Flags; what a great discussion, let it roam off topic once in a while as they all do, sure beats talking about carnets and leopard-skin tank bags. The trouble is we're all pretty much agreeing with eachother... Where's an ugly American when you need him to lock this thread out!
What happened to Global is shocking - think about it. it's pretty extreme. I can't help thinking that the flag must have been very blatant and not just lost among a box covered in other flags, as you see some times. Looks like that icon has become about as popular as a swastika these days. Remember how utterly uncool it appeared - at least from where I was watching with a groan - when they draped a flag over Saddam's falling statue that time? They could not get it off quick enough.
Someone else explained it above, but Americans are proud of their flag in a fairly normal, patriotic way (if that's your bag). Remember too that woman in Fahrenheit 9/11 (on UK telly next week) who hung hers out proudly every day, despite her experience. A practise unknown in the UK or maybe even Europe.
When I was in the US last summer and saw flags outside people's houses and 'God Bless our Troops', I assumed it was a hardcore KKK enclave and it gave me the creeps. I'm sure I was wrong. I was also nervous about travelling up there, so demonised have they become. Now it's becoming clear the country is very much divided down the middle, politically. I met especially great people, as you invariably do, some falling over themselves to apologise for the smirking chimp. And this was Idaho, redneck central I assumed!
Me, it would never occur to me to stick on a Brit or any flag - or even a GB sticker anymore. If they want to know where I'm from they just got to ask - though I think it's a very human instinct to do so, to size a stranger up. Like AndyT said, low profile is best - keep them guessing - as it's already glaringly obvious we're foreign and often a lot richer (the 'Range Rover' syndrome I've seen in Africa, not a great car at some borders). No need to rub it in. It's better for cornering too.
Piero S seemed pretty clear to me first time round and I agreed with him. Apart from the bit about 'loving his country' which I don't get at all. What's there to love about any country that isn't as good - maybe in other ways - somewhere else?
One thing I'm sure we've all discovered from our travels (and which Ted Simon mentioned in that video about him I watched last night) is that in the end we're all people. Take CB's advice, keep your flag on your underpants, along with other essentials

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland II hardback edition and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail