this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2023
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My ex from Norway mentioned how unusual it was that so many places and people here fly our flag (USA), so I was curious to hear what it's like for others here on the fediverse.

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[–] TXinTXe@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I'm from Spain, it's not uncommon unfortunately, but that's because the flag is appropriated by the right and far right and if you see someone with one you can be 90% sure of the type (homophobe, anti abortion, bullfighting supporter, climate change denier, etc etc)

[–] Sinnz@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago

Could say the same about Germany

[–] ErikDegenerik@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago

Everything except bullfighting goes for Croatia too, mostly.

[–] minorsecond@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It has become that way in the US.

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[–] balthasar1stern@feddit.de 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I am from Germany and no one is raising a flag. Except he is a Nazi. Or it is soccer World Championship.

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[–] Zehzin@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Southeast Brazil: Unless it's the world cup you're assumed to be a shithead

[–] manned_meatball@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Oxossi@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Can confirm too

[–] Jimi_Hotsauce@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

When I went to Norway I counted the flags I saw. I forget the exact number but I saw maybe 6 in the week I was there. Come back to the US I saw at least 20 coming back from the airport.

[–] Hyacathusarullistad@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Here in Canada (southwestern Ontario, anyway) it's around, but not super common. You see it on government buildings (municipal, provincial, and federal), but that's about it. You don't often see it on people's homes, vehicles, or businesses the way you see in the States, and it's not something you see on merch very often outside of tourist traps or Canada Day.

Except, ironically, for at some of the bigger and more famous American retail chains. Walmart and Home Depot both have a Canadian flag planted firmly in every location, it seems. Maybe because they're so used to flying their own flag in the States that they just assume it's what everyone does everywhere?

[–] NuclearDolphin@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

From the US, I see American flags everywhere.

Some small towns have a flag on every electrical pole on their main street. It used to just be around Memorial Day and the 4th of July, but a lot of towns seem to be leaving them up year round.

A huge proportion of houses in US suburbs and rural areas have flags flying. If you have wealth or a big chunk of land, it's pretty certain you also have a flag flying or prominently displayed on your property. Less frequent on the porches of more modest homes.

Pickup trucks fly flags (sometimes multiple) attached to their beds. These trucks often also have punisher stickers, human skulls, or "thin blue line" flag stickers on them.

Most medium to large businesses have a flag pole on their campus.

I definitely see fewer flags in cities, but still see a lot of flag stickers on storefront windows, and flags in apartment bedroom windows.

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[–] loops@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Canada here, not very common until you get close to Canada day or Armistice day. Recently though; there have been people flying it a lot and they mostly seem to be the conspiracy/queen of Canada types.

So yes, it is unusual. Perhaps it can be seen as a symptom of American nationalism, and all the pitfalls it represents.

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[–] IverCoder@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

Here in the Philippines, it's generally around only on government buildings and schools. Some establishments and residences may opt to fly the flag as well, but most of us just don't bother at all.

Generally the flag doesn't have any negative (or positive) connotations. Both the leftists and rightists see the flag equally.

[–] marshell@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

German here. No, we don't do that here. (Exceptions: Football World Cup and weird dudes on camp sites or allotment gardens. Usually a sign to avoid the area.) Interestingly, the fascists don't show the German flag, but the one from the Germany before the current one...

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[–] aaitvedan@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

It was uncommon in The Netherlands. Except on certain holidays. And when kids get a high school diploma: a flag plus school bag.

But since last year, angry farmers β€˜decorated’ the country with flags hung upside down to protest against environmental measures. All kinds of angry right wing people followed.

[–] bstix@feddit.dk 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's weirdly common in Denmark. People fly the national flag for birthdays, and some people even decorate the Christmas tree with flag guirlandes. It's seen as an act of celebration rather than patriotism.

https://tenor.com/bRmME.gif

[–] v_krishna@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

OP sounds strange to me I feel like all Scandinavians have their flag a lot, on birthday cakes and for graduations and such. I definitely experienced this in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

[–] Stovetop@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Iceland, too. The flag is in a lot of places. On clothing/apparel, flying outside buildings, on signs, etc.

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[–] Johnnyline@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In the UK, you generally don't see people flying the Union Jack unless its a major sporting event, or its a major governmental sort of building.

[–] bazpoint@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

If anything, you're probaby more likely to see the English, Scottish or Welsh (or NIish I assume, but never been there) flags than the Union Jack. Because the different nations have their own football teams (and other sports too), so they come out for the big international tournaments and some stay flying in between.

[–] kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

American here. When I was in Sweden it felt like their flag was everywhere. Maybe I just noticed it more because I was traveling.

In Brazil I saw their flag plastered on a lot of stuff - clothes, bags, painted on the street - but not so much flying on flag poles.

I see fair amount of US flags here at home, usually at government buildings, cemeteries, and the like. When flown at homes I usually assume the person is on the political right.

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[–] esm@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago

In Scotland, it tends to indicate your political beliefs. People flying the Union Jack are normally unionists and supporters of the monarchy, whereas people flying the Saltire (Scottish) flag are normally nationalists (pro-independence). It's therefore difficult to fly a flag 'neutrally' unless you were to fly both.

[–] animist@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My country is a former colony of an imperial power so it's flown all the time to reinforce our feeling of sovereignty

[–] planetaryprotection@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Are you in the US? 😁

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[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I'm in Canada and would say it's not extremely common, but enough so that I wouldn't think twice if I saw the flag on a house. Maybe one in fifty houses has one.

Sometimes it's on clothing too, but nowhere close to the extent that I've seen the American flag on everything when I've visited. You guys seem to really really like your flag!

We also have provincial flags which people will put on their houses, but the one I see most is for Newfoundland and Labrador, which is a different province than mine. It's arguably close to as common as the Canadian flag.

[–] ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Yup. I'd say the Canadian flag isn't super common but isn't out of the ordinary. I also don't see people waving the flag and think the person must be some extremist nut job. Those ones are waving around "F*ck Trudeau" flags.

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[–] snota@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

In the UK it's very unusual unless it's football or royal related. The union flag, the Welsh flag and the Scottish flag are ok most of the time but the England flag is seen as being a bit racist.

[–] bigbluealien@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

Would be nice if it was reclaimed from the football hooligan/EDL types, but the union flag serves well enough

[–] tegs_terry 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I see people with their county flag outside quite a bit out in the sticks

[–] snota@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, thinking about it I reckon I see county flag about the same as national flag in England.

[–] Steeltooth493@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

CGP Grey made a YouTube video on proper US state flag design etiquette that I personally agree with. Spoiler alert, most states failed the test.
https://youtu.be/l4w6808wJcU

I'm from Indiana and we're more likely to see our national flag instead of our state flag here, but Indiana isn't known for much anyway.

[–] Jimi_Hotsauce@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

That's a great video, being from PA our flag is pretty bad but at least I never have to see it. I only ever see it if I go by the courthouse or Walmart for some reason.

[–] witchonabike@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

In Germany, official government buildings will have the flag on or in front of it, usually next to a bunch of other (eu, county, city...).

Private citizens will fly the flag for sports reasons, or in more right-wing communities they'll fly either the official flag or the old black-white-red one from empire times. Most people will look at you funny for flying the flag when no sports or eurovision are/is going on.
There is really very little "neutral" ground here.

[–] LostCause@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Austria: not often and I like that. Not a fan of nationalism, so the less visible this is in my life the better. I see flags IRL mainly on government functions and when right wingers parade around, maybe also near football matches, thatβ€˜s about it.

Iβ€˜d like to think the history with Nazis made it less popular, but the actual amount of far-right voters makes me think I might just live in a happy little bubble and I’d be shocked if I looked into peopleβ€˜s cellars.

[–] Shroo@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

I am from a small town in the US but live near a nepali community. Many of them have flags inside their homes or on their desks but not outdoors. They are usually super proud that they have the most unique national flag shape, and I love that for them. I am curious if it is the same in their home country as well!

[–] Oxossi@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

In Brazil it's more common now mainly because of the far right who appropriated it for themselves. Most will identify a person flying our flag as a Bolsonaro supporter, me personally like to stay clear of them.

[–] olorin99@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

In Australia there are flags at government buildings and very rarely do I see any in personal homes.

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