Nationalities

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:35 pm

What Nationality are you?

Do you celebrate any of your heritages? If so.. in what ways?

Do you feel you have any of the "stereotypical traits" associated with your nationalities?

Let's share a little bit of our "background" and what makes us who we are...

babygirl · Post by **babygirl** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:39 pm

I am british, we celebrate easter,birthdays,bonfirenight,april fools day,st patricks day, christmas, new year. and a few more that i cant remember at mo.....

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:42 pm

Ooh, I like this topic, LadyBug!!

I am Native American, (Cherokee and Blackfoot) with a bit of French tossed in the mix somewhere.

I am looking to learn the Blackfoot language, and there is an annual Big Game dinner/fund raiser that I go to every year to support my tribe. I'm not as involved in the culture as I'd like to be, though.

Stereotypical traits abound in my race. First and foremost is that we are all alcoholics. Well...er...umm...is it a stereotype if it actually applies to you? :yh_rotfl (BTW, I quit drinking, as most regulars here know and are probably SICK TO DEATH of hearing about....)

Sorry gang!!

My great-grandfather was ashamed of his heritage and refused to acknowledge it, so my "pedigree" is impossible to prove. Dammit.

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:44 pm

I am mostly Polish... (from my dad's side of the family) and a good portion of Irish (from my mom's side).

I also have a tad of German and a teeny bit Russian in me as well... (from my maternal grandfather)

-------

When I was younger... we celebrated some of the Polish Traditions around the Xmas Holidays -- the "traditional" Xmas Eve dinner, etc.

And we always make note of St. Patty's Day -- always wear green... and my mom makes a special "irish" dinner... the corned beef and the whole nine yards!

--------

As for "traits" -- I definitely have the "irish look" -- the very pale skin... freckles.. and naturally black hair.

I guess I can say that I have that "Irish temper" too... :sneaky: ... Watch Out!! LOL Just kiddin' -- I rarely let it show... takes alot of 'button-pushing' to get me THAT mad... but when I do -- L O O K O U T!! (tee-hee)

But I am not the "Irish drunk".. :wah: Just the occasional drunk... LOL (social drinker)

Sometimes I may come across as a "dumb Pollock"... but that's far from the truth. Confusion just comes easily for me.. :p LOL So I guess I tend to "favor" more of my Irish heritage than anything else....

David813 · Post by **David813** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:45 pm

I think I've mentioned this in other threads but I'm Swedish and Dutch in origin. My Swede side came to the states in 1847. The Dutch side (my mother's) came in 1905. We don't have any special holidays that other Americans don't celebrate but we're really into ABBA!!! :guitarist

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:46 pm

Angel chocobo wrote: I am british, we celebrate easter,birthdays,bonfirenight,april fools day,st patricks day, christmas, new year. and a few more that i cant remember at mo.....

What is "bonfirenight"??

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:50 pm

BabyRider wrote: Ooh, I like this topic, LadyBug!!

I am Native American, (Cherokee and Blackfoot) with a bit of French tossed in the mix somewhere.

I am looking to learn the Blackfoot language, and there is an annual Big Game dinner/fund raiser that I go to every year to support my tribe. I'm not as involved in the culture as I'd like to be, though.

Stereotypical traits abound in my race. First and foremost is that we are all alcoholics. Well...er...umm...is it a stereotype if it actually applies to you? :yh_rotfl (BTW, I quit drinking, as most regulars here know and are probably SICK TO DEATH of hearing about....)

Sorry gang!!

My great-grandfather was ashamed of his heritage and refused to acknowledge it, so my "pedigree" is impossible to prove. Dammit.

Oooh.. I LOVE the Native American Culture!! Always have.. must've been one in a past life or something..

LOL

And good for you about quitting drinking!!

babygirl · Post by **babygirl** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:51 pm

LadyBug wrote:

What is "bonfirenight"??

Guy forks night. we light bonfires and have big fireworks display. (day before my b day)not sure why though

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:57 pm

Angel chocobo wrote: Guy forks night. we light bonfires and have big fireworks display. (day before my b day)not sure why though

"guy forks night"???

Don't know what that means either..

(he-hee-hee) And that is too funny that you don't know why you even "celebrate" it?? LOL Silly Girl!! :wah:

Would it be something similiar to the "4th of July" (Independence Day) in the US?? Only cuz we have big fireworks for that too... LOL

Anyhoo -- That's something I never heard of before... Interesting. See -- learning something already!!

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:00 pm

David813 wrote: ... I'm Swedish and Dutch in origin. My Swede side came to the states in 1847. The Dutch side (my mother's) came in 1905...

Cool.. very interesting!

...We're really into ABBA!!! :guitarist

LOL :wah:

babygirl · Post by **babygirl** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:02 pm

LB will do a google search in a min and will let you know!!!!!1 its got me wondering now

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:06 pm

Angel chocobo wrote: LB will do a google search in a min and will let you know!!!!!1 its got me wondering now

LOL... you go girl... Let me know!! :p

babygirl · Post by **babygirl** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:14 pm

what i found out

In London bonfires were lit to celebrate the discovery of the plot soon after Fawkes was discovered in 1605. In Gloucestershire, it began in 1607 in Bristol. In the United States the holiday was celebrated as "Pope's Day" as early as the 17th century at Plymouth. Its celebration in the United States helped organize citizens of the Colonies into anti-stamp act demonstrations. In the 19th century "London was so lit up by bonfires and fireworks, that from the suburbs it looked in one red-heat"

hope this helps LB

remembered another one we celebrate halloween too. :yh_ghost :yh_ghost

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:23 pm

Angel chocobo wrote: In London bonfires were lit to celebrate the discovery of the plot soon after Fawkes was discovered in 1605. In Gloucestershire, it began in 1607 in Bristol. In the United States the holiday was celebrated as "Pope's Day" as early as the 17th century at Plymouth. Its celebration in the United States helped organize citizens of the Colonies into anti-stamp act demonstrations. In the 19th century "London was so lit up by bonfires and fireworks, that from the suburbs it looked in one red-heat"

remembered another one we celebrate halloween too. :

Aaahhhhh... I see.. said the blind man.. to his deaf wife... as they watched their crippled children play...

(hee-hee... sorry that was bad!)

Thanks for the effort and the info Angel -- Guess my "polish" side is kicking in right now... Duuuuh! I comprehended very little of that paragraph!! :wah: LOL

I'll blame it on the late hour here.. (almost 1:30 AM).. yeh that's it.. it's late!! :rolleyes: (he-hee) I'll have to read it over again later...

Oooh I LOVE Halloween.... BOO! :p

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:56 pm

I'm Irish and British. I like to drink and then deny I was drunk in the morning.

I also like ABBA. I like to sing it on karaoke and then pretend it sounded good.

LadyBug · Post by **LadyBug** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:14 pm

koan wrote: I'm Irish and British. I like to drink and then deny I was drunk in the morning.

I also like ABBA. I like to sing it on karaoke and then pretend it sounded good.

You're too funny Koan!! I like the way you think... :p LOL

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:43 am

LadyBug wrote: Aaahhhhh... I see.. said the blind man.. to his deaf wife... as they watched their crippled children play...

(hee-hee... sorry that was bad!)

Thanks for the effort and the info Angel -- Guess my "polish" side is kicking in right now... Duuuuh! I comprehended very little of that paragraph!! :wah: LOL

I'll blame it on the late hour here.. (almost 1:30 AM).. yeh that's it.. it's late!! :rolleyes: (he-hee) I'll have to read it over again later...

Oooh I LOVE Halloween.... BOO! :p
Have a look at this link, it may explain.

http://www.bonfirenight.net/gunpowder.php

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:14 am

i am italian. well, half. my Dad from lake como area. my mom a real Tara "gone with the wind" southern belle. and tiny part cherokee. so i am HOT! tall, high cheek bones, olive skin, green cat eyes, and steely. dead ringer for sophia loren.

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:40 am

My paternal grandfather came over from Palermo, Sicily around 1920 or so.. and my maternal grandfather came over from Homburg, Germany around 1933... blue eyes from my maternal grandfathers side.. and the perma tan look from my paternal grandfathers side.. think someone from southern Spain...

devist8me · Post by **devist8me** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:54 am

Gosh, reading these posts makes me realize I don't know a lot about my heritage. I 've got some German in me, along with Indian, but I'm not sure which one. You couldn't tell though, I'm light complected, with red hair and blue eyes. As far as traditions....nothing others don't celebrate.

smithy87 · Post by **smithy87** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:08 am

I'm British. I don't really know a lot about my relatives from centuries ago. Maybe I should spend the time looking it up, after all, its where I came from. :rolleyes:

We celebrate Christmas, Bonfire night and Easter. My mum still makes sure I don't eat meat on Good Friday and I don't even live at home!

Bothwell · Post by **Bothwell** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:09 am

Angel Chocobo Please, Please tell me that you were not serious about knowing what Bonfire night was for?

Are you not taught in school anymore why we are generally a Protestant nation and how Catholics were treated!!!! This is a fundamental part of our history, if Guy Fawkes had succeeded we may well have been a catholic country.

Signed

Outraged of Cheltenham

Bothwell · Post by **Bothwell** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:11 am

And another thing, LC does really look like her description

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:40 am

Bothwell - glad you came in on this one. I find it hard to believe that a British person didn't know the history of Guy Fawkes or could even spell his name correctly! Is education really so bad in England?

babygirl · Post by **babygirl** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 7:40 am

Philadelphia Eagle wrote: Bothwell - glad you came in on this one. I find it hard to believe that a British person didn't know the history of Guy Fawkes or could even spell his name correctly! Is education really so bad in England?

well i didnt go to school much as i was constantly bullied so no i did not really know about it

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:06 am

Classic breed of heinz 57, ok technically I am a Canadian, what that means is I can be just about anything....

My heritage, Half Hungarian there fore I can argue ANYONE to death. I can Drink anti freeze and walk away from it unscathed, and I love lard...... Ok I said I was half Hungarian, the good half...I have yet to find out what good they represent.... ahahahahahaha

The rest of me .... Irish, Scottish, English and American A real Mutt, here.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:44 am

I am a Nigerian and unfortunately not a culture freak. The only thing I celebrate regarding my heritage is independence from Britain on the 1st of October every year. I mean no offence but I find African culture crude and not congruent with my Christain beliefs.

David813 · Post by **David813** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:40 pm

koan wrote: I'm Irish and British. I like to drink and then deny I was drunk in the morning.

I also like ABBA. I like to sing it on karaoke and then pretend it sounded good.
MAMA MIA!!! :wah:

Porpoise · Post by **Porpoise** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 4:13 pm

I am American. I consider to be Caucasian, since I mostly am, but I am 1/4 Italian, and have Scottish, French Canadian, Polish/Russian, and Native American Indian blood in me. I celebrate all the traditional American holidays. I do know that my love of pasta comes from the part of me that is a quarter Italian. :-6

mominiowa · Post by **mominiowa** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:45 pm

I am just a plain ol American..with just a touch of German...My dad looked like he could be Native American - and we always thought somewhere he was but no one knows much..My mom was adopted and has no knowledge of her family what so ever and the orphanage (sp?) she came from burnt to the ground in the early 60's...

What I think is so remarkable - and I know people will argue with me becuase they do here( in my home town) anyway-- my neighbors..She is American and he is Hispanic, from a small town in Mexico..They have 3 small children and when I watch them, the kids will say - a sentence in english and spanish and not even realize it.. EX: Calle(sp?) must be street becuase the little 4 year ran into the house and said my 7 year old rode her bike into the calle...

I laughed and said HUH? - then she said hmmmmm street? - As a teacher - I think it confuses the children into not knowing english well enough, but as a parent I feel that with our town expanding and more factories coming into town, we are seeing more diverse cultures and I think its neat. - JMO

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 11:48 pm

Posted by LadyBug:

I am mostly Polish... (from my dad's side of the family) and a good portion of Irish (from my mom's side).

I also have a tad of German and a teeny bit Russian in me as well... (from my maternal grandfather)

When I was younger... we celebrated some of the Polish Traditions around the Xmas Holidays -- the "traditional" Xmas Eve dinner, etc.

And we always make note of St. Patty's Day -- always wear green... and my mom makes a special "irish" dinner... the corned beef and the whole nine yards!

As for "traits" -- I definitely have the "irish look" -- the very pale skin... freckles.. and naturally black hair.

I guess I can say that I have that "Irish temper" too... ... Watch Out!! LOL Just kiddin' -- I rarely let it show... takes alot of 'button-pushing' to get me THAT mad... but when I do -- L O O K O U T!! (tee-hee)

But I am not the "Irish drunk".. Just the occasional drunk... LOL (social drinker)

Sometimes I may come across as a "dumb Pollock"... but that's far from the truth. Confusion just comes easily for me.. LOL So I guess I tend to "favor" more of my Irish heritage than anything else....

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My Mom & Dad are Polish, their parents were Polish, & I was born in America, so I am Polish-American. When I was younger, all our relatives would gravitate towards my Parents house for the Holidays. A Polish tradition we observed was for my Dad to take and share a large piece of "Communion waffer" with each person there, wishing them peace, happiness, health, & good fortune. They in turn would break off a smaller piece of the waffer, & share a piece with "all" the others around the dinner table wishing the same things to each other, it was nice.

As for sometimes doing "dumb" (Pollock) (Pollick) (Polelik) things, I say hey don't blame me I Polish!! :wah:

Cars :driving:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 1:10 pm

Scots born and bred which makes me mainly celt with no doubt a hefty dose of norseman as well somewhere in the past.

New year is probably the biggest celebration and the one that means the most. Sadly my wife is English and doesn't quite get it. Worked for two years in London over the new year period. Very strange place.

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 4:25 pm

minks wrote: Classic breed of heinz 57, ok technically I am a Canadian, what that means is I can be just about anything....

My heritage, Half Hungarian there fore I can argue ANYONE to death. I can Drink anti freeze and walk away from it unscathed, and I love lard...... Ok I said I was half Hungarian, the good half...I have yet to find out what good they represent.... ahahahahahaha

The rest of me .... Irish, Scottish, English and American A real Mutt, here.

Hey Minks old pal. that is exactly how my father used to describe our heritage, A Heinz 57 hah! I wonder if some of the youngsters understand that one, its been a while since that ad has aired.

I know we had one ancestor that took a Native American wife, because at the time it was not considered something to be proud of so the family remembered, thank God those days are gone huh, some came from England and we have some PA Dutch in there.

There was a preacher in our town who was into that kind of thing and shared the same last name as my grandmother. He told her that they were related way back and shared a may times great grandfather, John Q. Adams, one of the countries founding fathers. ( that and a buck and a quarter gets me a cup of coffee.)

That's probably why I never understood some of the nationalist pride held by some for their country of origin, I have know real idea where mine is. :wah:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:54 am

posted by polycarp

I am a Nigerian and unfortunately not a culture freak. The only thing I celebrate regarding my heritage is independence from Britain on the 1st of October every year. I mean no offence but I find African culture crude and not congruent with my Christain beliefs.

Have you ever dug in to your pre colonial history? Medeival africa had many states on a par with european ones the only advantage we had was superior weapons technology. African culture is no worse and no better than european or any other come to that.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:16 am

I'm English, part Irish with some Scottish & a smatter of Welsh!

Does that make me a true Brit? :-3

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:45 am

posted by Abbey

I'm English, part Irish with some Scottish & a smatter of Welsh!

Does that make me a true Brit

What is a true brit? We're a mongrel nation even the English invaded from somewhere else