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Sweden up one spot to (4), though if you count the proliferation of flag colors in the public display, (3) or even (2)
Germany in a new category, (6). There are millions of Germans who are made mildly ill by the sight of their own flag :-)
Denmark is, seriously, way above the US and the UK. It's at the point where we make fun of ourselves over it.
Little paper flags in cakes on your birthday, flag-lined streets when the local church has a confirmation, flags flying from private residences when the couple 5 houses down whom you only ever say "Hi" to when walking the dog has a marriage anniversary. You're spending the weekend in the summer cottage? Up goes the flag. Official flag day? The city buses fly little flags.
Little paper flags in cakes on your birthday, flag-lined streets when the local church has a confirmation, flags flying from private residences when the couple 5 houses down whom you only ever say "Hi" to when walking the dog has a marriage anniversary. You're spending the weekend in the summer cottage? Up goes the flag. Official flag day? The city buses fly little flags.
Norway does the same thing with its flag, even strings of little flags on Christmas trees. So I will take your advisement and bring Denmark up another mark.
I don't think the United States is particularly overly flag waving and I am American, and it does depend on where in the US you are in. I've noticed that people in more conservative states and neighborhoods fly the American flag much more proudly than those in more liberal neighborhoods. I'm from Louisiana and many people fly the US flag with the noticeable exception of the black neighborhoods where its very rare, and you also see much fewer black people wearing American flag shirts compared to whites here. I live in a middle class suburb and the American flag is proudly flown by many people.
When I lived in West Virginia the American flag was everywhere. In Maryland not so much, only in the blue collar white neighborhoods. One SHOULD be proud of one's country and flying your own flag in your own country is totally acceptable, anyone who says otherwise is obsessed with political correctness.
Of the foreign countries I've visited, I think Mexicans and Jamaicans display their flag the most.
Last edited by Tom Lennox 70; 08-31-2020 at 01:50 AM..
In the USA its usually more conservative people who fly the flag, and this was true even before the days of Colin Kaepernick and BLM. I do think that in any country, conservatives are more patriotic. In the US they even did a survey, back when Obama was president, only like 50% of self described liberals say they were very proud to be American, while nearly 90% of conservatives said they were always proud to be American. Keep in mind this survey had nothing to do with government policies, only whether people were proud to be American! There are liberals who will flat out tell you that citizenship is just a piece of paper and they're not particularly proud of it.
In my experience the US is the most overt in public and private displays of the flag...the stars and stripes are way to common of a site, and often displayed in a very aggressively and intentionally out-of-place. In MOST of Europe displaying the flag out of a personal space would be generally considered too nationalistic, some would even say embarrassing. In the Netherlands for example, it would be looked down upon unless there was a national sporting event or it was queensday or something...I distinctly remember how offended a group of my dutch friends were when we saw someone hang a dutch flag outside their bedroom window , as would an american do...they went on and on about it, and how "un-dutch" it was haha. Then speaking for Italy, I equally cannot imagine someone proudly displaying the tricolore without a sporting purpose behind it. It would be far more common to see a display of a regional, provincial, comune, or neighbourhood flag for that matter. The tricolore is plastered all over brand names and designer clothing, but i think this is meant more for international appeal and to sell the "italian brand". If one were to display a flag outside their personal space, I think most people wouldn't think too much about it or get offended, they would either just think it was weird or jokingly mutter "fascisti" under their breath.
In the US, regional flags are unfortunately seen by some as offensive or racist, so the American flag is more socially acceptable throughout the country.
Besides Denmark where the flag is indeed everywhere, Indonesia is another country that comes to mind with the flag everywhere regardless of small village or city, throughout the spread out nation.
From my personal experience, Canada has some of the most frequently seen flags from what I've seen. Maple leafs put on pretty much every thing, though they are usually not massive or striking. Quebec being an exception, not many flags there, and when you do see them, they are usually Quebec flags.
USA also has a ton, but rather than "symbols" like Canada, there are a lot more full-on physical flags being flown in front of a massive amount of homes. Also, I would say it's more of a political thing, with more conservative areas having more, and liberal areas less. Some areas and cities have regional flags like Hawaii, Chicago, or DC in which you might see a sticker on a car bumper or whatever, but way less commonly seen and only in some places. Puerto Rico especially goes full-blown with this and puts Puerto Rican flags on everything.
China has flags everywhere as well, rows of flags all over on major boulevards and such.
Japan has some of the least flag usage I've seen anywhere, but I've noticed it a lot more in the last year or two around some areas like Shibuya. Possibly it's because of the (now cancelled) Olympics, not sure. However, if someone did put a Japanese flag on anything like their car here, I'd immediately think they are probably a hardliner nationalist, that's how rare it is. I rarely even see people wear Japanese writing on their clothes, anything Japanese isn't really seen as "cool".
Singapore have strict rules regarding flag display, we are typically only allowed to display in the month of august, of course national buildings, schools and government buildings ,police stations display it all year round.
But private residences are only allowed to display in August, but this year the date have been extended to sept to show solidarity with covid-19
Singapore have strict rules regarding flag display, we are typically only allowed to display in the month of august, of course national buildings, schools and government buildings ,police stations display it all year round.
But private residences are only allowed to display in August, but this year the date have been extended to sept to show solidarity with covid-19
True, but Americans typically only fly the flag outside their home during July the 4th and maybe Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Otherwise, usually no flag flying.
Maybe because most Americans experience Canada close to the border, but the moment you enter Canada, you are just inundated with Canadian flags all over the place. I've also seen Canadians tattoo their arms with the flag, or sew it on to their travel gear.
Outside of Canada....Puerto Rico flags is quite commonly displayed in much the same manner wherever Puerto Ricans go.
I think Scandianians seem to be another group that like to display their flags as much as possible too.
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