Patriotism - Fly Your Flag With Pride

[Kevin Stringer]

i think my dbf would also love a hooters flag

he wants to visit on our next trip

can girls go in there?

Absolutely, especially ones with little orange hot pants!

I'm kidding, when we were there it was a really mixed crowd. There were several families watching the American football.

Kev

 

[Tron[ADS]]

For anyone wanting one of those dual flag pin badges, I bought 2 last week on ebay, but the seller seems to have loads...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50789&item=6192806491

 

[Ware Bears]

Thanks for the link, I think DH would like one.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Grr, typically he's not currently selling any !

However, I found this person is selling 2 of them....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60605&item=6194090267&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Those look to be in the same packaging mine came in, and I can vouch for their quality.

 

[BONZO]

Kev,

I think the Hooters flags come in pairs!

 

[disneyholic family]

interesting article Olaf, thanks for posting...

 

[Kilted_Yank]

I do have a pair of Union Jack shorts!!

I had a pair as well, Andy... picked them up while I was still in the Marines (U.S. Marines at that)

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Whether you "fly the flag" or not shouldn't be the main judge of the pride and respect you hold for your country.

Well-said, Rob.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Well-said, Rob.

Thank you

Patriotism - the love of your country - is not the same as choosing to wear your national symbols or flying your national flag. Patriotic people can, and often do, fly their flag; but those people who choose not to fly their flag should not be assumed to be unpatriotic.

Regards

Rob

 

[stevechase]

its a union flag not Jack, unless it is flown from a ships mast. Sorry to be fussy. By the way dont forget the cross of St George

Steve

 

[BONZO]

Absolutely right Steve..from another pedant here! - LOL


I think that some of the "problems" with flying the national flag is because of its association with ultra right-wing nationalism and football thugs.


Steph - How is the Confederate flag viewed?

 

[Olaf]

Steph - How is the Confederate flag viewed?

Are you equating your flag with the stars and bars?

The "act" of flying the flag really isn't the point. It's the attitude. I've been amazed at the number of Brits who look upon our flag waving with something akin to embarrassment. And don't try and tell me that doesn't happen. I've seen it. It would never cross our minds to look down upon Brits who choose to demonstrate their patriotism by wearing/waving their flag.

After the rugby victory last year, someone here posted that Britain now had something to be proud of. What is that about? Where did that come from? Britain has everything to proud of. Look at how you guys are reacting to all of this. I wonder if we'd be quite as stoic and resolute in the face of it all.

 

[BONZO]

I've been amazed at the number of Brits who look upon our flag waving with something akin to embarrassment.

I guess that in very general terms it could be down to our natural "reserve" and baulking at anything that may be considered "brash" or "in your face" - somehow many people feel uncomfortable with any show of exeuberation.

I think the Rugby reference is down to the fact that many of our national sports fail to win anything and that the ethos of "play up and play the game" , "it's not the winning, it's the taking part" and "Be gracious in defeat" has been instilled in us for some time.

Don't get me wrong - these are "ultra" generalisations and probably don't relate to anyone on these boards.

 

[Kilted_Yank]

How is the Confederate flag viewed?

Depends on whom you ask, Bonzo.

Some people fly the Confederate flag as a way to show regional pride. Some fly it as a thumb in the eye of the federal governmant, some fly it because they are proud that their ancestors fought for a lost cause, some fly it because they are white supremicists. Some fly it because they are NASCAR fans, and NASCAR is generally considered (by many) to be a "redneck" sport.

It is viewed by people based often on their backgrounds, education level, attitudes, etc...

Personally, I find it stupid more than I find it offensive.

 

[VSL]

I agree with many people that us Brits are *generally* (I shouldn't generalise really, but...) a bit more conservative when it comes to stuff like this.
Unfortunately, we also have some councils and such getting very PC over here. For example, I've heard that some counties have had problems with putting up Christmas decorations in town centres as the council don't want to 'offend' any ethnic minorities. I've got to say that this really REALLY winds me up.

I have a great deal of respect for other cultures, but these days it seems to be 'long-standing' Brits - I'm talking about those who have British ancestors dating back over 200yrs - are the ones who are being treated differently and, in some ways, unfairly. The worst thing seems to be that it's BRITISH councils who are imposing these 'no-Christmas-decorations-type' sanctions on us, NOT the ethnic minorities! It just doesn't make sense!!

BTW.. I do notice that a lot of people in Wales have stuff in/on their cars. For example, the Welsh flag on their number plates, flags in the back windshield, red dragons, etc. And we still have daff's and leeks on St. David's day (and dress the little girls up in their 'Welsh costumes' - I believe that the shop in the UK in EPCOT has some assistants who wear this!). And half of my street had the flag (Welsh flag obviously!) flying during the Six Nations earlier this year!

 

[mark&sue]

Our local council told staff in customer services that when tallking to members of the public regarding dustbin pick times etc., they should not say "chistmas holiday period" but "festive period" in order not to offend anyone.

Surely this is a step too far?



Susan

 

[diberry]

ITA!! I have often wondered why in the States the Christmas cards usually say:"Happy Holidays" rather than "Happy Christmas". Can anyone explain this to me please? This is a genuine question - I'm not making any judgements - I really would just like to know if it's because there are many religions other than Christianity in the US?
I read somewhere that when immigrants come to the UK they should be required to learn English, recognise that this is a predominantly Christian country and abide by our laws. They should of course still speak their own languages and practise their own religions but respect ours too rather than us bending over backwards to accomodate theirs. That doesn't seem too much to ask - or does it???

 

[iankh]

ITA!! I have often wondered why in the States the Christmas cards usually say:"Happy Holidays" rather than "Happy Christmas". Can anyone explain this to me please? This is a genuine question - I'm not making any judgements - I really would just like to know if it's because there are many religions other than Christianity in the US?
I read somewhere that when immigrants come to the UK they should be required to learn English, recognise that this is a predominantly Christian country and abide by our laws. They should of course still speak their own languages and practise their own religions but respect ours too rather than us bending over backwards to accomodate theirs. That doesn't seem too much to ask - or does it???

I think I'll weigh in on this one. I also want to mention that I lived in the UK for 4 years and have a fair bit of family there.

Regarding Happy Holidays vs. Happy Christmas ... In the US we do not have an official religion for the country, nor is religion supported by the state (meaning federal or state governments). There is also sensitivity that it is a time of year where there are several different holidays, not just Christmas.

The recent trend towards Happy Holidays is more towards inclusion (and the not so noble gesture of trying to increase the reach of consumerism, which in my personal opinion is really behind it all).

Not ever have celebrated Christmas, nor having had it celebrated by any generation of my family going back several hundred years it is nice that there are efforts towards inclusion.

 

[diberry]

Thank you for that. I understand that America is a vast country with a hugely diverse population from all backgrounds and I can see that non-Christians would not want to be sending "Happy Christmas" cards! I have to agree that "Happy Holidays" could appeal to everybody and is no doubt driven by the card manufacturers trying to increase their profits!!! I presume "Happy Christmas" cards and cards for other religious festivals at various times of year are also available?

 

[iankh]

Thank you for that. I understand that America is a vast country with a hugely diverse population from all backgrounds and I can see that non-Christians would not want to be sending "Happy Christmas" cards! I have to agree that "Happy Holidays" could appeal to everybody and is no doubt driven by the card manufacturers trying to increase their profits!!! I presume "Happy Christmas" cards and cards for other religious festivals at various times of year are also available?

This America. We have a card for everthing! Frankly it surprises me at the never ending depths card manufacurers will plum.

But to answer your question, yes, there are cards for other holidays and religious festivals, such as Rosh Hashanna, Passover, Easter, Chanukah etc. Plus civil secular holidays such, Thanksgiving (our most wonderful civil holiday in my opinion, that is universally celebrated in the US regardless of religion, and given that probably more important than Christmas), Halloween, etc.