I get what you mean, and agree to a degree. You're right of course about the rubbish flags they out up at SB and elsewhere, and put them straight back down again and go back to their iPhones. I get the feeling when I've been at games outside of the UK that the sense of occasion is all about the...
When I have watched league football in European countries, there tends to be a bit (lot) more fan organised razzmatazz, flags, banners, pyros, jumping about like they're enjoying themselves etc., as well as better coordination for chanting/singing. I guess we're getting a bit into 'Ultra'...