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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:
ViviPru · 30/05/2014 16:22

What a shame it's come to this Sad

DoreensEatingHerSoreen · 30/05/2014 16:22

There's an England game tonight, then the World Cup in a few weeks.

There are always national flags out for the football, a lot of England ones (which makes sense as we are in England so there are lots of England fans) and plenty from those that support other nations too.

Not offensive in the slightest IMO.

ApocalypseNowt · 30/05/2014 16:22

I like the idea of aggressive bunting! As long as it's accompanied with some violent cupcakes, vexed tablecloths and really quite cross indeed doilies..... Grin

Waltermittythesequel · 30/05/2014 16:22

Well, yes, I think hanging England flags can be aggressive and unwelcoming

You're going to have to explain that one to me.

We need a baffled emoticon!

BiscuitCrumb · 30/05/2014 16:22

quite cross indeed doilies :)

CanaryYellow · 30/05/2014 16:23

If he was Portugese or Spanish or French, living over here, and was putting up bunting of their flags would you see that as aggressive and unwelcoming?

WorraLiberty · 30/05/2014 16:23

I'll never look at my Dad's St Patrick's Day bunting in the same way again

Wait...or is it only English flag bunting that's aggressive and unwelcoming?

GobTheGoblin · 30/05/2014 16:24

^I think it looks a bit aggressive and unwelcoming,
Well, yes, I think hanging England flags can be aggressive and unwelcoming^

FFS!

Only in this country.

What ever you do OP don't go to USA you would feel very unwelcome, they fly their flag all the time.

RiverTam · 30/05/2014 16:24

unfortunately idiots like the EDL have hijacked the St George's flag so that if it's hanging in someone's window all year round I do sometimes think Hmm. Up for a specific reason like the World Cup is obviously not making a political statement.

It's also the Big Lunch this weekend though I would guess you would know if your street was doing that.

Nocomet · 30/05/2014 16:24

Two weeks! Can I emigrate to a planet that doesn't play football, pleeeeeaaaaasssssseee!

MyUsernameIsPants · 30/05/2014 16:25

I'm in wales.

Cardiff is decorated with welsh flags during the rugby world cup.

And daffodils for that matter.

ApocalypseNowt · 30/05/2014 16:26

But are they aggressive flags MyUsernameIsPants?

Or are they nice assertive ones..... Wink

OorWullie · 30/05/2014 16:26

You could be neighbourly and nip to Asda and buy him a cagoule to match his bunting.

Grin
WorraLiberty · 30/05/2014 16:28

RiverTam I think people who think like the OP do more harm to the English flag than the EDL to be honest.

If more people flew their national flags, the EDL couldn't actually do any damage to it because they would be in such a tiny minority.

Pipbin · 30/05/2014 16:28

unfortunately idiots like the EDL have hijacked the St George's flag so that if it's hanging in someone's window all year round I do sometimes think hmm. Up for a specific reason like the World Cup is obviously not making a political statement.

Exactly this. A house I went passed a few weeks ago had the England flag flying outside the other day and I initially though 'Oh noes there are racists'. But then I realised it was April 23rd and decided that I wouldn't be worried if it was the Welsh flag on St David's day.
It is ridiculous but I have started to see the St Georges cross as a sign of racists. Mainly because the only person I know who displayed it year round was the EDL supporter over the road from my old house.

StarGazeyPond · 30/05/2014 16:29

We live in a very multicultural area and I think it looks a bit aggressive and unwelcoming

So now football bunting I potentially 'racist' 'threatening' and 'aggressive'? I've heard it all now.

slithytove · 30/05/2014 16:29

When I fly to other countries, quite often their national flag is displayed in the airport.

I must take note to tell them how unwelcome their aggressive display makes me feel.

Cravey · 30/05/2014 16:30

Only in England would someone say that the English flag is aggressive. Op I think you are a slight loon. I dare you to ask the neighbour why he's hanging his bunting up. Go on I dare you. Ffs. Idiot.

msmoss · 30/05/2014 16:31

I'm inclined to think that it's attitudes like this that provide fuel for those who like to stir up racial tension, it feeds nicely into the 'we're not welcome in our own country' dialogue that groups like UKIP thrive on.

Cravey · 30/05/2014 16:31

Also I was planning to hang some in my bar this weekend ready for the football. Do you think anyone will fond it aggressive ?

Original poster
nuffinthemule · 30/05/2014 16:32

I wasn't taking offence on anyone's behalf and am glad to be shown to have been being silly. But of course the England flag is sometimes used as a symbol of nationalist sentiment, as well as perfectly reasonable national pride. The EDL are very keen on flags and bunting, as are sectarian groups in Northern Ireland. The idea of someone hanging it in the street without any sort of context worried me.

OP posts:
slithytove · 30/05/2014 16:33

Wait.. Is nationalist sentiment a bad thing?

BlueTardis · 30/05/2014 16:33

We live in a very multicultural area and I think it looks a bit aggressive and unwelcoming

Why? Why is it 'aggressive and unwelcoming' to put up England flag bunting, in England? Please tell me, I'd love to know Hmm Angry

Honestly...

MrsLettuce · 30/05/2014 16:34

Hmm TBH I do feel our flag has some serious aggressive and negative connotations that other national flags don't, it's a shame. I doubt I'm the only person who feels that. Of course there are legitimate reasons for hanging ones national flag but when I see ours my immediate feeling is not a good one.

slithytove · 30/05/2014 16:34

OP... Does the national anthem scare you too?

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