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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think if you're that fond/proud of your national flag, you should probably know which way up it goes?

181 replies

Nookfoot · 21/08/2025 15:13

Of all the Union Flags that have appeared, a huge percentage seem to be upside-down.

Now, I agree with the basic sentiment that people should be able to display their national flag if they choose, that flags should be respected. I think it's very sad that the flag has been appropriated by right wing groups/views.

Which ever camp you fall in, if you're going to put it up, put it the right way up. They're really doing the opposite of respecting it other wise!

OP posts:
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Ponoka7 · 22/08/2025 08:47

I'm a older woman. I understand the younger, baby making/hormone driven women, being a bit pick me, but it is truly pathetic when it's an older woman, who should have her shit worked out by now. You took the older woman bit out, it was, the-older-pick-me-women. They should use local FB pages as a sociological research.

DontGoJasonWaterfalls · 22/08/2025 07:14

Flaskfan · 21/08/2025 22:48

And this is why you need a dragon on it. You always know which way up it should be.
It also takes a fair bit of skill to draw properly. Especially the curly tail at the end.

The racist lot who organised it in our part of Wales still managed to get the dragon the wrong way around on most of them 🙄

I didn't realise this was happening in England too, we had an upsurge of it specifically in our town about two or three weeks ago. A far right group spearheaded by a bloke who did time for PPI scams claimed responsibility and said it was because there are "too many Pride / Palestine / Ukraine flags up". Nothing to do with pride in the Welsh flag or Welsh identity and everything to do with bigotry.

BallerinaRadio · 22/08/2025 07:09

Labradorlover987 · 21/08/2025 22:33

Do you not think this kind of smug snobbery pushes people to vote reform?

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Not really they're going to vote for Uncle Nigel anyway aren't they. I can't have a genuine conversation with someone about immigration with someone hanging flags on a lamppost

JazzyBBBG · 21/08/2025 22:55

Why are they all at half mast?!

Zov · 21/08/2025 22:50

😂

Flaskfan · 21/08/2025 22:48

And this is why you need a dragon on it. You always know which way up it should be.
It also takes a fair bit of skill to draw properly. Especially the curly tail at the end.

BourgeoisBabe · 21/08/2025 22:46

HonoriaBulstrode · 21/08/2025 21:59

Racists are putting up flags on lampposts.

What evidence do you have that they are racists?

I think just putting them up is probably enough to be honest

iwishihadaname · 21/08/2025 22:43

And should know it’s called the union flag not Union Jack only called Union Jack on a ship

TooBigForMyBoots · 21/08/2025 22:41

BallerinaRadio · 21/08/2025 22:17

They are and I quote 'saving the UK'

It's got a codename and everything Operation Raise The Flag.

They're doing it to make Uncle Nigel proud and maybe hope that they'll notice them one day

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By putting cheap nylon flags on telegraph poles?🤯 The wrong way up?🤦‍♀️

While I agree with the sentiment of saving the UK, I cant see what this is doing to help.

Labradorlover987 · 21/08/2025 22:33

BallerinaRadio · 21/08/2025 22:11

Just are aren't they.

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Do you not think this kind of smug snobbery pushes people to vote reform?

Labradorlover987 · 21/08/2025 22:31

Ponoka7 · 21/08/2025 19:39

Absolute murder across our local FB pages. The Union flags had been put upside down, which angered the local ex Servicemen. The ex servicemen basically got told to STFU, a few older pick-me women even went against them. What and why was happening, still remains a mystery.

”A few older women even went against” oh no, how dare older women have an opinion!!!

PashaMinaMio · 21/08/2025 22:26

Here’s an interesting article which for those who don’t know, advises which way up to fly our union flag.

It’s not much use commenting that our flag is being flown upside down unless we tell folks the correct way. Clearly it isn’t being taught in schools.

www.flaginstitute.org/wp/uk-flags/british-flag-protocol/

WillyWonkasPurpleHat · 21/08/2025 22:21

These will look as cheesy in the future as handclapping the NHS at the beginning of Covid does now

BallerinaRadio · 21/08/2025 22:18

oviraptor21 · 21/08/2025 22:04

It's a pain getting it the right way. I have to look it up every time - big sporting events, jubilees etc. I wouldn't notice if someone got it wrong and I dont think it detracts from their patriotism.

No you're right nothing says patriotism like a tatty flag stuck to a lamppost

BallerinaRadio · 21/08/2025 22:17

TooBigForMyBoots · 21/08/2025 22:14

Why are they putting flags up anywhere other than their own houses?Confused

They are and I quote 'saving the UK'

It's got a codename and everything Operation Raise The Flag.

They're doing it to make Uncle Nigel proud and maybe hope that they'll notice them one day

Original poster
Nookfoot · 21/08/2025 22:16

oviraptor21 · 21/08/2025 22:04

It's a pain getting it the right way. I have to look it up every time - big sporting events, jubilees etc. I wouldn't notice if someone got it wrong and I dont think it detracts from their patriotism.

Oh.come on, flying any other flag upside down would be the height iof disrespect

OP posts:
spoonbillstretford · 21/08/2025 22:16

Why are people proud of where they happen to be born? You've not done anything to achieve that, it's just where your parents happened to live at the time. Patriotism is so bizarre.

TooBigForMyBoots · 21/08/2025 22:14

Why are they putting flags up anywhere other than their own houses?Confused

BallerinaRadio · 21/08/2025 22:11

HonoriaBulstrode · 21/08/2025 21:59

Racists are putting up flags on lampposts.

What evidence do you have that they are racists?

Just are aren't they.

oviraptor21 · 21/08/2025 22:04

It's a pain getting it the right way. I have to look it up every time - big sporting events, jubilees etc. I wouldn't notice if someone got it wrong and I dont think it detracts from their patriotism.

HonoriaBulstrode · 21/08/2025 21:59

Racists are putting up flags on lampposts.

What evidence do you have that they are racists?

BallerinaRadio · 21/08/2025 21:43

StressedOot3 · 21/08/2025 19:14

Why has there been so many posts about flags? What are you all going on about?

Racists are putting up flags on lampposts.

It's as stupid as it sounds.

Raquelos · 21/08/2025 21:32

Nookfoot · 21/08/2025 20:54

That a lot of the Union Flags are being put up by people so patriotic they don't know which way up their beloved flag goes.

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They are almost certainly flying them upside down out of ignorance, but really, who cares? The sentiment remains the same; it's either patriotism or something less wholesome. Sneering at someone's obvious ignorance usually seems a bit of a dick move tbh and certainly doesn't afford anyone the moral high ground imo.

Original poster
Nookfoot · 21/08/2025 20:54

TheHateIsNotGood · 21/08/2025 19:28

Are you referring to the Union Jack? Or maybe confusing the recent upsurge in the displaying of England Flags with the 'correct' way to fly the UK Flag instead.

Yes, St George was Turkish and Wales doesn't actually have any dragons although St Andrew might have been a bit cross and Northern Ireland might have had a 'hand' in it.

What is your actual point OP?

That a lot of the Union Flags are being put up by people so patriotic they don't know which way up their beloved flag goes.

OP posts:
SoUncertain · 21/08/2025 19:39

CanadianJohn · 21/08/2025 19:19

Flying a flag upside down is traditionally a signal of distress, but it can also serve as a form of protest. Maybe that's what is going on.

My old scout leader used to tell a tale of running into a pub to find out what was happening. Turns out the owner didn't know there was a right way up.

To be honest, I think most people just don't know the correct way to fly the union flag.