Flags outside houses
Discussion
GPSS said:
Blib said:
On most occasions that I see the flag of St. George flown I get a aura of aggresive defiance emanating from it. As if the person that hoisted it was barricaded in and was using the flag as a last, pityful attempt to keep the world away.
I see it invariably flown out of fear, incomprehension, dare I say it hatred of 'others' & utter, abject confusion about the state of that person's life and where he fits in the community that surrounds him.
On the other hand, the Stars and Stripes is flown as a celebration of America and the American Way. That being whatever the flag hoister wants it to be. The American flag, flown in the 'states, is, for the most part, inclusive of all of the citizens.
The Cross of St. George, seen flown, grubbily, from the upstairs window of a run down terrace house is a sign of bitter deafeat.
(I could be making this all up).
It could be they just dont like immigrants.I see it invariably flown out of fear, incomprehension, dare I say it hatred of 'others' & utter, abject confusion about the state of that person's life and where he fits in the community that surrounds him.
On the other hand, the Stars and Stripes is flown as a celebration of America and the American Way. That being whatever the flag hoister wants it to be. The American flag, flown in the 'states, is, for the most part, inclusive of all of the citizens.
The Cross of St. George, seen flown, grubbily, from the upstairs window of a run down terrace house is a sign of bitter deafeat.
(I could be making this all up).
k knuckle in England decided to adorn their Astra Merit with these:
esselte said:
Catz said:
This is going to sound a bit unPC ... however, being Scottish, my younger memories of seeing the George Cross was when it was slung round the shoulders of shaven headed football casuals.
.
Unlike these jovial Scottish fans on an awayday to Wembley?....
Look how much fun they're having.
(Ermm ok they broke the goalposts but hey!)Not a menacing fist in sight.
thehawk said:
It's because the Americans have a huge amount of respect for their flag, in fact I even think there are strict laws/regulation as to how the flag is used and displayed.
Correct, there was an almighty fuss once over a Mexican shopkeeper in the US flying the Mexican flag above the US flag. Something that is illegal in the US, they didn't like it one little bit.News story here - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x34ak2_mexican-fl...
Ps. They are all lunatics though.
FourWheelDrift said:
thehawk said:
It's because the Americans have a huge amount of respect for their flag, in fact I even think there are strict laws/regulation as to how the flag is used and displayed.
Correct, there was an almighty fuss once over a Mexican shopkeeper in the US flying the Mexican flag above the US flag. Something that is illegal in the US, they didn't like it one little bit.News story here - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x34ak2_mexican-fl...
Ps. They are all lunatics though.
It does appear in this country that you are frowned upon for being loyal to being flag!
Blib said:
On most occasions that I see the flag of St. George flown I get a aura of aggresive defiance emanating from it. As if the person that hoisted it was barricaded in and was using the flag as a last, pityful attempt to keep the world away.
This is England. What you say is correct.
FourWheelDrift said:
Catz said:
HOGEPH said:
Why do Anerican houses/businesses with the Stars & Stripes hanging everywhere look patriotic, but English houses with the St George's Cross hanging outside look downmarket and chavvy?
Because the St George Cross flag hangs outside houses that look downmarket and chavvy?
Many old houses and estates fly flags. Including that old house down the road from Trafalgar Sq in London.
My neighbour has a flag pole at the front of his house. He variously flies the St Geroge's cross and the Yorkshire Rose flags.
People must like it because we are in a conservation area and he did it without permission, and by now some killjoy would have grassed him up had it not been widely accepted.
People must like it because we are in a conservation area and he did it without permission, and by now some killjoy would have grassed him up had it not been widely accepted.
To me it's just a difference in cultures. It's something the yanks do and we don't and I don't see why we should ape them just because they do it.
Like others on here, when I see it be hung it's rarely done so in any kind of tasteful way. In fact from anything but a stately home it's going to look tacky.
I therefore think the most respectful thing to do is not fly the flag. I know this is England, I'm proud of being English and I don't need a naff flag outside my house to do so.
Like others on here, when I see it be hung it's rarely done so in any kind of tasteful way. In fact from anything but a stately home it's going to look tacky.
I therefore think the most respectful thing to do is not fly the flag. I know this is England, I'm proud of being English and I don't need a naff flag outside my house to do so.
I was going to get a Union Jack and mount it on the wall of my house by the front door but my Mrs dissuaded me as she was worried our Asian neigbours might be offended and think we were fascists. I was even going to ask them but then decided I wasn't bothered enough about having one. What would you say anyway? "Hi I was going to put this flag up but don't worry I'm not a Nazi or anything!"
I think we're near a time where the Union flag isn't a symbol of overt nationalism and flying a union flag outside a home can be acceptable but perhaps were not quite there yet. I'm not sure.
I quite like seeing the Americans proudly fly their flag in the middle hicksville-nowhere where only other Americans will see it.
I expect because I grew up abroad I'm quite proud of Britishness and our flag. Only when I came to the U.K. was it suggested to me that flying your own flag could be possibly seen as a symbol of the far right and may actually offend someone.
It seems mad that someone in the U.K. could be offended by it's own flag(s)
I think we're near a time where the Union flag isn't a symbol of overt nationalism and flying a union flag outside a home can be acceptable but perhaps were not quite there yet. I'm not sure.
I quite like seeing the Americans proudly fly their flag in the middle hicksville-nowhere where only other Americans will see it.
I expect because I grew up abroad I'm quite proud of Britishness and our flag. Only when I came to the U.K. was it suggested to me that flying your own flag could be possibly seen as a symbol of the far right and may actually offend someone.
It seems mad that someone in the U.K. could be offended by it's own flag(s)
In Canada, each morning, the pupils used to stand up and sing O Canada - the anthem was played through the tannoy, it wasn't just a thing they did for the hell of it. Woe betide anyone who tried to tell a Canadian to stop flying their flag.
The same is true in the states. They are proud to be American.
AS we should be proud of our nation. I am very tempted to get a fairly big flag pole and site both my family crest and the Union Jack on it... I wonder what the neighbours would say...
The same is true in the states. They are proud to be American.
AS we should be proud of our nation. I am very tempted to get a fairly big flag pole and site both my family crest and the Union Jack on it... I wonder what the neighbours would say...
Of course the "English" flag is not an internationally recognised national flag and, if an individual really wants to fly the UK's national flag, it HAS to be the Union Flag.
In America, the vast bulk of people who fly flags in their garden fly their national flag, not their state flag.
In America, the vast bulk of people who fly flags in their garden fly their national flag, not their state flag.
Jasandjules said:
In Canada, each morning, the pupils used to stand up and sing O Canada - the anthem was played through the tannoy, it wasn't just a thing they did for the hell of it. Woe betide anyone who tried to tell a Canadian to stop flying their flag.
The same is true in the states. They are proud to be American.
AS we should be proud of our nation. I am very tempted to get a fairly big flag pole and site both my family crest and the Union Jack on it... I wonder what the neighbours would say...
As a child we'd go to the cinema on camp at RAF Gatow (Berlin) - the first film was always The Queen and the National Anthem - everyone stood (even at the kids Saturday morning shows).The same is true in the states. They are proud to be American.
AS we should be proud of our nation. I am very tempted to get a fairly big flag pole and site both my family crest and the Union Jack on it... I wonder what the neighbours would say...
When we returned to England, first time to the cinema my sister and I found ourselves standing up to observe Pearl & Dean .....
Orb the Impaler said:
Blib said:
On most occasions that I see the flag of St. George flown I get a aura of aggresive defiance emanating from it. As if the person that hoisted it was barricaded in and was using the flag as a last, pityful attempt to keep the world away.
This is England. What you say is correct.
It's a grubby gesture. We should see the flag flying on Town Council buildings, other public buildings etc etc.
Only once it become ubiquitous as it is in the U.S. can we claim it back from the savage Little Englanders who claimed it for themselves and themselves only.
It amuses me that the flag of St. George is wrapped around the fetid bodies of English racists for the most part. They revel in England's glory but are too stupid to understand that our standing in the World was gained by engaging with it with confidence and assuredness and not by hiding behind belicose posturing and beer fuelled fear.
Our flag should be a symbol of a relaxed, mature, democracy IMO.
(I may still be making this up).
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