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Do people in France have flags on their cars? Do they sell clothing with the flag for Zimbabwe everywhere? Do people dress as their country's mascot for every day events?

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[-] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

None of the Western ones. Probably not Zimbabwe either, although I could be wrong about that. Africans are usually aware of how much development is ahead of them.

China is a lot like America in other ways, so it wouldn't surprise me if they do that stuff, and North Korea is obviously rabidly nationalistic in it's own way.

Canadian flags in unnecessary places are becoming more common, but that's basically us aping you, because we get all your media and define our whole identity as a contrast to America.

[-] drmoose@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

There's a big difference between nationalism and patriotism though both can be displayed in similar manner. For example if you take a look at small european countries like the baltic states they are very patriotic and have flags on their cars etc. but they are not nationalistic at all.

So I think it's unfair to equate them in this context even if reviewing vanity like flags and mascots.

[-] Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 6 days ago

In my experience living in a couple of countries in Europe, generally the bigger the country the more the nationalism (though Germany is maybe exceptional on this) - small countries have very little tendency for people and business to display the flag and have flag-themed products and objects whilst larger countries have more of that.

That said, the far-right everywhere are flag-shaggers and during periods with large international sports events (for example, the World Cup) many normal people will display a national flag, though even then it's more so I large countries than small ones plus in some countries other flags are used (for example, in Britain they use the flags of the nations rather than the UK flag and in The Netherlands they use the "Oranje" flag rather than the Dutch flag).

I think the only country in Europe with nationalism close to America is the UK and I don't believe it's anywhere the same level (for example, they have nothing like the Pledge Of Alliegance).

[-] Xande@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 6 days ago

Only when there are modern overpaid gladiators from different countries try to kick a plastic ball into the oponents net.

A.k.a. "Football World cup" and "Football Europa cup".

OK, also when there are olympics.

And there are those eternal yesterdays that again would like to fly a red flag, with a white dot and a black swastica... those are still a growing minority. Lets hope ot stays that way.

[-] cepelinas@sopuli.xyz 2 points 6 days ago

No, we have broken off the Soviet union.

[-] kSPvhmTOlwvMd7Y7E@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

No, I was from Soviet Union

[-] cepelinas@sopuli.xyz 2 points 6 days ago

I think I misphrased my comment I meant to say that we are no longer in a dictatorship, so we do not have such propaganda

[-] gerryflap@feddit.nl 1 points 6 days ago

Here in the Netherlands it's definitely not as crazy as in the US. People will fly the flag on national celebration days or on remembrance day. And during international soccer tournaments the country will turn orange. But the only flags I see on cars are upside-down ones from angry farmers protesting against environmental regulations and from nutjobs who still think that COVID vaccines contain microchips.

People do tend to fly provincial flags and municipality flags sometimes tho. Especially in the best province, Fryslân (I'm not biased at all).

[-] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 31 points 1 week ago

Every country has their own brand and degree of nationalism. For example, in Europe, you won't commonly see the national flag displayed in a private context in countries like France or Germany, but it's very common as a decoration in Switzerland and Denmark. Doesn't mean I'd really compare the Danes or Swiss to American nationalists though. I think what makes US-brand nationalism a special kind is the intense superiority complex, the feeling that they're the greatest country on earth and everyone else doesn't matter. No Swiss nationalist would think that their country could thrive without at least some degree of cooperation with other countries.

Maybe other large-population countries like China and India might be more similar. When I went to high school in China as an exchange student, they had a flag-raising ceremony once a week where the national anthem was played. But I guess that's still tame compared to having the pledge of allegiance every day.

[-] Takapapatapaka@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

Yup, seeing a french flag in a private context feels off, you immediately get the sense that whoever put it up has very intense feelings about the Motherland/Fatherland.

[-] ricdeh@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago

The Swiss might be a bad example. They are easily the craziest, most nationalistic people in Europe. I've dealt a lot with Swiss from all kinds of backgrounds over several years, and with foreigners living and working in Switzerland, and I can confidently say that I have never experienced anything comparable to how normal and ingrained xenophobia and an endless vicious hate for foreigners are in Swiss culture. The average Swiss seems to despise foreigners (who make about 50% of the workforce, btw) and views themselves and their country as superior to anything that might exist in the universe. This is not only a rural problem, it is common in several cities as well, perhaps most prominently in Lucerne. Their xenophobia has also been institutionalised with the Swiss police of several cantons enjoying the harassment of foreigners as their favourite pastime.

[-] inquanto@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Not to down talk your experience, politically we definitely have a huge problem with the extreme right wing party passing laws that are extremely problematic. And I would probably also agree that the swiss are possibly more xenophobic than neighbouring countries, especually when it comes to things like aquiring citicenship which is quite frankly insane. One thing I have also heard mentioned from expats though is the concept of the "swiss stare". Basically that we swiss tend to quite directly stare at strangers when they get on a train etc. Being socialized in Switzerland we probably don't notice that we even do it but to foreigners it could possibly feel menacing or hostile. Another thing, Lucerne is very touristy to the point of over tourism and that will create tension anywhere not just in Switzerland, see the whole " tourists go home" movement in spain etc..

[-] Stovetop@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago

I think what makes US-brand nationalism a special kind is the intense superiority complex, the feeling that they're the greatest country on earth and everyone else doesn't matter.

You're spot on, to the extent that there is a concept describing exactly this: American Exceptionalism.

[-] zxqwas@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago

In public spaces and every day life no.

Sports yes.

Pledging allegiance to the flag in school? That is absurd.

[-] yesman@lemmy.world 21 points 1 week ago

Don't confuse patriotism with nationalism. Patriotism is love for one's homeland, nationalism is a delusion of blood and soil.

[-] Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Patriotism: "What can I to for my country?"

Nationalism: "What can my country do for me?"

[-] MakkaPakka 1 points 4 days ago

I see nationalism more as "My country is better than your country"

[-] Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 4 days ago

Which generally comes with "I am more important than those forigners and hence should be treated better than them" which is just another form of "what's in it for me".

Certainly my experience from living in Brexit Britain is that the kind of people who couldn't accept criticism of Britain were also the kind who though they were superior to foreigners because of being Britons and expected to be better treated than foreigners for it, and that wasn't just in their own country but also for example when on vacations abroad.

[-] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Although the former seems like it will inevitably slide into the latter.

We should aspire to be a good person in general first, and then decide if our nation is awesome or "we're the baddies" after that.

[-] NecroParagon@lemm.ee 6 points 1 week ago

Yeah, I'm a patriot, but I hate nationalists with a passion.

[-] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 17 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Hard no. I've been to 25ish countries (I've lost count), and US is the only country I've been to with so many flags and rituals around the state and its government.

  • National anthem before every sportsball game.
  • Pledge of allegiance.
  • Flags every where every day.
  • "Thank you for your service".
  • Picture of President in any building that serves a government function (at least the ones I've been to... Not that many, tbh).
  • Naming anything and everything after presidents and statesmen
[-] Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.world 16 points 1 week ago

I think Americans should go answer that for themselves. As an exercise.

[-] FenrirIII@lemmy.world 30 points 1 week ago

Most Americans can't read. The rest you lost at 'exercise'

[-] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

I should be offended, but this is just too damn funny.

[-] remotelove@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 week ago

Generalize much?

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[-] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 1 week ago

Also, why does nobody here know that their mindless nationalism is weird? I've seen military guys stop traffic to stop their cars in the middle of the road and stand with their hand over their heart towards the nearest flag when they play the trumpets at the end of the work day. ( on a military base) But seriously, why would you stop rush hour traffic to virtue signal your worship of an inanimate object. Those people should not be allowed to use firearms. There is seriously something wrong with that. My coworkers did the same thing, but not while they were driving. It's beyond bizarre.

You're supposed to stop your car for colors. You don't necessarily need to get out, but hence the rush to get there and inside before colors.

[-] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Yea, and gladiators were "supposed to" die for the glory of Rome. When are people going to get past pomp and circumstance? It's fucking pathetic.

[-] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 days ago

Oh. I didn't know that. Most folks there are not active duty. Thanks for explaining. That guy must have been a new recruit to get out.

[-] frank@sopuli.xyz 14 points 1 week ago

No.

I live in Denmark but used to live in the US. I see a LOT of the Danish flag around (Dannebrog 🇩🇰) but it's a lot less nationalistic. The level of "I love my country" is a bit weird but it's the "it's the best country and all others suck and wish they were us" that's incomprehensible.

I think David Cross said something like this:

If you're in Europe and someone tells you how your country sucks and isn't free, you know they're American

[-] Ledericas@lemm.ee 12 points 1 week ago

US has alot of propaganda through various means, but its greatest affect is on conservatives, they are much easier to convince. copaganda, military propaganda, performative politics for the military.

[-] falcunculus@jlai.lu 12 points 1 week ago

Do you remember the time Marco Rubio repeated the same thing twice during a presidential debate ? His speech included calling the US "the greatest nation in the history of the world" but no one minded that.

In most countries you would be ridiculed for saying something like that, but from what I understand Americans are taught that their country is the best in basically everything and they are very lucky to be born there because every other place is worse off.

[-] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

The brainwashing is strong, yes.

[-] RandomVideos@programming.dev 10 points 1 week ago

The most "I love my country" thing i have seen was someone dying their hair to represent the country flag

I have seen more people in my country wear the USA flag than my countries flag

[-] Libb@jlai.lu 9 points 1 week ago

Like mentioned in another comment there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism.

I would add to that there is a difference between loving one's country and being a fetishist of its flag or its national anthem.

You will find flags in all countries. The question is more what proportion of the population is obsessed with them?

I'm French and I can tell you that beside the far-right, who loves waving flags and singing the first few lines of the Marseillaise (most of them, like the rest of the population probably have never taken the pain to read the entire song, even less so to memorize it, too much of a hassle). For the most part, you will find flags on public buildings and offices. Seldom on private home/office.

Also, it's visible during special celebrations, say, each year for the 14th of July (France's birthday) some streets and stores will be decorated and, at least where I live (Paris), public transit will also have a little flag waving in the wind.

Last but not least, you will mostly see the French flags waved, this time en masse, during sport events. People will also proudly wear french colors on their clothing and on their face, or on their head (I fucking love this stupid hat, but Io don't own one). But then you will also see the other countries flags being waved by their own supporters, and most of the time they don't end-up killing one another ;)

Like I said, people barely know more than the first few lines of our national anthem, kids are not required to swear allegiance to the flag either at school. Some people are discussing about bringing that back but I'd rather see them bring back some traditional reading and math lessons, like in the 'good old days'... when kids actually were taught something useful. Because we've been suffering from the same issue you have with your US school system: it's falling apart, badly. Our kids aren't taught much if anything. More and more of them can barely read or write, and they can't do simple math. Let's not mention getting any notion of civic education, history, philosophy (which would all help make a more informed & better-equipped citizen, which is not that silly in any country that is supposed to be a democracy).

That being said, even without a flag, we're many to love our country, despite all its flaws, even those of us who criticize it vehemently. We just don't need to show that by waving some cheap piece of fabric, or glue a sticker on a some car.

I have bookshelves filled with books on French (and European) politics, history and philosophy. Sure those are not flags I can wave on the street or glue on my car to show what a true patriot I am but, imho, their non flashy content represent France (and the many other EU countries) a little better than any cheap piece of fabric put on a mast.

That being said, I have a pair of socks with a french flag on them. Could that count a patriotism? ;)

[-] Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I guess North Korea wins this contest. Then Singapore. Usa comes later...

[-] daniskarma@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

In Spain yes. We call them "patriotas de la pulserita" because they always have wristbands with the spanish flag.

We don't have flags on poles, put people put the spanish flags on the balconies.

[-] Gorilladrums@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Yes! Every country has its own brand of nationalism. It just so happens that different country have different flavors of it.

[-] remotelove@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The US is a big country and it depends on where you are. Usually, expression of patriotism is directly correlated to the number of dualies found in that region.

Anywhere you go, in any country, you are going to find a subset of rabid nationalists.

In my experience, Canadians living in the US are more prone to express their own patriotism by hanging American and Canadian flags. (That is just my experience and also shouldn't be considered a constant.)

This reeks of bias so it's probably of interest: https://typingadventure.com/vive-la-france/

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[-] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 5 points 1 week ago

North Korea is.

[-] Wahots@pawb.social 4 points 1 week ago

Turkmenistan has some amazing propaganda and surprisingly, interesting music on the propaganda channels. Never would want to go there, though.

The fuzzy hat horse sing-along segment goes surprisingly hard? 16:31, pre-stamped:

https://youtu.be/8PwHytpomC4?t=16m30s

[-] ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I’m American but I’ve travelled a lot and the only place I can remember seeing anything close to as many flags was Greece. And it wasn’t that close. Americans are absurd about flags. Plus, the Greek flag is aesthetically lovely and the American flag might be bottom 5 on pure design principles.

No one get offended. I’m not insulting my own country’s flag. I’m just saying, 50 fucking stars and 13 stripes is a design nightmare. The Greek flag is simple and nice looking in lots of contexts. This isn’t a comment about honoring the flag. It’s a comment about vexillology and design.

[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Nope. OK, maybe NK, if you insist. And of they can afford a flag.

Americans are weird with their odd interpretation of "patriotism". They pledge allegience to flag and constitution as kids, and trample both with their feet once they are adults.

[-] Hadriscus@jlai.lu 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

No, I have never seen that anywhere. That being said I have not visited the US nor most of the other countries. I am a french citizen and although I have witnessed the odd little french flag hung up in gardens (very uncommon, but I've seen it) the prevailing sentiment in France seems to be a certain pride in gastronomy, sports and sometimes sciences, and a general tendency to criticize most governments. Rightly so, I think.

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this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2025
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