Do you respect your country's flag?

[Robert632]

I respect it, but I'm not going to start saluting it each day or something equally silly.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

I don't own one but I respect what it stands for. Not in a back straight, salute and sing the national anthem way. But in my own little way.

Speaking of flags though, Mozambique have a pretty awesome one.
[small]Hint: look at the symbol.[/small]

 

[Mr Cwtchy]

I don't really care much about flags, to be honest.

Then again, a flag with a Dragon on it is inherently awesome.

How do you like that, randomly coloured stripes?

 

[Zhukov]

No. Nationalism irritates me. Flag idolatry strikes me as downright laughable.

I would happily use the Australian national flag as toilet paper if I had to.

 

[Crossborder]

I respect it because it feels so much better than toilet paper.
EDIT: Damn, ninja'd!

 

[the idiot computer]

Not bothered if someone burns my flag, but eating it... You'll end up in hospital.

Because it has lead in it, well mine anyway.

i'm not patriotic all the people i know don't have flags or show it day and night anyways. Because it was weird and too patriotic for our quiet town.

 

[Blue Musician]

I grew up in a military, conservative family. In front of every house we ever lived the American flag waved. It was a sacred icon of patriotism to America. Every week, we washed it. Every single one was to be treated with respect. Hand over heart, eyes to the flag during the national anthem. To desecrate one was an act of treason. I don't know about you guys, but do you respect and love your nation's flag?

Simply nope, plus the hymn, etc, etc.
I mean, they make us practically give honors to it since kindergarten up to I think advanced school, plus if you make anything, they simply suspend you for one week, while if they blow up your ear with an explosive, hey only suspend you for 2 days (that happened to my mother actually), and they make you sing a hymn which is about the war, xenophobia and blood, and yet they want the children to stop showing those things at school when they are actually singing it.

So no, I despite it hugely. It may be somewhat better in other countries, say for example Australia, since my mother lived there, and I just find it pointless to have it, specially with themes like that.

 

[Escapefromwhatever]

Not really, but mostly only because it, like all other flags, is a military symbol.

 

[Lucifron]

The flag of Sweden represents our patron saint, which I never care to recall the name of, and I'm an atheist, so, yeah...

Edit: Even if the flag only was a symbol for something simply Swedish, I'd not care for it much more. I take no particular pride in my heritage, and I keep the same views on nationalism as Einstein.

 

[Ryokai]

The flag of Israel bears a simple yet elegant design, and bears the symbol of our nation. As flags go, it's pretty sweet.

But it doesn't have a dragon on it...

 

[Greeboz]

I don't see the point, to be honest. Maybe it's the fact I always hated my homeland and no longer live there, but I don't see any value in flags or nationality. Hell, I'm 24 and have yet to learn the national anthem of either my current or birth country.

Actually, I'd like to ask you (OP) why you think the flag is a 'sacred icon'. I get that it's the simple representation of your country, but why does that make the flag itself important? To clarify, I get why you'd look to the flag while singing the anthem, but not why the flag itself needs to be cared for. You can just get another one, right? Not trying to diss you or anything. I genuinely don't get it and would like an explanation.

My entire family's military (well on the American side). Three generations of my family lived and died for that flag. So naturally, we feel a little inclined to venerate it.

Surely you don't mean to say that you developed your respect for the flag because of that? Because that would imply that to in the beginning you didn't venerate it yet but still died for it.

His family fought for their country. Their country and their flag. A flag isn't about what colors you wear to the Olympics, it's about what it represents.

 

[littlerob]

It's a bit of cloth with an arbitrary design on it that some people centuries ago decided represented your country.

I don't get what the big deal is with flags. Or patriotism, for that matter.

 

[Beefjerky]

No. It's a piece of cloth... why should I worship it like some sort of idol? Makes no sense to me.

But I wouldn't destroy or damage one on purpose since I know that some people have respect for it and I see no reason in destroying a painted piece of cloth.

 

[Chancecall]

No I don't.
I'm a British citizen and I consider myself patriotic, 'for queen and country' and all that jazz, but such expressions of patriotism isn't exactly... frowned upon, but has the negative stigma attached to it of being related to racist football hooligan type people.
Its the same with the Yorkshire flag, although people only seem to fly that to annoy people from Lancashire.

(Please correct me if anybody feels differently, but it's certainly the impression given off in Hull.)

 

[Se7enUpMustang]

Its just a piece of cloth. What i respect is my country and the people who protect it.

 

[reg42]

Well, I really like my flag, but it's hardly something I parade around the room. Everyone you comes to my house is South African, they don't need me to remind them what our flag looks like.

 

[knhirt]

No, I don't. For one thing, I dislike the idea of patriotism. For another, the flag is based on Christian symbolism. I'm not fond of it.

Icelandic citizen here, for the count.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

Holy shit. If a country ever puts an eastern and western dragon, facing off with AK's and farm tools, I'm defecting to them.

 

[Koeryn]

I don't particular respect it, no. I'm happy they let me keep my guns, but that's about the extent.

 

[iLikeHippos]

Well, some extremists in Afghanistan burned the swedish flag because they thought we should had done something about Dennmarks media for releasing a picture-contest of Muhammed. Twice.

I didn't get offended, I was laughing my ass of. xD

Ahem. As a Dane I will apologize for that. We didn't mean for stupid idiots who can't read to burn your guys flag. But if it's any comfort they thought we were ruled by a queen and demanded an apology for her. Goes to show how much they know. (In fact we have a queen, but she has nothing to do with the press). It seems like people like that understands nothing but authoritarian regimes. *sigh*

As for flags... well, a few Danish flags were burned as well (as well as a Swizz one. Again sorry.) but I don't really mind. It's just a piece of cloth and anyone should be allowed to piss on it if they want. I sure want the right to do whatever I want to the Danish flag (though I'd never piss on a foreign flag).

The Danish flag does not really mean anything to me. It's just the flag of the country that I happen to be born in. I can't understand people that are proud of their country or its history. It's not like it's their personal achievement. It's a silly thing and it leads only to bad places. As far as I see nationalism and undue reverence for flags breed all kinds of crap. Instead of revering past deeds and dead flags why not go out and do something good for the world? If I had my way the time on nation states would pass. It's counterproductive to cooperation and peace.

Like you, I don't give much for flags. I remember when I was in 2:nd grade (8-year-old grade) and we were making our own flags. Turns out half of the class had made more cooler flags than the ones that exists now.

And yeah, I didn't get offended or mad that our flag was burned because of a neighbors fault. (Evidentially, not sarcastic)
It just hit the news laughing stock. For me anyways.
Always fun when these foolish things happens.

PS: The Queen? Really? Did they go that far for a picture?