442 replies to this topic

[plaskins]

General Lee, on Feb 1 2010, 03:04 PM, said:

Dogs are banned...

[ancient_one]

A well-publicised ban in the area in front of the barrier (half way back between the stage and the lighting tower) might be a step in the right direction.

[jameshunt]

Katster, on Feb 1 2010, 03:04 PM, said:

I can never tell from as far back as I stand anyway  

It obviously isn't ALL I want to see, I do think I'd miss them if they went completely though, that's all.

I do agree that they provide colour and some interest.  If only I didn't want to catch a glimpse of the artist I'd gone to see then there wouldn't be so much of a problem.

It got to ridiculous levels last year and few of the crowd could have seen anything but flags when trying to look at the stage or screens.  Something really needs to be done.

[oldie]

popcornmaster, on Feb 1 2010, 02:35 PM, said:

I for one love the flags (I have never had one personally)
If they obstruct your view... I'm sorry but you can move forward

No, not all of us can move forward. Have you tried being at a festival with kids?
And anyway there were people right at the front with flags. If you want to wave a flag why not stand at the back?

[fowls]

jameshunt, on Feb 1 2010, 02:57 PM, said:

Absolute tosh.

70,000 people simply cannot move in front of all the flags.

+1

To suggest "You can just move past the flags" is to imply that if you asked a flag bearer to get out of the way they'd say "Why yes, of course, I didn't realise you can't see.  Move in front of me" and kindly step aside.  That would never happen, flag bearers know they're in the way, and they sure won't let other people get past them and ruin their view (Ironic?).

Sure if you're a lone person you can find gaps in the crowd to slip past, but if you're stuck behind a flag with a group of mates you only have 2 options:
1.  Stand there and see nothing
2.  Be one of those annoying people who barges past other people to get in front of the flags.
So really that solves nothing.  With option 1 the problem is still there, with option 2 the bastard-ness is simply passed on to the people who can't see. Then another group of people will be stuck in the way of the flag to face the same dilemma, so in effect flags exponentially increase the annoyance of the crowd. The only way to truly eliminate the problem is to remove the flag.

Although I do agree a complete lack of flags would be sad.  One of those things which is an absolute bitch until they're banned, and then when they're banned people will say "Oh it was so great in the old days with all the flags.  Glastonbury has no atmosphere anymore!" etc. .

Edited by fowls, 01 February 2010 - 03:45 PM.

[jamiejc]

I'll miss the pigeon on a stick though...

[cejx]

fowls, on Feb 1 2010, 03:39 PM, said:

+1

To say "You can just move past the flags" is to say that if you asked a flag bearer to get out of the way they'd say "Why yes, of course.  Move in front of me" and kindly step aside.  That would never happen, flag bearers know they're in the way, and they sure won't let other people get past them and ruin their view (Ironic?). If flag bearers really love their flags that much they'd move to the back where they can wave it all they like.


Although I do agree a complete lack of flags would be sad.  One of those things which is an absolute bitch until they're banned, and then when they're banned people will say "Oh it was so great in the old days with all the flags.  Glastonbury has no atmosphere anymore!" etc. .

I compare this to the smoking ban - a bad idea, kills the atmosphere in pubs, our right to light up etc etc ... and now (even as a social smoker) would never wish to revert back to fags in pubs. Ban the flags, there will be the initial moans, but in the end it will be beneficial to all - and the people create the atmosphere, not the annoying flags.

[Glastoboy]

Two suggestions:

1) Those of us who want the flags gone start a loud collective chant 5mins before each band comes on. Along the lines of "Put the F**king flags down", "Flag wavers are w*nkers" etc. If we chant it loud enough, we will embarass some, if not all of them. The more flags come down, the more isloated and inconsiderate the remainder appear.

2) Take a flag (but dont stick it on a pole), stand in front of a flag waver and hold your flag up right in front of their face and see how they feel about it.

[ferraristu]

Maybe one of these on the front of the stage !!!!!!

Edited by ferraristu, 01 February 2010 - 03:57 PM.

[jameshunt]

Glastoboy, on Feb 1 2010, 03:50 PM, said:

Two suggestions:

1) Those of us who want the flags gone start a loud collective chant 5mins before each band comes on. Along the lines of "Put the F**king flags down", "Flag wavers are w*nkers" etc....

It would all munge into "Put the flag wavers f*cking down, w*nkers" etc.

We need a flag vigilante group who buuuurrrrnnnn the feckers.

[fowls]

jameshunt, on Feb 1 2010, 03:58 PM, said:

We need a flag vigilante group who buuuurrrrnnnn the feckers.

Who are we gonna burn down?  The people or their flags?  

[Kyelo]

I've seen several people at TITP pleted with warm beer for having flags up! Don't think this would happen at Glastonbury but ya never know haha

[Red_Eye_Jedi]

Hmm.. Although I do like seeing the bands on stage, which is obviously difficult due to the flags, but if I get a glimpse im happy. On the other hand, I could just look at the screen but most of the time i'm so lost in dancing or singing I don't really notice the flags..

[jameshunt]

fowls, on Feb 1 2010, 04:10 PM, said:

Who are we gonna burn down?  The people or their flags?  

Flags, books, anyone holding a flag, anyone reading a book, anyone near someone holding a flag and anyone who admits to ever having read a book - just to be safe.

[jameshunt]

BenchBuddah, on Feb 1 2010, 04:15 PM, said:

I've seen several people at TITP pleted with warm beer for having flags up! Don't think this would happen at Glastonbury but ya never know haha

Yes!  Let's plete(sic)* the feckers!  

If they are already wearing pleated clothing what should we do instead?  

[Pinhead]

Begin to officially 'discorage' them, in the Fine Guide etc., and tell traders not to sell 'em either. Then, hopefully, a bit of self policing will take over and it will become less and less acceptable to have quite so many up front. Mind you, officially banning laterns hasn't worked . . .

[fowls]

jameshunt, on Feb 1 2010, 04:19 PM, said:

Flags, books, anyone holding a flag, anyone reading a book, anyone near someone holding a flag and anyone who admits to ever having read a book - just to be safe.

I reckon we should print off a rule book for flagbearers, then burn the feckers who buy it.  Then we can remove even the most covert flagbearers.


Slowly we WILL turn glastonbury into an anti-flag fascist state.

Edited by fowls, 01 February 2010 - 04:25 PM.

[jameshunt]

fowls, on Feb 1 2010, 04:24 PM, said:

I reckon we should print off a rule book for flagbearers, then burn the feckers who buy it.  Then we can remove even the most covert flagbearers.


Slowly we WILL turn glastonbury into an anti-flag fascist state.

[cejx]

Pinhead, on Feb 1 2010, 04:22 PM, said:

Begin to officially 'discorage' them, in the Fine Guide etc., and tell traders not to sell 'em either. Then, hopefully, a bit of self policing will take over and it will become less and less acceptable to have quite so many up front. Mind you, officially banning laterns hasn't worked . . .

Or gazebos!

There is that stall that sells flags - I suspect there are many initially flagless folk at Glasters - after a few ciders think its wise to purchase... flagtastic!  Ban the stall.

[fowls]

Pinhead, on Feb 1 2010, 04:22 PM, said:

Begin to officially 'discorage' them, in the Fine Guide etc., and tell traders not to sell 'em either. Then, hopefully, a bit of self policing will take over and it will become less and less acceptable to have quite so many up front. Mind you, officially banning laterns hasn't worked . . .

I'd say that's a good idea.  Using social coercion should get the job done a lot better than official banning.

Edited by fowls, 01 February 2010 - 04:34 PM.