Do you get angry/annoyed when people disrespect your country's flag?

[similar.squirrel]

Fuck no. They're pieces of cloth representing a system that I'm not entirely sure is a good idea to begin with. Patriotism is a load of bunk.

 

[subtlefuge]

I feel like you might have some issues if you wish to actively cause harm to flags (for several reasons). However, if you disrespect one out of ignorance, negligence, or really anything else other than a whiny cry for attention, then why should anyone care?

I'm fairly certain that they make flag napkins for pretty much every major country. Is it disrespectful to use them?

 

[AngloDoom]

And some of the posters here don't seem to understand that, tossing out comments like "it's just cloth, what's the big deal". That's what I was talking about.

That's fair enough. However, I still think they are more using that phrase as an example of how little they care. The problem is, with countries like England, is that we don't understand where we stand in the world any more. A significant amount of the people of England seem to think that showing any pride in your country will be viewed as racist or bigoted, so we've kind of forgotten what we're suppose to be proud of. Yes, we're very well of indeed, but so are other countries: it's not England-exclusive.

I think that if you live in a peaceful, wealthy and powerful country then you should be proud enough about the quality of life it provides for you that you should have patriotism towards it.
[-Snip-]
Basically like your country, but don't care too much about the flag is what I'm saying.

Again, good reasons to be glad you live in the West, not particularly about the country in general. That's why I think the flag, for many, represents very little: we don't know what our very country represents now. We only see ourselves in stereotypes from American TV as villains, posh, vain, useless, gentlemen, or cockneys wandering around American going "Wat's this' 'ot-dogs, awl abowt?"

I'm not blaming America for this at all, it's just that England was know as a big-something before, for better or worse. Now it's just a part of Europe where we have scones.

 

[Charli]

Nope because we've invited everyone on the face of the planet to disrespect it in exchange for having been dickheads a couple of centuries ago. Woops our bad, we'll start behaving like less than tools in another couple of hundred I suppose.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

No, I don't.

I have no personal connection to my nation's flag, nor do I see it with any perceived reverence beyond acknowledging it's historical origins. Simply spoken, it's not the flag that makes the country. It's the people, and what those people make of that country that matters over a piece of cloth.

 

[lionsprey]

nope but i do get annoyed when they talk shit about the country in question although generally only when Americans do it

 

[ultimateownage]

Yep.
Those damn Welsh, trying to shove their dragon on the Union Jack.

 

[JackKrauserFtw]

Not really. I mean, it's just some cloth. Now, if we had a cool looking flag, like, say, Wales, I'd probably be more inclined to say yes, but only for art appreciation reasons.

It's not the flag its the principles/values that it represents. That being said no, nationalism is just as fucked up as religion

 

[Mcupobob]

Funnily enough I grew up in a military family my and my grandfather who was in the Navy 20 years, and our Flag was torn up, dirty and tattered outside. Though I don't see that as a sign of disrespect. Whenever I pictured the American flag it was always the image of tattered and well worn one, still proudly waving even after harsh winters and dusty summers. I like to think of my country sort of like that flag, just because its a little raggedy doesn't mean it needs to be put down. It will hopeful always fly strong. (Patriotic tear swells up in eye.). Though I would never proposal go out of my way to get it in that condition nor to any other nations flag.

Its not the flag but those who carry that matter.

 

[Vhite]

Nope. I would wipe my ass with our flag if it was cheap.

 

[BlueFishie]

I'm Swedish, and I couldn't care less. It's just an object to me. Sure, it has some cultural significance and all that, but honestly, it's just a flag.

 

[Kalith]

I've seen people burn my countries flag and I really don't care. It's like "bad words", for me it only has the meaning an individual puts on it.

I put no onus on my countries flag to mean anything, it's a picture so people at the Olympics can be recognised. When I was in America I was baffled during the morning at Sea World. I had to stand for a minutes silence while music played and people saluted. Excuse me, I'm at a theme park.. not a war memorial. Not to mention meeting my partners grandparents, they'd be the poster children for Americana.

 

[SinisterGehe]

Umm... Not really, it is just a cloth flapping in the wind. I don't really care, since I am not really that patriotic. But what annoys me is when people over use the flag, put it everywhere and demean it meaning.

 

[TailstheHedgehog]

It's a flag.
Eh, I guess it depends how patriotic you are. I like to think us Aussies love our country so much and know we do we don't even need to express it. We're just a happy bunch.
Honestly, I think the flag-craze is one of those weird yank things.

 

[lettucethesallad]

Piece of fabric put on a pole. Nope, not bothered.

 

[MrTub]

No. Why should I care about it?

 

[JoJo]

A surprising number of Escapists are failing to grasp the simple notion of symbolism. Strange, you're usually a pretty smart bunch.

I agree, I'm British and for me my flag represents not just where I live, but also the values of freedom and liberty that my country embodies and all those who sacrificed to earn us those values. I don't mind people putting flags in their pockets or folding them in whatever way but I think they should still show respect to what our flag represents.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

Not really. I mean, it's just some cloth. Now, if we had a cool looking flag, like, say, Wales, I'd probably be more inclined to say yes, but only for art appreciation reasons.

It's not the flag its the principles/values that it represents. That being said no, nationalism is just as fucked up as religion

I'm aware of the token faith some peoples choose to put into a piece of cloth. Others like me, choose to represent it with our own actions and morals and whatnot.

You take down my flag, big whoop. You punch me in the face, it's on.

 

[Craorach]

Yes, it's not about what a flag is, the physical thing.. it's about what it represents.

What really annoys me here in Australia is seeing what they do with their flag on Australia day. It is literally everywhere.. temp tattooed on every face, breast and buttock in sight.. used as bikinis and swimming costumes, wrapped around their shoulders and thrown on the sand or the grass to use as a picnic blanket or towel.

I'm sorry, but it's not a sign of national pride to wrap your junk in your flag, or to use it to mop up the vomit and sweat from your drunken celebration.