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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask my neighbour about England flag bunting?

395 replies

nuffinthemule · 30/05/2014 16:12

My neighbour is outside on a ladder attaching England-flag bunting to the lampost outside his house (on the pavement). Is there a sport-related reason for hanging bunting this weekend that I have forgotten about or am I right to be slightly wtf? We live in a very multicultural area and I think it looks a bit aggressive and unwelcoming, although I accept it might not have been his intention. I know the neighbour to say hello to only and although he's always been reasonably friendly I have tbh been keeping a bit of distance as I know other neighbours have fallen out with him. Would you ask him why he is hanging it, do you think? Or am I being paranoid? And if you agree it is a bit dodgy how do I get him to take it down?

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 30/05/2014 16:14

Presumably for the World Cup? But there is an England match tonight.

AdorabeezleWinterpop · 30/05/2014 16:15

England are playing Peru tonight AFAIK. Maybe that?

Naoko · 30/05/2014 16:15

The World Cup starts in less than two weeks. I'd assume he was very excited and putting the bunting out a bit early...

OwlCapone · 30/05/2014 16:15

I think it looks a bit aggressive and unwelcoming

Why?

ApocalypseNowt · 30/05/2014 16:16

Ignore it. It's more likely to do with the world cup isn't it?

OwlCapone · 30/05/2014 16:16

Would you think it aggressive and unwelcoming if he put Scottish bunting up?

cantbelievethisishppening · 30/05/2014 16:16

How on earth is putting England flag bunting up aggressive and unwelcoming? I've bloody seen it all now. Did you adopt the same attitude when the Olympics were on?

hakunafrittata · 30/05/2014 16:16

I don't know when it is, but the World Cup is starting soon. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with an England flag (and I am Scottish). I don't want to become embroiled in debate but don't become the person that is so PC that they get offended by their own flag.

BobTheFly · 30/05/2014 16:17

Only in this country can hanging your national flag be described as 'a but dodgy' and 'aggressive and unwelcoming'.

FFS!

hakunafrittata · 30/05/2014 16:17

That should read 'offended'...

Original poster
nuffinthemule · 30/05/2014 16:17

Oh phew. I hoped it was something like that but all I could think that was relevant to this weekend was the UKIP results!

OP posts:
Hakluyt · 30/05/2014 16:19

Ever seen an EDL member with a flag?

Canus · 30/05/2014 16:19

Well the world cup is soonish - won't it be that?

I live in an area that's about as multicultural as it's possible to be - nobody is getting their knickers in a twist about a bit of English bunting. They all have football fever.

Are you upset about offence being taken by imaginary people? Or taking offence yourself on behalf of people who are not bothered at all, and who probably can't wait to join in with all the football palaver?

LaurieFairyCake · 30/05/2014 16:19

Really struggling to see how bunting can be aggressive Confused

Does it should 'You Cahnt' when you walk past?

WorraLiberty · 30/05/2014 16:19

I think it looks a bit aggressive and unwelcoming

I bet your multicultural neighbours will love you for taking offence on their behalf.... Hmm

There is nothing aggressive or unwelcoming about showing support for your country's football team.

Did you think the Union flag was 'aggressive and unwelcoming' during the Olympics?

Sparklingbrook · 30/05/2014 16:19

You might have to look at the bunting for a few weeks if it is the World Cup. he's just supporting his team presumably and getting all excited. he is probably wearing some England Deely Boppers tonight and having a pint.

Original poster
nuffinthemule · 30/05/2014 16:19

Well, yes, I think hanging England flags can be aggressive and unwelcoming, though obviously not always. All depends on the context and the intention behind it, surely?

OP posts:
MyUsernameIsPants · 30/05/2014 16:20

Really OP?

Waltermittythesequel · 30/05/2014 16:20

YAB totally U to assume someone hanging bunting is a sign of aggression and being unwelcoming.

The man is English, presumably. Why shouldn't he hang bunting for the World Cup.

And even if you didn't know it was football related why on earth would you assume it was aggressive?

People where I grew up used to pain their bloody walls green, white and orange during football tournaments and we're shit.

BiscuitCrumb · 30/05/2014 16:20

There's a World Cup soon and a pre World Cup friendly tonight. Putting up an England flag is not aggressive and is not unwelcoming. It's supporting the national team at a major event. I'm going to hang a big one out of my window for all the matches!

Carsandtrucks · 30/05/2014 16:20

Agreed. We do live in england so it is not unwelcoming in the slightest

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 30/05/2014 16:21

For Christ's Sake!

It's the football, we always hang a flag outside our house during the WC.

What's dodgy?

WorraLiberty · 30/05/2014 16:21

Is there a reason why you started this thread, rather than simply Googling the answer to your question OP?

AgaPanthers · 30/05/2014 16:21

Aggressive bunting? Does it have razor blades sewn in?

Surely if he was a nasty racist then if you asked him he'd just think you were some sort of pinko scum anyway, and then cause you trouble?

What good could possibly come of asking?

OwlCapone · 30/05/2014 16:22

Well, yes, I think hanging England flags can be aggressive and unwelcoming, though obviously not always. All depends on the context and the intention behind it, surely?

Well, no it doesn't really. Do you find it aggressive and unwelcoming if someone displays their national flag? Say Lithuanian or Australian...?