American reacts to the EU flag

[@what-uc]

Spain and Portugal joined the then-EEC in 1986, making it 12 members, which also made the flag work at that time.

[@qazatqazah]

I would say that the video is mostly correct. It was a bit painful to see the EU flag upside down in the endshot, though.

[@prunabluepepper]

Lol ja that was funny

[@Kiwi-Araga]

Yeah, that was such a 1st grade mistake on his part. But the rest of the video it's simple, yet informative.

[@ElecticBob]

Also, the German flag was completely wrong

[@sairhug]

Re the upside down EU flag ... I would never have noticed that! I had to think for a few seconds as to how you could tell ... and then the penny dropped :) . It took me several decades to realise the UK's Union Flag had a right way up and a wrong way up, and I'm English! I guess I'm not much of a flag-noticer ... or I'm just not v. observant, one of the two.

[@arwo1143]

Fucking hell…. I read the comment before the video and thought nothing of it, and then half way through I was like “hold up…..”

[@Xiroi87]

It wasn't mentioned that when the flag became the official emblem for the EU, there were 12 members only, so it was one star per country. Not long after that, the EU expanded to 15 members, and it was mentioned in the news that no further stars would be added, so it no longer is one star per country.

[@dutchman7623]

Because it was the flag of the Council of Europe (always much more members than 12) this symbol was kept the same. And it's easy to use as a clock....

[@LeSarthois]

"You might not want to link it (the stars) to the numbers of members cause it might change." Maybe you should look up the history of you own flag :D The US flag was last changed in 1960 (when Hawaii became a state). And versions with up to 56 are planned if/when Puerto Rico and other US territories become States.

[@1ramyus]

No, after Brexit EU flag still has 12 stars, and EU has 27 members.

[@TheKhalamar]

As said in the video, 12 was picked for no reason and had no meaning. Specifically, it was not related to the number of members when it was created. So there was no reason to remove a star when the UK left, and besides, we would have added more than a dozen stars since then. Much better to keep the same design over the years.

[@arwo1143]

That’s the bad part though…. It has no meaning. The flag representing probably the most significant achievement of international peacetime cooperation has…. No meaning and no attachment to it besides “this is our flag”. There is no significant historical imagery, no text, nada Having the blue with the geological locations of the members capitols was such an amazing idea….

[@nedazv]

​not, because countries have changed and also capitals, and some are stil in dispute (Kosovo)

[@modmaker7617]

​​@arwo1143 Sometimes, no meaning is fine. The flag of Canada has no meaning but being "Canadian". The EU flag has no meaning but being "European".

[@ejokurirulezz]

It is symbolism of perfection.

[@scipioafricanus5871]

@@ejokurirulezz It's symbolizing the intention to move towards an ever closer, more "perfect union".

[@tanner293]

the flag didn't change after brexit as it didn't during the years when more countries joined the union. it's true what EU flag symbolize.. never thought about it but proud of it^^ which is curios coz in some countries being proud of the national flag could almost be seen as being far right

[@elemar5]

It's sad that you think this is your national flag. The EU is not a nation.

[@tanner293]

@@elemar5 that's not what I said indeed, read better

[@elemar5]

Write better.@@tanner293

[@stannumowl]

​@@tanner293but it looks kinda like that. Btw, have similar feelings. I don't know why but it feels like it originally didn't symbolise anything and slowly became a symbol of all the progress we made since WWII. And I can tell that I'm proud of it

[@johnm8224]

There's also the fact that in 1986, when this (admittedly pre-existing) flag was actually adopted as an EC / EEC / EU emblem, there happened to be 12 members... Nice coincidence!

[@scarnoir6566]

"coincidence"

[@Jebu911]

Yeah but it was clearly always intended to represent the amount of months in a year ;)

[@tomeekun]

The EU already works in several ways as a federation. The issue is the process has to be extremely delicate, slow and subtle because the moment Brussels does something a tad too quick every member will start crying "muh freedom and sovereignty". I'd say for the most part they've done an excellent job though and I think a lot of people don't even fully grasp just how much of a remarkle job the EU has done to stabilise Europe and uplift the continent from the slump that the two world wars have put us into.

[@Jebu911]

Eu is doing great work but it doesnt mean we cant be critical about its actions. I mean the EU is union of the most free countries on the planet of course we have the right to bitch and moan about them. Lets just not go full retard and do any brexit manuvers anymore.

[@slashnull]

At the start of the video he mentions you might see the flag flying at Heathrow Airport in London which was true in 2015 but not so much now post-Brexit. Michael Hobbes is mostly doing Podcasts these days rather than KZbin videos ("If Books Could Kill" and "Maintenance Phase"). Thanks for the reaction vid :)

[@Michaelgoestofrance]

Very interesting. As a Brit living in France (if that wasn't too obvious) I love the idea of a United States of Europe but suspect it's a long way off, if it ever happens at all. The flag is perfect, I'm so depressed that my ID card no longer has it on it and that my UK, pre-Brexit passport will soon be changed to one that loses the 'European Union' mention. You do see the flag everywhere but, as far as I can tell, it's alongside the country flag, it doesn't replace it. It's kind of a way of showing both individuality and togetherness.

[@anthonyferris8912]

Why does your French ID card no longer have the EU flag on it?

[@josephturner7569]

Same here.

[@Michaelgoestofrance]

@@anthonyferris8912 It's a special card that was produced for Brits following brexit. I had to surrender my ID card with the EU flag on it given that the UK had made such a 'mistake'. Made me very sad. Still does.

[@LeSarthois]

@@anthonyferris8912 I think it's his Brit ID card, since he doesn't mention dual nationality or being naturalized but just living there.

[@elenasarita]

I like this concept you brought, " individuality and togetherness." very much my experience in Europe

[@maxbarko8717]

Many forget how remarkable the development of the EU is. The worst archenemies became partners and opened up half of a continent. To be able to live and work anywhere was not possible before.

[@michaelgoetze2103]

It also helped stabilise the democracies of Portugal, Spain and Greece when they came out of their dictatorships and the ex Soviet dominated countries. It is, as you said, a remarkable achievement.

[@LMB222]

the fact that we haven't killed each other for half a century is indeed amazing

[@maxbarko8717]

@@LMB222 Even longer. Why can’t others learn from that. But also this peace is now in danger due to the shift to the right.

[@alanpotter8680]

We have our problems in Europe but they are miniscule compared to the rest of the world. The only differences of opinion we have lately, are related to illegal foreign immigration from the Middle East and Africa and the rising crime rate due to that. I know we love our freedom of movement, but right now it's best to place those borders back and protect our land, for our own sake. My EU ID card will still let me in. Just a border check away.

[@maxbarko8717]

@@alanpotter8680 I understand your concern. In my opinion we are also guilty of that immigration. The EU destroys local African economies with the export of our garbage (used clothes, meat, cars, etc. etc.). But also the corruption in Africa. I agree that we have to limit immigration and protect our culture but still be open to new (positive) influences.

[@netkv]

I WANT I LOVE THE BARCODE, it is the perfection of holy thought, the lines of god, the ultimate emblem on piece of fabric

[@heron619]

The dislikes might be cause he titled the video the European flag and called it the European flag in the video instead of the European "Union" flag specificaly. There's plenty of countries in Europe that aren't part of the EU besides the UK and talking about the EU flag it like it's the flag of the whole continent as a whole might've rubbed some people the wrong way.

[@blatterrascheln2267]

I think it's also the underlying condescending "it's no REAL flag".. but I learned in the same video that green is supposed to mean Islam, so, now it's clear why some people are so afraid of environmental politics. 😂

[@AMetalPotato]

Yeah but as the video explains, it's not the flag of the EU, but the European flag, representing institutions including the whole continent, not just the EU.

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

12 is just a nice number... divide by 2, 3, 4, 6... which is also why it has a great symmetry. But yeah, can sound a bit arbitrary at first.

[@miwoj]

fun fact: 12 can also be divided by 12

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

@@miwoj and one, but is that worth to mention? Numbers like 12, 24 and 60 are basically the opposite of prime numbers.

[@Foersom_]

"divide by" we do not like division in EU. We want unity, solidarity and harmony. And that is what 12 stars stand for. Look it up.

[@thespanishinquisition4078]

I love how at the start he says "well, 11 stars now after Brexit" Forgetting there's a hell of a lot more than 12 EU countries even post brexit. (Note, its 27 btw)

[@WienerVL]

Will he EVER listen to a full sentence?

[@scarnoir6566]

nope

[@angaudlinn]

And funny how you Ryan find it impractical to add a star with each new added member state... since you're living in one of those added stars of your flag yourself. :D

[@Arsenic71]

To put things in perspective, I think across all of the EU, there are fewer EU flags than US flags in .

[@VoidCosmonaut]

Perspective of who? Dude most US States have same patern of society. Now compare it with Europe where Czechs and Spaniards are involved

[@netkv]

@@VoidCosmonaut indeed a spanish village !

[@evanpereira3555]

I think (as an European) there are also fewer national flags in any random EU city than US flag in any random US city.

[@thespanishinquisition4078]

​@@evanpereira3555Spanish here, can confirm. Americans just LOVE that flag to a frankly unhealthy degree.

[@schtreg9140]

There's one thing in which the video is wrong. Numbers do have cultural meaning and the number 12 was historically connected to unity, harmony and perfection. That's also stated on the EU website about the flag as well as the wikipedia article about the number 12. I don't like that the video explicitly said "it has no meaning" because it fuels the people who already senselessly shit on the EU day in day out for no other reason than xenophobia and nationalism. That's probably also why the video had dislikes. These people dislike everything about the EU without even watching it. It's the same people that voted for Brexit, but they exist outside of the UK as well.

[@red.aries1444]

3:37 The eight interlocking rings not only look like a chain, they also would have looked like if the German companies of Krupp (3 Rings - Krupp produced Steel and therefore also a lot of weapons in World I+II) and Audi (4 rings) had merged together and added an eighth ring, I don't think this would have been acceptable to the other European countries...

[@brucemc1581]

6:48 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers is the reason 😂😂😂😂

[@bencodykirk]

Yes, I noticed that too! 😂

[@stevenvanhulle7242]

4:26 "Venezuela" 🤣🤣🤣

[@lydia5232]

After Brexit, which means British in exit, nothing changed with the EU flag - it remained as it was. Every European country - EU member or not - has its own national flag. But the principle is essentially the same as in the USA; each American country has its own flag (state, republic or territory...) and a common national USA flag. The only difference is that in America the USA flag hangs for the holiday, while in Europe each country has its own national holidays and then the national flag hangs instead of the EU flag.

[@rayjennings3637]

I think the dislikes are because it's refered to as the European flag. It is not. It's an icon for the European Union and given the discord between the various nations within the EU it's a 'Union' in name only.

[@KayoMichiels]

The song in the background is Veridis Quo - Daft Punk

[@Adriction]

You DID hear about Saarland before. It was talked about in the "meet the germans roadtrip", specifically in the west part. Maybe you can recall - it was the most french of the german states ;) .

[@eucitizen78]

Some of this was new for me too. Thank you

[@MrTramborrios]

As a result of Brexit, right now the percentage of support for remaining in the EU is around 85%/90% in most countries, never will we be so grateful to England for showing us the path we should never take

[@adrianwaygood7156]

Oh, yes, you should!

[@alanpotter8680]

True.

[@101steel4]

I'm sure if there were referendums offered, you would be surprised by the results.

[@lumiukko4296]

So basically the origin of EU flag was whatever everyone can agree on. Represents EU quite well. 😂

[@nashtags]

it represents everything BUT the EU.

[@euromaestro]

Something Ryan doesn’t know? Say it ain’t so!

[@enemde3025]

Even though he's reacted to stuff before....he still doesn't know !!

[@aserta]

12 is actually a pretty good number, there's a lot of symbolism behind it, but ultimately it makes a great clock background. :)) It was all about the merch.

[@hackbyte]

Nice one .... even i as a native german born in 1975 didn't actually know how the "european emblem" came around. ;)

[@sebastiaansonneville6506]

Hi. Thanks for making this vid. I wish to give you some feedback: It is better (less annoying/more smooth) if you don't interupt the vid you give a reaction on on every 5 seconds. Let the vid finish some sentes and pauze tyan to make a cohorent reply a out the part we just saw.

[@hellmalm]

Like 12 as a number 12 hours in a day, 12 months in a year and so on. The EU flag is undeniably a powerful symbol these days. Proud to be a European! 🇪🇺

[@thomasnoeske704]

I like the flag at 4:27 , Narnia, consonants, ???,...

[@tripnick555]

I came to the comments to see if anyone else had paused the video to read them. I saw Venezuela pop up quickly and thought "hold up, something ain't right!" And rewound to check them all out. My favourite is "literally wolves"!

[@anthonyferris8912]

This idea of an EU identity and “togetherness” is perhaps well over egged. Certainly in the way Americans might understand it. When I travel abroad, I’ll often come across tour groups of Europeans from different EU states and never ever have I seen the different national groups chatting and exchanging pleasantries. Unlike Americans, who immediately start chatting, telling each other what states they are from and about shared experiences. EU nationals keep to their groups and don’t interact. It’ll be a very long time, before EU nationals, spontaniously interact with each other in that way..

[@louis-philippearnhem6959]

True. Americans tend to be more open and outgoing in social settings, often striking up conversations with strangers and sharing personal information relatively quickly. Europeans, on the other hand, generally have a more reserved and formal social culture, and may be more hesitant to engage with people they don't know well. This difference in social behaviour can be attributed to a variety of factors, including cultural norms, language barriers, and different levels of comfort with strangers. Regarding the development of a sense of European identity, it is a complex and evolving process that is still in its early stages. There are 24 official languages in the EU. The EU is a relatively young organization, and it has taken time for citizens of its member states to develop a sense of shared identity beyond their national affiliations. However, there are a number of factors that are contributing to the growth of a European identity, including the free movement of people, the adoption of a common currency, and the development of pan-European institutions and cultural events. While it may be true that EU nationals are not yet as likely to spontaneously interact with each other as Americans might be, there is evidence that a sense of European identity is growing. For example, a 2019 Eurobarometer poll found that 62% of EU citizens felt a strong sense of belonging to the EU. Additionally, a 2020 study by the European Parliament found that 70% of respondents believe that the EU is a good thing for Europe. Greetings from Belgium, EU.

[@anthonyferris8912]

@@louis-philippearnhem6959 As I said, it’ll be a long time…Maybe they first need to share a directly elected EU leader/president, who like with Americans, they can all bitch about.

[@euromaestro]

That hasn’t been my experience. Europeans tend to stick with people they already know. They’re not as likely to reach out to strangers as easily as Americans. That’s probably what you have been observing. I’ve definitely experienced on many occasions where Europeans interact.

[@michaelgoetze2103]

The EU is an experiment where countries pool resources and cooperate yet maintain their regional identities. It cannot be compared to any other political entity. Yet, if you read the You Tube comments sections many Europeans are fairly quick to band together when pitted against other countries, particularly the US.

[@anthonyferris8912]

​@@euromaestro My observations were of ‘tour groups’, not ‘people they already know’.

[@Hailerer2602]

Video number 1 of recomanding "Do they know it's Europe" by Jan Böhmermann and Comedians for World Peace

[@BlackRainbow667]

"What's wrong with a chain?!" ... *inspiration particle incoming* "Allright, like, I guess ..." :)

[@Ankha38]

You're right, 2015 was yesterday 😭

[@valeriedavidson2785]

I do not rate David Cameron but thank god he gave us a vote over the E.U. Now that we have got Brexit, I can die happy.

[@williamwilkes9873]

The UK was almost 50/50.......to stay or leave..........we'll be back, should never have split............l love being Eñglish but we have some weírd people..........obsessed with immigration..........

[@Austtube]

The Music is Daft Punk. They are French. They probably won't bother you with copyright.

[@cebruthius]

The EU doesn't have a flag because it isn't a nation. They have a logo though.

[@anubis9151]

If you want to watch something interesting about the EU, watch a few videos that started to be made about the BREXIT since about a year ago, they are super interesting imo. TLDR News has a few good videos about the consequences of it.

[@Gambit771]

Tldr hates Britain and is pro eu. He constantly makes mistakes and only pushes his bias. Notice his flip flop on the Rwanda scheme now the eu is doing something similar.

[@Pandemonis]

TLDR is often badly informed on many subjects... Not a source I would recommend

[@anubis9151]

Yeah, but then again, that happens to everyone, so long as the general idea is solid, a few details being wrong is part of the course imo. But thanks for the info anyway, that's always good to know.@@Pandemonis

[@Overminder]

About time to learn that you can scroll down when a YT video is in full screen mode. So no more jumping around.

[@kaluga95]

Lg aus Wien-Österreich 🌏🇪🇺🇦🇹(1.1.1995)

[@moonliteX]

the music was one of the best songs from one of the best and widely known electronic music artists.

[@Mehaara]

Michael Hobbes is the literal best. He does the podcasts "Maintenance Phase" and "If Books Could Kill" but is not very active on KZbin. 🙂

[@Thurgosh_OG]

But got a few relevant bits wrong in this old video, so maybe not the best.

[@anthonyferris8912]

Duncan Sandys…Pronounced Sands, not Sandees.

[@DeviousWizard]

Sadly most people are too dense to realize, that the like/dislike is about the video, and not about the user's opinion on the subject of the video

[@papaya8634]

Didn't expect the Saarland to make an appearance in this kind of video lol. I was born and raised there

[@karinwenzel6361]

The Council of Europe is a humanitarian organisation (its most well-known branch being the European Court of Justice) which was founded on 5 May 1949 by 10 Northern and Western European countries (B, NL, LUX, DK, UK, IRL, F, I, N, S). Nowadays they are using their own logo, the European flag with the stars with a cursive letter "c" in the middle. The Council of Europe officially agreed to let the EU (then still the EEC) use the blue flag with the 12 stars as their official flag. So yes, it is (just) used as the EU flag today. Or can you image all the non-EU members of the Council of Europe officially showing that flag in their country (Russia before its expulsion in 2022, Aserbaidzan, Turkey, the UK after Brexit)?

[@helloweener2007]

Wrong. The ECJ is a court of the EU. The European Court of Human Rights ECHR is the court of the Council of Europe which is not to be mixed with the European Council, which is also EU. EU: ECJ and EUCO CoE: ECHR Edit: And I want to add. ECJ is more than EU, it is also for the countries in the European Economic Area who are not in the EU and and withe the Trade and Cooperation Agreement also the UK.

[@nashtags]

Wrong. ECJ is EU, ECHR is CoE. The CoE uses in its logo the European Flag. But the Council of Europe's flag is the European Flag without the e. And YES, countries outside of the EU show this flag and nobody can prevent them to do so because they're rightly member of the Council of Europe. You can see this flag in Azerbaijan, in Armenia, in Georgia and even in Switzerland.

[@karinwenzel6361]

@@nashtags You're right, I used the wrong English term - I meant the European Court of Human Rights as a CoE institution. (Shame on me having visited the ECHR in Strasbourg some years ago.) About the flag: I wasn't talking about displaying the EU/CoE flag in tourist places together with lots of other national flags, I was talking about an official display, i.e. on government buildings. I used to live next to the Swiss border and the only time I have seen the EU flag next to the Swiss flag on government buildings was when there were some EU representatives visiting. (Might be different in some countries wanting to join the EU though, like the Ukraine.)

[@nashtags]

@@karinwenzel6361 On official building you can have European Flag in Switzerland (remember, it's the European Flag, not the «EU Flag» ;) when EU officials are inside but on the 5th of May for example, you will find the European Flag for Europe Day of the Council of Europe. In any case, the European Flag of the Council of Europe can be used everywhere by everyone. It really shows it's the CoE flag. If it would have been the sole «EU Flag» I bet this flag would only be reserved for EU officials. ;)

[@davidebacchi9030]

I’d have chosen for the one with the capitals

[@Schnurception]

Just must watch the history of the european anthem by Arte (the auto. subtitles are good)

[@AtotehZ]

The video is wrong. It is not the European flag, it is the European Union flag. The two are NOT the same.

[@martijnkeisers5900]

It IS look it up.

[@hellgrn]

Even the EU calls it the European Flag. (source: europa.eu)

[@Northerner-NotADoctor]

It's only "European" as it comes from Europe (as in sentence: "Chechenya is an European state"), yet it still isn't a flag of Europe, but a flag of European Union (the one with 12 stars).

[@Northerner-NotADoctor]

@@martijnkeisers5900 I mistook the one with map of stars with the one the OP was talking about, hence I reuploaded my comment, corrected.

[@foshizzlfizzl]

To all those people in the comments, who don't even know where Europe is and why it's not EU just some facts, that reminds you you are dumb. Europe is a continent. Turkey, Belarus, Ukraine and the Russia are also part of Europe but NOT part of EU! In fact Russia has is the biggest country of Europe. And Turkey has more citizens than Germany. Also UK is in Europe but not in the EU. So EU and Europe is not the same.

[@blatterrascheln2267]

Green is for Islam? What? TIL why "conservatives" are so afraid of environmental politics. 😂

[@juanpedrogonzalez9987]

Who placed the names to the European Flag with capitals? Venezuela? Are you serious? Soccer? Strasbourg as a capital city?

[@siriuspyramid7441]

I forgot to tell the funny Music in the background is Daft PunK Veridis Quo but you may heard of them with get Lucky but we thow them with their music and Manga music vidéos}. they don't work anymore but Ican't tell hoq much they miss me! theses two guys are a part of my good moments in my life and foreever.

[@olisipocity]

Who the fuck wrote Venezuela as the capital city of Portugal??? First of all it is WRONG. The city is named Lisboa (Lisbon in English). 2nd. Venezuela is a country, not a city, and to make it even stupider, Venezuela isn't even in Europe. Is in South America. Not only is in a different continent but is is in a different hemisphere. How wrong can one be?

[@SusanS777]

As a Brit living in Northern Spain, I want to cry when I see these things. I hope one day we rejoin the EU. For now, I hope to get my Spanish nationality soon. I will never understand Brexit

[@adrianwaygood7156]

Heaven forbid we should rejoin...!

[@mugi2595]

Too few people understood Brexit. That's why it happened.

[@euromaestro]

I’m so worried about this video! Let’s hope Ryan gets this one right.

[@linkvos8151]

?

[@saladspinner3200]

@@linkvos8151 that his knowledge of Europe and the EU is still very minimal, to say the least.

[@xDawe36]

@@saladspinner3200 he's been watching various Europe-related videos for quite a while now, I'd say that he's miles ahead of the average American

[@gwydno]

One important thing is that there was not such thing as "European Community", but "Communities": the EEC (Economic), ECSC (for Steel and Carbon, as hinted in the video while mentioning Saarland), and Euratom (Nuclear Energy), each of them with its own Treaties and Governance. The merger and extension these three gave light to the European Union.

[@prunabluepepper]

And that's why we need to see downvotes so that people like Ryan can identify bad content prior to reacting to it. Maybe get the Downvote Counter Extension for Chrome.

[@dorinvesa1109]

Love my Europe!🫵🙌🙌

[@Powermongur]

Europe is not the same as European Union

[@Elfo_]

At 10:14 the colors of the german flag are wrong

[@emiliajojo5703]

The brits weren't invaded since centuries, that explains a lot,regarding brexit.

[@ejokurirulezz]

What is weird is why it only has 17 dislikes.

[@Jila_Tana]

Regardless.. the most beautiful flag in the World : Canadian.

[@arwo1143]

I think the flag we got is really bad…. It has no meaningful representation of any of its member states The flag representing probably the most significant achievement of international peacetime cooperation has…. No meaning and no attachment to it besides “this is our flag”. There is no significant historical imagery, no text, nada Having the blue with the geological locations of the members capitols was such an amazing idea…. And the argument that no one knows geology well enough to recognize that is beyond idiotic. Our education standards are quite a bit higher than those on the other side of the Atlantic (sorry, I had to) And you don’t have to know all of the stars…. But EVERYONE would know which one is theirs. And that’s the fucking point of a flag.

[@connygeiger]

I suspect that the comment function was turned off because too many hateful anti-EU comments were made - especially in the wake of the Brexit debate. Extreme nationalists unfortunately often tend to use insults and hate comments.

[@jeanbicknell7887]

In my experience the insults and hate have pretty much all come from pro EUers

[@101steel4]

​@@jeanbicknell7887Exactly. Still is

[@AC-dn7yq]

2:31 funny, to me is the opposite: USE sounds like hope; USA sounds like problem ---anytime I do like your kind of houmor 4:20 make those shirts, I bye one 6:56 no shit 7:33 just nine years ago... 7:42 wow ollmoust ten years ago....................muharahahaha 👍

[@Syltarius]

I thought the flag would have been invented when the now known EU was formed, cuz it had 12 member nations to that time. I did not know that flag was older and hat other "meanings"

[@angaudlinn]

"Blue wasn't taken..." *- clearing our throats -* ;) /Sweden

[@warrenturner397]

I'm from Australia so I don't know the ins and outs of the EU but I wonder what the average personn (not the Politicains who recognise a Gravy Train when they see it) thinks about things like loss of National identity etc. Not being negative - just interested to know what people think. Cheers!

[@whitecompany18]

I agree, isn't that guy that originally wanted to turn it all into one with one currency thought badly of these days? Yeah makes it easier for travelling out of countries to others but I think countries identities are more important. I'm old enough to remember getting French franks and spic pataters to go walk about, wasn't a problem.😆👍

[@josephturner7569]

National identity is and will not be lost. The idea is to be part of a bigger enterprise for the benefit of all. Unless you are a mindless Brexiteer.

[@markusolofzon]

The idea isn’t to replace the national identity but to create a separate identity all on its own. You are both a Swedish citizen and a citizen of the European Union.

[@LeSarthois]

I never feel like the EU is trying to replace national identities. If anything one reason why the EU always takes years to get things done is that European rulings are to be adapted into local laws, and the EU approves or reject how it's done. If anything I think the EU is still to focused and glued into it's old European Economic Union and not enough a social body. Although harmonizing social laws between countries with vastly different systems may just be too much to bear even for the EU. But as far as losing identity? Nah mate, that's not a big concern. The EU add to my identity, it doesn't replace it. By allowing me to travel easily into other countries of the EU, I get to see and discover how other European countries lives, and I can appreciate both what makes us close and what makes each of us different.

[@GuinevereKnight]

Agree with previous comment, there is no loss of identity, we are all still our own individual countries. You don't give up your identity when you enter a group, partnership or collaboration - you add and compromise with your new partners in the joint areas. So for having ups and downs it's still a community effort among neighbours trying to find common ground. It's what you do in any community with people around you, doesn't mean you move in with them...

[@mariusrutkaus]

It's kind of funny that when EU was established in 1993 there were actually 12 countries that signed Maastricht treaty. So everything falls into place.

[@Halli50]

To you 'Muricans out there: FINALLY there is something important and European that is YOUNGER that 'Murica! Rejoice! You are no longer the youngest kid in town, the EU is an INFANT!

[@gabrielesimionato1210]

4:27, take your time

[@sidewalkere]

I think the United States of Europe are inevitable, long term, if the European states want to maintain any sort of relevance in the world. We should be working on that TODAY. Unfortunately, the nationalistic movements currently gaining traction all over europe will delay that for decades to come. There's still too many people who don't understand that you don't need to loose your individuality to be part of something greater, that you don't need to forget the past to embrace the future... Oh, well.. Maybe I live long enough to see better, brighter times of true union across the old continent...

[@miguelvalentim9794]

united states of europe is just stupid EU is all we need just needs reforms

[@alexia2189]

United States of Europe is a bs, because that will mean that all countries should govern under the same laws. The constitution of every country contradicts such idea. It will become a chaos, because it is always France or Germany who takes the "boss" position in the EU and the EU is all about sharing ideas and ideology and not who is the boss.

[@theninjabird9510]

United states of Europe is a dumb name since most European states don’t call their provinces states

[@sidewalkere]

@@theninjabird9510 Just a way to convey the idea of an European Federation mate... Not literally the United States of Europe on the same moulds of the US... Should be pretty obvious to any european that *that* wouldn't work.

[@kmeanxneth]

there are many Europeans who don't want that

[@Findalfen]

Also 12 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4 , 6 and 12, showing that while we can be divided on some topics, we always come together in the end.

[@annemarienordby4326]

I noticed more than a few things that made me shake my European head, and might be the reason for the many dislikes on the video, so here it goes: - It's not the flag of all of Europe, but only the European Union. Countries that are not part of the EU does not use the flag, even though many has started to use it as the uofffical symbol of Europe on the internet. But to title the video "What Does the European Flag Mean?", is not a very good idea (props to you for titling it as EU and not Europe). - I'm not sure if there ever had been talks about a United Stats Of Europe, but the name actually got a negative reaction out of me, which even I was a surprised about. - When talking about when the idea of stars in a circle, he uses the terms "national myths" (or something around those lines). This implies that the EU is one country, and have national pride when it comes to the EU. - Many times he talks about EU as Europe, and uses terms that would signal all of Europe being in the EU and being one country. - When mentioning the EU flag taking over in many countries, he made it sound like it was taking over national flags, which is not the case. The EU flag is used on buildings, which has something to do with EU (or at least here in Denmark). If you're in Copenhagen and walk past the French, embacy you will notice the French flag next to the EU flag. But if you go to the American or British embacy, there'll be no EU flag. - At one point he states that other countries in Europe have based their flags somewhat of the EU flags, and then shows the flags of Bosnia And Herzegovina and Kosovo. Bosnia And Herzegovina is not part of the EU, and because I do not wish to anger anybody from Balkan which things I'm not sure about, I'm not even going to get into Kosovo. - Also it's kinda bold to show maps of Europe, talking about the EU, where several non-EU countries are on the map, but some EU countries have been cut off😅

[@Kenerix]

Long live the EU. I'm first European and 2nd Swedish ❤

[@Alirion]

@Ryan The EU has 27 members, after Brexit!

[@sortascouseace]

If the stars represented members there would be 27, 26 after brexit.

[@BergenDev]

Norway was in the council of Europe and still not part of the EU? Awesome!

[@alessandroanza9924]

Remember that many people (even in EU) think that the 12 stars represent the founder members, but it is incorrect. So, people think that the EU flag lost a star. This is also because, symbolically, after brexit, many memes showed the flag with a shooting star falling down from the other 11. But it was symbolic. Moreover, now we have more than 27 members because we are going to welcome other new entries in our amazing family 🇪🇺 and, hopefully, this flag will be the same when we will finally become the EUF (or USE) - United States of Europe, Federation of the European Union, European Union Federation. There will be a new video about the name of the EU federations in the future. I hope to be there, even if old. More: the Council of Europe is a different thing than EU’s institutions. Council of Europe is the assembly of all the heads of State or prime ministers of the States in the Continent. Of course, the final goal is to make EU and the Council the same thing, but it is a distant goal actually. Thank you for your videos. I do love EU-USA relationship. I have a very beloved friend of mine in California. I follow you from the EU 😊

[@pierrecampel8077]

Hi Ryan, the EU flag has left Britain, and can only be visible on some EU institutions, and EU companies that are still operating within the UK. In the EU however, when you come over to visit, you'll see the 12 star banner pop up everywhere. It is the first time in Human history that a country, or a block, or a federation, whatever you call it , starts with a war, then a flag, 3 capitals (Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg) then a common currency, and still wth an undefined common political project, The European dream maybe? 🥰

[@dksilber9500]

If you're watching a KZbin video about a flag with twelve stars, and the video lasts exact 12 minutes... 🤔🇪🇺

[@mskatonic7240]

I imagine Brexiteers found it and started causing trouble, hence the dislikes. That's the issue with organisations intended to ensure democracy and human rights, those who respect neither will hate them on sight.

[@jeanbicknell7887]

Democracy and the EU? Ha Ha!!

[@Thurgosh_OG]

The EU is not the ECHR - European Convention on Human Rights (formally the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms). The ECHR came about in the 1950s; the drafting of this was guided by British MP and lawyer Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, the chair of the Assembly's Committee on Legal and Administrative Questions and was the foundation of improving Human Rights across Europe. ECHR has 46 Euro nation members. The EU merely states that it's 27 members are signed up to ECHR and that's the end of their involvement.

[@martinaklee-webster1276]

​@@jeanbicknell7887Do you even know, how the EU works? Reading your comment, I guess, you don't.

[@Gambit771]

You seem full of hate yourself. Explain how the undemocratic eu ensures democracy and human rights when those are pesky obstacles that the eu constantly violates.

[@jeanbicknell7887]

@@martinaklee-webster1276 Tell me, if you wanted to remove Uschi VDL because you are unhappy with her performance how would you and your friends and family go about it? If you cannot do that one basic thing then you need to explain to me tell me how the EU is democratic. Here is the result of a case between Dyson and the EC which has been made public in the last few hours which perhaps you also might comment on: Dyson has lost an attempt to secure €176.1m (£151.5m) from the European Union as part of a decade-long dispute over energy labels on vacuum cleaners. Europe’s highest court declared that the European Commission “did not commit a sufficiently serious breach of EU law” when it used faulty efficiency tests that penalised the British company’s vacuum cleaners. Dyson made history when it won its case in 2018 to overturn the European Commission’s unlawful energy label regime ( I repeat that, *the European Commission’s unlawful energy label regime*) *a regulation that had misled hundreds of millions of European consumers* and caused Dyson to suffer £150m in lost sales and investment, plus significant legal costs . That Dyson won its case in 2018 makes today’s judgement on damages perverse. As was established, the Commission *knowingly* used a label that had the effect of misleading consumers over the true performance of vacuum cleaners for years.” The judgment sets an unfairly high bar for manufacturers harmed by the European Union’s *illegal acts*, allowing its institutions to escape proper accountability. By refusing to compensate those harmed, it is giving a green light to others who seek to undermine lawful competition. The Commission knew the label was a sham, yet forced it on consumers anyway. So, any comment on this, yet another example of how lovingly the EU treats its inmates? The EU marks its own homework.

[@jurgnobs1308]

I think a part of the downvotes is because coudenhove-kalergy is mentioned. Coudenhove-Kalergy was one of the biggest early proponents of european unification. but his reasoning is "a bit" different from the self image of the EU today. he was a massive racist and thought the only way to preserve white supremacy is to unite europe. in one of his books, he wrote this weird idea of what will happen if europe doesn't stay dominant. the stuff he wrote there is today taken out of context by the far right to claim there is a "Kalergy-plan" to replace europeans with african migrants. they read that one quote by him as if it was something he wished for, instead of a horror scenario he wanted to fight against. basically, the far right being too dumb to read more than two sentences made them think a guy who wanted to unite "the whites" to dominate non-whites was actually an anti-white racist who wanted to unite europe to destroy europe. the result is that they think all european cooperation is part of a big conspiracy that has the ultimate aim of destroying europe. so, the video mentioned Coudenhove-Kalergy in a neutral way (just saying he designed a flag) and that is almost certainly enough for some people to get angry and downvote.

[@darzdogz]

The original video I'm guessing turned comments off due to their idiocy regarding Ireland, and our capital city "tax avoidance" 🙄

[@Foersom_]

The 12 stars in a circle on EU flag stands for unity, solidarity and harmony.

[@ejokurirulezz]

this is the golden stars in general. not the 12. 12 stands for perfection.

[@scarnoir6566]

And the other 9 stars ?

[@scarnoir6566]

12 stands for "i can count in segsadecimal and binary using just my knuckles" @@ejokurirulezz

[@Foersom_]

@@scarnoir6566 It is not one word per star, it is the 12 stars in a circle that stands for those 3 words.

[@MrMarfke1984]

Ha ha well this video aged great like milk in May 2024 😂 "But an emblem? Who could object to that?" Eurovision song contest 2024: Completely regrettable: Brussels demands answers over ban on EU flags at Eurovision 🇳🇱🇪🇺🇳🇱🇪🇺🇳🇱🇪🇺🇳🇱🇪🇺🇳🇱 Greetings from NL

[@Mekkaloon]

Wuzz Up ! What is all this focalisation on Europe ?

[@alissa6418]

my parents told me that it was because of benelux that the eu formed not from those parties.

[@gerardschnueriger5624]

Yes, and the anthem of Europe, uff, nobody is interessed, guess why, german music, german poet, music Beethoven and text Schiller, in the sinfonie of Beethovens 9. I love it with the words, and i am not even a German

[@irminschembri8263]

Danke Gerard. Und liebe Grüße in die Schweiz ( nehme ich an) aus Süddeutschland. :)

[@DSP16569]

To be fair, Beethovens Family came from Belgium and at his life time Bonn (his Birthplace) was french occupied (the Napoleon dude).

[@PDVism]

almost correct the official anthem of the EU is purely instrumental so that it's universal the lyrics are acknowledged as the hymne of the EU BUT not as the anthem of the EU it is a difference

[@gerardschnueriger5624]

@@DSP16569 But it was Bonn. You know, thats the point, i does not matter, good music or good poets, there is no border

[@gerardschnueriger5624]

@@PDVism yes of course

[@tim_peaky]

The only thing that changed after brexit is that the UK is losing more money then when they were with the EU

[@what-uc]

Revelations 12:1 "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars" :D

[@squidcaps4308]

The way number of stars was decided is very, very European way of making compromises... It also not being technically a flag but an emblem.. again, so very European to avoid all the stupid principle discussion about the meaning of things.. It is kind of like "no one gets exactly what they wanted" solution.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

You hardly ever see the EU emblem/flag here in the Netherlands. I think it is on some ministries, together with the national flag and the flag saying that it is a national institution (obsolete, I know). But the EU flag was banned from the Dutch parliament a few years ago. You will see only the national flag there, which makes sense. The Dutch parliament is not a European institution. Neither are the ministries, by the way. I am truly very much in favor of more EU integration. But you have to show relevant flags.

[@gstar1084]

It's not banned in the parliament. It has never been there. A couple of years ago the Dutch parliament decided to put the Dutch flag on display, something it hadn't done before. Some parties wanted to put the EU flag next to it, but they lacked a majority.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Some idiots, like the Scottish Parliament still have the EU flag flying as high as the Union Flag and Saltire, despite us not being members for some time now. I am Scottish, in case anyone thinks I'm criticising another country. SNP are just political fools heading for the extinction of their party.

[@stannumowl]

In Poland national flag is much more common but you still will see some EU flags around. But I think we can agree with the video that EU flag will be the most common flag for the EU. Not in any country but at all