First of all, forget flags for sport because that is different. Where I live, when I go to my local Tesco I pass about six houses with permanent flagpoles in the garden – these are Welsh flags. I’m sure the same is true for Scottish flags north of the border. It is the confusion between England and Britain which causes all the problems.
Our flag is the Union Jack. I believe you can only have one flag. In the USA each state has a flag which flies on state buildings but the Stars and Stripes always takes precedence. I used to work for an American manufacturer and in their factory each area or machine had its own small American flag.
Once, when I got drunk with my boss, he kept saying, “I’m proud to American.” which is a mantra they repeat throughout the school system until everyone says it automatically. He kept looking at me and finally said, “But why aren’t you proud to be English?” I answered, “I am proud to be British but at home we don’t feel we have to say it every 5 minutes.” This did not go down well.
We have a problem in the UK between Britishness and Englishness and Welshness, etc and this gets worse for sporting events. What are we actually proud of or are we too shy to say? I think we are confused.
Sometimes the American attitude to their flag seems like idolatory.
Stephen Rose
2 years ago
I have witnessed Norwegian, Danish,Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Bavarian Hungarian, Czech and French national days. Dressed in national costume, pomp and flags, always exciting and colourful.
A Norwegian friend asked me why don’t the English, “Blow their own trumpet” you have so much to be proud of.
I have no answer, but the way this country is traduced as a “sh**y little country by many of those who live here, is so wide of the mark. Can you imagine a national day here, dressed up in period costume, the left would go bananas!
Brendan O'Leary
2 years ago
It may be simply that, unlike the other nations whose flags are often displayed, England has not been invaded, occupied, fought a bloody civil war or fought a war of independence for more than 300 years.
Yes I think it is this simple. We underestimate – or even take for granted – how peaceful and stable the UK, especially England, has been for hundreds of years.
Exactly – I respect these other countries (especially Italy) but there are clear historical reasons why we do not feel the need to display the national flag in quite the same way.
First of all, forget flags for sport because that is different. Where I live, when I go to my local Tesco I pass about six houses with permanent flagpoles in the garden – these are Welsh flags. I’m sure the same is true for Scottish flags north of the border. It is the confusion between England and Britain which causes all the problems.
Our flag is the Union Jack. I believe you can only have one flag. In the USA each state has a flag which flies on state buildings but the Stars and Stripes always takes precedence. I used to work for an American manufacturer and in their factory each area or machine had its own small American flag.
Once, when I got drunk with my boss, he kept saying, “I’m proud to American.” which is a mantra they repeat throughout the school system until everyone says it automatically. He kept looking at me and finally said, “But why aren’t you proud to be English?” I answered, “I am proud to be British but at home we don’t feel we have to say it every 5 minutes.” This did not go down well.
We have a problem in the UK between Britishness and Englishness and Welshness, etc and this gets worse for sporting events. What are we actually proud of or are we too shy to say? I think we are confused.
Indeed. Why were there two national anthems at the England v Scotland match?
Never used to be.
Sometimes the American attitude to their flag seems like idolatory.
I have witnessed Norwegian, Danish,Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Bavarian Hungarian, Czech and French national days. Dressed in national costume, pomp and flags, always exciting and colourful.
A Norwegian friend asked me why don’t the English, “Blow their own trumpet” you have so much to be proud of.
I have no answer, but the way this country is traduced as a “sh**y little country by many of those who live here, is so wide of the mark. Can you imagine a national day here, dressed up in period costume, the left would go bananas!
It may be simply that, unlike the other nations whose flags are often displayed, England has not been invaded, occupied, fought a bloody civil war or fought a war of independence for more than 300 years.
Yes I think it is this simple. We underestimate – or even take for granted – how peaceful and stable the UK, especially England, has been for hundreds of years.
Exactly – I respect these other countries (especially Italy) but there are clear historical reasons why we do not feel the need to display the national flag in quite the same way.