Would it bother you if someone burnt your national flag?

[Mich the Tester]

It wouldn’t bother me. I think it’s rather childish, and very irresponsible to start fires in public places, but I actually don’t care. Maybe because I’m not a very nationalist person, but I couldn’t really give a stuff. I wouldn’t do it myself because I don’t like causing offence unnecessarily, but I really can’t get wound up about some rent-a-mob setting fire to a flag, as long as they don’t cause fire damage to my or other people’s property.

Do you care? If so, why?

[mudskipper]

I think it depends. If there was a bonfire and someone chucked an old flag on it, that wouldn't bother me at all. If a group set out to make a big thing about it, I'd assume it was done through hatred, and that would be a bit sad. Can't say I'd lose any sleep over it though.

[MarillionFan]

To be fair it's only symbollic. Flag burning is only done by those who aren't backed up with a state of the art Army, Navy & Airforce and an arsenal of nuclear weapons.

It's like ants trying to piss off an elephant

[Sysman]

I could never get as upset about it as the Yanks seem to do, but then their flag is an important part of their culture, seen in classrooms etc.

Both the English Flag and the Union Jack have been somewhat hijacked by right wing nutters so that has diminished its importance for me.

[Doggy Styles]

I'm a bit nationalistic, but I don't give a fig. Those middle-eastern types are always burning flags for this and that, it's the way they are.

[Mich the Tester]

I'm a bit nationalistic, but I don't give a fig. Those middle-eastern types are always burning flags for this and that, it's the way they are.

Yep, all rather puerile, as is setting fire to Korans.

But what's the betting that something kicks off tomorrow? What with all the silly demonstrations and moaning and setting fire to stuff by people who should surely be able to think of something better to do, I guess there's a fair chance something will turn nasty tomorrow.

[xoggoth]

Nope. Actually, I am very tempted to set fire to one Union Jack, that disgusting tatty old thing that neighbour MR PIKEY SCUM has in his front garden. You would think if someone goes to the trouble of putting a full size flagpole in their front garden they would buy a decent flag to go on it.

[d000hg]

Even if you didn't think the flag was important in itself, if someone did it specifically to upset you, wouldn't the sentiment be more important than the action?

[cailin maith]

Would bother me - I think it's quite rude.

You should be proud of your country and your flag.

People in this country have no pride in their country, flag or culture, which is a shame

Yes, sometimes the knobends take over the flag, like the rightwing nutters in this country and the hooligans etc.. but really the masses should take it back.

At home, loads of people have either their county flag or the national flag hanging someplace and it's a pride thing, not a sectarian or anything else thing.

[Mich the Tester]

Even if you didn't think the flag was important in itself, if someone did it specifically to upset you, wouldn't the sentiment be more important than the action?

Not really; I'm not easily offended. I know that some people probably hate me simply because I'm English, others because I'm not of their social class, others because I don't share their faith, others because I don't share their political views. That's their problem; I have better things to do with my life than go around hating people or setting fire to symbols other people seem to care about, even if I find their caring irrational.