Is this what's missing in NZ?

[phill-k]

They are certainly not my favorite foreigners, however they are very good at the national pride stuff, flag displaying, groundswell support for their sports teams, military ect. They have their own issues with the Native Americans, immigrants and all the rest, but somehow to the rest of us they portray the sort pride and honour as shown here.

This guys holds the salute for about 3hrs as over 3000 bikers file past, he has done this of his own volition for the past 8 years, now I know they have a massive population and all, but that's quite a gathering, their memorial day celebrations along with Thanks Giving always seem to be about the Family, and their love of their country.

Perhaps NZ needs to look a little more closely at instilling some pride into its citizens, we seem to be feverishly proud of our country when travelling overseas but don't display a lot of it here in NZ. Our only National Day is all about the difference and suppression of Maori, not the celebration of what a bloody great place this is.

[scott411]

i agree with you, although i think Anzac day is done right here,

Waitangi Day is not really treated as a celebration from teh masses, it would be good to have more national pride around here,

[wysper]

Its interesting aye.

Take the invasion of Iraq, even if most of the American people think the war is wrong, they will still honour their soldiers. They will vilify their leaders but honour their country.
With the possible exception of the plight of the Vietnam Vets.

It is hard to know if I would like more flag waving here in NZ, I quite like the strong silent pride we have in our nation, in our land and in our people. You don't always need to be shouting from the roof tops how great you are.

I am a very proud Kiwi, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world. But I don't feel the need to tell the rest of the world that at every given opportunity either.

[Hopeful Bastard]

He gets quite emotional doesnt he?

[shrub]

Does anyone know why he does it?

But you're right, we spend all our time comparing ourselves to other countries and wanting to be Australia when we should be bloody proud to be New Zealanders.

[shrub]

This is why he does it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62br6dtd6yQ

[Eyegasm]

Does anyone know why he does it?

But you're right, we spend all our time comparing ourselves to other countries and wanting to be Australia when we should be bloody proud to be New Zealanders.

SAY WHAT?!?!?!?!!

Wanting to be Australia... HELL NO!!!

We're better.

[Milts]

Dear god no. Excessive national pride gets countries into serious trouble both socially and on the international stage.

To be honest I'm very happy with the level of national pride Kiwis have, we seem to be proud to be kiwis and make sure we are distinguished from Aussies, but without all the flag waving, 'we are the greatest in the world there is no way but our way' that seems prevalent in certain nations.

[Swoop]

Does anyone know why he does it?

The words at the end are all that is needed.

[slofox]

You don't always need to be shouting from the roof tops how great you are.

I am deeply suspicious of those who do this - very close to compensatory behaviour IMO

Dear god no. Excessive national pride gets countries into serious trouble both socially and on the international stage.

Yep. Leads to all sorts of shit...

[Toaster]

Agreed with the OP. We have been moulded into a bunch of individuals and could do with some national pride and more community spirit.

I am for one very proud of my hertiage and fly the flag. If I had the money I would have a flag at home too (probably out in the paddock where you cant hear the rope hitting the pole in the wind.... as they tend to do).

[slofox]

where you cant hear the rope hitting the pole in the wind.... as they tend to do).

...don't they bloody just...

[mashman]

Christ the yanks have a few days where they celebrate their Americanness... and that instills national pride? in what? having a holiday to say yay we're American?

National pride... is that pride in your nation? if so then what, as a nation, does NZ have to be proud of? Constant in-fighting of the populous based on the likes and dislikes of individuals? What?

I'm english and don't have national pride for my country of birth. Nothing to do with its colourful history, nothing to do with most of the people, but EVERYTHING to do with what the country IS and has become, and how the people who shape it's future have destroyed the society of UK Plc that once was worth being proud of.

JFK was wrong, big time, he should have said "Ask not what you can do for your country but ask what your country can do for you"... your society (ALL of the people) reflects the state of your nation, and you're proud of that? honestly?

[marty]

I beleive there is a subtle shift happening right now. Witness the anthem in Maori and English at Carisbrook last week. The national pride at the world cup. The collective shaming of us by Russell Norman last week (ie, we're actually better than that!). I see it in my kids and their friends - a real sense of belonging to this great country - stopping and looking at the view, at the freedoms they have, attending Anzac day commemorations and understanding why we have those days.

[wysper]

If I had the money I would have a flag at home too (probably out in the paddock where you cant hear the rope hitting the pole in the wind.... as they tend to do).

you can. for about a hundred bucks.

Flag Pole LINK