How we are perceived

I have been dwelling on the last few days of the Euro's and talking with people i work with. I work in a global organization so in the past few days i have spoken with many people from Switzerland, Finland, Argentina, Italy, Thailand, USA, Malaysia, Spain, and more.

Its so sad to hear how we are perceived. There has been an undercurrent of negative perception but this event and final gave us an opportunity to either emphasize the positives about England or dispel the history. Unfortunately it has amplified the negatives. Fans fighting, charging barriers, running on the pitch, lazer pens, scrapping in bars, trashing cities and facilities, blatant racism, lack of leadership from government etc. The conversations have been hard to take, but unfortunately we are seen as a violent and racist society who lack respect and with weak governance.

I feel sad about this as while some will say they don't care about how we are perceived, i actually do care. I am not talking about comparisons with others and minority event I'm talking how we - the English are perceived. I want to be associated with and been seen as part of a successful society that's the envy of others, an aspirational culture that has respect, diversity and dignity at the core. Where others want to see events held here and to visit our nation. Right now its exactly the opposite.

 

Or is that how our media and the worlds media sees us.?

 

And it is an extremely sad, but not new, state of affairs. Living in Ireland I see it all the time.

A personal example - I was fortunate enough to go to France 98 in the unique position of tickets with Scottish fans, in the Brazilian "end" for the opening game. The two days leading up to the game Paris was party central. Celebrating football fans everywhere. Just superb. The game itself was brilliant, my Scottish friends didn't even mind the result, as they had gone 1-0 up initially. I also met Rangers/Celtic and Hibs/Hearts fans who weren't killing each other ! Their explanation ? "Of course we get on, cos it makes the English look worse"

Three days later English fans in Marseille, running battles with police and North Africans etc etc. I am in Paris going to other games (Jamaica/Croatia was a particular highlight) and meeting other fans. My introduction, "Hi, I'm Richard, I'm English, I'm very sorry. " How embarrassing and humiliating is that.

There is so much to be proud of about England - the scenery, rural life, the sporting excellence, the civility, the deprecation, the dark humour, the literature, the art, the music, the comedy, the theatre, the tradition, the working classes etc etc etc.

And what do the rest of the world think of us ? Yobs, racism, drunks, vandalism topped off by putting fireworks in your arse.

 

England is on a par with US for online hatred.

Such is life , not sure what can be done turn it around , as the folk who misbehave seem to get very good press.

 

Ever since I have been living out of UK , I dont remember saying I am English.
Nothing really in it just say I am from UK or British, then if asked whereabouts I would say Northern England.

 

It’s how a lot of us see us….

 

We don't deserve to host the world cup in my opinion. If we can't behave, give it someone else. Olympics went fine, too many neanderthal footy fans who spoil it time and time again. I don't want it over here.

 

Some there but for the grace of God go I from some of those countries you mention.

 

Didn't he say ' i have spoken with many people from...' implies this is first hand information.

 

Harsh realities.

World Cups and Euros should also only be in Countries that its difficult or expensive to get to.

 

I rather doubt any "fans" of that type be going.

Pity England didnt qualify for US World Cup , we coulda got lucky and we might have had a purge of idiots

 

We have never really been liked for centuries, we have commited some barbaric acts in the name of imperialism and commoweailh in the past,,we've raped countries of their natural resources in the name of wealth for the elites. Unfortunatley there are still sections of society that still believe we rule world and want to carry on trying to prove it. Xenophobia is rife at the moment which is being egged on by our right wing politicians like Farge, Johnson, Patel et al, Unfortunatly I can't see it changing any time soon.

 

If the media stopped for a period of time i can guarantee the majority of the worlds issues and problems would also stop.

 

Ah Qatar. The bastion of human rights.

 

There will be views based on experience and views based on pure perception that can be framed through the prisms they view us through. Just like how some view Europe, or Scotland or Wales, or "Asia" etc. because of the media they watch it through.

The actions surrounding some of the Euros is nothing new though. There has been a societal decay in this country for some time and its been exacerbated even more since the last change of "leader".

There are some good people in this country, but we have some absolute scum. And we also have a significant polite undercurrent of supremacy. It doesn't take much to scratch at it for it to reveal itself. It could be forgiven for being seen as an exuberant pride, but it's not. You see pride in other countries. The joy in people as you start to see what they see, experience what they experience.

Here, it's all too common to aim to be better, not to share, even when it's evident we're not better. A boastful projection of empire to the modern day, despite many countries being significantly better and more forward thinking, despite being lesser in size.

We seem to be veering much more down the American path and that saddens me hugely.

We've a huge divide in this country and I don't know how it will be bridged. But while ever we have the current ascendency, we'll continue to be rightly viewed as we are by anyone with decency to the forefront of their values and morality.

 

History is indeed a tough business , Industrial Revolution powered by plundering India.

Not sure its easy to re-write, as not not much positive spin can be put on it.

Thats how it was at the time though , and happens its been the wqy throughout history until I think the emd of WW2 , where many folks decided being a Colony wasnt for them.

 

The 55-year old Millwall "No Surrender to the IRA" fans haven't got infirm enough yet to stop attending games

We should be taking heart from the reactions of the younger generation of players (Rashford etc) and the reactions of other, younger fans (claps drowning out the BLM boos) to know that this behaviour is on borrowed time. I'm personally happy to stand aside for the 'woke' next generation now, they appear to be acting with far more responsibility and good-intentions than many of my peers.

 

There are a lot more countries that dont care about Human Rights , in the Western definition, than do.

 

I must admit I have a tendency to say I'm from Yorkshire rather than English. Sad state of affairs.