DH and his flag pole dream….

[Lilysienna1]

DH mentioned a few years ago, that he has ‘always wanted’ to have a flag on display in the front garden. A proper flag on a pole, that we would raise up every morning, and ‘fly at half mast’ when the occasion calls for it.

I have never ever even thought of having a flag. We are British and I know it’s quite common in America, but not so much here. DH isn’t a football fan, so it’s nothing to do with the flag flying we see during the World Cup and the like.

last year, for Christmas he said the only present he would wish for, was to have that flag. He was most disappointed with the watch and aftershave he received instead.

He has now mentioned it to 13 year old DD who thinks it’s ‘kinda cool’ and she could imagine using it behind her for tik tok dances.

So now, I’m being made out to be highly unreasonable and a bore, for saying I do not want to raise a bloody flag every morning and see it outside the front of my house every day. I did try to compromise by saying ‘maybe’ a small one in the back garden, but DH says it’s to go out the front only, and why should we be ashamed of patriotism.

We don’t live in a grand estate home, just a detached house in a redrow cul-de-sac. The neighbours wouldn’t be affected as there are large trees between our only neigbours drive and ours, and we are on the corner.

However, everyone that comes in and out our road will see it as it’s the first house.

what would you do?? Give in and say yes to DH and his flag pole or put your foot down? Am I really being that unreasonable and boring? Does anyone else fly a flag? 🤦🏻‍♀️

On a thread about putting up a flag pole in an English village?

And how on earth do you even know any ‘little Englander racists’ which I assume you know is a slur in itself?

I think they are coded slightly differently. The flag of St George made some headway when Scotlsnd was seeking independence. The Union flag made a bit of a comeback during Brexit.

Why do I need to know any little Englander racists to talk about little Englander racists?

How is is a slur on little Englander racists to call them little Englander racists?

Neo colonialism is clearly something you know nothing about.

Happy to berate the British for a flag in their cottage garden - less keen to acknowledge the current perpetrators now. Your loathing of us shines through every post.

I was just wondering, @Newchapterbeckons , because it represent a union of several countries-so if it’s viewed negatively, presumably all the countries are viewed negatively? England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales??

So you don’t actually know these mythical racists creatures actually exist, you are simply guessing that they do, somewhere. Right….. 🤔

@MasterBeth

Flying a Union flag on a pole outside your house is not very common at all in the UK.

Actually I would say it's not that uncommon around here - rural Hampshire. Often see it in naice villages. I've always thought middle class and a bit eccentric or ex-Navy when I see one - being a hardline racist wouldn't occur to me until now. Seeing the English flag, however, would sadly give me pause.

For the record, I'd not be delighted if the OP's husband flew the flag of the Chinese Communist Party on his flagpole, either.

Sorry, are you trying to deny that there are any racists in England?

God how tacky. Honestly if I see a flagpole outside a house I just assume the people that live there are twats.

Being common in some parts of the UK doesn't make it common in the UK.

It's common in some parts of Northern Ireland too. And then very much not common in other parts!

I guess so, you would have to check with master she seems to have her own logic on this.

Have you ever actually tried to tell a Scot to put their flag away master? Good luck with that pal! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 You will have your arse handed to you pretty sharpish. would love to be a fly on the wall for that one…especially if she brings her holy water and pearls….

I've made it very clear I'm talking about the Union flag. Very different cultural context for the Saltaire.

Okay…… 🤔

https://sumfinity.com/photos/england/london/the-road-to-buckingham-palace-united-kingdom/

Case closed.

Oooohhhh so it’s okay for anyone else. Just not the English. I see. Racist again one feels. Everyone else can have their flags but the British. Are you Scottish by any chance? Maybe Nicola Sturgeon has joined us for the afternoon folks. Now she is on the dole.

Eh?

Anti monarchy too then. Super duper.

Heaven forbid such a radical notion.

Flying the flag outside a private house does tend to have rather racist connotations in this country.. or otherwise denotes football fans . I suppose years ago it used to be mainly National Front supporters who had English flags outside of the football season and flag flying in this country still has quite a strong right wing vibe.

My Dad has a flag pole, which usually has a Jolly Roger flying. He changes it to our football team when they are in a big final. He used to fly a Union Jack on big occasions, but he's gotten a lot less patriotic the older he's got.
I think it's quite sweet and the grandkids all love it!
I'd let your DH get one. It's his dream, don't stop it just because you're worried that other people might raise an eyebrow. Most people wont think anything of it, but so what if they do?

It’s all making sense now.

We got there in the end. You are either a hairy corbynite or Nicola sturgeon, we could be forgiven for mixing up the two I guess.

OK, Nigel.

You can borrow my lady shave and I can borrow your communism handbook for the 19th century and we can find our peace. ☮️

When my dad was posted to Coningsby, we viewed a house with a flagpole already in situ. I (aged 6) thought it was great although wanted the Jolly Roger. Dad despite collecting coins and stamps, having been a scout and actually being in the military said it had to come down before before we could buy it... that rated as one of the great disappointments of my childhood along with being refused a Mr Frosty.