On Wed, 30 Apr 2003, Adam Back wrote:
So I guess the American-way used to stand for something -- beliefs in freedoms etc., and that one symbol used historically to express support of those freedoms was the US flag. So I'm supposing this is the historic reason people fly flags, on their cars, houses, businesses etc. (A practice virtually non-existant in any other country I've lived in, or travelled to).
I live in Bristol, in the west of England. Despite what you say, British and English flags are very common indeed. They fly on cars, are displayed on the walls in pubs, appear on clothing, and even on people's faces -- particularly before sporting events. Because Bristol is just across the river from Wales, we also see a LOT of Welsh dragons. Mind you, flags have been commonly and prominently displayed in most of the countries I have lived in (including Japan, India, and Pakistan as well as the United States) and travelled through (France, for example). And we mustn't forget the republican flags on display all over Belfast. -- Jim Dixon jdd@dixons.org tel +44 117 982 0786 mobile +44 797 373 7881