Patriotism in the WW?

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 83656

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Melissa McCarthy <risako at n...> 
wrote:
> There seems to be something of a lack of patriotism in the 
Wizarding World.  The only example I've come across is Seamus' 
enthusiastic support of the Irish team at the Quidditch World Cup.  

<snip>

Geoff:
I think there was a great deal of support from Irish wizards in 
general. 

"'Er - is it my eyes or has everything gone green?' said Ron. It 
wasn't just Ron's eyes. They had walked into a patch of tents that 
were all covered with a thick growth of shamrocks so that it looked 
as though small, oddly shaped hillocks had sprouted out of the 
earth.........

'Like the decorations?'said Seamus grinning, when Harry, Ron and 
Hermione had gone over to say hello. 'The Ministry's not too happy.' 
'Ah, why shouldn't we show our colours? ' said Mrs.Finnigan. 'You 
should see what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their 
tents. You'll be supporting Ireland of course?' she added, eyeing 
Harry, Ron and Hermione beadily." (GOF UK edition p 76)

Bear in mind that the English team were out of the competition so 
there wasn't the call for the English wizards to get so excited, 
although quite often, members of the four "Home Nations" in the UK 
will support the others if their own team has been eliminated.



<lots more snips>


Melissa:
> Melissa, reflecting that the English language desperately needs a 
set of words to replace "he/she" and "him/her"!
> 

Geoff:
What's wrong with "one"? It's considered a bit "posh" sometimes, but 
it is genderless.