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Original poster

Would you fly the union jack?

152 replies

cloudtree · 19/04/2018 07:48

So after almost a decade of living in our house and wondering what on earth the large concrete post with two manacle type things hanging from it is for, we've realised it's not to hold down a dragon but to hold a flag pole.

DH is now toying with the idea of putting up a union jack. He is really keen and says it makes him think of village greens, the military, sporting events and sunshine. The problem is that I'm worried that the union jack has been appropriated by the far right. Perhaps not to the same extent as the George's cross, but I am worried it now has negative connotations (unless its a Royal wedding week).

House is not in a normal location in that we're rural and the house and a flag would not be able to be seen from the roadside, but neighbours and visitors to the house would see it. The house is big with large grounds. For context, there are a couple of big houses in the nearest village that frequently have the union jack flying.

Would you assume someone was probably racist (or a UKIP supporter - or both!) if they had a union jack flying? I'm concerned, DH says that if the union jack has been appropriated by the far right then its about time we re-appropriated it!

OP posts:
EnglishGirlApproximately · 19/04/2018 07:52

I’d assume Ukiper and if I’m honest probably Britain First types living there. I’m not at all patriotic though!

Lanaa · 19/04/2018 07:56

Are you talking about the Union Jack or st St George's Cross? The St George's cross does have racist connotations - I recently refused to buy a house because the neighbour had one flying in his garden.

The Union Jack is meh in my opinion but I have friends who don't like it. This article explains www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20966371

Personally flying flags on/around your house is just a bit naff imho. I judge people who have them and I think many others do too. Your house, your choice though.

Chickencellar · 19/04/2018 07:57

I'd fly one if you want to , I wouldn't concern me what the neighbours thought. If you live in a grand old pile it's less unusual to see a flag of any kind flying than a back to back.

kissthealderman · 19/04/2018 07:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sausagedogsmakechipolatas · 19/04/2018 07:58

Erm yeah, IME both the St George’s cross and the Union flags are flown by UKIP enthusiasts. Lots of them around here unfortunately, I wouldn’t fly one.

Original poster
cloudtree · 19/04/2018 07:58

Union Jack and he is aware that it might be regarded as 'naff' and quite likes that! He embraces his cheesiness Grin

OP posts:
RoundaboutSnail · 19/04/2018 07:59

The Union Jack is for all of us and yes I would fly it if I had a flagpole.

sausagedogsmakechipolatas · 19/04/2018 07:59

(I would totally go for some kind of dragon though Grin)

Original poster
cloudtree · 19/04/2018 08:00

Fully embraces it - to the extent that his other idea is designing a family crest to fly!

My preference is to accidentally knock down the post holder (although this would require a spare and careless jcb to be passing...)

OP posts:
PrincessoftheSea · 19/04/2018 08:00

I would fly a pirate flag instead

ShatnersBassoon · 19/04/2018 08:01

I'd think naff. I often drive past a house with a dirty, soggy, sad-looking union flag clinging to a pole outside - I imagine they have a velour sofa within.

Original poster
cloudtree · 19/04/2018 08:02

Ooo pirate flag would be appreciated by the DC..

He's also half welsh and so would have the red dragon flying in a flash!

OP posts:
MardAsSnails · 19/04/2018 08:03

Yeah I’d go with a pirate flag too, and maybe change to st George cross or Union Jack during World Cup/olympics if I could be arsed

Original poster
cloudtree · 19/04/2018 08:03

House is big big with 10 acres of garden/land surrounding it.

OP posts:
KT63 · 19/04/2018 08:03

I’m not keen on the Union Flag but then where I am it’s been appropriated by the Orange Lodge and various other nasty connotations attached to it. I think football hooligan when I see it. But then being technically catholic in the west of Scotland will do that to you.

Troels · 19/04/2018 08:03

Buy a few flags and change them. Union jack when no one is visiting, Welsh Dragon if you have Welsh friends, French/scottish flag for those friends, and a Skull and crossbones when he's feeling feisty.

AsAProfessionalFekko · 19/04/2018 08:05

There's a house near us who regularly hoist the Jolly Roger.

I think it was an old embassy house so they must've moved in, looked at the flagpole and thought...

Unless they really are pirates.

sausagedogsmakechipolatas · 19/04/2018 08:11

I vote Welsh dragon!

Original poster
cloudtree · 19/04/2018 08:11

Hmm, I could probably live with the interchangeable flags idea. I suspect people would then just think we were a bit quirky instead of racist and I can live with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
cloudtree · 19/04/2018 08:12

No permanent Welsh Dragon sausage! We already have household trauma during England/Wales rugby matches!

OP posts:
BluthsFrozenBananas · 19/04/2018 08:13

There’s a house near my mum’s which flies a variety of seasonal flags. There’s falling leaves for autum, a snowman for winter, flowers for spring and a big sun for summer.

ClaudiaWankleman · 19/04/2018 08:14

Have you got a county flag? I quite like our one.

ThePencil · 19/04/2018 08:14

I'd think UKIP too, tbh. But I like the idea of designing a family crest and flying that!

spacestranger · 19/04/2018 08:18

How sad that people can't fly a flag without being thought racist.

What's wrong with being patriotic? Sad

However it is true that flying one is deemed a bit racist whether that's the intent or not - but only in England! Scots, Irish and Welsh apparently fine to fly their flags.

Fucked up society!

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LoudBatPerson · 19/04/2018 08:18

My neighbours have a flagpole. They fly a variety of different flags and seem to have quite the collection. They don't use country based ones but just a variety of different images.