# Bumper Stickers in Britain/Ireland **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 7, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649 "2013-08-07T23:53:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/21 "2013-08-08T10:18:02Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > In theory, those were meant to be helpful to the emergency services in case of an accident (but in practice, they’re useless, because people don’t take them out of the window when the baby is not on board) I always assumed it was to keep the tailgaters off a little bit, who actually might be about to kill the baby on board (which is one of the reasons I simply hate tailgaters). ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/22 "2013-08-08T11:19:26Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Our sense of individuality? > Here in the USA we/I can often feel very strongly about our particualr view or thoughts on a subject. What better place to express that than the bumper of your car. > Stop and think about it, other than posting it on the web or purchasing advertising time on a ‘billboard’, how else are you going to proclaim your position/thoughts/opinion to the maximum # of viewers. You might be onto something here - the Eurocommunist Hivemind does frown on displays of individuality. Or it may be because most Brits find bumper stickers irretrievably vulgar. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/23 "2013-08-08T11:27:54Z")
> [@Wakinyan](#): > > I always assumed it was to keep the tailgaters off a little bit, who actually might be about to kill the baby on board (which is one of the reasons I simply hate tailgaters). Which is why I hate the stickers. Tailgaters tailgate no matter what, I’m not even convinced they know they are doing it. These are the people who think they are the Greatest Drivers On Earth and would never crash. People don’t magically turn into polite drivers just because there’s a baby in the vicinity. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/24 "2013-08-08T11:33:58Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > I think the National Trust one isn’t just showing off or advertising, it’s because you can… I dunno… drive up to National Trust properties and get free parking or something? My Granny has it on her car, and I doubt she sticks it on her windshield (front!) to pimp her ride! I would love her if she did. I didn’t mean people show a National Trust sticker to show off, just that it’s one of the more common ones you see. For practical reasons, as you say. As for political statements… come general election time, people sometimes put ‘Vote Labour/Vote Conservative/Vote local candidate’ etc posters in their windows or on their front lawns. I always presume these are people who are actually members of those parties, as the posters look like they’ve been handed out by central office. [Example picture](http://www.newsmaxworld.com/GlobalTalk/britain-cameron-anti-eu-party/2013/05/02/id/502385). Not on cars though. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/25 "2013-08-08T11:59:13Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Our sense of individuality? > Here in the USA we/I can often feel very strongly about our particualr view or thoughts on a subject. What better place to express that than the bumper of your car. > Stop and think about it, other than posting it on the web or purchasing advertising time on a ‘billboard’, how else are you going to proclaim your position/thoughts/opinion to the maximum # of viewers. You mean that sense of individuality that led you buy the same mass produced bumper sticker as a few million other people? 🙂 Another car adornment that you see far fewer of in the UK than the US is the Jesus fish. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/26 "2013-08-08T11:59:27Z")
We’re a little more apathetic about things in the UK. Example: we don’t spend the whole term wailing about it when a party we don’t favour wins an election. Actually we probably complain about 50% as much per term, but we _also_ complain when the party we voted for wins. We’re just more consistent. Really though, we are much less likely to decide some cause is so hugely important to us that we have to tell everyone driving behind us about it. This may not be as true in some parts of the UK where _some_ people have a bit of superiority complex about their corner. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/27 "2013-08-08T12:17:17Z")
Many bumper stickers are about declaring allegiances or boasting – sports clubs, universities, children’s status as honor students. Perhaps that kind of boasting is not as acceptable in Britain? The one I hate now is the stick-figure family. Why on earth would strangers care about that? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/28 "2013-08-08T12:20:10Z")
A lot of that boasting doesn’t even exist here, no honors students or any of that shit. We’re a lot less likely to join formal clubs that you guys are, too (and even less in southern than northern Europe). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/29 "2013-08-08T12:21:11Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Many bumper stickers are about declaring allegiances or boasting – sports clubs, universities, children’s status as honor students. Perhaps that kind of boasting is not as acceptable in Britain? I don’t think British people are immune to boasting, but _boasting to complete strangers_ is probably not so common. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/30 "2013-08-08T12:25:29Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > This may not be as true in some parts of the UK where _some_ people have a bit of superiority complex about their corner. Come on, come on. You can’t leave it there. You italicised you’ve got to specify! How will the pit survive if you don’t insult someone? (I know what you mean though…If I had draw up a list of the top 5 quasi-nationalistic window stickers I don’t think I’d be a million miles off) Personally I don’t see too much wrong with it. The ones we see in the UK are normally regional stickers without any overt message to them. Where they start to politically or religiously preach, or boast, then…well, it’s just a bit naff. ETA - just thinking now…I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen a political sticker in a car window in the UK. Not that I recall anyway. I suspect that is very different to the USA. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/31 "2013-08-08T12:32:15Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Many bumper stickers are about declaring allegiances or boasting – sports clubs, universities, children’s status as honor students. Perhaps that kind of boasting is not as acceptable in Britain? > > The one I hate now is the stick-figure family. Why on earth would strangers care about that? What’s the stick figure family? It’s very common to show support for your football team, either through wearing the strip, or putting a sticker in your car window. Manchester United’s [‘car accessories’](http://store.manutd.com/stores/manutd/products/product_browse.aspx?category%7ccategory_root%7c10947=souvenirs&category%7ccat_10947%7c7776=car%20accessories) section on their shop site. Note, no bumper stickers. But boasting about your kids achievements? To complete strangers? Really? No, we don’t do that. Boasting isn’t cool here. In fact it’s a pretty common stereotype we have of the ‘loud American’. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/32 "2013-08-08T12:34:16Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > ETA - just thinking now…I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen a political sticker in a car window in the UK. Not that I recall anyway. I suspect that is very different to the USA. I’ve seen a few - including some that were specific to campaigns that were essentially political, albeit not related to a specific election (protesting fox hunting bans, getting the UK out of Europe, or British troops out of Iraq, etc) ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/33 "2013-08-08T12:38:13Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Personally I don’t see too much wrong with it. The ones we see in the UK are normally regional stickers without any overt message to them. Where they start to politically or religiously preach, or boast, then…well, it’s just a bit naff. Well, there’s the ‘Ecosse’ stickers, which is a big old ‘we hate the English’ thing they have going on in Scotland. ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/34 "2013-08-08T12:41:42Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Which is why I hate the stickers. Tailgaters tailgate no matter what, I’m not even convinced they know they are doing it. These are the people who think they are the Greatest Drivers On Earth and would never crash. > > People don’t magically turn into polite drivers just because there’s a baby in the vicinity. Yes, you’re right. Even though I have four children myself I never even thought of getting one of those. I have thought about murder though, several times. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/35 "2013-08-08T12:51:44Z")
The stick family is also available in jewelry: it’s just that, stick drawings of the family members. Personally I think it’s pretty tasteless; among other things because, unless mommy(ies) has had a hysterectomy, there might be a surprise and way to rub his nose in it… ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/36 "2013-08-08T12:53:34Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > But boasting about your kids achievements? To complete strangers? Really? No, we don’t do that. Boasting isn’t cool here. In fact it’s a pretty common stereotype we have of the ‘loud American’. Oh I dunno, judging from what my Granny’s friends seem to know about me (and my marks and projects and jobs and house and friends), my Granny finds plenty of ways to boast about me. But a bumper sticker?! :eek: No. Never. Boasting needs far more subtlety than that in England. But you can still find ways to boast about your (grand)children! > [@Mangetout](#): > > I’ve seen a few - including some that were specific to campaigns that were essentially political, albeit not related to a specific election (protesting fox hunting bans, getting the UK out of Europe, or British troops out of Iraq, etc) I think I’ve seen something about cows, too. “No cows, no countryside”? Still fairly subtle though, and inside the window, not stuck on the bumper. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/37 "2013-08-08T13:01:01Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > What’s the stick figure family? > **[Family Car Stickers](https://www.familystickers.com/family-car-stickers)** > > FamilyStickers.com offers one of the largest selections of family stickers, family decals, stick family stickers, family car stickers, and family car decals. These easy to apply vinyl window stickers are available in several themes sizes or... It’s a series of small stick-figure people, one to represent each member of your household, and sometimes even pets. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/38 "2013-08-08T13:28:23Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’ve seen a few - including some that were specific to campaigns that were essentially political, albeit not related to a specific election (protesting fox hunting bans, getting the UK out of Europe, or British troops out of Iraq, etc) Ah yes, you’re right. Those ring a bell but you are also right to make the distinction between political campaign stickers and political parties (they may or may not overlap anyway…such is the centre-ground nature of politics in the right) ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/39 "2013-08-08T13:33:45Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Well, there’s the ‘Ecosse’ stickers, which is a big old ‘we hate the English’ thing they have going on in Scotland. Serious question, why would the French word for Scotland be seen as more useful for that purpose than either the english word (maybe I can understand that) or no word and only a flag? I’m aware of “the auld alliance” but don’t see what added power “Ecosse” brings. (plus I’ve never been arsed enough to ask anyone and you are a pretty knowledgeable lot and not short of a straight answer or two 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649/40 "2013-08-08T13:37:11Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > [Family Car Stickers](http://www.familystickers.com/family-car-stickers) > > It’s a series of small stick-figure people, one to represent each member of your household, and sometimes even pets. Christ, I clicked on that link and saw the “peeking family” versions. I now understand and condone the prevalence of guns in the USA. There is only a certain amount a sane person can take. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-in-britain-ireland/665649.md?page=3)