a question for people outside of north america

[darthotaku]

I'm Canadian, and I have been told my whole life that when I go on vacation outside of Canada/America I should wear a Canadian flag emblem on my person. The theory goes that people in other countries will treat me better (or be less inclined to rob me) if they assume I am from Canada.

my question is if this really works. would you assume I am more friendly than an American just based on my country of origin? do you know people who would? Is there any basis for me sporting my national colours besides the fact that I look good in red?

 

[Wuggy]

It's kind of hard to answer, if not because all of non-North America isn't the same. I live in Finland, and I don't see how a Canadian flag would have an effect on how people treat you, except that they might start talking English to you straight away instead of first trying to speak Finnish to you.

 

[Gxas]

Its probably so people realize that you aren't from America like they think 100% of all tourists are.

 

[Legion]

I have only ever met friendly Americans (in real life, Xbox Live is another matter), and so I can't say that it'd affect me in any way. Not that it would anyway, I treat people on an individual basis, not based upon where they are from.

 

[Ekit]

I would assume a Canadian is more friendly than an American.

Yes I do know people who think Americans are among the most unfriendly people out there.

Nah, you can be proud of your country, but you shouldn't identify yourself by it.

 

[spartan231490]

I'm Canadian, and I have been told my whole life that when I go on vacation outside of Canada/America I should wear a Canadian flag emblem on my person. The theory goes that people in other countries will treat me better (or be less inclined to rob me) if they assume I am from Canada.

my question is if this really works. would you assume I am more friendly than an American just based on my country of origin? do you know people who would? Is there any basis for me sporting my national colours besides the fact that I look good in red?

I would assume that you are more friendly than an American because, you don't come from America. I know that sounds harsh, but living here, I see a whole lot of douche-bags, and I would be exceptionally surprised if our international actions lately haven't given us a worse reputation than others, even if the douche-baggery is no worse than in other countries.

 

[CaptQuakers]

Yep for sure. Americans are not the most liked people in Europe and Canadians are treated a bit better well from what I have seen anyway....

 

[RabbidKuriboh]

anyone wearing a flag on their person forces me to label them as a twat

simply explain where you are from if it bothers people but if they were even bothered in the first place probably isn't going to change their minds

 

[Hawkmoon269]

Im gonna say something that seems little harsh. Its not a view I hold, but it is a feeling that seems to exist in some small manner here in England.

For some reason, im not exactly sure why, Americans are considered to be... kind of annoying., Thats what some people here in England (not Britain necessarily) seem to think, at least in my experience.

If it was obvious that you were Canadian, you might not attract that banterish, joking (and honestly, not nastily-intended) snipes that an American might get if they were hanging out with a bunch of english people.

 

[Sharalon]

Yeah, I would. But that's just because I see Americans as rude. I don't think you would be treated better than anyone else though.

By the way, I'm from Sweden.

 

[Woodsey]

Its probably so people realize that you aren't from America like they think 100% of all tourists are.

I'm pretty sure we could tell the difference between, say, an American and a German. Or an American and virtually anyone else, even if Canadians are a little tricky.

OT: It irritates me when people wear their flags on themselves (and yes, it bothers me most when Brits do it abroad).

 

[SwiftBlade18]

I think its just a case of some people find americans annoying...I dont know.

Personally if I saw you wearing a canadian flag I would probably just ask you a bunch of questions as I have wanted to visit Canada for years...I am hoping to do so within the next year...Canada's cool

 

[BonsaiK]

I'm Canadian, and I have been told my whole life that when I go on vacation outside of Canada/America I should wear a Canadian flag emblem on my person. The theory goes that people in other countries will treat me better (or be less inclined to rob me) if they assume I am from Canada.

my question is if this really works. would you assume I am more friendly than an American just based on my country of origin? do you know people who would? Is there any basis for me sporting my national colours besides the fact that I look good in red?

Don't wear a flag, people will think you're a douche.

However, be quick to tell people you're from Canada in general conversation.

Being American doesn't make you more likely to be robbed than being from any other western country, however people might shun you a bit, at least until they get to know you and realise you're not that bad/Canadian anyway.

 

[Nackl of Gilmed]

The only thing I can personally guarantee is that it will reduce the number of times you'll have to say "no, I'm from Canada."

 

[bdcjacko]

From now on I'm going to wear a maple leaf on my jacket but still act American when I travel to other countries just to confuse everyone.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Generally, yes (depends on the country, though). People tend to dislike US citizens...how many times have you seen a post by an US citizen with something along the lines of "but me and my friends aren't like those other Americans"?

On the other hand, it might not work because apparently US tourists have started pretending to be Canadian while overseas anyways.

 

[fenrizz]

I've only encountered American tourists once, and they did fulfill the stereotype.

Loud, obnoxious and full of entitelment.

Wearing a maple leaf will at least save you from being questioned about American's foreign policy.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

I'm Canadian, and I have been told my whole life that when I go on vacation outside of Canada/America I should wear a Canadian flag emblem on my person. The theory goes that people in other countries will treat me better (or be less inclined to rob me) if they assume I am from Canada.

I would say the theory goes that if you wear your national flag on your person in a foreign country then you'll highlight yourself as a tourist and therefore become a mugger-magnet. Don't do it.

EDIT - OT: If people pull you up for being American, the phrase "I'm not American, I'm Canadian" should suffice.