How stupid am I for being middle aged and never realising there was a ‘up’ and ‘down’ to the Union Jack?

[-]

Ugglug@reddit

I didn’t realise the red lines in the white weren’t central until just now.

Although I’ve never really looked at the union flag in detail

[-]

90210fred@reddit

Upside down flag equals international sign of distress - maybe the dude carrying it had had enough?

[-]

PaleConference406@reddit

Exactly, How do we know it's a gaffe? The flag unfurler could be needing assistance right now!

[-]

MountainMuffin1980@reddit

Not stupid. Unless you know about it or see the flag often it isn't immediately apparent.

[-]

Tzunamitom@reddit

Never realised, but the bottom instinctively “feels” wrong, so I guess I internalised it somehow.

[-]

Redditisarsebollocks@reddit

You're very kind.

I'd have real stupid, cause I learnt this in like primary school.

[-]

Spank86@reddit

To add to this convention says the flagpole is on the left in images such as this. Obviously on an actual flag both would be right simultaneously.

[-]

Open_Aspect6703@reddit

Are you from the UK? It's much more likely to come up as a bit of trivia if you live here.

[-]

a3diff@reddit

Yes! And whilst were at it, can we put the Welsh dragon on it please??

[-]

quarky_uk@reddit

The article not capitalising it seems a gaffe too.

[-]

Beartato4772@reddit

Now enjoy spotting how often the "Are country" nutters get it wrong.

[-]

Gone_For_Lunch@reddit

It’s difficult to see at first glance.

[-]

I like to think of it like all the red diagonals are being pushed anti clockwise. I know thats not the simplest way to tell, but its so weird my brain now remembers it. (Of course, this only works when viewing a flat flying as your image shows it with the pole on the left, so if the wind is blowing the other way my method is even more difficult to picture).

I will try and remember this one though as its definitely better (but my memory is not lol)

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

Yes being pushed by an anticlockwise sweep is how I remember it.

[-]

Spank86@reddit

Scotland has primacy against the flagstaff.

[-]

Gone_For_Lunch@reddit

It bothers me, for some reason I always think the red diagonals should be towards the top nearest to the flag pole, can’t explain why.

[-]

doepfersdungeon@reddit

Same with St George's flag

[-]

MountainMuffin1980@reddit

No...no it's not.

[-]

doepfersdungeon@reddit

Sure about that ...check again

[-]

MountainMuffin1980@reddit

Dunno if you're just whooshing me or what, but it's symmetrical and can be flipped or "upside down" and still look the exact same.

[-]

doepfersdungeon@reddit

This explains it

https://youtu.be/Aq5WXmQQooo?si=MCwblOlkZ8bJuGMz

[-]

MountainMuffin1980@reddit

Mother FUCKER!

[-]

McLeod3577@reddit

That was so obvious

[-]

doepfersdungeon@reddit

Stop doubting yourself. Too many people will take advantage of you.

[-]

A_Horse_On_The_Web@reddit

I like using correct orientation of the flag to moan at "patriots" for not being patriotic enough to know how to fly their flag

[-]

BackCompetitive7209@reddit

This now middle aged woman only learnt when it was pointed out Geri Spice's union flag Brits dress featured an upside down flag.

[-]

OddSign2828@reddit

This in addition to Australian flags being flown around DC earlier in the trip….

[-]

_Daftest_@reddit

Why wouldn't they fly Australian flags during a visit from Australia's head of state?

[-]

OddSign2828@reddit

He’s also head of state for Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu but those flags aren’t being flown.

The British flag is flown for the British monarch, not the countries in the commonwealth.

[-]

danielroseman@reddit

The commonwealth is a different thing again though. The commonwealth includes many countries of which he is not king, such as India and Bangladesh.

[-]

Gherkiin13@reddit

He is the king of Australia though.

[-]

OddSign2828@reddit

He’s also head of state for Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu but those flags aren’t being flown.

The British flag is flown for the British monarch, not the countries in the commonwealth.

[-]

CrustyHumdinger@reddit

There's a local flagshagger who's hing his flag upside down

[-]

Zacish@reddit

I do a lot of motorway miles for work so saw a lot of flags during the flagshagger pandemic. It was pretty much a 50/50 split of flags being hung the correct way round.

[-]

PapiMak@reddit

He’ll shag it in both positions but usually hang it upside down.

[-]

Martipar@reddit

No, you're not stupid. The only people that care are the sort of people who care a little too much about the national flag. It really doesn't matter if it's the wrong way up, most people will glance at it and not study it like a piece of high art.

[-]

KiwiNo2638@reddit

The irony is that those that "care a little too much" are the ones most likely to fly it upside down. Tories, Reformers, Tommy ten names supporters. Etc

[-]

whyy_i_eyes_ya@reddit

Loads of upside down ones around Weoley Castle when the flagging started. Embarrassing.

[-]

squigs@reddit

Not stupid. Surprising, perhaps, that this isn't something you've encountered before but anything we know, there was a time we heard it for the first time.

I'm sure someone will post the relevant xkcd.

[-]

jeremyascot@reddit

Well, flying the Union Jack upside down is a thing. It’s done to signal distress or a problem.

So maybe it wasn’t an error.

[-]

EvilTaffyapple@reddit

Or a cry for help from people in the US

[-]

HellPigeon1912@reddit

Millennial nerds are all familiar with this because they mentioned it in Doctor Who

[-]

mrdibby@reddit

you're not stupid for not knowing but you would notice it looks wrong instinctively

the justifications for them designing the Union Jack asymmetrical seem a bit silly

[-]

AdPrestigious2387@reddit

Very

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

Please help keep AskUK welcoming!

When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.