Welcoming the Queen
Oh my God – is this an emotive subject or what!
It amazes me how opinion is quite divided on the subject of the Queen’s visit – I make the assumption that for most people it is a great thing for Ireland that she is visiting our shores but very quickly after a little chit chat you realise that some people have quite the opposite opinion.
We really do seem to have a problem with our neighbour but if you dig a little bit deeper do we really have a big problem with ourselves?
Two Flags?
At Fuzion we are lucky to be on the Queen’s route – she is passing by the front door of our office in Cork city (and I genuinely mean this – I feel privileged to be in such a location to witness such a historic event) and I would love in an ideal world to hang two flags from our windows – an Irish flag and a British flag with a welcome sign in the middle.
This is how I feel. We should be putting out a genuinely warm message to everyone who is watching. After all we are (most of the time!) a welcoming nation and in reality we benefit from visitors and we do need them now more than ever. Outside of the tourism agenda we should be welcoming.
I casually ran this “two flags” idea by one of my buddies and I was quite shocked at the reaction..
Marketing Initiative ..
Welcome to Ireland!
Knowing I was on a roll with my upset friend I then suggested a great promotional idea – How about producing a flag for cars (you know the type, displayed from the side windows) with the Irish flag on one side and the British flag on the other? We could sell them for €10 and ALL proceeds would go to charity after the cost was covered. Wouldn’t this be a huge, positive gesture of peace and welcome that would benefit charities at the same time?
I decided to stop when my buddy starting frothing at the mouth and visible steam was seen coming from his ears!!
I was joking of course but deep down I did think it was a good idea.. After all at big European and International football matches you often see the scarves with a 50/50 scenario between both teams that the supporters buy as a souvenir of the occasion.
Ok, we seem to have a problem with our neighbour (even though we support their football teams with a passion) and the idea of a flag sharing gesture is a big step too far.
The Irish Flag
But … what about our own flag? Dig a little deeper and it points to a much bigger problem.
Would you hang an Irish flag proudly from your office?
Probably not – “our” flag has come to represent many of the wrong things and an Irish flag waving patriotic gesture can now communicate something totally different.
We have a problem ..
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 