Our exchange student yesterday asked me what I thought of his idea for a souvenir to take home. He thought to purchase an American flag, and have all his friends write their farewell messages and nameson it with Sharpies . He wondered if that might be perceived as disrespectful.
Well...I'm glad he was sensitive enough to ask. Still, I have to admit I had an incredibly visceral response. I told him that while it wasn't illegal, it was disrespectful. I admitted that many of the kids he hangs out with wouldn't see a problem with it. I confessed I probably had a very different response than many people because I have served in the military as have many in our family (husband, both of our fathers, grandfather, etc.).
He reasoned, "In Germany, we don't have the kind of patriotism you have, so nobody would care." I answered that may be true, but this isn't Germany.
He went upstairs to think about it and came down about a half an hour later. He asked, "would you be angry if I do it anyway?"
I said, "No, but I would be very disappointed. Nonetheless, you need to make the choices that you think are right."
He went back upstairs again. About 45 minutes he emerged again and said, "What about a T-shirt that says I {heart} America, with the heart picture looking like an American flag?" I said, "That sounds like a reasonable compromise." He grinned and went to order one on the internet.
Whew. Why is this so hard at THIS end of things?
6 comments:
You "done good" and so did he!
I actually think it might BE illegal - or at least I read something like that back when we were researching what you're supposed to do with a flag (I had a beef with the building owners where I work about how they treated the flag in front of the building). Hmmm - I'll have to go look that up again.
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
See section 8(g) (and why can't I make the cool section symbol in this comment box? boo!)
It's hard when they don't have the same thoughts about things like we do. I think you did an awesome job. So glad he took your advice...our FES would've done it anyway. :(
Sometimes it really is just a cultural difference, not a lack of respect. Here in Israel there is tremendous respect for the flag. That said, displaying only a flag that is in good shape simply isn't a value - they're often displayed until they're in tatters but it isn't considered a show of disrespect at all. Now writing on it on the other hand...
I can't believe your basement flooded! You poor thing, you know I can empathize...
Thanks all, and particularly Dana for giving me that reference! It's a place to start. Fortunately, he made the better decision. Whew!
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