Flying a non-USA flag alone in the US. Disrespecful?

[John_Joey]

I've noticed that several snowbirds will fly their home country's flag without the hosting country flag alongside. I've always been taught that this was disrespectful to the hosting country. I'm guessing if you're a veteran, or have lost loved ones in a war that this would be especially hard to see.

What's your opinion? disrespectful or no big deal.

[DwnSth]

My take, if you live in the US, don't display another flag over the stars and stripes. If you're actually from another country traveling through the US and just want to display where you're from, no problem.

[_tiredTeacher]

John&Joey wrote:
I've always been taught that this was disrespectful to the hosting country.

That's the crux of the issue; you were taught. Flag etiquette is a thing of the past. Think of your neighbors who use Old Glory as a porch decoration, leaving it up at night, using it until it is faded and torn.
Here's an excerpt from the U.S. flag code:
"When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace."
This would make a second flag pole necessary. Unless ... the RV world adopts the sailing custom of flying Courtesy Flags: "A courtesy flag (or courtesy ensign) is flown by a ship in foreign waters as a token of respect by a visiting vessel. It is often a small (that is, smaller than the ship's own national ensign) national maritime flag of the host country .... The flag is customarily worn at the foremasthead of multi-masted vessels, the dockside yardarm or crosstree of the mast of single-masted vessels, while the house flag would be outboard. It may be flown from the jackstaff of vessels without masts."
So the RVs flag staff would require a cross tree. The RV's home nation flag at the top, the host nation's ensign on the awning side of the cross tree, and the owner's flag (or state flag) on the street side of the cross tree.
Sounds too complicated?

Teach

[joebedford]

A Canadian friend of ours had his Canadian flag stolen from their site in RGV.

In the USA I fly 3 flags - USA in the middle with CDN and Union Jack on the sides.

What _I_ find disrespectful is the Fleur-de-Lis. That should NEVER be flown outside Quebec.

[pyoung47]

I would hope anyone would be proud of his country. Unless you are showing open disrespect for another, I don't see a problem. Too many people are carrying a chip on their shoulder, looking for an argument.

[Lenny_K]

I also believe that if you fly your own countries flag that you must fly the host countries flag. But none are flown superior to the other. However the home flag is "always" on the right (left when looking at it from the front)and at the "same" height when flying on two poles. You "never" fly two countries flags on the same flag pole except during war time and the country that has been conquered are flown on the bottom).

[lizbard]

When we went to the first Saturn Homecoming in 1994, they sent us a red Styrofoam ball to put on our antennae to find the car in the parking lot. Of course, everyone had the same antennae decoration. We didn't have an RV, but I had made a flag with my husband's Vietnam unit on it and had a upside down L shape so the flag was visible from a long distance. This was definitely helpful since there were no row markers. Other people had their state flag or sports flags.

I have seen other people showing their pride in their sports teams with the flags that are attached to mirrors or antennaes, mainly when in large parking lots. I know from trying to drive with one of those flags attached that they are noisy, so I am supposing these are in large RV parks or parking lots. After all, we came out of the Space exhibit in Houston to find our car parked next to 2 other Saturn's and all the same medium red color. Unfortunately, we had to walk up to each one to read the license number to find our car. One of the other driver's came up then and we all got a laugh out of it. Of course, finding out where they were from, how we liked the car, etc. put us as equals.

Living in east Texas and not far from Louisiana, I do not like the Confederate flag either. At least when someone is flying it in their front yard, if you are lost or have car problems, you know not to go into their yard. I grew up with segregated schools as well as towns and the KKK and burning crosses. I always think of them when I see a Confederate Flag.

[mogman]

A few years ago, I was at an RC fly-in in Florida. I flew my Canadian flag from the side of my 10x10 pop-up shelter. There was a American flag flying high above the main tent area.
I had one guy come over and started to rant and rave about my flag, I mean I thought this guy's head was going to explode! I walked away from him when It was obvious he wasn't going to stop.
I had lots of people stop by and ask me about where I live etc.
I've displayed my Canadian flag many times in the U.S. and other than this one kook, nobody has ever said it was disrespectful. I've seen many a U.S. flag displayed here in Canada, I think it's great...pride in your country.

[dahkota]

I find the confederate flag disrespectful, but people fly it alone all the time.

[Gadget_Guy1]

It is absolutely disrespectful, the country you are visiting should always be front and centre. A new trend I see this year is US and Canadian flag as one flag end to end. This in my opinion is a travistity to both countries flags.

[Puttin]

I agree that our flag should be flown as well.

[The_Texan]

Every time I see that, I think of the shrapnel in my leg and remember I fought for the USA NOT some foreign country. I know many Vets that would go out of their way to tell the person what the correct flag etiquette is and I hope you do also.

[bjbear]

I think it is disrespectful. Nothing wrong with flying your own flag, but you need to acknowledge that you are a guest in the country and that you respect the people and laws of the United States. You do this by flying their flag in a superior position and never in a smaller size. I am proud to be a Canadian, but when I fly the Canadian flag, I always fly the Stars and Stripes with it. And I expect others to do the same when they visit Canada.

[Iraqvet05]

It doesn't bother me to see flags from different countries flown in the US. It just tells me we are a big melting pot of multi nationalities that (for the most part) can all tollerate one another.

[Usmcsousa]

Iam with you, used to drive me crazy years ago driving through my home town seeing all the Portuguese flags on cars and houses with no american flag. Especially those whom are collecting some of the many assistance "handouts" this wonderful country offers.
My parents legally migrated from Portugal before I was born. They are proud of their heritage, but have always flown the Red white and blue in the front yard.

[LynnandCarol]

They can be proud of their country just as we are proud of ours. I don't think they are trying to be disrespectful. One of the great things about the US, is the freedom of expression. I also love how Texans show there pride in their state by flying the state flag. You just see them everywhere. This is rarely seen in our home state.