Would you fly a flag for your country?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I am not excusing anyone imposing an anglicised name on someone else - just saying!

My mother-in-law had a stand-in carer who said "call me x" but her name was something else (quite long and more unusual). She was amazed that I wanted to try to get her real name right as "everyone" called her by her chosen rather sweet moniker.

She was not Chinese but from Africa.

Some people find the time involved in getting a name right to be a nuisance. I know I often only used half my name to be quicker/easier.

Yes, Chinese children in independent schools are often given anglicised names - at the request of the parents though, much more so than ever.
This is because they want to foster better communication with non-Chinese speakers. They still retain pride in their own names, but having an English choice helps them to integrate and be accepted faster. Most of the Chinese girls I taught wanted anglicised names ending in y or ie, so lots of Annies, Sophies, Lilys over the years.

Thanks PoliticsNerd. It was a long time ago but it gave me insight into the sort of mindset that some people have - their need to pick on easy targets in order to to boost their own fragile self-image. Difficult times unfortunately tend to bring the worst out in some people.

Eloethan

People with different origins often feel they need to fit in, particularly at times like these when many things about their way of life and loyalties are being questioned.

When my husband came to this country, working at that time as a nurse, the white nurses gave all non-white nurses another first name. My husband's name wasn't difficult to master but it was basically a show of power. My husband was the only non-white nurse who stuck to his guns and said they could give him whatever name they wanted but he wouldn't answer to it. All the other nurses felt intimidated and didn't want to be labelled as "touchy/difficult/trouble maker.

I can quite understand why the Muslim gentleman made the decision to fly flags but it should not be necessary to fly a flag to demonstrate your commitment to a country. Anyway, I doubt that doing so will placate some people. I am so glad that for 38 years I have lived in a road where there are many different nationalities and nobody feels they have to demonstrate their loyalty by anything other than being a good neighbour and citizen.

The name changing used to happen in schools too. Quite a lot if Chinese children use to go to British independent schoosl and they took or were given anglicised names. Such a wasted opportunity for school snd scholars. I'm sorry your husband had to experience this Eloethan.

Love that.

Maremia/Allira 'The soft answer that turns away wrath"

Allira

Maremia

Passers by at a mosque were perturbed to see Union flags aloft but were re-assured when one of the trustees, Ibrahim Syed, explained that they chose to embrace the flag flying movement because they wish to claim their narrative of being British and being Muslim.

Well done them.
We need to stick together and rebel, reclaim the flag!

I agree, "well done them".

People with different origins often feel they need to fit in, particularly at times like these when many things about their way of life and loyalties are being questioned.

When my husband came to this country, working at that time as a nurse, the white nurses gave all non-white nurses another first name. My husband's name wasn't difficult to master but it was basically a show of power. My husband was the only non-white nurse who stuck to his guns and said they could give him whatever name they wanted but he wouldn't answer to it. All the other nurses felt intimidated and didn't want to be labelled as "touchy/difficult/trouble maker.

I can quite understand why the Muslim gentleman made the decision to fly flags but it should not be necessary to fly a flag to demonstrate your commitment to a country. Anyway, I doubt that doing so will placate some people. I am so glad that for 38 years I have lived in a road where there are many different nationalities and nobody feels they have to demonstrate their loyalty by anything other than being a good neighbour and citizen.

I dont have space for a flag pole but I have bought some stickers for my doors and windows. My neighbours can make what they like of it.

Maremia

Passers by at a mosque were perturbed to see Union flags aloft but were re-assured when one of the trustees, Ibrahim Syed, explained that they chose to embrace the flag flying movement because they wish to claim their narrative of being British and being Muslim.

Well done them.
We need to stick together and rebel, reclaim the flag!

Passers by at a mosque were perturbed to see Union flags aloft but were re-assured when one of the trustees, Ibrahim Syed, explained that they chose to embrace the flag flying movement because they wish to claim their narrative of being British and being Muslim.

NotSpaghetti

I like bunting.
I see it as festive...
It is also much less distracting (probably because it's regimented) than are the flags which are invariably "dotted about".

Just went up the motorway a few stops today and the ones going north were in tatters and hanging in grey shreds
I don't know how they were still up...
Are they were glued on with something very strong and quick drying do you think?

Are they were glued on with something very strong and quick drying do you think?

We bought a glue called Sticks Like Sh*t 😁 (not for gluing flags)

That's not boastful advertising because we found it's probably as good as sh*t.

Just goes to show how easily people are manipulated. Terrifying really.

Thank you for the information growstuff. He sounds quite the charmer.

welbeck

I think the man who started all this is a member of a very far right organisation.
Not reform. Much more extreme.
Andrew somebody. Has an alias.
Just heard this on radio 4 comparing all this to the anti catholic Gordon Riots of 1780.

Andrew Currien (AKA Andy Saxon). Formerly a key member of the English Defence League’s leadership bodyguard team, and now running security for the far-right party Britain First, Currien has previously been jailed for his part in a racist death. He was one of six men convicted in 2009 after a 59-year-old man was crushed to death by a car following a violent brawl.

I think the man who started all this is a member of a very far right organisation.
Not reform. Much more extreme.
Andrew somebody. Has an alias.
Just heard this on radio 4 comparing all this to the anti catholic Gordon Riots of 1780.

I like bunting.
I see it as festive...
It is also much less distracting (probably because it's regimented) than are the flags which are invariably "dotted about".

Just went up the motorway a few stops today and the ones going north were in tatters and hanging in grey shreds
I don't know how they were still up...
Are they were glued on with something very strong and quick drying do you think?

Someone upthread mentioned bunting. I would go with bunting.

Allira

Spinnaker

Thank you Allira 😂

And the teapot.

Cool Britannia! (Or hot 😁)

😂😂😂

Spinnaker

Thank you Allira 😂

And the teapot.

Cool Britannia! (Or hot 😁)

Thank you Allira 😂

Spinnaker

Well I haven't got a flag to fly but I do have my brew from this, if that counts 😂

I like your tiles!! 😀

Oreo

Just been out today and there were four large Union flags tied securely high up on lamp posts.Looked festive and nice😃

I've been out this afternoon and only seen two - both have been there for many years.