What was the day that was?

Wednesday of last week was St. George's Day. But you'd never have known it. The flag outside my window was showing about as little enthusiasm for the day as the rest of the country appeared to be feeling.


When I had my interview with the English Speaking Union to spend the summer interning on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, one of the aspects of the questioning was how I'd be an ambassador for the UK. I mentioned that I'd like to portray the best aspects of the country to those I met. Predictably (although I hadn't appreciated that when I gave my previous answer), the next question was what I thought the best thing about Britain was. I fumbled, and never quite found the right words to describe what I wanted to pin down. As soon as I left the room I figure it out; British reserve. Regardless of whether people feel more 'English', 'Scottish', 'British' or even 'Cornish' there's a lot to be proud of in this country, but we don't shout about it. Perhaps we don't feel the need, or perhaps we're embarrassed to do so.

Just compare our 'celebrations' on St. George's Day with the celebrations in America on Independence Day. Of course, modesty should only go so far, and despite thinking that we've got a lot to be proud of in our British reserve, we've got a lot to be proud of in our country to, and we shouldn't be afraid to recognise that - even if for only one day a year.