How Can St George's Day Be Celebrated?

[sp1814]

Every year around this time, friends I've know for years suddenly discover they have (questionable) Irish roots and jump on the joyous St Patricks Day celebrations.

I've always noticed how every Irish bar I've been into has been warm, friendly and inviting.

I've always thought that it's a shame there isn't the same publicity given to St George's Day (April 23rd), and suspect that some of the conclusions drawn in this report have a ring of truth about it:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/by-george-english-should-fly-the-flag-and-take-pride-on-23-april-says-ed-miliband-adviser-9195836.html

Could it be that after years being draped around the shoulders of the EDL and BNP, that the flag of St George has been a little 'tainted'?

[emmie]

because the English have been made to feel like the poor cousin at the feast, that very few things get promoted about St George's Day, i rarely see the flag flying, except the Union Jack, on high days and holidays, and over Buck House.

[berniecuddles]

last year my mil put a flag of St George up in her garden, opposite her is a primary school the headmistress asked her if she wouldn't mind taking it down as it may upset some of the parents, needless to say the flag is still flying high!!

[Old_Geezer]

We should dress up and go slay a Welsh dragon or two.

[viv38]

Glad the flag's still flying high bernie.

[ummmm]

Georges day round here is celebrated but the riot vans are out in force. Paddy's day there is an increased poice presence but no comparison.

I've been out every Paddy's day for as long as I can remember and the only trouble I've witnessed is started by the English.

[China Doll]

Meh... I don't celebrate paddies day and I wouldn't celebrat St George's either; I think it's a load of nonsense. And paddies day has alwyas just been an excuse to get ratted as far as I can tell.

[ummmm]

Bernie...good, I wouldn't take a flag down either. A house at the end of my street has been flying a union flag and a Georges cross for the last 20 years....

[mushroom25]

'tis true, anyone associating themselves with the cross od St George is perceived either as a little Englander xenophobic racist, or a no-necked, tattooed shaven headed football thug.

[Ken4155]

We could all celebrate St George's Day by speaking Turkish for a day:-)

[anotheoldgit]

The English have been taught that to show patriotism is doing something wrong and anyone who does is a 'little Englander', far right-winger, or a member of the BNP or EDL, etc. why even the name of our country is slowly being erased, we are now to be referred to as 'Brits' even though there isn't a country called Britain.

So is it any wonder we are discouraged from flying the flag of St George.

I was once on holiday in Cuba and I asked our Cuban courier if the wearing of my American baseball cap would cause offence, (seeing their hatred for the Americans), to which he replied "no of course not, but why did you find the need to wear an American one, why don't you wear an English one" when I explained that this type of thing was frowned upon in England, as the flying of our flag was, he just could not believe it.

[berniecuddles]

quite right ummmm what other country has a problem with their own flag..!!

[sp1814]

Chilldoubt

"And paddies day has alwyas just been an excuse to get ratted as far as I can tell."

Yup!

And I'm still slightly hungover from the weekend.

[DSJ]

I fly the St. George's flag on my car & wear an enamel pin badge. I also hang a small flag in my front window. I know it's not much but at least it is something.

[China Doll]

'And I'm still slightly hungover from the weekend. '

Apparently so my little Spattitude... apparently so.... ;oP

[sp1814]

AOG

I think part of the problem is that we now have a whole generation, for whom the site of the flag of St George sends the wrong signals.

Because it's been appropriated by the BNP and EDL, it now almost looks like a political symbol...in the same way that if I saw a red flag in the 70s or 80s, I would subconsciously associate it with the far left.

[zebo]

Bernie, you need to buy her a much bigger flag for Mothers' Day! Cheeky so and so from the school, I hope your MIL makes many complaints to her about inconsiderate parking etc etc.

[berniecuddles]

zebo OH yes on all accounts!!

[ummmm]

Actually, it's not just about getting ratted. It's the music, family and meeting up with people you don't see so often.

Northampton has quite a tight knit Irish community and we more or less all know each other.

[jomifl]

Well as an Englishman sp, what do you suggest?

[chris1957au]

Garden or street party