what does it mean when someone present me with their national flag?
400270
My perception is that, the person is opening their arms in friendship and respect to you.  Their cultural background and their entire circle of knowledge is open to you as a symbol of respect, cause you have gone thru a particular process where you have been entitled of it, or you are part of a process that is linked to it.\n\nWhen someone does this in a particular way, they are telling you...I accept your cultural differences, and I would like for you to know mine and accept mine too.
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.
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.
84276
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland
394408
As a hispanic I do find offense to it, not necessarily because of what it represents but because of the misinterpretation that it causes. It does cause some confusion to some...I mean why would a person who wants to become a U.S. citizen still have strong nationalism for the country that they wish to escape the hardships of? But from another perspective I believe that the Mexican flag provides comfort and familiarity to those that are on this journey. I think they should wave both.
159193
It means "God Be With You".  It's someones way of wishing you good health and safety in your life.
546316
It can also mean a flag.
102276
called "Showing the Flag" how i remember i dont know its 2 in morning..
583764
Usually it is a distress signal, but foreigners living in the US do it to show how much they disrespect this country and spit on it. I have seen cars driven by turban-heads and spanish looking people with the flag hung upside down from their antenna, or with stickers of the flag upside down on their back window.  Of course, I am a "racist" for saying if they hate it here so much, they should go home.  \n\nI wonder what would happen if we went to their country and did that to their flag?  Or burned their flag on their soil?
1056534
I'd wave my flag in your face, but this is the internet so that isn't quite possible.  \n\nI see nothing wrong with the pride we have in our country, a young country at that.  We've accomplished quite a bit in just over a couple hundred years don't you think?
8817
something that reflects U .. or your COUNTRY or your CULTURE or your RELIGION.
274538
Are national flags simply signs serving some utilitarian function? What do they symbolize? “Nationalism’s chief symbol of faith and central object of worship is the flag,” stated author J. Paul Williams. The Encyclopedia Americana says: “The flag, like the cross, is sacred.” The flag is the symbol of the State. Therefore, bowing down to it or saluting it is a religious ceremony that gives reverence to the State. Such an act ascribes salvation to the State and does not harmonize with what the Bible says about idolatry.\n\nThe Scriptures clearly state: “Salvation belongs to Jehovah.” (Psalm 3:8) Salvation is not to be ascribed to human institutions or their symbols. The apostle Paul admonished fellow Christians: “My beloved ones, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14) The early Christians did not participate in acts of worship of the State. In the book Those About to Die, Daniel P. Mannix observes: “Christians refused to . . . sacrifice to the [Roman] emperor’s genius—roughly equivalent today to refusing to salute the flag.” So it is with true Christians today. In order to render Jehovah exclusive devotion, they refrain from saluting the flag of any nation. By doing so, they put God first while maintaining respect for governments and their rulers. Indeed, they recognize their responsibility to be in subjection to the governmental “superior authorities.” (Romans 13:1-7)\n\nDo such patriotic symbols and ceremonies really have religious significance?\n\n“[Historian] Carlton Hayes pointed out long ago that the ritual of flag-worship and oath-taking in an American school is a religious observance. . . . And that these daily rituals are religious has been at last affirmed by the Supreme Court in a series of cases.”\n\nWith reference to patriotic ceremonies, what does secular history say about the attitude of those known as early Christians?\n\n“Christians refused to . . . sacrifice to the emperor’s genius—roughly equivalent today to refusing to salute the flag or repeat the oath of allegiance. . . . Very few of the Christians recanted, although an altar with a fire burning on it was generally kept in the arena for their convenience. All a prisoner had to do was scatter a pinch of incense on the flame and he was given a Certificate of Sacrifice and turned free. It was also carefully explained to him that he was not worshiping the emperor; merely acknowledging the divine character of the emperor as head of the Roman state. Still, almost no Christians availed themselves of the chance to escape.”\n\nHas the neutrality of Christians meant that they are not interested in the welfare of their neighbors?\n\nCertainly not. They know well and conscientiously endeavor to apply the command repeated by Jesus: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:39) Also the counsel recorded by the apostle Paul: “Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.” (Gal. 6:10) They have been convinced that the greatest good that they can do for their neighbors is to share with them the good news of God’s Kingdom, which will lastingly solve the problems facing mankind and which opens up to those who embrace it the marvelous prospect of eternal life.
489451
I will not directly answer your question, however you can find the answer here.\n\nwww.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
867688
The only people that have to salute the flag are active military personnel.  What bothers me is when people don't respect the flag by not removing their hats during the National Anthem(rednecks at NASCAR races).  People who think it's part of the freedom of speech to desecrate the flag( i.e. burning it, defecating on it, etc.).
1134565
Meaning #1: a distinguishing emblem\n  Synonym: colors\n\n\nMeaning #2: a flag that shows its nationality\n  Synonym: colors
169793
No it is a representation of the American South, And being from the south I have had Confederate Flags. It is some people’s interpretation and pregidist of that that has made it a bad symbol. And I have seen people with confederate Flags speak out against racism including myself. As one person has suggested other wise.. So many people will teach you (and rightly so not to judge one by someone’s color, Dress, Religion, ect.) And then turn around and judge by the color of a Flag without seeing one’s own beliefs. It is when we a people As a human Race can forgo these misunderstandings for one’s background and treat all by their actions and not by any other means. Most people have a history roots to their past and want that respected as well it should be. But to truly be against Racism all people should respect another roots it is only then the Human Race can win. I ask every one of you   If you plant a garden of beautiful flowers would they all look alike or be the same?  Then neither would Gods garden. Be thankful we are all different how boring this world would be otherwise
916313
I've always found it odd that a state within the United States would demand keeping the flag of a nation that disavowed being a part of the United States within it's modern flag.\n\nParadoxial in a sense.