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Q: Why is the Union Jack so popular here?
I've just been out for a walk with my kid, and in the space of about an hour I noticed a Mini Metro with a Union Jack paint-job, a Union Jack t-shirt, some Union Jack sneakers, and a pair of Union Jack leggings stretched tightly over a pair of very attractive buttocks. These were all on different people by the way. So why? I can't imagine myself wearing the flag of any nation (even my own), except maybe a Japanese one and that's only because I think kamikaze pilots are cool. (Don't think the Chinese would appreciate it though). In fact i'd have thought that the Chinese would dislike the Brits for pinching Hong Kong way back when, as well as for the whole 'Opium Wars' thing. Speaking of which, i'm not a big fan of war, but give me a war where everyone's handing out opium and i'll be on the front lines. But I digest; so what do you think? Why is the Union Jack considered by so many Chinese to be a fashion accessory?
You lost me with the whole Union Jack thing. I have been here and I haven't seen any union jack accesories that people are wearing. I think what is popular in china are apple products and cute stuffed animals.. . . .
mArtiAn:
Well it's not like everyone has one on their jacket, but like I said, I started counting them this morning and I saw four. Didn't see any other flags either, although I have done in the past. The stars and stripes. But the Union Jack is definitely popular.
Hulk:
What? Union Jack is really popular here. Have you ever been to China?
I've seen just as many Italian and German flags on clothing as the UK flag. And Hello Kitty. And Playboy Bunnies.
Obviously, not all Chinese people know or care where these commercial designs come from. I have asked students why they are wearing shirts with strange English on them and they say they have no idea what it means.
The Chinese, from what I have been told, liken the combined red crosses in the Union Jack to the "mi" 米 character meaning rice. I am not sure why this has any significance nor whether it is really relevant to the fashion phenomenon of using it.
I have seen it many times in this city, there's a popular type of coat that has the Union Jack on it and different hats and whatnot. From what I see here, you'd think Britain and New York City are the only places outside of China.
I've seen it many times across every city and province I've visited. No idea why. Maybe they're secretly hoping to be colonized so they can become as good as Hong Kong? I really have no idea why it's so popular here.
I've also seen Union Jack scooters, and Old Glory... underwear/shop logos/etc. Sadly, Union Jack seems more popular than Old Glory.
Also popular in the city I live in. I have also noticed kids/teenagers wearing the stars and stripes too. I have made the comment myself in passing and imagined how odd it would be if some teenager from the U.K or U.S walked around with a Chinese flag badged on a jacket or a bag...
What chenhan said. Most have no idea that it's the British flag. They just think the pattern looks cool. Often you'll see it in random colours. It has nothing to do with it being the union jack.
mArtiAn,
As a fellow Brit I would hope you knew this but the Flag of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is called the Union Flag, it should only called the Union Jack when it is flying on a vessel of the Royal Navy.
mArtiAn:
Nope, didn't know that, and......wait.......wait a second.......yep.....I couldn't give a toss.
Let me know when you're up for a game of pool.
My students wear it: Union Jack T-shirts are the thing here. I saw a Union Jack umbrella, very creative I should say. But they don't know its meaning, They also don't know that Wales is not included on the flag. Union Jack fashion & its meaning is a good topic for the class.
Hugh.G.Rection:
The Welsh flag isn't included in The Union Flag because when the various nations of Britain started to merge Wales was no longer a nation as it had already been subsumed by England. So the 'nations' of Britain are, England, Scotland, and Ireland (since changed to Northern Ireland) and the principality of Wales, (not a nation).
OwainLW:
Wales may well be part of the UK and not technically a country (try telling that to someone from Bangor) though I think the Welsh, given historical preferences, would hate nothing more than to be incorporated into a flag that represents the constant oppression throughout history of it's Anglo-Saxon neighbor. Despite the fact I grew up in Sussex I am Welsh by blood and was ready to pounce on your comment Hugh (Huw? Joking!) though I can't claim to be an expert on what constitutes a country - please enlighten me. In terms of cultural identity, language, customs and history however, Wales certainly has it's own distinctive traits that separate from others (though you'd have to go north of Camarthen to see that).
Hugh.G.Rection:
Owain, I wasn't commenting on the rights or wrongs or whether Wales has sufficient whatever to be considered a 'nation'. I was merely giving the historical facts as to why the Welsh flag isn't included in the Union flag. Please feel free to google the facts, I assure you they are correct and they were meant in a non-judgemental way.
OwainLW:
No worries at all - I hope my tone didn't come across as angsty as I knew you weren't being judgmental. Just wanted to hear what you had to say on the matter that's all as I've always been led to believe Wales (despite being part of the UK) is in fact its own country. Darn online communication and misinterpretations of tones! :)
ElenaDob:
Hey, guys. I didn't mean to open the can of worms here. Being a Russian citizen, I'm very much interested in the history & culture of the UK. I appreciate your explanation, Hugh. I didn't know why Wales wasn't included on the flag. I knew that a red dragon is on the Welsh flag & since you cannot see it on the Union Jack, it obviously is not included.
Why is the red hand on the National flag of the Northern Ireland? What does it mean?
P.S. Irish guys on this site, keep your shirt on, no string attached to this question.
