Comments on: On Americans & Canadians: Don’t Lie About Your Nationality When You Travel

By: Owen

Owen — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 17:26:43 +0000

The last time I checked, we in North, Central, and South America are “Americans” with strong ties to our European origins. Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, Ireland, France….all to great strides to earmark their portion of North America at various times throughout our history. I am from Southern Georgia, an area that was split between the Spainish, French, English, United States, and Confederate States at various points in its history alone. My family is comprised of a healthy mix of Scotish, Welsh, French, Swedish, German, and Native Ametican. As a traveler, I am an American….I look like a hairy Scotsman, speak in a Southern dialect, and enjoy meeting people and learning the nuances of their culture. I am not their as a battle hardened conqueror, but rather a fellow human being and friend. A flag is a banner that was traditionally carried by invading armies…travelers, especially Canadians, are far from that. Let’s stay off the political bandwagons and just be ourselves, share ideas, our food, good wine, and stories. Laughter builds endearing trust no matter where you are from. Let’s just make the most of our time roaming the surface of this planet we all call “home.”

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 12:58:53 +0000

I was born in France (French Polynesia) and grew up in Vancouver. I hold a French passport but not a Canadian one. So with the French passport (also since my father was Irish, I hold an Irish passport…same result…) people call me an “American!” when I’m speaking either English and now recently, in Belgium, even in FRENCH (although when I lived in Montreal they thought my French “sounded like Dutch” which makes it Belgian because I learned it mostly there).
Telling me to be OK with being called “American” just because I went to college there (M.I.T. and Yale) is not OK, it sucks. I’m supposed to take on the citizenship of “where I went to college”?? Every time I’m in Boston those assholes call me an “American” because I went to M.I.T. and they say “you have no accent in English.” I’ve actually also been told, also mostly in Boston, that “Canada doesn’t have any Blacks, that’s why you’re an American.”
I’m in France now, and just about ready to haul off and hit the next person who does that one to me. Fortunately no one but Americans is doing the “just up and start speaking English to me for no reason” thing. Unfortunately, for better or worse, this is France, I’m “home.”

By: Dr Reilly

Dr Reilly — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 19:01:18 +0000

Hi Matt! Had a good chuckle about your Canadians wearing their flag opinion article. A short story and perspective, thanks for the indulgence. My father was a SUPER PROUD Canadian! He had stickers on quite literally EVERYTHING that showed his heritage. It was cute, really! His family migrated to California after WWII because Canada was in deep economic suffrage after the war. Not sure which of us, my father or me are more proud of that lineage and cultural heritage. Although he passed 35 years ago, I have always followed in his footsteps to display the Canadian flag proudly. It is a welcome conversation starter for those who ask if I am Canadian. Quickly, my response is always with a big smile and my father was born in VA, BC and was a legal child immigrant to the US after the war which my grandfather fought alongside American troops. Then, usually, well – 99.8% of the time – folks respond with – Canadian’s aren’t immigrants – or some silly not knowledgeable comment like that suggesting only immigrants come from OTHER countries?? OK? He was proud to be Canadian and very happy to live in America. He believed that it was not were you live that makes one happy. He served the US as a Marine and firefighter – so more contribution than most to the citizens of the US. Having traveled to Canada many times for business or personal travels – it innately feels like home to me. Canada has a very different way of life from the US, not to suggest favoritism one way or the other. My final parting comment is…try to be more positive when writing articles, especially about Canada, they are a very good political and trade neighbor to the United States. And, they rarely negatively complain about being in the US. Or the hardships CN families faced much further back in their historic migration story to CN from Ireland to build railroads or other labor work in CN only to be homeless when that work dried up. NOT one time did my father EVER speak negatively about any of his/my paternal history. In fact, I never heard the word immigrant EVER from him. I will always display the Canadian flag…no one is more proud of my 50% DNA connection to such a beautiful country. Great website – I’m off to Nova Scotia for the first time – my grandmother, father and uncle left VC and traveled to NS during WWII to wait on my grandfather and other Canadian soldier to arrive back home after Normandy. Looking forward to learning more about our family heritage and YES, I will display proudly my Canadian stickers!!! Happy trails! 🙂 Thanks for all you do for travelers Matt. Awesome website!!!!

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:13:30 +0000

In reply to Evelyn. (On a side note, I was recently in Spain with my school. When in Barcelona, three of my friends and I tried to enter the Picasso Museum. The man at the door was giving us a hassle, saying we had to be in a group of three or seven to go in. After five minutes of me having to negotiate in the little Spanish that I knew, he asked where we were from. When we said Canada, he let us in right away. I don't think that's a coincidence.)

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:10:53 +0000

As a Canadian, it both flatters and offends me that non-Canadians pretend to be one of us. It’s nice to know that people think we have a better reputation on the world stage, but if that someone pretending to be Canadian happens to be rude, offensive, or just plain dumb, it doesn’t reflect well on us at all.

When I travel, I don’t usually wear a Canadian flag, but I do make it clear that I am Canadian in other ways. I speak to my friends in both French and English (and our particular accent when we speak French gives us away), and if someone asks, I always say I’m Canadian (why wouldn’t I?).

As for those arguing that Canadians are just as bad as Americans, only we don’t showcase it as much… I cannot tell you how many Australians and New Zealanders I’ve encountered in Canada that act just like stereotypical Americans. No matter what your ethnicity, nationality, or religion is, there are people in every group that are just loud and obnoxious and fail to recognize that. It happens in every country. I definitely don’t assume someone is American based on the way they act. I just know they are annoying and rude based on the way they act.

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:44:12 +0000

First off I’d like to say you have a great site that I frequent regularly.
But Matt, I’m a little surprised that you are not aware that in general, Canadians are treated better than Americans abroad. This has been evident for decades…I remember being a young teen visiting Europe and realizing the difference in the way I was treated once people knew I was Canadian, and also seeing how the Americans were acting, and treated (even family types with kids, etc). That was decades ago. And long before Bush came along. My son recently went to Mexico, and on the flight a Mexican woman struck up a conversation with him after she heard he was Canadian. She apologized for ignoring him previously, for she had thought he was from the US.
My husband and I have been in contact with ‘average’ American tourists on and off over the last 30 years, here in Canada, and I have to say that the majority of them are just like the stereotypes you hear about…loud, obnoxious, arrogant, want everything just like at home, compare everything to what they have at home (to which we mutter under our breath: well, just go back home then!), and if you are working for them, as in the hospitality industry, you aren’t much more than slaves. Recently I was on a plane out of Vancouver and spoke with a guy from the US…he asked me if I knew that the American Rockies were higher than the Canadian Rockies. What gives with that? I wouldn’t go to another country and say things like that! Who cares, anyway?
Canadians have always been a little annoyed with Americans for various reasons: this one-upmanship that I was talking about; they seem to only care about their own interests (think about where your water comes from, or even some of your electricity, oil and wood, at very low cost), the very expensive “North American Free Trade Agreement”, which only seems to work out free for the US, wanting to take everything for itself (now they claim that the Arctic belongs to the US!! How preposterous!), and they don’t seem to know anything about cultures and countries other than their own (we use to get some of our laughs from a ‘short’ on TV, in the early 80’s, where someone would interview Americans on the streets and ask them questions about Canada…did you know that Wayne Gretzky was our “President” and mukluks were our national animal?!! And what about the Americans who think we all live in igloos? We worked for a houseboat company in the Shuswap, BC (near the Okanagan lake)…one family from the US brought their parkas and mittens, thinking that the lake froze over every night. This is in July when no one wears anything more than tanktops and shorts 24/7 and it’s too hot to sleep.
I understand a little better now from reading the posts here:kids are brought up that way, the constant patriotism almost like brainwashing, but even the comments from some of the Americans here are clearly showing those same attitudes!
I do agree upon reflection that most ‘problem’ Americans seem to be of the older group, and that the younger ones are probably more ‘global’ minded…good for you younger people. And I do believe that backpackers in general tend to have more of an open mind too, and are out there more for the experiences than for the ‘dominance’ dance. Unfortunately you younger ones have a lot of work to do to re-educate the world about the ‘new Americans’, but also to guard yourselves against becoming like your predecessors.
I don’t mean this to come across as “American bashing”, but I wanted to show you what the average Canadian sees, how it really does look to someone else. And of course I know there are some unruly Canadians out there…like many said, the ‘pack mentality’ is definitely something to guard against.
I wouldn’t wear a flag on my pack. I like to blend in where ever I go. I think you have a better experience that way. But I understand why others do; and of course it’s terrible that some Americans have to pass themselves off as Canadians (and possibly vice versa also). You just need to be your kind, open-minded selves and show the world that they can love you too, no matter where you’re from. If you can’t do that then stay home, eh?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:13:38 +0000

Ok first of all. Self-righteous Canadians get over yourself. You would be part of the United States if the U.S. ever decided they wanted Canada. Period. Ask Mexico and the Native Americans the U.S. will take what it wants. Not saying I agree, but that is the reality. One reason the U.S. doesn’t is because Canadians are nice and fall in line quite easily, so there is no need to. The U.S. government appreciates your governments cooperation. The American people appreciate your kindness, but just like the fact your military stands no chance against the U.S. doesn’t make Americans better people(just geopolitcally a more important country) your culture in no way makes you superior to Americans.

Yes some…many Americans are ignorant of the world, loud, obnoxious, etc. However, being self-righteous and egotistical because you’re not is just as bad. Have pride just don’t showboat it obnoxiously. Americans would do well to do this as well.

Second of all, just because you are born somewhere doesn’t mean pride in that place is guaranteed nor should it be. Patriotism is a great friend to the government because they can make the puppets dance when they say, “You must do this for the country” & “If you are against us your unpatriotic”. Now this not saying social responsibility should be shunned and everyone should become selfish. However, a give and take relationship is key. If your government gives you little and expects a lot it isn’t wrong to not be prideful. Being taking advantage of and liking it is just stupid. However, if your government is giving you it’s best yea take pride and contribute to society. It’s called a societal contract and somewhere along the line many governments forgot it goes both ways.

Wherever, you are from you will always have part of that culture in you, but it doesn’t have to define you if you don’t want it to. Be prideful because you actually are not cause your told to. In fact the nation-state system is well over 300 years old. Kind of an old system that is supposed to define the world don’t you think? In the end it is up to you just be prideful not egotistical and you can make the world more enjoyable for everyone.

And yes Canada we hear your government cries to not be ignored, but someone has to be the little brother that’s just reality. France empathizes with you greatly you two must be great friends.

By: hendelar

hendelar — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:44:08 +0000

notes from a Canadian currently traveling the South Pacific.

flags are about division…mine versus yours. too much blood, too many tears already.

i’m not a flag-waving Canadian though wherever i’ve travel i wear a small maple leaf on my back-pack; yes, to avoid being mistaken as an American.

the two dimensions of Americanism i wish to disassociate from are the apparent inward-viewing, short-sighted, exclusionary general perspective that is based upon ignorance and, the tendency of every apex-country in history towards colonialism. sure, oil is important, security too, blah, blah…

i count many people of American citizenship as dear friends. relatives even. i recently met a fellow diver here in Vanuatu who is from Mobile Alabama. he shares this view of American short-sightedness. he also travels outside of North America.

several years ago i had cause to meet a State Trooper in upstate New York and then an opportunity for an extended conversation with the man. a former marine with two volunteer tours of duty in combat under his belt, he is weary of seeing American casualties of war(s) returning home broken or in bags. he notes that nearly everyone he meets has been affected…family member, friend, neighbor.

fear and greed are the enemy. Americans are just another carrier.
glh

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 03:34:47 +0000

One of the most infuriating conversations I had as a backpacker was when an American girl who asked me why Canadians wore the leaf on their bags. The only reason she could think of was that Canadians hated America because it was ‘a big fish vs. little fish thing.’ As a seasoned backpacker I have to say the number one reason i wear my canadian flag is definately to say that I’m not American. I’ve lived in Oz and London and travelled the world and know lots of great Americans but its mainly the ignorant ones who are travelling for the first time or who rarely travel and are so rude to locals and cannot handle that they can’t get the same things in europe and Asia as they can back home. The American uni student is the worst.

My secondary reason is that it acts as a friendly alert especially of you’re a woman travelling alone, that there’s another one just like you to bond with!

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:18:17 +0000

In reply to David Webb. Agreed! I'm a Canadian who has never sported the flag while traveling & know plenty of others who don't either. We don't all do it, I swear!