Greetings and happy new year to you all,

Being an american, I would like to know how the Manx view themselves. You are Manx first, but are your cultural influences more british,irish,norse, or, an amalgamation? Celtic?

The Isle of Man is an independant nation, yet, it is constantly referred to as Isle of Man, England, here in the states. What say you? Are you independent? Is it akin to Puerto Rico and the US, where it is economically dependent on the US, yet has no allegiance to it in matters of patriotism, i.e. voting,statehood,taxes?

It is amazing how few people know of the Isle, I recently had a friend from Italy visiting that had never heard of your country! She is a well educated individual, but obviously not too...

Your input is most valued in my learning process about where my ancestors descend from.

Cheers.