# American Dopers, does it annoy you when people fly foreign flags? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608 "2011-07-19T18:21:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/41 "2011-07-19T21:11:11Z")
Nope. The US flag has to be the highest though. I have seen the Mexican flag flying higher once at a house near me, but no more. Someone must have corrected the owner. It bothered me that the Tae Kwan Do school I visited, once, required students to swear loyalty to the Korean flag every class. I couldn’t do it but apparently all the students there do it just fine. I assume they are Americans. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/42 "2011-07-19T21:25:10Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I thought etiquette was that national flags should all fly at the same level, regardless of which country you are in. How would you feel if, for example, the Canadian flag flew above the U.S. flag in Canada? If it’s: Canada on top Other flags in middle US flag (or anyone else) That would be a bit offensive. If it’s: Canada on top Everyone else below, including US Then no problem. > [@spark240](#): > > February 18? What the hell is that? I looked it up and found the _proclamation_ of the Treaty of Ghent, as I suppose **hogarth** is thinking, but I’m not quite working out how a British flag on that day would be intended or interpreted. It’s not as if they _won_. And Canada didn’t even exist as such. War of 1812, yes I guess it was signed later, but Feb 18 is listed as at end date. I was being a bit facetious about this one, I don’t think anyone gets worked up about this one or even remembers it well, except for a few belligerent Canadians I’ve met or seen in the Internet. Just don’t tell them it was Britain that fought the war and Canada didn’t even exist. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/43 "2011-07-19T21:25:33Z")
I believe the deal with placement is that in displays of flags of multiple countries, the flag of the country on whose soil you are should be in the “position of honor” if one can be established – to the right if lined up side by side, at the head if marching in forward file, etc., or be the most conspicuously displayed and having it higher is a way to do so, specially if there’s a whole bunch of flags. Really if it’s only two or three flags then just placement should provide a clue. Flags of nations should NOT be flown vertically arranged on the same pole, IIRC that arrangement is for flags of subnational units (thus the US flag on top of California’s or Alabama’s but not on top of Canada’s). ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/44 "2011-07-19T21:48:30Z")
I had a big long post composed but I was beaten to the punch. Flags of different countries are supposed to be all flown at the same height as the US flag, but the US (or any host country’s flag) should be in the position of honor. But unless they are all flown on the same flagpole they should all be at the same height. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/45 "2011-07-19T21:55:44Z")
How many of you have no problem with [this flag](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Flags/confederate-battle-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Confederate_Flag.htm&usg=__HNsJUItbeTXm5ZkSyrOMFCjRpfA=&h=350&w=350&sz=59&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=smrSWuvNZWrvlM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=160&ei=dvwlTvvoDcHY0QGP98XWCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dconfederate%2Bflag%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS383US383%26biw%3D1006%26bih%3D585%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=78&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=35&ty=31)? Or [this one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg)? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/46 "2011-07-19T22:06:50Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How many of you have no problem with [this flag](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Flags/confederate-battle-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Confederate_Flag.htm&usg=__HNsJUItbeTXm5ZkSyrOMFCjRpfA=&h=350&w=350&sz=59&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=smrSWuvNZWrvlM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=160&ei=dvwlTvvoDcHY0QGP98XWCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dconfederate%2Bflag%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS383US383%26biw%3D1006%26bih%3D585%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=78&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=35&ty=31)? Or [this one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg)? I have no problem with Confederate flags unless its clear that they’re being displayed with evil intent. I know a bunch of y’all here think there can _be_ no other intent behind it, but I believe you’re wrong. I presume we agree that that _is_ true of the Nazi flag. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/47 "2011-07-19T22:08:54Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How many of you have no problem with [this flag](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Flags/confederate-battle-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Confederate_Flag.htm&usg=__HNsJUItbeTXm5ZkSyrOMFCjRpfA=&h=350&w=350&sz=59&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=smrSWuvNZWrvlM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=160&ei=dvwlTvvoDcHY0QGP98XWCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dconfederate%2Bflag%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS383US383%26biw%3D1006%26bih%3D585%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=78&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=35&ty=31)? Or [this one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg)? They aren’t flags of current foreign nations though. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/48 "2011-07-19T22:13:41Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > How many of you have no problem with [this flag](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Flags/confederate-battle-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Confederate_Flag.htm&usg=__HNsJUItbeTXm5ZkSyrOMFCjRpfA=&h=350&w=350&sz=59&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=smrSWuvNZWrvlM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=160&ei=dvwlTvvoDcHY0QGP98XWCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dconfederate%2Bflag%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS383US383%26biw%3D1006%26bih%3D585%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=78&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=35&ty=31)? Or [this one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg)? Neither of those flags are the flag of a currently-existing country. The intention of flying either of those flags is to communicate pride in racist and oppressive ideology. Such an intention is not the same as that of flying the flag of a foreign country to which the flyer has ties. Therefore, I don’t believe it’s hypocrisy for those of us who don’t have a problem with flying a foreign nation’s flag to have a problem with the flying of THESE flags. I think the next step in your “gotcha” attempt is to claim that the flying of SOME foreign nations’ flags might be an attempt to show support for those nations’ oppressive ideology. That may be true. However, again, given that there is no currently-existing nation to which either of your flags can be linked, the intention of the flag flyer is different. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/49 "2011-07-19T22:15:57Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > They aren’t flags of current foreign nations though. [This one](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/wp-content/uploads/north-korea-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/2010/07/06/us-rules-out-north-koreas-role-in-09-cyber-attacks/&usg=__js_3IvuOCht2L3j-p-LmlrVURsk=&h=718&w=1272&sz=39&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=7rmVDdZ3eRjV2M:&tbnh=98&tbnw=174&ei=QgEmTqbzGenl0QG0uqzwCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dnorth%2Bkorean%2Bflag%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS383US383%26biw%3D1006%26bih%3D585%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=120&vpy=263&dur=46&hovh=169&hovw=299&tx=85&ty=114&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&biw=1006&bih=585)is, and it would bother me. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/50 "2011-07-19T22:22:34Z")
Does displaying an American flag automatically convey support for all elements of the American ideology? What if two people have incompatible understandings of what that ideology is? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/51 "2011-07-19T22:27:33Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Does displaying an American flag automatically convey support for all elements of the American ideology? What if two people have incompatible understandings of what that ideology is? That is one of the elements of ideology the American flag should convey. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/52 "2011-07-19T22:32:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > [This one](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/wp-content/uploads/north-korea-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/2010/07/06/us-rules-out-north-koreas-role-in-09-cyber-attacks/&usg=__js_3IvuOCht2L3j-p-LmlrVURsk=&h=718&w=1272&sz=39&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=7rmVDdZ3eRjV2M:&tbnh=98&tbnw=174&ei=QgEmTqbzGenl0QG0uqzwCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dnorth%2Bkorean%2Bflag%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS383US383%26biw%3D1006%26bih%3D585%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=120&vpy=263&dur=46&hovh=169&hovw=299&tx=85&ty=114&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&biw=1006&bih=585)is, and it would bother me. I presumed it was the flag of North Korea before I saw it. I doubt many people outside the Korean peninsula with be all that familiar with it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/53 "2011-07-19T22:32:48Z")
Intent is generally impossible to convey. Someone who flew an Iraqi flag on the day of the invasion could have been supporting Saddam or could have been an exiled Iraqi supporting the people who were, in his view, being liberated. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/54 "2011-07-19T22:35:56Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > Neither of those flags are the flag of a currently-existing country. The intention of flying either of those flags is to communicate pride in racist and oppressive ideology. Such an intention is not the same as that of flying the flag of a foreign country to which the flyer has ties. Therefore, I don’t believe it’s hypocrisy for those of us who don’t have a problem with flying a foreign nation’s flag to have a problem with the flying of THESE flags. See post #49. I didn’t say it was hypocrisy. I was just wondering if all the possiblilites were being considered in people’s responses. > [@](#): > > I think the next step in your “gotcha” attempt is to claim that the flying of SOME foreign nations’ flags might be an attempt to show support for those nations’ oppressive ideology. That may be true. However, again, given that there is no currently-existing nation to which either of your flags can be linked, the intention of the flag flyer is different. It’s not a ‘gotcha’. I don’t think anybody intended to say ‘all flags are good’. But I’m a minimally rational person and I wonder why anybody would fly some flags considering the emotional impact it may have on some people less rational than I am. If I were in some parts of the world, I wouldn’t display an American flag. And I was bothered by people plastering themselves with flags after 9/11. Apparently some people thought more flags made you a better American. And then there are the people who criticize others for not displaying a flag. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/55 "2011-07-19T22:41:56Z")
**Kolga** - Just missed the edit window. But I’m sure we can agree it’s always appropriate to display the[Bacon Flag](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHTuejRwWho/S1Pz_QVKk0I/AAAAAAAAB4g/4iKGnBNu4dM/s400/bacon%2Bflag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://killerbeesmakethemostdelicioushoney.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-bacon-world.html&h=400&w=400&sz=15&tbnid=4NfyD7fd1HhwfM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbacon%2Bflag%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=bacon+flag&usg=__YDg21qnUzBVKRgZlDCEcDbuHjpI=&sa=X&ei=4AcmTqyGJMm20AHwvpzYCg&ved=0CCUQ9QEwAg) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/56 "2011-07-19T22:46:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > See post #49. I didn’t say it was hypocrisy. I was just wondering if all the possiblilites were being considered in people’s responses. > It’s not a ‘gotcha’. I don’t think anybody intended to say ‘all flags are good’. But I’m a minimally rational person and I wonder why anybody would fly some flags considering the emotional impact it may have on some people less rational than I am. If I were in some parts of the world, I wouldn’t display an American flag. And I was bothered by people plastering themselves with flags after 9/11. Apparently some people thought more flags made you a better American. And then there are the people who criticize others for not displaying a flag. The intent of the flying of the flags you linked to is pretty obvious - the intent is “I support an oppressive, vile, and evil ideology.” The intent of flying a foreign flag is less obvious (at least to me) - it might be “I support 100% the ideology of this country” or it could be “My country’s team just won some obscure sporting event” or even “I have ties to this country and family still there.” I definitely wouldn’t display an American flag in some parts of the world. But then again, I don’t display an American flag here - I don’t do jingoist patriotism. I don’t think it’s up to every single person who flies a foreign flag to think “Oh, better not fly this flag since some heretofore unknown douchebag might take offense.” I think it’s more up to us to say “hey, fly a flag, go on wit’ yo bad self.” And again, the only time I ever hear anyone bitching about “those people are flying a flag other than the U.S. flag!” is when brown people from south of our border fly one. Irish flags? How charming - we all love the Irish! Greek flags? They make great food! French flags for Bastille Day! “Allons enfent de la patria…” Mexican flags? “Oh, look at those people not assimilating - why don’t they just go back to where they came from if they don’t like it here!” The intent in the last case (and indeed, in all cases) is wholly inferred by the observer, since there isn’t a clear reason. We could get better at broadening our inferences about such an action (as it is, the observer’s reaction is a neat Rohrschach). In the case of the Confederate flag and the Nazi flag, the reason for flying it is clear. > [@TriPolar](#): > > **Kolga** - Just missed the edit window. But I’m sure we can agree it’s always appropriate to display the[Bacon Flag](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHTuejRwWho/S1Pz_QVKk0I/AAAAAAAAB4g/4iKGnBNu4dM/s400/bacon%2Bflag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://killerbeesmakethemostdelicioushoney.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-bacon-world.html&h=400&w=400&sz=15&tbnid=4NfyD7fd1HhwfM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbacon%2Bflag%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=bacon+flag&usg=__YDg21qnUzBVKRgZlDCEcDbuHjpI=&sa=X&ei=4AcmTqyGJMm20AHwvpzYCg&ved=0CCUQ9QEwAg) 😃 We need a national anthem, something emotionally rousing - any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/57 "2011-07-19T22:47:46Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Intent is generally impossible to convey. Someone who flew an Iraqi flag on the day of the invasion could have been supporting Saddam or could have been an exiled Iraqi supporting the people who were, in his view, being liberated. Right. One should be very careful about reading the intent behind _other people’s symbols_ without actually hearing _their_ understanding of them. (In the case of Iraq, there are [variant flags](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Iraq#1963.E2.80.931991) with different connotations in some eyes, but that’s way too fine a point to assume anything, especially for a display in the United States.) To use examples from the thread, I have heard and read arguments for the display of (various) Nazi-related flags, and for NI “Ulster” banners, and haven’t found any that didn’t translate (to me) as less than evil in the first case, or less than obnoxious in the second. So I feel _reasonably_ safe in inferring that much, in those cases. Explanations for Confederate flags (or American!) are much more diverse, so _in the absence of other evidence_, I give people the benefit of the doubt there. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/58 "2011-07-19T22:51:15Z")
The only flag that annoys me is the Confederate flag. 1. The CSA hasn’t been around since 1865. So the people waving that flag weren’t born there. 2. The CSA seceded from the United States and declared war on the United States. As an American, I’m opposed to these things. 3. Slavery. Don’t pretend it didn’t happen or it wasn’t important. 4. For some reason, people waving Confederate flags often act like they’re more patriotic than other people. No, if you were more patriotic, you’d be waving an American flag. 5. I live in New York. It’s one thing to wave a Confederate flag if you’re in the south but why would you do it in the north? We weren’t Confederates when there were Confederates. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/59 "2011-07-19T22:51:42Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Explanations for Confederate flags (or American!) are much more diverse, so _in the absence of other evidence_, I give people the benefit of the doubt there. I’m sure this will cause a shitstorm, but having grown up in the south, and coming from a family whose money came from owning slaves, and having a relatively-famous ancestor as a Civil War general and governor of one of the Confederate states, I can say that in my experience, almost every single person I can recall who flew the Confederate flag earnestly and not as some ironic post-modern joke did so because that the person was a dyed-in-the-wool racist. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608/60 "2011-07-19T22:52:41Z")
Nope, doesn’t bother me at all. Just don’t get huffy if I ask you which country’s flag it is, because I’m gonna ask. I’m curious like a cat … I got a coupla friends who call me Whiskers [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-does-it-annoy-you-when-people-fly-foreign-flags/589608.md?page=4)