Pirate flags ....

I always think of them as 'child on board' flags.

Still like them though. Have a 6' one aboard Alex but too embarrassed to fly it. When I win the lottery and buy a 60' wooden ketch I will never take it down!
 
dylanwinter said:
Pirate flags make me uncomfortable

I know that they don't bother most people who regard them as just a bit of fun

do I need therapy?

I asked my wife and she said "Oo Arrr"

Dylan
Click to expand...

Now to get flamed...

IMHO they are no different to GollyWog Dolls, the swats-sticker and 1000 of other things that had stood for bad things in history...

To some they will become fun for others always bring thoughts of what they once stood for...

Its human nature to to make fun of bad things serious situations, look at the humour doctors and nurses can be famous for. It can make these things easier to live with...

Personally I would not fly one afloat, but would not stop others...
 
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Stop taking life so seriously, i have a huge one that we put up with the kids on board, it really gets them fired up for pirate adventure games.
 
onesea said:
Now to get flamed...

IMHO they are no different to GollyWog Dolls, the swats-sticker and 1000 of other things that had stood for bad things in history...

To some they will become fun for others always bring thoughts of what they once stood for...

Its human nature to to make fun of bad things serious situations, look at the doctors and nurses can be famous for. It can make these things easier to live with...

Personally I would not fly one afloat, but would not stop others...
Click to expand...
You've edited the post but I still can't make out the doctors/nurses thing.............
 
I don't need no flag to get in touch with my inner pirate. And how do you know when you're a pirate?

You just aaarrrr!

(ba-dum, tish!)
 
In Greece at least a pirate flag generally means you're chartering. God knows why, but a huge number of charter yachts fly them. Which means it's a good thing, it's a bit like having a code flag that means "expect the unexpected". :D
 
dylanwinter said:
Pirate flags make me uncomfortable

I know that they don't bother most people who regard them as just a bit of fun

do I need therapy?
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one.
Ask the Chandlers if they consider it just some harmless fun.
Ask the hundreds currently still held in captivity in East Africa if they consider piracy 'fun'.

And for those saying it's just a a flag/bit of cloth: I'll remind you that you said that the next time there's a proposal that all EU yachts should fly an EU ensign.
I remember during the war, etc...
 
Sorry Dylan, it's grumpy old man corner for you!

A child's pirate flag in the same league as Somali pirates? They fly skull and crossbones do they?
Piracy in the Solent, irresponsible sailors confusing the authorities with 36ft Bavarias, children and pirate flags?

I think not.

I remember reading a rather pompous letter in YM about UK yachtsmen flying them and how piracy should be taken more seriously etc etc yawn.....
If we are talking plastic AK 47's and steaming up to people in fast ribs you might have a point....
 
I cannot believe the Chandlers would be offended if they saw my young son rowing about the marina in his pram dinghy sporting the skull & crossbones......the only people to get offended will be those who WANT to get offended......you know the types, generally grumpy white middle-class PC minded jobsworths!

Rant over........normal service is now resumed......
 
I agree

I agree with all those who say it is just a bit of harmless fun

and I do not feel at all threatened by pirate flags

mainly because I sail in a place where I am seldom threatened by pirates

However.....

I think that time has helped to dull the power of the image

to paraphrase.... "I cannot believe any religious groups would be offended if they saw my young son rowing about the marina in his pram dinghy sporting the swastika and wearing a well cut hugo Boss designed uniform ......the only people to get offended will be those who WANT to get offended......you know the types, generally grumpy white middle-class PC minded jobsworths!

perhaps one day it will be regarded as a bit of a laugh to fly a swastika or dress in nazi uniforms.... perhaps one day forumula one bosses and leading members of the royal family will think it is fine to wear them.

I am now going out to the garden for some puppy therapy and then I am going to take the dog for a bike ride


the reason for so many posts from me recently is that the power supply unit on the editing computer has gone pop and I am waiting for the replacement unit to arrive

oh yes.... and it is too wet to mess with the boat in the garden

although it is brightening up now

D
 
The only surprising thing here is how many agree with Dylan. This bad weather and lack of sailing has messed with some forumites' sense of perspective.
 
I could well be wrong, but isn't the pirate flag as we know it today an invention of Hollywood? The real pirates of old flew all manner of personal 'pirate' flags to make their intentions known, some of them resembling but not quite matching the now 'traditional' skull and crossbones.

To compare it to the swastika is ludicrous.
 
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