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?

I like our flag and this country. I would be happy to fly it, except due it having been hijacked, I don't want everyone making the wrong assumptions.

I happily fly the flag during what I consider to be national events such as the Euros and World Cup and other sporting events. Or if we’re celebrating something connected to the Royal Family, but would be reluctant at other times due to the connections to far right racist groups.

I'm not sure it can be re-appropriated, frankly. A good test is whether you'd want to live next to a flag displayed. I so would not.

@CrazyCatsAndKittens I’ve heard this from German friends too.

If you want to, just fly your county flag

@UhtredRagnarson I’m talking about the republic. I’m sure it’s different in the North.

Because it’s been used as and therefore seen to be a mark of a country that is racist and facist and wankerist. Bollocks to that be proud of being who you are and sod the minority who believe the EDL and facist groups who have taken over the flag

Because we are English....it's in our very nature to be embarrassed and self conscious.

I spent a year working in the USA and noticed that in many areas 50% of the houses flew the flag. Their unashamed patriotism and love of country is one of the things I have always admired in Americans, although it can sometimes spill over into jingoism and disrespect for other cultures.

There was a very interesting thread a few days ago where the OPs DH got a massive flag pole for the garden for this. I wish I knew why it was deleted but didn't want to start a taat.

Because the English or British flag are shameful. Ever counted how many countries celebrate their day of freedom from British rule?

@3scape

Because the English or British flag are shameful. Ever counted how many countries celebrate their day of freedom from British rule?

That can be said for most of Europe though

Actually, it can be said for many nations world wide.

The english flag is used by groups who are not just nationalistic but openly racist. So ordinary people think twice about getting it out!

However, I also think it has to do with the fact that England is part of the UK. Since the union jack covers the union, in general, outside of football times (eg at the olympics or just generally), the union jack is probably more appropriate and less exclusionary.

It's a sad state of affairs when getting out the flag of your country could be considered a dodgy thing to do. Just look at the Americans, they love their flag and aren't allowed to bin/burn(?) it. It's displayed all over the place and there is a sense of patriotism. I suppose it's a bigger country.

Well if you think it’s been “hijacked” then start flying it yourself:

England is full of people too scared of being racist, by non racist things

I'm not into flag waving outside of sporting events. The American and Danish obsession with their respective nations' flags leave me cold.

We have ours out to support England in the European Cup. I don't associate it with anything bad tbh.

Unless you suffer from significant memory loss, you shouldn't need reminding what country you live in whenever you leave the house.

I think the reason some countries - Ireland, the US - do this is because their independence had to be won through violent struggle against an occupying force - us, in both those cases.

England hasn't been in that situation since 1066, and the occupying power basically became part of 'us' anyway.

So my answer is, we don't need to!

DD2 in the US says the houses that fly the flag in her area are the same ones who had Trump signs out last Autumn. Go figure, as they say over there!

NewlyGranny but I don’t get that. Are you saying Americans were patriotic under the Trump presidency, but aren’t under Biden? Nothing wrong with being patriotic surely. You make it sound like it’s something to be ashamed of.

You can have too much patriotism.

@NewlyGranny

DD2 in the US says the houses that fly the flag in her area are the same ones who had Trump signs out last Autumn. Go figure, as they say over there!

I'm a lifelong Democrat who voted for Biden and I have an American flag out. I live in a heavily Democratic area and there are far more flags out than there are Trump supporters. To say that displaying the flag indicates that you support Trump is both absurd and insulting.

"It’s also great to know that flying the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 annoys the hell out of pathetic self-loathing guilt-ridden snowflakes. smile"
Great way to out yourself as not a very nice person. Yuck.

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

I'm Welsh and I bloody love the Welsh flag. It definitely doesn't have any negative connotations.

I think it’s more common to see the union flag 🇬🇧 on buildings and out and about.

Only in England, where most people don't really understand the difference between being English and being British.