[Closed] Would flagpole in a neighbours garden put you off buying a house?

Clearly the best thing to do is erect a bigger and better one in your own garden.

Or you could strike up a conversation and ask him what the significance of having the flag means to him.

There are many ways to ask without coming straight out with 'What the **** is that thing doing there?'

[quote=mudmuncher said]Sounds like it would put a lot of people off. So should I go around this morning and ask if he'd mind lowering the flag at least while we had viewings or will that end in tears.

Don't do that, it will most probably end in tears. Why should he lower that flag ? It's insulting to ask him IMO.

Don't see what the problem is personally.

Unless you both live in castles, it would put me off.

Not at all.

A Union Jack is a Union Flag when it's flown at the "jack" of a RN ship. Only a RN ship should do this.

It is often stated that the Union Flag should only be described as the Union Jack when flown in the bows of a warship, but this is a relatively recent idea. From early in its life the Admiralty itself frequently referred to the flag as the Union Jack, whatever its use, and in 1902 an Admiralty Circular announced that Their Lordships had decided that either name could be used officially. Such use was given Parliamentary approval in 1908 when it was stated that “the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag”.

[url= https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/ ]The flag institute[/url]

Knew I'd read something, somewhere, sometime.

Just one flag and one neighbour? Think yourself lucky you don't live over here...

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My own personal rule of thumb...house with flag = bigoted idiot inside

It wouldn't put me off a nice house but it certainly makes an average house worse.

We knocked on our neighbours doors (to see what they were like), before buying our current house. I'd do the same with the flag person. Make a judgement after meeting him/her.

I've just looked out my window and I can see five Manx flags from here. I'm as Manx as the hills and I don't have one but if others want to why would it bother me? There are loads more around Tynwald day too.

Like plenty of people in Greece have Greek flags, especially around ??? day.

I think that it's got bugger all to do with bigotry, not in the above examples anyway.

Allthepies - Don't do that, it will most probably end in tears. Why should he lower that flag ? It's insulting to ask him IMO.

Don't see what the problem is personally

Around here quite a few of the houses have flags.

I think it's a big plus.

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I've been known to use flagwaver as an insult.

White background countries name in black in esperanto.

No religious symbols

No identifiable colours to paint on kerbs

No political symbology.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/21/emily-thornberry-resignation-explain-outside-britain

she was right tho.........

Could be worse

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AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR 😉

Mudmuncher - regardless of the rights or wrongs, I think it's clear that it will at least make some people more likely to pause and question the neighbours. That will mean there is reduced interest which translates to lower prices. I don't think there is much you can do about it though, folk are very funny if asked not to fly flags and buyers more likely to pull out if they notice had started flying again after an offer went in!

Personally I think the appropriateness of flag poles depends on the size (and age) of the property. But my views on say two big dogs next door might be similar, and you wouldn't ask him to take them out during viewings would you?

It would put me off. Rightly or wrongly.

Ask him nicely and I'm sure he won't be offended. He might say no, but I doubt it if he's as friends as you say.

I find the whole nationalistic/flag flying thing a bit uncomfortable. Just one small step closer to blind loyalty to an entity that you don't truly control.

depends on the area the house is in.

+1 - nice cottage in a village, it probably wouldn't make any difference to me. In a row of terraced houses close to a city, I'm probably going to assume (probably unfairly) that they're small-minded bigots.

I don't see how you can say anything about it to him without pissing him off though, as it'll always come down to "my neighbour thinks I am/I look like a bigot". I'd only say something if you're getting feedback from the estate agent that buyers are being put off by it. That way you can blame them, everyone knows they're soul-less scumbags anyway 😀

Could it be because it was recently St Georges day? If he's a flag enthusiast maybe it will change shortly.
Today is Moldova's national flag day!
Take the coward's option and say the estate agents think ill informed buyers may rush to judgement. Then ask to change to something less contentious - Switzerland? South Africa? North Korea?

We've got neighbours a few doors down from us who fly a St Andrew's cross in their back garden and have two little flags for the front of their white van.

We refer to them as the local Scottish terrorists. They're nice people, but I would leg it in a second if they started to steer the conversation towards politics, simply because I associate that sort of flag waving with bigotry.

It's a bit sad, but that's just how I see it nowadays.

😐

Just one small step closer to blind loyalty to an entity that you don't truly control.

yet you are inescapably part of.

Next door but one the other way has an actual airport windsock !

I like their style.

It would certainly put some buyers off. You don't know if flagman is a mildly eccentric but delightful old buffer who can be won over with a nice glass of sherry, a mildly eccentric but miserable old buffer who will be picky and disapproving of the way you keep your lawn, or a raving racist 'kipper who will lean over the fence and make comments about 'darkies'.

Could be worse worse

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It would put me off. Rightly or wrongly.

Ask him nicely and I'm sure he won't be offended. He might say no, but I doubt it if he's as friends as you say.

I find the whole nationalistic/flag flying thing a bit uncomfortable. Just one small step closer to blind loyalty to an entity that you don't truly control.

I'd be the same....
I think it's also a bit different when it's commonplace such as Scandinavia but whereas Denmark and Sweden it's just a thing it's a bit disturbing in Norway where nationalism is taken to extremes. In England I think it tends to be biased towards more NF leanings.... whereas in Scotland or Wales it [b]seems to me[/b] less so....

If it was a UK flag it would bother me due to the racist connotations.

And it's that sort of thing when repeated reinforces that stereotype.

I'd look at the person rather than what ornaments they have in their garden.

I'd like a flag pole, and would have it in the front garden. Usually it would fly the Union Flag, (or Jack, whatever) but then get swapped on other countries national days for their flags, which would I suspect would dissuade people that I've taken over leadership of the BNP.

'er indoors says no. 🙁

wouldn't bother me

other people can fly as many flags as they want

Flying flags in your garden isn't exactly normal behaviour unless you're having a party or something

Millions of Americans would disagree with you.

I think the point is made. Some people will be put off by the flag. So you are right to be concerned.

Just ask him to put it down. If he gets the hump, then do you care? You are moving out after all.

We're looking to move and will likely end up in a close-by but different town to where we are now. We went for a drive around on Saturday afternoon / evening to decide on the desirable parts of that town to look to buy.

Four primary criteria have to be met;
* No criminal defence lawyer on the nearest shopping parade / high street
* No fridges / sofa's or other junk in neighbours gardens
* No flag poles in neighbours gardens
* Local pub not having a flat roof

So, in short yes. Unless buying a stately home or next to one, a privately owned, domestic flag is a big no-no for us

Not in the least.

As Albert Einstein said:

"Nationalism is an infantile disease. It's the measles of mankind"

I agree, but Patriotism is something that should be championed.

I don't think a flagpole in a nice, well-tended garden would put me off particularly.

In a garden which also contained a fridge, it'd be a(nother) red flag. 🙂

flagpole - ok
flagpole with St George flag - hmm
flagpole with St George flag and UKIP posters - nope

It's funny how much emotions are stirred up by flags (one only has to look to NI to see the froth). For me, they belong only at sporting events - which is where all nationalism should begin and end. This can be extended to hanging them from your car on the way to or from the game. I like the 6N flags hanging from a pub during the competition - shows someone where they're likely to be able to catch a game with a few pints and a bit of banter with the opposition fans if so inclined. It's not nationalistic - just a "sign".

Government buildings and churches? Yeah, ok, but why?

Hanging from a massive flagpole in your garden? Can't understand why someone feels the need to do it.

I do feel sorry for English folk who would like to reclaim the St. George Cross and the Union flag. In some cases, I think the Union flag has seen [i]some[/i] rehabilitation - although not in Scotland - where it and the Tricolour should be kept firmly behind closed doors. As individuals, we have no control over the zeitgeist surrounding various flags - and while I'd admire someone's attempt to "reclaim" them, it's ultimately futile. For me, the St. George cross has lost almost all vestiges of respectability - I'd make pretty large assumptions about anybody flying one in or from their houses - and I realise that is possibly unfair - but that's kinda just how it is. When enough aresholes start using your flag as their symbol, unless they stop pretty quickly, you've lost it already.

Depends on where and what flag.

At Andrews in Scotland. No problem.
Us flag in the us no problems.
Still George's flag in England. Too high a probably of the owner starting sentences with "I'm not racists but...".

I don't think a flagpole in a nice, well-tended garden would put me off particularly.

In a garden which also contained a fridge, it'd be a(nother) red flag.

+1.

All about context IMO.
I'd be happy to live next to a nice house with a flagpole in the garden, but less so if it was the sort of person who drapes a George cross out of their bedroom windows when England are playing..

Millions of Americans would disagree with you.

Yes but then that's because it's more "normal"

I stayed with a friends family near a rather famous fighter base in Pensacola and the father was some "sub-commander" (can't remember exactly but really important guy) of the whole base.

Lots of the houses around were pilots or such attached to the fighter base and lots of flags.... but I was quite surprised that my prejudices were completely wrong....

Then we went to pick up stuff from the "wedding stuff hire shop" (a few miles out of town) .... flag... and the shop was a combined "wedding/gun-shop" .... [b]prejudices confirmed[/b]!

Millions of Americans would disagree with you.

It will only put off bellends so he's done you a favour. 🙂

I'd be more worried about the noise of the wire whipping against the flag pole in the wind than I would the flag.

Our neighbour erected a flag pole which looked as though it was part of our garden. The dinging of the rope was pretty irritating at night. Luckily they moved house and it mysteriously disappeared just before the new owner moved in. What annoyed me most is the church is in view of our houses and has a perfectly good and well weathered historic flag so the flag pole was not even necessary in the first place.

Cool story I know. 8)

I wouldn't want to live next door to a flag pole owner: they're either gonna be BNP, UKIP or footy fans (or all three). I want none of that, ta.

I can see why some narrow minded souls might dislike it and thus I suspect it will reduce those making an offer.
I would be rather worried if he changed it around though. Cannot for the life of me see why and English man would fly, say, a Scottish or Welsh flag.
Quite possibly your neighbour, being older, is proud of his country. Has he served in the forces for example.
It saddens me that the English flag has become a symbol for foot supporters. Unfortunately many of the characteristics of those people are not endearing and thus the flag is associate, rightly or wrongly, with football.

Flying flags in your garden isn't exactly normal behaviour unless you're having a party or something
Millions of Americans would disagree with you.

And in doing so would prove the OP's point instantly. The type of American that flies a flag in their garden is justasmuch a person I wouldn't want to live next to as an English who flies the StG Cross.

(Well, maybe now quite as much)

With Scotland being so politically emotive currently I think it's an even bigger issue. Lots of new flags popping up all over. It would certainly put me off. Flags in Scotland have a very strong meaning. There are places in Scotland where national chains have had to change their corporate identifying colours so as not to get their windows smashed. Can't recall the details. St Andrews flag is now very political too. Which is a shame.

Purchasers will make snap judgements based on stereotyping. They have nothing else to go on. That's what stereotyping is for, rightly or wrongly - for helping you make a decision when you don't have much evidence to evaluate. Doesn't make them bellends for erring on the side of caution.

There are worse things for them to see when they look over the fence - a rubbish dump full of dog shit and discarded nappies, half a dozen cars on bricks, or a handily placed sex pool, BBQ and sound system. Some people will even be put off by stuff like trampolines.

Seeing a flagpole in a well-tended garden might make me ask a gentle follow-up question about whether I'm likely to be reported to the council if I leave my bin out for too long. 🙂

Have viewer arriving shortly.... should I a. Acknowledge the flag and explain neighbour is a harmless old buffer who collects flags or b. Ignore the elephant in the room and not draw attention to it