

To be fair, if you went to most European countries, the vast majority of people would understand what you're saying. Especially Holland. Being even passably adept at speaking English seems to be a compulsory learning for most European countries these days. While their vocabulary might not be as wide and they'll stumble to understand some words, their grammar is often far superior to native UK residents simply because of the way they were taught.

Which makes it all the more embarassing for us well spoken chaps when said foreigners come over here and realise that most Englishmen (read: chavs) can't string two sentences together without using a vulgarity.

/Oh my yes, I would love some tea Jeeves.
//Bring the scones as well would you? Jolly good.

 

[Fraught]

So what if it is separated? That doesn't matter anything. Also, my county is part of EU, but still has its own currency (for now).

 

[The Rockerfly]

Technically yes but we don't follow many of their rules
We don't use their currency
and we're not even on the same landmass