# celebrating Patriotic Holidays

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 14-Nov-2009 23:34:18

How do you feel about patriotism and patriotic holidays? Do they mean anything to you aside from time off work/school? do you celebrate them? If so, do you participate in parades or other public celebrations or is it more a personal thing for you? Patriotism is very important to me. Even on regular days, I always wear my flag pin when I go out. It's a reminder of the country I love and the goals I'm setting for myself in the future. As for the holidays, though I can't go to the parades etc in Greece, I try to do my own thing to commemorate them and like to go to the Independence Day parade in New York when I can. I celebrate Independence Day (my favourite) on 25th March, Athens Liberation Day on 12 October, Flag Day on 27 October and Oxi Day on 28 october. Flag Day and Liberation Day (probably not actual name but for liberation after World War II) I just learned about this year and the former means alot to me, since I love the flag and was hoping there was a day for it. There's also a day to celebrate the independence of the islands but I only heard of it last year and the date's not coming to me. I think it's in May. Anyway, what about you guys?

## Post 2 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 15-Nov-2009 9:41:07

I'm not patriotic.
I don't care about St George's day or any other patriotic saint's day. They're only saints for spreading a religion I don't agree with.
My country hasn't won independence from anywhere unless you count Normandie but that was ages ago.
I'm glad we won the world wars, and that we can vote for most of our politicians and that we are freer than many other people. I am also glad that people are generally treated equally. There could be more equality, but there is less than in other countries.
I think we should celebrate the achievements of our country, such as defeating Nazi Germany, and we should appreciate the freedom we have. However, rather than being proud to be from a particular place, I am appreciative of what I have, and proud of what I've achieved.
In my opinion, if we are patriotic for the sake of being patriotic, we could end up supporting our country, even when it is very wrong, and I wouldn't want to do that. Morals are more important than nations.

## Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 15-Nov-2009 12:22:20

Very interesting points and certainly worthy of consideration. I can see how blind patriotism might lead to something like that and it is a serious issue. I support my country no matter what, but I do draw the line when it comes to internal affairs i.e. I have the political party that I support in most things (PASOK), but I'm not afraid to admit when they're wrong or when there are bad things in general going on in the country. No one is perfect, including Greece. Gods know we've had enough bad things happen within the last few years. But I also think that there's so much diversity and multiculturalism in the world today that the individual cultures of nations are being lost and I find that very sad. I'm not against them in general, but everyone is trying to be like everyone else and losing their national identities. I totally agree with you on the religious aspect and don't celebrate the Greek Orthodox holidays, even though much of the country does. As a Hellenic Polytheist, I have too many of my own. *smile*

## Post 4 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 15-Nov-2009 12:49:36

Preserving culture and patriotism are two different things in my opinion.
In some countries, there are many different cultures. This is due in some cases to immigration, and in other cases due to different areas of the countries having their own culture.
I think that the erosion of different cultures is the result of the influence of American brands growing in many countries. In those countries, the media and the people haven't balanced that growth properly with the preservation of their own cultures. They've simply let the American brands dominate. It is easy for people to blame America for that, but I think that the people who bought the American brands instead of brands made by companies of their own country are to blame.
Another factor, is that people aren't as close to each other any more. They travel further to work. Relatives move further away from each other for a variety of reasons. The shops and other public places are part of national chains. You don't get everything from the locally-owned businesses in your local village, owned by people who you know well any more.
People work at different times. There isn't a time now when everybody in an area is able to meet up and do what ever is normal for that culture.
This economic factor is significant, because many things people did together aren't done as much now because those people are too far apart and too busy to meet up as often.
The advancement of technology means we know more about other cultures now. Like immigration, this can cause a mixing of cultures, and as cultures become more similar, they don't stand out as much. Technology isn't just the technology we use to communicate, but the technology which we use to travel. Politicians meet often to discuss global solutions to problems. Nations don't deal with problems in their own individual way any more. That may also explain why there isn't so much patriotisjm.
I don't believe all cultural erosion is bad. There are some bcultures in which very nasty things are done to people without obstruction. Those cultures cannot be eroded soon enough.

## Post 5 by Sword of Sapphire (Whether you agree with my opinion or not, you're still gonna read it!) on Monday, 16-Nov-2009 19:55:39

No. I do not show patriotism for my country. The government tells us we stand for things we really don't. And don't even get me started on equality and that "all men are created equal" bullshit. In the United States, equality is almost nonexistent. Not in everything, but many things: school, work, airlines, shopping centers, and the list goes on.
Too, culture is somewhat relative to patriotism, but not by much.
On Independence Day, we have a barbecue and a small party, but I'm really just in it for the food.

## Post 6 by turricane (happiness and change are choices ) on Tuesday, 17-Nov-2009 7:13:55

i love my country. yes, we have many agregious problems, but we have the freedom to speak and express our opinions. if we don't like what our government is doing kick the bast**ds out and put people in we agree with. Many of my friends have lived in totalitarian regimes. i'd rather be here thank you so much.
i get choked up when america the beautiful plays. When sousa marches are heard, I'm filled with pride. Corny and stupid, but i am what i am. i love the flag and support the troops.
i'm not one of those folks who believes it's my country right or wrong. I can deal with its faults and try to improve them.
yes, the ugly american is alive and well. however, no one forces others to buy our stuff or watch our tv shows.

## Post 7 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 17-Nov-2009 13:19:33

To Senior:
I totally agree with you about the influence of American brands, though these days, America doesn't make as much as they used to. It seems that China has taken over that role, but sadly, they're selling westernised things that are very cheap and very poorly made. I'm willing to bet that they're losing parts of their culture too through all of this. Still, it's that whole idea, supported by the media, of everyone looking like The West, most especially America. So naturally, people from other countries want to emulate the stars on the big screen, the people in the magazines or even the common people on the street who wear the latest fashions, have the latest technology and who fit in with everyone else. So out goes authenticity and in comes superficiality. Of course, the reason most countries buy from America etc. is because they sell their products at a much cheaper rate. So even though someone in a given village or town may make something similar to what's in the stores, it's ultimately the price factor that forces that villager out of business. I try to buy locally whenever I can for domestic items to help keep the Mom and Pap businesses open. Even as someone with a BA in sociology, I never thought of people moving away and working at different times as a reason behind cultural decline and I'm really glad that you brought it up. You're so right though. In cultures where families, friends etc. are closer, the traditions stay alive longer. Good point about technology. *smile* If it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't know half the things I do about Greece or even the language. I have truly mixed feelings on things like the EU. They're great in come aspects but harmful in others, particularly where individuality is concerned. I also agree that there are certain cultures where horrible things are done. But I'm very careful about that. Some of them are, indeed, truly horrible. But others are just very different from what we're used to and I don't think that forcing a given culture's ideas etc on a society is a good idea 99% of the time.
To turricane:
Yes, freedom is a wonderful thing. It's also why there were early elections in Greece last month and why New Democracy was finally kicked out of rule and out of the majority. I know what you mean as far as the music. I always stand when I hear the Greek national anthem and some songs just give me a wonderful feeling inside. I'll never forget going to the Independence Day parade two years ago in New York. I was only a spectator, but I held my flag for about two hours, even though it was cold, just because I was so happy and wanted to join in with my fellow Hellenes in celebration. Then, we went to the Greek Embassy. Just being there was amazing. I've cried out of frustration many times while reading the news, though now that PASOK is in, there's alot more happiness to go around. That doesn't mean that things will suddenly resolve themselves. Far from it. They've got alot to clean up and fix. But at least, we have hope for a brighter tomorrow. For me, I think the worst part is not being there and not being a Hellenic citizen. Sometimes, I feel so helpless and so far away from my people. But that will change one day. And when that paper is given to me, it'll be one of the best days of my entire life.

## Post 8 by Siriusly Severus (The ESTJ 1w9 3w4 6w7 The Taskmaste) on Wednesday, 23-Dec-2009 6:57:44

very conservative and patriotic to the original ideals. A lot of you know I dislike Muslims because of 9-11 and because islam simply preach against the american ideals. I don't celebrate much though. I just sit around thinking of the day.

## Post 9 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Wednesday, 23-Dec-2009 20:28:13

Hi.
Sorry for changing the subject slightly but I have to comment about the following statement.
I dislike Muslims because of 9-11 and because islam simply preach against the American ideals.
I really don't like when people generalise something because a small minority of people did something wrong.
You wouldn't like it if they told you that a company doesn't employ somebody blind because they had a bad experience with one blind person. People should be more open minded about these things.
The same thing happens in Cyprus. As some of you know in 1974 we had the Turkish invasion and now part of Cyprus is occupied by Turkey.
I understand that people lost their houses and their property, people who they loved died, women have been raped But I don't like listening to some people saying that they hate all Turkish people because of that.
Ok I dislike the Turkish government and the military because of what they did but I can't just hate all Turkish people because of that.
All countries, religions, and other groups of people have good and bad people in them so you should see each person individually instead of not liking them because they belong to a spessific category.
As i said above somebody then could hate all blind people.
This is what i had to say and again sorry for changing the subject.