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[fluffhead]

O.K...first let me say that I'm not trying to be a smart-alec or anger anyone...this is a real question and I hope to get an honest answer.

Why do so many Canadian ex-pats/backpackers/travellers put their country's flag on all their stuff? Sure I've seen other countries represented on apparal, but none so much as Canada.

Is it because:

a) Canadians are very patriotic and think their flag is pretty neat, (actually, I'm not sure about this one...just thought I'd throw it out there),

b) Canadians like to identify themselves to each other because they prefer to relate to other Canadians when they travel overseas, (kind of defeats the purpose of international travel in my book...but then again, what do I know?),

c) The worst thing that can happen to a Canadian overseas is to be called an "American", which assumes that everyone in the world hates Americans and adores Canadians, (I'm sort of partial to this explanation, but it also doesn't make much sense because most people I talk to, flag or no flag, can't tell the difference), or

d) None of the above, in which case, I'm hoping that a Canadian out there will enlighten me.

Thank you for reading.

[Capergirl]

The answer is C (but you knew that anyway). Any time I identified myself as a Canadian in Asia, I found I received a much better reception. Some locals went so far as to tell me that they hate Americans and that they were relieved that I was not one "of them" (nevermind that the difference between Canadians and Americans is almost indistinguishable). This was particularly true after the economic crash in South Korea in '97.
I think what you need to realize is that Canadians don't do this (announce our nationality abroad) because we are anti-American. We do it because there is a lot of anti-American sentiment in the world and this is a way to make life a bit easier for us when traveling overseas.
For the record, I never put a Canadian flag sticker on any of my stuff while I was in Asia, and I only told people I was a Canadian if they pointedly asked me where I was from.

[some waygug-in]

I can only speak for myself, of course, but in my case I didn't put flags all over everything. I just had a few small stickers on the luggage tags and on my guitar case. I did bring some Canadian flags, among other things, to give away as gifts. That was my first trip outside of Canada and I was anxious for people to notice me. Hey look at me world, I'm here and I am Canadian.

Now I am a bit more sedate about it, especially since I realized that I am not the only Canadian to ever go overseas.

Cheers

[andrea]

it is also possible that not everyone you see with canadian flags all over their stuff is actually canadian. many americans who don't want to be shat on everywhere they go put canadian flags on their stuff. i, for one, am planning on doing that before heading off to the czr in the fall. i'll be in halifax this summer getting my celta and hope to pick up at least one canadian flag patch. hope you canadians don't take this the wrong way - actually you should be proud. i'd much rather be a canadian, as i'm not to happy with the us right now, and i really really dislike most of the american tourists (or the ones that were obviously american) i've seen in other countries - usually fat, ignorant and loud - and i don't want to be associated with that.

[ls650]

(c)

Personally I've never done this and think it's a stupid thing to do; why mark yourself as a foreigner at all? If someone wants to know where you're from, he'll ask.

BTW Several times I've met some Americans who put the old maple leaf on their backpacks because they don't want to be targeted as Americans. I've walked up to people and asked them where in Canada they're from and been told "We're actually from (a state)."

[andrea]

well, ls650, my feeling is that people are going to assume i'm a foreigner anyway - sometimes you just can't hide it - especially when i'm just arriving in a city or travelling around the country with my backpack or other luggage. (now don't get into name-calling. just because i have a backpack and plan to travel with it doesn't mean i'm a "backpacker" in the derogatory sense. i am educated and will be CELTA certified - i just happen to like to backpack and find packs much more convenient than suitcases for travelling.) but back to the topic... people are going to assume i'm a foreigner, and if i don't give them any reason to think otherwise, they're most likely going to assume i'm an american. i'd rather not have that stigma attached to me before people know me at all. if they ask, i'll tell them i'm an american, and tell them my reasons for putting a canadian flag on my pack...and maybe they'll go "oh, she's not a typical american and maybe not all americans are lame."

[fluffhead]

I appreciate the honest answers...thanks.

to andrea...I don't think you should feel like you need to be a Canadian "imposter" (for lack of a better word) in order to get on well in the Czech Republic. I think you'll find that Czech people are very open and don't harbor intense anti-American sentiment. Many will tell you that they have a friend/relative in America,(usually in the Chicago area for some reason) and would love to visit.

That said, it probably would be a good idea to distinguish yourself from tourists (American or otherwise) in general.

Have fun!

[fluffhead]

andrea...just caught your second post...why do you think that people will assume you're American? Because you speak English? The only place in Czech that anyone can tell where you're from by your accent is in the center of Prague...because it's FULL of ex-pats (no offence to them...I'm just sayin').

You also assume that Czech people see a "typical American" (whatever that is) as lame. How do you know how Czechs see Americans? I find them to be well eduacted and a very accepting people. The only way that they will find you "lame" is through your own personal "lameness", not your nationality. Have you been reading those American travel advisories?

So, from your posts this is what I get:

Canadians wear their flag because they're scared of being confused as Americans (can't blame them), and the occasional American wears a Canadian flag because they're just plain scared.
Is this right?

andrea, as an American, you're probably safer wearing nothing but an American flag in another country, than you are right now in America.

[JDYoung]

1. We're not particularly patriotic but, in spite of the fuss when Canada got it's own flag in 1967, we like our flag. It's a simple design but totally unique and instantly recognizable.

2. We do want to be able to recognize each other. No matter how much you want to learn about another culture it's nice to talk once in a while with someone from home. There aren't that many of us, around 30 million, and we get lost in the sea of Brits and Americans.

3. Sorry, but Americans don't have all that great a reputation abroad, deserved or not, and are the first targets for anti-Western sentiment whether it arises out of valid reasons or not. Canada, again for valid reasons or not, has a good reputation. We're generally seen as peace-keepers. We think that all the world's problems could be solved over a coffee and a donut at the nearest Tim Horton's and, if people have aggressions to take out, strap on some skates and whack a puck around. First impressions are important and we want ours to be positive. The world is the way it is, not the way we think it should be.

And now I'll get off my soap box.

[andrea]

ok, so people seem to think it's ridiculous that i would put a canadian flag on my stuff in the czech republic (or anywhere else in the world, maybe). well, i'm sure you're right about people in the czech republic being accepting and non-judgmental and stuff. still, i'd rather be recognized as a canadian when people first see me. i'd rather actually be a canadian, but that's not going to happen any time soon. basically, i'm just fed up with the us, and would rather not be associated with it abroad, whatever other people happen to think of it.
ok. i'm done.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Good Day fluffhead et al:

Interesting topic. I enjoyed reading the candid replies and admissions of both Canadians and Americans, without the typical hysteria and mud-slinging which often erupts when the topic turns in this direction.

It is indeed a difficult time to be an American living abroad. Our image has suffered greatly in recent years for reasons we all know about and read about in the news every day. Not too surprising that some Canadians would want to distance themselves from all of that with a strategically placed flag here and there.

I'm torn on this one. As a first generation American born to an immigrant German father, I have a great love and respect for the United States, its ideals and institutions, its people and its wacky traditions and bigger-than-life culture.

At the same time, I can't escape the reality that many of you have already mentioned in this thread: The image of the USA (as a nation) is at an all time low. This perception is unfortunately justified, as we bully and fight our way into foreign affairs where we have no business.

On the other hand, thankfully, I've found that most thoughtful people around the world still differentiate between 'America the country' ... and Americans as individuals.

So ... I haven't come to the point yet where I'm telling people that I'm Canadian, but I understand those who have.

Let's hope for a brighter future with a new President who understands the importance of improving our rather unimpressive track-record in foreign affairs. In the meantime, I'm keeping my American flags in a drawer for safe keeping.

Best wishes,
kENt

[Shonai Ben]

Now this is interesting indeed.Canadians don't want to be mistaken for Americans and Americans are happy to be mistaken for Canadians.Is there something wrong with this picture?Granted that both Canadians and Americans share almost the same culture,speak the same language,and eat the same type of food.To most people in Asia, there is no difference between the Canadians and the Americans,but to the Canadians ,to be assumed to be American is the utmost of all sins.Therefore,most Canadians will wear some type of identification,such as a flag or a patch or anything to distinguise them from the Americans.
It's interesting eh?

[Shaman]

While in Ireland, I approached the bar to order some pints for the table. A man standing to my immediate left heard my accent and decided to strike up a conversation.

"Where in America are you from?"

I smiled.

"The northern part. I'm Canadian."

"Jaysus, I just assaulted you. Let me buy you a pint."

I laughed at the turn of phrase and assured him that there was indeed no offence taken. I bought the next round and we continued to gab about this and that. No problem.

I think that many sport the flag on various and sundry items to show that we still indeed exist as a nation - we are pretty low profile. It also gives the wandering Canuck the opportunity to spot fellow countrymen (and women) and engage in the latest Canadian conjectures:

"No Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup again this year!"

"I'm afraid the Leafs will never win the damn thing in my lifetime!"



Shaman

[Roger]

I am famously neither American nor Canadian, and I honestly do not understand the original poster's query. Yes, some Cans are publicly stating their nationalityh, perhaps because the want to distance themselves from US Americans. What's wrong with that? I personally dislike any question about nationality, and consequently ignore it as often as possible. I do not think any nationality better than any other! But Americans certainly cash in on perceived advantages of being American too, and in order to do so they often show their Americanness too - look at how they dress up, for instance. You can often tell an American in an international crowd just as you can easily tell a Hong Kong CHinese among a crowd of mainlanders.

And then, I wish Americans would identify themselves as Americans rather than "the name is Joe, from Idaho...". Where is Ida/whatsthat? It is not a member of the UNO, and it is not important as information when introducing yourself to a non-Usanian.

[Shonai Ben]

Ah Shaman dude.
Will the Leafs ever win another cup?Probably not in our lifetime.
Last time was in 67,and I was just a little kid.I sort of remember,but not really.They have come close a couple of times since,but I feel that they will never win the cup again.But as long as the "frogs",you know what I mean,don't win I am happy.