A few replies on this thread prove to me that some British people are very much proud to be British in the wrong ways. 'If you're not proud then leave', ' Go back to where you came from' How dare you criticise us , 'we can slag off Britain, but you Johnny foreigner must unconditionally love our country or get on the next plane home.' those attitudes are both juvenile and sinister to me.
I've lived in a few countries and national Pride is celebrated differently - National Anthems are sung every day before school starts or at public events, people criticize their country of course, like you sometimes fall out with your family, but you love them all the same for all their faults. When you arrive as an immigrant in Canada yo are welcomed with ' Welcome to Canada enjoy our beautiful country.' Not 'well if you don't absolutely adore us then sling your hook back home. I know which I prefer -just saying.
I have to add that I went to high school in the UK (boarding) and spent a lot of time in the North East of England with my Nana and can say hand on heart I am extremely proud to have spent that time in the North East, where I now live.