What is your etnicity/background?

[Beardy]

Here's a question for us whiteys ... do you take into account the specifics of your ethnic background when thinking about yourself? I only ask because it seems to be quite an American thing to be all "I'm American-Irish" or whatever.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's bad, but it seems to be a bigger thing across the pond from me. Personally I'm English with an Irish background, but I don't feel like that informs my social identity at all. I don't feel Irish, I'm just a white guy who lives in the suburbs (which obviously may have a lot to do with it).

I wonder if it's better to have real sense of belonging to your heritage or to just be a "white guy". I can see advantages to both sides, though I'm obviously the latter.

(edit - I'm only talking about white guy stuff because I am a white guy. Don't worry, I'm not about to start yelling Merle Haggard lyrics or anything)