UK Plates - Red Rag to a Bull?
 

I'm about to get a new license plate for my UK-registered bike. Would the Euro symbol with 'GB' to the side be a bit provocative for riding in the mid-East (Syria, Iran, Jordan), given Tony's adventurism in Iraq, or would the locals not be bothered? Thoughts?

Cheers,
James

I rode through bits of the ME and no one ever mentioned it - I really doubt that many people understand what GB stands for. It's not their language after all, and everyone in the world calls the UK "England" anyway: GB is an anomaly, if you think about it.

Furthermore,

1. most people on the planet are able to distinguish between the actions/responsibilities of governments and those of citizens - or "subjects" in your case.

2. you'll find that people in the ME are very well informed about world politics, and know of the mass anti-war sentiment in the UK.

I suggest that if you're worried, just puts lots of other country stickers on the rear of your bike to lessen the impact of the GB sticker and show what an internationalist you are.

Simon

do you even need one?
 

I was hoping to achieve anonymity by not having a country sticker on the back at all.

more due to an irrational hatred of gb stickers.

("is this a bad idea?" he asked tentatively)

dan

Yes! No!
 

I agree with you there, Dan. My answer is to cut off the GB part, leaving only the Euro stars. You can do this when you make up your own plates.

As for Simon's post, everybody in the world does not say UK meaning England. Some people, often English people, make this howler, as they dont know the name of their own country. But others are more informed.

It's a good question. I would think someone with a licence plate from a country that is relatively neutral (say, Norway or Italy) would have fewer problems than a plate from some other countries.

Yes, go for one of those Scandinavian countries like Denmark.
Stephan

You could probably get away with not having a plate at all yeah. It is illegal though. But like most of these customes matters, the police are unlikely to know this.

Yeah okay Dennis, not *everyone* calls the UK "England" abroad. I find that I need wild exaggeration to make people listen to me.

But most people I met in north america, most (over 30 years of age) Europeans, absolutely everyone in south america, the middle east, and even many in the Indian subcontinent did make this mistake. "The United Kingdom" is the least known name in the world for the countries, and bits of countries, that make up the state.

Simon

This Scepter'd Isle
 

GB is the international licence plate code for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can be shortened to the United Kingdom or the UK

The countries of the United Kingdom are England, Scotland, Wales and, for the foreseeable future, Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is the island comprising England, Scotland, and Wales. It is not a correct synonym for the UK.

‘The British Isles’ is a term for the islands off the northwest coast of Europe, including Great Britain, the Isle of Man (where the TT is held), Ireland (where for historical and political reasons the phrase is rarely used) and numerous smaller islands. Again, the British Isles is not synonymous with the United Kingdom.

Shakespeare put it best: “This scepter'd isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars ... This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England". It won’t fit across my panniers though.

Stephan

Thanks for the replies guys - seems like it's a non-issue, so I'll be getting a plate with the EU symbol + GB.

Cheers,
James

The UK number palt does not have to have the EU GB sticker on it. The only new legal requirement is that the numberplate must have the issuing companies details on (free advertising). This I know becasue I got rear ended on Monday and bought my new plate yesterday.

When I do eventually go on my trip I will be putting a very small inconspicuous GB sticker near the numberplate, which I might loose along the way, and a HUGE ZA sticker on the back of one of my panniers. If someone asks then I'll simply say I thought it had to indicate the nationalility of the driver and not the country of registration of the bike.

Hi.
Just came back from Iran and had a GB sticker and St. Andrews Cross on my panniers and another St. Andrews Cross on the front of the bike (we Scots are a proud race for some reason). No problems whatsoever with hassle.
In fact I disagree with those people who try to disguise their nationality. I found the first thing people do is look at the back of your bike to try to work out where you are from and, wherever you come from, your nationality is a point of interest and introduction to people.
I also like to think that in a very small way people who might not be so freindly towards the Brits will see me (with my flagged up bike) grinning and sharing tea and generally getting on with their countrymen and think "Maybe the Brits are just like us..." Which, indeed, we are.
Be a mini peace envoy for your country!
Matt

There's a lot of truth in what you say, Simon.

Europe is your country!

Matt, what's wrong with my idea of the Euro stars only?This avoids petty nationalism and includes you in a larger family of nations. And remember you are a both citizen of Europe and a subject of the Queen. I know which I prefer.

Whaddaya think?????

PS Do you find the sporran handy as a toolbag?

There's nowt wrong with being European, 'continentality'* is just a concept alien to most people I would say. I'm not sure an Iranian would ever describe themselves as 'Middle Eastern' if you asked where they came from.
No matter what sort of plank Tony makes of himself it won't make me ashamed to be Scottish or British.
I think the original point was essentially wether it was worth worrying about concealing ones nationality. And I think the answer is 'No.'

Matt

*I may have just made this word up.

PS: My sporran is usually full with a hip flask of Laphroig and carefully hoarded pennies.

[Travel Section] I fully agree, Matt. Well put.

[Political Section] Denis, I am happy, and often proud, to be English, British & European but the subject of any monarch... never!

Stephan