AIBU to think tatty lampost flags are imposing on communities?

[Warmlight1]

To think.that people continuing to put up tatty flags on lamposts are imposing on communities?
There are people putting them up again near roads. They hang by a thread eventually causing a clear hazard. It looks disrespectful and costs money to make safe. And the intention looks less and less like they give a fig for anyone especially in diverse places.
Everywhere has a civic hub where flags are flown properly at the proper time.

You seem to have a very limited grasp of the culture across the UK which is ironic given how nationalistic you claim to be.

I many areas of NI the union flag is absolutely used to be intimidating.

More faux innocence.
I've not been to another country where a group promulgated by rascist thugs are zip tying cheap nylon flags half way up lampposts and telegraph poles, against the wishes of many local people.

Smart flags flown on high days and holidays from official flagpoles, or flagpoles on people's own property - no issues at all.

I can understand that flying the Union Flag in Northern Ireland is used as an intimidating tactic with the history of the Troubles. But this does not mean that flying the flag in the rest of UK is intimidating as well. To make a sweeping statement that the flag is used to always intimidate is making a huge generalisation.

There is no 'faux innocence' here. I am aware that some are using it to their own political ideals but this doesn't mean that every flag put up = racist.

Lol wee hallions! 😂

But we're not talking about every flag - we're talking about the flags cable tied to lampposts by those encouraged by some individuals with questionable motives. These individuals also have criminal records and have been given tens of thousands of pounds (maybe more) in 'donations' to personal bank accounts after making stupid videos suggesting they are stopping boats and 'raising the colours'. They are criminal grifters, one of them wanted for fraud in Spain.

I know people who would ordinarily have flown flags during the world cup but decided against it this year because it's been tainted for them and no longer feels celebratory.

I think you do. My take is that the flags have been put up as a result of racist twats embracing their inner chimp. The cheap shite then disintegrates and becomes litter. The local council (or similar) then spends money clearing up.

I completely agree. How stupid do people think we are, with that ridiculous line about other countries being proud to fly their flag? I have no issue with a flag flying from a proper flag pole, in a church for example. Hanging them from lamp posts and bridges is pathetic.

Are you in England? If so there is no real reason to find the English flag objectionable. I'd hazard a guess that if fewer people found displaying the English national flag objectionable within England then fewer England flags would be displayed.

I live in a 'flag' area, it marks it out as tatty and depressing, the flags haven't worn well and many are tangled in trees. It's bringing house prices down for sure, I've thought of moving out myself.

I'm a big believer in flags being flown on flagposts, in public buildings and in areas that denote national pride.

That's not my area, sadly!

What amazes me is the people who wanted to fly the flags, acting because they are proud, and it was important to do it. Are quite happy for them to sit, tatty, half ripped, looking awful. So, proud of the English flag but not proud enough to want to maintain them.
I don’t think they should be on lampposts anyway, but the way they look now is awful.

Perhaps they’d have been better spending money on buying a flag pole for their garden!.

Ridiculous circular logic. Cheap plastic tatty flags put up by sad flag shaggers, is what demeans both the union flag and the St George flag. Its just so chavvy.

It could be seen as pathetic to get so upset about them? Is it a big deal? Letting such trivial things interfere with your life in such a negative way is totally embracing that inner chimp IMO

I'm not bothered by flying national flags, I'm bothered by the intent and reason behind them being flown. I used to love it when I saw the Saltire being flown, it lifted my heart. I loved it when I worked in England during the week and saw loads of St George's Cross flags being flown during football season. It felt like being part of a massive community.

Now every time I see them, I think of the horrible hatred and polarisation that seems to be on the rise, and how social media is just fuelling the mis- and dis- information causing the hatred.

@soddingspiderseason your viewpoint demonstrates the lack of understanding that makes these cheap, nylon flags proliferate.

Myself I object to cheap nylon tat altogether on many grounds; environmental, human rights, slave labour, carbon footprint etc.

By objecting to the display of English national flags you're adding fire to the fuel you dimwit. I thought the insult d'jour was 'crackhead skank' and "chav" went out of fashion yonks ago.

You can do better surely.

Can you quote where anyone has said flying the flag is racist?

I have no problem with displaying the England or UK flag per session, I mean it looks amazing in London along the mall. But tatty flags tied to lamp posts just looks a bit common and actually disrespectful.

Yes, it's a big deal if you have experienced a rise in racist abuse to you and your kids in recent years both online and in the street and you know that the lamppost campaign has been created by violent racists with criminal records who have designed it to embolden their followers and intimidate people of colour.

Maybe think beyond your own cosy experience towards people who might not find it so "trivial".

There's an angle come up here which I hadn't thought about but quite a few people said they wouldn't buy in an area with flags on lamposts. Now that seems awful because as I said it's often outsiders picking a street and putting them up. So those people in the street have no control over how it looks and it could put off a potential buyer for a house.
It's all very well pooh pooing people's reactions but we live in a very class ridden society. Still.
It really comes home when it starts to affect people's chances of selling their houses.

Do you get various flags on lamposts then? Is your community involved in changing and maintaining them? Which ones get out up?
We have a display that changes for the occasion: St George's for st george-:Welsh flag for St Davids etc- but they are on specific supports, time limited and changed. I think our council does it. I've no problem with that.

So last year don't you know.
Said in abfab style voice.

I'm guessing you feel you can't say Merry Christmas, or wear Poppies- would I be right?

We are all know they were put up by racist scum, so anyone supporting or defending them are also likely to be racist scum. Our council have just had to replace street furniture that said racists also painted their little wonky crosses on.

Absolutely no problem with people flying flags on their own property. The public buildings here also have both the Union Flag and St George Cross, and our city and county flag are flown at various places in our city centre.

What? You are blaming @soddingspiderseason for the flags?🤯

Not the people who use cheap, plastic facsimiles of our flags like dog piss to mark territory on lampposts?🤔 Not the intimidating, threatening men who put them up?🤔

No, it's the fault of women on Mnet for calling it out and objecting.🙄

"She made me do it", the cry of abusers everywhere.

No one said flag is used to always intimidate. Most have posted about how they love to see the flag flown appropriately and with respect.☺️

Your comment makes absolutely no sense. Its not my fault that chavs want to put up cheap plastic tatty flags on lamposts. I think they should be arrested for littering personally.