A serious question for the Americans

If someone wants to not do business with someone over their political choices, it just means another customer will come along and take their place. I think people value their own "status" too much. Everyone is replacable in business transactions. I can assure you that my hairdresser would not suffer if I never darkened her doorstep again. If you have a good working relationship with someone and end it over conflicting beliefs that have nothing to do with the product/service the only one likely to suffer is you because you've got to go out and find someone else to provide the same product or service.

Becky

As far as national anthems go.

I think that really shows the difference between Americans and Brits with pretty much the rest of the world. Hard as it is to believe, we have an incredible amount of love for our countries and natinal anthems. some may see it as arrogance. i like to call it pride.

Anyone who doesn't show God Save the Queen the respect it deserves in my presence will regret it.

You can hate the government. Don't hate the country.

I pretty much disagree and despise everything to do with Scottish nationalism but I'll still stand to Flower of Scotland out of respect when it's played.

Same here.

and why is that?

you're got to remembet tyhat what's "normal" to you isn;t necesarilly normal to others.

Just a point to think about

Why do I have to remember this? I know it. Really, I only stated what it is like here. I didn't comment on it.
Actually, I quite like that the British or the Americans celebrate their anthems. But it is almost impossible here. Just like it is rather unusual to put out the flag on national holiday or.. at all (with the exception of sports).

I would say it's because of our history. It is not that we are not proud of our country, we had just never been taught or encouraged to show it publicly because of our dark epoch back then.
If you watch the national football team singing the anthem, well they do sing but I feel there is always some sort of shame in their faces as well.

because you'd be called a nazi that's why

Travel a little Jim, and you'll see a lot of people proud of their country and anthem. Especially "young" countries as about the whole American continent.
Also scandinavian countries, or at least Norway put the flag out quite easily.

I believe it's also the case in a lot of Asian countries.

As for France, I'd say we're more chauvinistic than patriotic, and I'm fine with it because imo Patriotism is as much responsible of atrocities as Religion.

Ponrauil

Jim has travelled, he's been to the Canary Islands. That's why he knows what it is like in the rest of the world.

Exquisite....like a fine wine...Sarcasm to be savored

haha.