We have all seen a person, at least in a movie, from east Europe, Asia or central America that is obsessed with for example USA, if you are from Europe, then you have probably seen how everyone is putting Belgian and French flags over their profile pictures, but never Nigerian, Turkish, Russian, Iraqi,etc. flags, in east Europe you can often see people having actual flags of USA or UK on their shirts and stuff like that, but never flags of their own countries, so what would be the correct name for this ,notice me Senpai" type of behavior? I call it national inferiority complex, but I think that it could be this as well Cultural cringe - Wikipedia Of course there are Anglophilia, Americophilia and stuff like that, but I don’t count this behavior there, because usually these people are obsessed with everything that comes from the west, but don’t like anything from their own country and other nonwestern countries.
Because in the USA, we have a more than adequate supply of periods to use in paragraphs.
I think you have this the wrong way around. Much of the rest of the world regards the American practice of displaying the national flag in contexts where other nations don’t find this necessary or appropriate - on bumper stickers, at commercial premises, etc - as suggestive of a certain insecurity in the American national identity. (I don’t share this view myself, but I think it’s not uncommon.) They comment on this by drawing attention to the practice.
Quite simply, Belgians in Belgium don’t generally fly the national flag because why would they? They might display it at times like the present when they feel they are being attacked, but in normal circumstances it’s not necessary, in order to be Belgian, to say “I’m Belgian!” for no very obvious reason.
At the same time, some of the ways in which American use their flag would be considered disrespectful or terribly trashy in other countries. Flag underwear, for example, which does exist outside the US but what it brings to mind in many countries is about as elegant as a trailer park populated by dudes whose speedos are almost covered by their bellies…
As for “my country never gets things right”, I generally find that in people who have never lived outside and have never seen other countries except via TV, which means “heavily distorted in one direction or another”. Streets in the US are paved with big-titted blondes and you guys have the best medical system and the best universities in the world… according to TV, that is. Not so much once you’re trying to get reimbursed actual medical expenses which almost gave you a heart attack when you got the bill.
There’s a word for it - jingoism. It’s seen as distasteful by some people e.g. my dad, he used the term “flag wavers” - and was not a fan.
Cultural cringe is a different phenomenon - I think you’ll find that e.g. Australians have never had a problem flying the Australian flag, or supporting their sports teams or whatever. But there were segments that were embarrassed by e.g bush poets, or the Heidelberg School artists, considering them almost automatically inferior to their contemporary British equivalents. I think Australians have largely gotten over this, though.
Not sure this is really a General Question type question, byt anyways.
I’ve think you’ve got it arse about face. It isn’t a national inferiority complex so much as an admiration for the symbol, which, BTW, doesn’t automatically lead to an admiration for the country it represents.
Both the US and UK flags appear around the world as fashion symbols. This happens for many reasons, bound up in international exposure, global cultural influences, things associated with the english language being ‘cool’, and on and on. They are also very distinctive graphic symbols.
I remember being in a smart boutique in Paris where there was a - very expensive - t-shirt sporting the union jack. As I was looking at it, the French shop assistant said ‘why would you be interested in wearing your own flag. That’s weird. It’s ok for us French to wear it because we don’t associate it with supporting the UK’, or words to that effect. For her it was a cool symbol, one she maybe associates with fashion, or music, or other cultural export.
It’s very variable. I believe the Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark, are more likely to, say, fly their national flag outside their own homes than, say, the UK, France or Germany. You will see local flags flying as a political gesture in Catalonia (where I’ve also seen the old Spanish republican flag displayed, during the furore before Juan Carlos’s abdication), Scotland or Wales ( and we won’t go into the vexed question of flags or symbols in Northern Ireland). But most British people would think it a bit unnecessary to go in for chest-beating patriotism (“flag-wagging” is a term of disapproval), though the old red, white and blue will come out for celebratory occasions.
But using another country’s flag as a fashion item is probably no more than a perception of what’s cool, or chic, or whatever term you prefer. I should think a large proportion of young people everywhere go through a phase of thinking their home is dull and ordinary and anywhere else is where the action and excitement are. If they choose the US or UK flags to express it, that’s not much more than an indication of marketing success: it isn’t a considered judgement as to whether either country is really superior on any measurable criteria.
I recall seeing a similar thread on this board some time ago. (The link escapes me.) The gist was that there is a cultural difference between how Americans express pride in their country and how European cultures tend to do it. I don’t perceive it as having anything to do with insecurity… America has dominated the world political and economic spheres for the last sixty-plus years. I think it’s just a cultural difference.
Americans in general are raised with a quasi-religious belief in American exceptionalism. Europeans tend to view their national origin as an accident of geography and assign it little inherent meaning. Some countries, such as Germany, have specific cultural taboos against strong displays of national pride or symbolism, owing to their history. In other European countries, flag-waving displays are associated with ultra-right wing conservatives, whereas similar behavior in the US would be considered normal or even patriotic.
I agree. From a European frame of reference, the ostentatious flag-waving that goes on in the US looks insecure. But, as the OP attests, from a US perspective the relative lack of ostentatious flag-waving that goes on in most European countries looks insecure. In neither case does it point to any actual insecurity; just different cultural norms about the expression of identity.
The grass on the other side of the ocean…
One thing that stands out to me is the way that the American flag is often prominent in politicians offices etc. That would never happen here and would be considered naff. A modest portrait of the Queen is OK, but a lot less common now that it used to be.
Flying a St George’s Cross except when England are competing in a sporting event, is seen as almost racist and symbolising support for some far right political group.
There has been some controversy about flagpoles… Some councils insisted on planning permission, but I see more lately so it looks to have been relaxed somewhat.
One place I notice has conspicuously large U.S. flags are car dealerships. Does this occur in other countries?
I think this is better suited to IMHO than General Questions.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
In Europe, two world wars bankrupted the colonial empires, and wrecked havoc on the rest. The literati became very suspicious of flashy displays of patriotism, associating them with the Nazis and the Fascists.
The USA finished each world war stronger and wealthier than when the war had begun. To us, patriotism was constructive and useful.
You should check out Canada. Red maple leaves are everywhere you turn.
Right. I’m a few hundred miles south of Canada, and there are still maple leaves all over my yard! I blame Canada.
Plus it invites people saying “You’re German? I love Germany!”
Same with using the Union flag or especially this one to represent Northern Ireland vs. the flag of the Republic. It is possible that people are ignorant of the implications, but sometimes it is intentional to show political support for one side or the other.
Canadians have a reputation for being polite. Which means they’re up to something. You see maple leaves, I see threatening faces 
It’s people like you who scatter periods about so recklessly that’s going to lead to a future world in which our grandchildren aren’t able to properly end their sentences
Don’t worry, Timothy Dexter has us covered for awhile.
Obligatory SATW comic: Evil Flag - Scandinavia and the World
Although evey nation has a rectangular* piece of multicolored** fabric that they use as a symbol of their country, there is no reason to think they all will ascribe the same or even similar meaning to it.
And of course nobody is runnng around with Iraqi flag swim trunks on. It says “Allah Akbar” on it.
- Except Nepal
** Except Libya under Khadafi