I've been warned.

[protheus]

I received a warning, yesterday, by showing a flag that not correspond to the IP I use.
Okay, I've already edited my profile.
But the point is : I feel uncomfortable using a flag that not correspond to my nationality. And, this is not just a matter of "(un)confortability". My social and cultural background (let's call it "patriotism") makes me refuse to show a foreign flag .
So, unless somebody helps me to find where, in what part, of the Terms of Use of this site, is written that "it is prohibited to show a flag that not correspond to your IP", I pretend to edit my profile once again, showing the flag that correspond to my nationality.

 

[yukio_michael]

It's a matter of location, where you are currently living, someone I know who has probably left this board, (but not over this reason), set his location falsely to make a point.

The point being that there were (supposedly) many people claiming to be living in Japan, who were in fact, not.

There is a place in your profile, where you can share you nationality, if you so chose, but as a forum goes whose discussions deal with living, breathing, ailing, working, loving, in Japan.... it helps us to know where the theoretical YOU are at.

Comprende? 分かりますか

 

[JimmySeal]

It seems like protheus has a pretty strong objection to showing a flag other than her own. In such cases it should be possible to not have a flag displayed at all (perhaps there could be text instead), though I can guess at the chances of this forum software ever being modified again.

 

[protheus]

Yes.

The point is the flag, and just the flag.

 

[undrentide]

You can edit your profile not to show the flag.
Go to "My Settings" then "Edit Profile".

See;
"Country /State of residence
Your country of residence (display a flag in your posts)"

You can choose the flag with the pull-down menu, where you'll find blank at the very top. If you set it this "blank", no flag will be shown.

If you wish to show the flag of your country in your post, how about adding it to your signature instead?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I like the idea of an avatar flag .

If you are proud of your country , but not your location, why not use a flag of your choice as your avatar. In most cases where members post spam or worse, they lie about their location when they join. How much weight or belief you give to a post can vary when you know where the person lives who makes the post. Many of the rules of JREF are based on problems the occured often in the past. Like laws in society that are unpopular, many rules of JREF came about because a few bad apples caused problems and now the rest of us must suffer a bit as a cure to the past problem. Membership here like many things in life is a granted priviledge, not a God given right. Like a driver's licence, if you disobey the laws/rules you lose it or get a suspension. There are many other forums on the internet a person can go to if they aren't happy, you just search around to you find one you feel at home in. As long as I have been here on JREF, the staff has worked hard to make this a family type place where nasty people and trouble makers are controled. The staff works real hard to make members happy and welcome. The few easy rules we have here do not make membership that unbearable and the forum that results is well worth following those rules. I in no way speak for admin here, but I feel JREF is my home and I care about it.
When I see someone has the wrong location, I almost always send a private message to them asking them to please change their location to the correct one. I usually offer to make them an avatar flag if it will make them happy. If they ignore the "nice" request, I give a warning with NO points to remind them. Anyone who would like a flag avatar, PM me and I will try to make them one, but PLEASE use the correct location to avoid problems in the first place. Thanks.

Uncle Frank

☝

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Good info !

You can edit your profile not to show the flag.
Go to "My Settings" then "Edit Profile".

See;
"Country /State of residence
Your country of residence (display a flag in your posts)"

You can choose the flag with the pull-down menu, where you'll find blank at the very top. If you set it this "blank", no flag will be shown.

If you wish to show the flag of your country in your post, how about adding it to your signature instead?

You can also show your feelings or pride by other areas of the profile info. THere is a block for "Custom User Title" and a block for "Country of citizenship" and the "Mother tongue/native language" And the "Ethnic Roots" and "Biography" and last but not least, the block for "Length of stay in Japan". All those areas allow a member to show others, who they feel they are and what's inportant to them.

Uncle Frank

 

[JimmySeal]

You can edit your profile not to show the flag.
Go to "My Settings" then "Edit Profile".

See;
"Country /State of residence
Your country of residence (display a flag in your posts)"

You can choose the flag with the pull-down menu, where you'll find blank at the very top. If you set it this "blank", no flag will be shown.

If you wish to show the flag of your country in your post, how about adding it to your signature instead?

As far as I know, we are not allowed to leave that field blank. The software won't let you save your profile without picking something as your country of residence. Which brings me back to (optionally) letting the country name appear as text instead of a flag.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Whoa, you are right !

As far as I know, we are not allowed to leave that field blank. The software won't let you save your profile without picking something as your country of residence. Which brings me back to (optionally) letting the country name appear as text instead of a flag.

I never tried the blank spot above Afghanistan before, just did and it does make you pick one, blank won't work? Thanks for the lesson JimmySeal !

Uncle Frank

 

[undrentide]

As far as I know, we are not allowed to leave that field blank. The software won't let you save your profile without picking something as your country of residence. Which brings me back to (optionally) letting the country name appear as text instead of a flag.

Oh, indeed it does not work... Sorry.

 

[protheus]

Which brings me back to (optionally) letting the country name appear as text instead of a flag.

Of course, I am not opposed to declare where my place of residence is in. But in words, as text.

By God, is it so difficult to Uncle Frank to understand that for some people a national flag carries deeper meanings than a simple country's name?. I do not wish to "exhibit" my flag, as a symbol of proud: national flags are as sacred as mothers are (oops... it sounds too latin, but it's my feeling and my believing, sorry).... I

 

[KirinMan]

Of course, I am not opposed to declare where my place of residence is in. But in words, as text.
By God, is it so difficult to Uncle Frank to understand that for some people a national flag carries deeper meanings than a simple country's name?. I do not wish to "exhibit" my flag, as a symbol of proud: national flags are as sacred as mothers are (oops... it sounds too latin, but it's my feeling and my believing, sorry).... I

Maybe this will help understand the situation a bit....

What happened to the flag of my country?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Thank you for that link, Obeika!

Unfortunately, that discussion got sidetracked before a concensus could be built on about what the flags should mean.

But whatever the flags are for, I think it's important that we remain consistant. If some people use the flag to show their nationality wheras others use it to show location, it loses any semblance of meaning.

Personally I prefer to have it refer to location, but if pressed I would say that it really doesn't matter to me one way or the other.

 

[Elizabeth]

Of course, I am not opposed to declare where my place of residence is in. But in words, as text.
By God, is it so difficult to Uncle Frank to understand that for some people a national flag carries deeper meanings than a simple country's name?. I do not wish to "exhibit" my flag, as a symbol of proud: national flags are as sacred as mothers are (oops... it sounds too latin, but it's my feeling and my believing, sorry).... I

I agree it would be best if there a field to indicate below the flag whether it referred to nationality or residency. Unfortunately it probably isn't an issue that has resonated to that level with among enough members for an admin to fiddle around with any alterations.

 

[JimmySeal]

You folks aren't listening to OP very well. She is not asking to be able to display the Peruvian flag, but rather to not have to display the Japanese flag, and a fairly simple solution that would not stray much from the current situation would be to give people the option to have the word "Japan" or whatever country name in the place where the flag would normally be.

 

[Elizabeth]

You folks aren't listening to OP very well. She is not asking to be able to display the Peruvian flag, but rather to not have to display the Japanese flag, and a fairly simple solution that would not stray much from the current situation would be to give people the option to have the word "Japan" or whatever country name in the place where the flag would normally be.

This seems to be what speaks to her original will....

So, unless somebody helps me to find where, in what part, of the Terms of Use of this site, is written that "it is prohibited to show a flag that not correspond to your IP", I pretend to edit my profile once again, showing the flag that correspond to my nationality.

 

[JimmySeal]

I see. Now that you mention it, that is a bit unreasonable, but perhaps she is only saying that because she's not permitted (by the software) to choose no flag and definitely does not want to display the Japanese flag.

 

[protheus]

mmm... but I'm thinking...

I wrote that because the option "no flag" does not exist and I don"t use broke rules so thought it"d be better to sure if it is forbidden or not.
And insist, it is not a wish of chauvinist exhibition of my country flag.

I have read the link (thanks, Obelia).... .
It is not prohibited.
It is a use, a sort of pact or accord of members in aim of a better understanding.


They say knowing the place where you live can understand better the point of view of the post. (i think it's rather a generalization that connects with prejudice, but don't care).
Okay, what about displaying my flag and write : "place of residence, Tokyo Japan"?

I see. Now that you mention it, that is a bit unreasonable, but perhaps she is only saying that because she's not permitted (by the software) to choose no flag and definitely does not want to display the Japanese flag.

muaaa muaaa . You are the only who understands my position. muaaa muaaa.

 

[leonmarino]

Interesting subject.

Although it is understandable to not let people show flags of where they do not reside, it also seems reasonable to give people the freedom whether or not show the flag of the country or area they are residing in, for whatever reason.

So what is the opinion of the admins?

 

[Elizabeth]

Interesting subject.
Although it is understandable to not let people show flags of where they do not reside, it also seems reasonable to give people the freedom whether or not show the flag of the country or area they are residing in, for whatever reason.
So what is the opinion of the admins?

Which one ? Some of the bitterest, most death defying free for alls I've had the pleasure of witnessing here have been between admins on this very issue....

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

mmm... but I'm thinking...
I wrote that because the option "no flag" does not exist and I don"t use broke rules so thought it"d be better to sure if it is forbidden or not.
And insist, it is not a wish of chauvinist exhibition of my country flag.
I have read the link (thanks, Obelia).... .
It is not prohibited.
It is a use, a sort of pact or accord of members in aim of a better understanding.
They say knowing the place where you live can understand better the point of view of the post. (i think it's rather a generalization that connects with prejudice, but don't care).
Okay, what about displaying my flag and write : "place of residence, Tokyo Japan"?

At the risk of sticking my head out, I think this sounds like a decent solution to your dilemma. The one you have to convince, though, is Uncle Frank, because he's the one who is most diligently checks on IP addresses. But for the record, you have my support.

 

[Mike Cash]

I find the OP's attitude, beliefs, and principles damned refreshing and encouraging. I'd take my hat off to her, but I already doffed it when I came in the door a few minutes ago.

 

[undrentide]

At the risk of sticking my head out, I think this sounds like a decent solution to your dilemma.

I'm just one of the members here but I do agree with this. Considering the fact that so many members shows Japanese flag as the place of residence while their profile says "never been to Japan" (in most cases it must be unintentionally, I guess), showing the flag of one's nationality and mentioning the place of residence sounds quite honest and reasonable compromise...

 

[Elizabeth]

I'm just one of the members here but I do agree with this. Considering the fact that so many members shows Japanese flag as the place of residence while their profile says "never been to Japan" (in most cases it must be unintentionally, I guess), showing the flag of one's nationality and mentioning the place of residence sounds quite honest and reasonable compromise...

Because this forum is about Japan and that is the factor that brings us together, I for one am not interested in a prominant display of where a member comes from once they are in Japan. Under this compromise, it only looks like they are making an effort to devalue their current residence comparatively. Still I understand the principle flag showing has to certain nationalities and certain members and this may be the best that can be done without a flag waiver option.

 

[protheus]

Because this forum is about Japan and that is the factor that brings us together, I for one am not interested in a prominant display of where a member comes from once they are in Japan. Under this compromise, it only looks like they are making an effort to devalue their current residence comparatively. Still I understand the principle flag showing has to certain nationalities and certain members and this may be the best that can be done without a flag waiver option.

If I go to a shrine or to a buddhist temple by a social matter I would not wear a T-shirt printed "I am a roman-apostholical-christian-catholic". In the same way, I do not pretend "a prominant display" of my flag with the purpose of devalue something. There are ways and ways, and manners and manners, to be what you are without offending.

This situation is becoming a litte funny. You know, I joined this forum with the intention of learn more about japanese grammar, to practice japanese and improve my level of japanese language. But, instead of japanese, I'm using english....