why do countries have flags?
100276
because it looks cool and it's a way for citizens to show their pride.
76611
Because Americans are so patriotic about their country, flag, and beliefs. Disclaimer: I think that's a good thing too.
124714
Flags are flown at half mast as a sign of respect, for mourning, or in times of distress.
387715
The laws are those of the "flag" it flies.  If it flys a US flag then it's US law.  This is the reason when pulling into a countries waters the "flag" is lowered and the country they are now in has it's flag raised to show that you are now in that country, pull out into international waters and the flag "of choice" is raised, giving the country of choice rights over the boat.  This is why when in US waters they can't serve an 18yo a drink, but once they enter international waters they can, because the country you're "in" (sailing under) allows it.  \n\nPS Most cruises if you dump waste will kick you off at the next port of call.
821776
The CSA flag is a flag foreign to most local jurisdictions.  Most towns, as municipal corporations, are incorporated like any corporation with the state in which they are in.  As such, the flags of any other state, the federal American flag and the CSA flag are all technically foreign to their own state and its' flag.  Depending on the specific wording of their codes, regulations, policies and ordinances, such prohibitions may act to prohibit much more than they might otherwise anticipate.  Remember, the CSA, just like the Ottoman Empire, the ancient Roman Empire, the Third Reich and the Soviet Union is equally foreign as it had its own system of government and state.
1186765
CANADA :Why cause we got pot  and you got crack ,We wear our flag with pride when we travel . And  if you wear your flag you`ll get shot . So the smart thing you Americans do when you travel is WEAR the CANADIAN FLAG.
251927
there are plenty of websites for rules and laws of flag etiquette for the US flag.... as far as other countries i believe you will have to look up each country individually. i have not found 1 website for all countries
1052009
The diagonal red stripes (representing Ireland) were added to the existing Union flag in 1802 when the Irish Parliament was combined with that of the mainland\n\nIreland left the union in 1921 with the creation of the Irish free state (though 6 counties remained in the north) but the Irish part of the flag was left intact, so don't expect patrick any time soon\n\nThe government of Northern Ireland has a flag but this is the cross of St George plus other symbols. See the link below for the plethora of flags used in the north
232273
I think because the colour of flag was designed with the meaning behind the colour.\n\nLike my country flag, it's red and white.\nRed = brave\nWhite = holy/clean\n\nSo, the founder of the country design the flag because they use the characteristics and meanigs of the colour to describe the country and to express the spirit of the country. It's random, yes we know that.
1031262
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.\n..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.\n..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
1144377
Coloring jerseys according to the nation's flag has always been a convention rather than the rule. Therefore, you will find a few countries here and there that come represented in colors that are nowhere on their flag. Actually I think for teams that have been out there very long there is history and tradition to it like Italy I guess.
773208
It's symbolic.  In battle, the flag should always be visible to the troops as an inspiration, and an indication of where the front line is. If the flag bearer goes down, someone else immediately picks up the flag and carries it high.  So we carry that over into all displays of the flag.
1165316
The individual flag design is up to the individual nation. Heres a link to all the flags of the world. \n\nhttp://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/docs/flagsoftheworld.html\n\nGenerally speaking, and dependent on what flag you are looking for, they are mainly made in countries where the labor can be outsourced for a fraction of the cost to make it at home. Some US flags are still made in the USA, although most flags come from SE Asia.
1163314
It is your duty as a citizen of a democracy to be questioning of your nation, and criticising when you think it is appropriate. \n\nTo be blind to the errors that your own country makes abroad is very dangerous, especially if a large number of people also do this.\n\nUnless it's during the World Cup, which is an ideal (and relatively harmless) outlet for nationalism and the dislike of other nations.
1042696
I think the answer can be really simple.  If the flag is burnt because of the country it represents (in this case, America) then it definitely wouldn't be OK to Americans.  It's the reason behind the action and what it represents.
203864
It should be illegal. I always thought flags had to be in good condition to be "flying".
446061
The 50 stars represent each of the 50 states.  The red stripes on the flag represent the lives that our ancestors lost fighting to make this a free country.