Are you 'Proud to be British'?

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by Steve Robinson

I, like many other YD'ers, spent a number of years in HM Forces; surely, a flag waiving, patriotic profession?

If the others are like me, this is something that we hold a passionate sense of achievement about. If you have never served and don't understand then, please do not condemn us for this.

However, as already stated by other YD'ers (maybe in a different way), the sense of patriotism that is bourn from military service (with the best in the world), is more to do with our own perceptions of what the Union Flag stands for and what we and our friends stood for, than simple, blind belief in a piece of cloth.

Off the soapbox now - feel free to slate me.

I wont slate you for that, never been in (properly-Medicalled out 2 days into basic) but fully understand where you are coming from.

[NeilB]

I moved out of the UK 7 years ago. It was a two year contract to start but I have never found a good enough reason to leave and go back to the UK. Now, if I am honest, I don't see myself living in the UK again. As a European I can live and work anywhere in Europe....so many places, so little time.

Moving abroad gives you a new persective on life. I've not regreted a minute of it and I think it has made my children into more worldy wise people....so many cultures, languages and ways of doing things.

You soon realise that if you have £1500 you can get a 40 foot container and move your whole house contents anywhere in the world in three weeks. Home is where my stuff is......

[Mark Chase]

I didn’t choose the UK I was born here I don’t feel any great love or hate. I dislike the weather most of all if we had seasons it would be OK but nothing is reliable. I hate the scrounging sh!ts I have to pay so much bloody tax to support, I hate the "F#ck you pall it’s not my problem" attitude of most people in the south and I hate the fact you need a LOT of money to lead a comfortable life here.

I love the convenience of being able to get almost anything I need in hours or overnight, I love the vast choice available to me in all things and I love the fact I know if I get seriously ill it won’t bankrupt my family.

I would miss these things in most country’s I would like to live in and I would definitely miss the diving in the UK as it is the most interesting in the world.

I definitely will not be in the UK past 50 years of age and I might be leaving a lot sooner than that.

ATB

Mark Chase