| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us 12:21 - Jan 1 with 1475 views | bluelagos |
But if you were offered a New Years honour, would you take it or not?
Why? |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 12:34 - Jan 1 with 1432 views | Herbivore |
No. The associations with empire and monarchy put me right off. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 12:38 - Jan 1 with 1431 views | Guthrum |
I would. Don't see anything wrong with public recognition of achievement or service.
Sure, some - if not, in reality, all - of the titles are anachronistic, but as the awards are themselves only symbolic, that doesn't really matter. Tho I think it would have saved an amount of trouble if they'd changed the name of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire* to, say, "... Commonwealth" instead (perhaps in 1958, when Empire Day became Commonwealth Day).
* The word "empire" originally denoted an independent, sovereign state, rather than implying the possession of overseas territories. Dating back to a time when there might be one or more sub-kings under the authority of a more powerful ruler. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:03 - Jan 1 with 1382 views | dickie |
Hell no, I'd be publicly supporting the monarchy. Also, all the coolest cats either turn it down or give it back |  | | |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:04 - Jan 1 with 1380 views | Warkystache |
If I was Jimmy Greaves and someone offered me a placating MBE, I'd be telling the horse-faced old bitch where she could stick it. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:09 - Jan 1 with 1363 views | Darth_Koont |
Probably. I’m sure I could do a lot more damage inside the belly of the beast. 😀 |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:13 - Jan 1 with 1352 views | BlueNomad |
No
I would not want to line up alongside senior civil servants who get a knighthood just for doing their job. |  | | |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:23 - Jan 1 with 1314 views | Guthrum |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:03 - Jan 1 by dickie |
Hell no, I'd be publicly supporting the monarchy. Also, all the coolest cats either turn it down or give it back |
Tho nowadays most honours are bestowed by the state, nominated by governments of the UK (or Commonwealth), with the monarch merely acting as personification of that. Receiving a decoration does not commit you to being an avid royalist.
Only a few (e.g. the Order of the Garter, the Royal Victorian Order) are handed out at the complete, personal discretion of the Queen.
Ironically, the Order of the British Empire was introduced in 1917 as a more democratic element, to which ordinary people (without specific military, governmental, diplomatic or regional/imperial service qualifications) could be appointed. | |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:28 - Jan 1 with 1296 views | BlueBadger |
Personally if I'd done something that the current government think worthy of rewarding I'd be very worried. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:56 - Jan 1 with 1236 views | Radlett_blue |
The late Peter Alliss (not everyone's cup of tea) went up hugely in my estimation when it was revealed that in 1993 he turned down an OBE, largely because he thought getting an honour for "services to golf" was a complete joke. He was right. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 14:56 - Jan 1 with 1176 views | factual_blue |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:04 - Jan 1 by Warkystache |
If I was Jimmy Greaves and someone offered me a placating MBE, I'd be telling the horse-faced old bitch where she could stick it. |
The MBE does allow you to get married in St Paul's Cathedral though. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 15:22 - Jan 1 with 1140 views | azuremerlangus |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 14:56 - Jan 1 by factual_blue |
The MBE does allow you to get married in St Paul's Cathedral though. |
Is it a prerequisite or just make things easier to get a booking there? |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 15:36 - Jan 1 with 1123 views | You_Bloo_Right |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:28 - Jan 1 by BlueBadger |
Personally if I'd done something that the current government think worthy of rewarding I'd be very worried. |
Quite so.
Although I have thought that by staying in the town I might get recognition for my services to the countryside. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 19:36 - Jan 1 with 1036 views | bluelagos |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 12:38 - Jan 1 by Guthrum |
I would. Don't see anything wrong with public recognition of achievement or service.
Sure, some - if not, in reality, all - of the titles are anachronistic, but as the awards are themselves only symbolic, that doesn't really matter. Tho I think it would have saved an amount of trouble if they'd changed the name of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire* to, say, "... Commonwealth" instead (perhaps in 1958, when Empire Day became Commonwealth Day).
* The word "empire" originally denoted an independent, sovereign state, rather than implying the possession of overseas territories. Dating back to a time when there might be one or more sub-kings under the authority of a more powerful ruler. |
I am good friends with one guy who took a gong and one who rejected it. (Both a few years ago)
The guy who rejected it did so for a few reasons, one of which was that an order of the "empire" was not something he wanted to be associated with, as someone of Irish descent. He also stated he wanted fck all to do with the british establishment.
The guy who took it, given his long association with Nigeria and general contempt for the British rule overseas, really surprised me when he accepted it. Never questioned him over it though.
If it were me, the idea of bowing to a member of the royal family doesn't sit well, so I'd tell them I'd only take it if I didn't have to bow. Which I presume would mean I was out. (All hypothetical cos I'd never get one any way) | |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 22:10 - Jan 1 with 982 views | jeera |
Depends.
What do they fetch on Ebay? |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 22:21 - Jan 1 with 964 views | Churchman |
I have always been an anti monarchist and would really like to see an end to the class system and my most hated word ...privilege. I would ditch honours apart from for people that go beyond their job and really make a difference along with military bravery awards, of course.
But if offered, I’d grab a New Years Honour like a shot. The bigger the better. Why? Three reasons. Firstly I’m a complete and utter hypocrite, secondly I could wind up my mates with it - particularly if I became a Sir. Thirdly, it’d be a chance to steal a sheet of Buckingham Palace bog paper and frame it to go with the sheet er indoors pinched 10 years ago. [Post edited 1 Jan 2021 22:22]
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 01:06 - Jan 2 with 899 views | monytowbray |
I’d get it and then refuse to use it. |  |
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| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 01:07 - Jan 2 with 897 views | monytowbray |
| I know it's pretty unlikely for most of us on 13:09 - Jan 1 by Darth_Koont |
Probably. I’m sure I could do a lot more damage inside the belly of the beast. 😀 |
Great minds and all that. | |
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