Why are we embarrassed to fly the English flag?

[Dannyandsandy]

Just that really. I’m English but grew up in Ireland and everyone Irish is delighted to fly their flag with pride. I’ve travelled extensively around the world and have seen the same in other countries. To do so in England? Well you’re utter scum. Why?

@Dannyandsandy

Just that really. I’m English but grew up in Ireland and everyone Irish is delighted to fly their flag with pride. I’ve travelled extensively around the world and have seen the same in other countries. To do so in England? Well you’re utter scum. Why?

(a) it has been hijacked by the far/right

(b) the rest of us aren't nationalistic and don't need to keep waving it about and decorating our cars with it.

Because it is tied up with connotations of racism due to parties like the English Defence League etc., who use it as their emblem.

Because it has become associated with football hooligans and various far right groups.

Yes - it’s been appropriated by violent, far right thugs, and I don’t know how it can be taken back from them.

I think patriotism ‘works’ better in countries that have a history of being oppressed, or have had a revolution - for example Ireland, France. America (regardless of what the reality is now) was founded on a written set of principles that are supposedly represented by their flag. England/UK I feel doesn’t quite have the same impact. Also as the previous poster said, to a lot of us sadly the England flag is connected to the national front. I am not at all saying that anyone who flies one is right wing, but there is that connection for lots of people, rightly or wrongly.

I think it's OK on a day like today when the football is on, but if you have one out year round I'd think you are a BNP supporter. It's been hijacked.

England has had two major revolutions. One in 1688 to overthrow the Catholic monarch and the English Civil war and commonwealth period 1640 - 1660.

Makes me feel uncomfortable due to the racist associations

Yes, it's because of the flag's appropriation by the far right and also because of its associations with the more shameful aspects of our national history such as colonialism.

I find this interesting as well...

I think it is very sad but the England flag def has negative connotations.

I like the British flag at sporting events-my DC represented GB and when he won and they played the National anthem and raised the flag it was the proudest moment of my life.

Lots of other countries seem to have a much more straightforward relationship with their flags!!

@LoopTheLoops

Makes me feel uncomfortable due to the racist associations

Because only one of the home nations had racists?

I wouldn't have said we fly the tricolour all that much in Ireland tbh. Around Paddy's Day yes and up North of course it's a big thing. But flying a flag outside the house or whatever is seen as a bit American.

That’s true on the revolutions, but the second one didn’t take and we had the monarchy back.

I think patriotism ‘works’ better in countries that have a history of being oppressed, or have had a revolution - for example Ireland, France. America (regardless of what the reality is now) was founded on a written set of principles that are supposedly represented by their flag.

I'm a Yank and display an American flag in front of my house. It's quite common here, regardless of political affiliation. I was quite surprised by the negative reaction when I mentioned it here on MN.

@MissConductUS

I think patriotism ‘works’ better in countries that have a history of being oppressed, or have had a revolution - for example Ireland, France. America (regardless of what the reality is now) was founded on a written set of principles that are supposedly represented by their flag.

I'm a Yank and display an American flag in front of my house. It's quite common here, regardless of political affiliation. I was quite surprised by the negative reaction when I mentioned it here on MN.

It's a pretty unique Americanism, the sheer amount of flags everywhere. And the pledging allegiance and what have you in schools and that. Off the top of my head (and I'm happy to be corrected) I can't think of any other country where you see so many flags in so many places all year round.

Due to the appopriation by Nationalists and the far right. I cringe when I see a St.George's flag, and seriously judge the owners. If I was viewing a house and neighbours were using one as a curtain, I would walk away. But then again, i find nationalism a strange concept, it is just about where your Mother was when you were born, nothing you can control yourself.

You can thank the football fans..

@Lockhart try Denmark. Danes LOVE their flag. They put in on birthday cakes and even the Christmas tree. Im ok with raising the flags on special occasions - weddings, birthdays, funerals, national holidays but the christmas tree is just too much for me.

@Dannyandsandy

Just that really. I’m English but grew up in Ireland and everyone Irish is delighted to fly their flag with pride. I’ve travelled extensively around the world and have seen the same in other countries. To do so in England? Well you’re utter scum. Why?

Legacy of empire/colonialism? Associations with nationalism? Associations with loutish behaviour? I mean, take your pick x

Because I think it's bloody weird to be patriotic to a random piece of earth you happened to be born on

I don't know if it's true or not, but a friend who lived in Germany also said they were wary of showing too much patriotism.

I see the Union Jack a lot on designs and things and it's generally considered quite cool around the world, but I think people do tend to associate the England flag with the far right and football hooligans.

Loads of England flags on our street today and it looks great. Ours is going out shortly.

Flaunting National identity when it has such a history of colonialism and worse. I am not personally ashamed of my nationality, but for me flags are as much about asserting your nationality. Why is that even necessary? You must be aware of this OP since flags are so contentious in parts of NI that they are banned.

It has become the Inger-land flag rather than England.

I find the pride in an accident of birth very strange.

I’d never fly any flag outside of a sporting event.

The Americans have always been patriotic though ; I had an economics teacher in the 1970s who had taught in the US , he liked the flag being everywhere in schools and thought we should do a similar thing here. It didn't catch on though!
I do think it's a shame that the st George cross has been hijacked by the far right and is seen as a negative thing.