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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want a flag hanging from my house?

118 replies

PlumFairy2014 · 13/07/2015 16:54

We have builders working on the roof, I've just got home and they have attached a GB flag to the top of the scaffolding. AIBU to think you shouldn't do this?!
I don't entirely know why, but I don't like it. This is my home not a ship!

OP posts:
CrystalCove · 13/07/2015 19:08

My thoughts exactly Marylou.

BitOfFun · 13/07/2015 19:10

At various times it's been appropriatedo by the far right, the Tory party, and those ubiquitous mid-noughties soft furnishings companies; I wouldn't want my neighbours to be inferring anything inaccurate about my political views or taste in cushions, so YANBU.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 13/07/2015 19:11

Blimey I wouldn't like that at all but would probably not be brave enough to ask them what the hell they thought they were doing!

"There are flags flying from every Unionist/Loyalist house in Northern Ireland this week and especially today. Your builders are Northern Irish/Scottish and you have been drafted into Making A Statement."

I guess this might well be the reason and if so, having your house co-opted like that around thorny political issues is shitty behaviour.

treaclesoda · 13/07/2015 19:20

But saturn all NI loyalist builders will be at home in NI this week! No NI loyalist builder works in the Twelfth Fortnight Wink

SoupDragon · 13/07/2015 19:21

OP, what is your problem with the flag?

FunnyCatVideo · 13/07/2015 19:22

Wee buns compared to ISIS, Israeli, Indian, Republic of Ireland, Ivory Coast, Nazi and confederate flags being flown or burned around NI these past few days.

treaclesoda · 13/07/2015 19:24

There aren't flags flying from every unionists house in N Ireland Confused

There are certainly some areas with a lot of flags but it's a big stretch to say every house.

And also worth bearing in mind that in some areas you are instructed by the local hardmen to hang a flag, whether you want to or not. I've got a nice computer printed death threat that my pil received a few years back because their failure to display a flag had been noted. Needless to say, they bought a flag and put it out. The only statement they were making was the statement saying 'please don't burn us out of our house'

BabyFeets · 13/07/2015 19:26

Lol op I would say to them do you think this is a ship or something

RiverTam · 13/07/2015 19:29

I doubt the scaffolding belongs to the builders, scaffolding companies are separate to the building companies aren't they? Equally I doubt the scaffolders will care, ime scaffolders are top of the list of Neanderthals in the construction industry.

Original poster
PlumFairy2014 · 13/07/2015 19:39

Blimey! Only just caught up.

Soup dragon I don't have a problem with the flag as such, it's more the attaching of anything to my house (or scaffolding attached to my house) without my permission. It seems darn cheeky to me!

I got I touch and the flag will go tomorrow.

I have no problem with people flying flags, but I think it should be up to the home owner whether or not they like to fly flags! I was tempted to replace it with a Jolly Roger, but my DH advised against climbing out the top window.

OP posts:
Original poster
PlumFairy2014 · 13/07/2015 19:40

The scaffolding chaps are a separate company. I haven't felt the need to inform them of said flag...

OP posts:
dementedma · 13/07/2015 19:44

I am English and British and I have as much right to fly the St George's cross as the Scots do the Saltire, without being branded a UKIP bigot or a supporter of BNP.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 13/07/2015 19:49

Flying the Union Jack or st George's does not make you a racist... But it's usually a pretty good sign that whoever lives there is a knob.

Anyway, it's your house not theirs and they should put their flag of choice on their own house not yours. Really basic!

Boofy27 · 13/07/2015 20:01

If you let them away with this, they’ll have a Chelsea FC flag up tomorrow; social suicide.

londonrach · 13/07/2015 20:07

Your home your choice but it is sad that we cant fly a flag similar to usa, french, italy or any country ive been to without worrying. We should be proud to live in a multicultral country where we are free to fly a flag or not.

Notso · 13/07/2015 20:18

Most builders I have seen put up a sign on the scaffolding with their company name on, maybe this is just their version. You shouldn't have to have it if you don't like it though.

I don't think I'm a knob TheOriginalSteamingNit but I'd love a flag.

Pumpkinpositive · 13/07/2015 20:21

More than one person has mentioned the Union Jack as if it's the worst possible thing... surely the St George's flag is the ultimate in looking like an uneducated oaf?

I live in Scotland, in an area famed for sectarianism.

I don't think I have ever seen a St George's flag flown in Scotland.

CountessofCountthepennies · 13/07/2015 20:29

It's such a Shame that so many people are disgusted by the their own flag. One which so many people fought to keep & are still fighting for.

I for one am very proud & glad that I can do as I choose because of such brave souls. Anyone who thinks otherwise should visit a war memorial, a centre for ex service persons or a rehab for ex service personnel who have half a face/body. Maybe then you wouldn't worry so much about what your neighbours think!

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 13/07/2015 20:29

Your home your choice but it is sad that we cant fly a flag similar to usa, french, italy or any country ive been to without worrying. We should be proud to live in a multicultral country where we are free to fly a flag or not.

The history and politics of a given flag in a given country are unique to that flag in that country at that point in time. I really don't see the point in being either particularly sad about the comparisons to other countries' flags, or the point in arguing (as someone did above) that 'I have the right to fly my flag without being thought of as a racist'. No you don't - you have the right to fly a flag legally but you do so (hopefully) in full knowledge of the associations that will be made. Either they bother you enough for you to distance yourself from that particular symbol, or they don't.

I live in Scotland, in an area famed for sectarianism.

Ah, I did suspect as I was typing that that you might be in Scotland. Smile Makes far more sense now!

Goshthatsspicy · 13/07/2015 20:32

Perhaps they've built a sandcastle up there?

bobthebuddha · 13/07/2015 20:36

I suppose I'd want builders to ask first, but at the same time it's a shame that we're all so feckin' terrified of the flag of the country/union we're part of and the 'what will the neighbours think?' implications. It's nuts, frankly.

TinyManticore · 13/07/2015 20:40

I'd be pissed off regardless of what flag it was, they've put a flag up without asking! It could be any blinking flag, the point is that it's not their house.
But I would agree that the St George flag has been turned into a symbol of loutishness. The Union flag isn't quite as bad but I still wouldn't have either on my house.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 13/07/2015 20:43

To put up a flag without asking is outrageous!

They can fly it from their van if they feel that strongly.

I suspect they were messing around- they must know it's inappropriate.

bolleauxnouveau · 13/07/2015 20:50

arff at goshthatsspicy

Round our way a few places have 'village days' where the flags and bunting come out, they have a bit of a funfair/fete and a good time is had by all, not all associations with the Union Jack are unpleasant and we should not be ashamed of our flag because a few small minded people have hijacked it.
I wouldn't mind them flying the flag off my scaffolding(!), it could be a lot worse.

Wideopenspace · 13/07/2015 20:53

Sneak up and swap it for some pretty bunting in the night. Cath Kidston or somehting..

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