a question for people outside of north america

[Brutal Peanut]

American here:

I've traveled over-seas three times (at least) and I didn't wear any flags at all because I don't see the point, but I also didn't openly broadcast where I was from. As long as I was my quiet, calm, patient self when dealing with others- I was treated in equal measure. But when asked, I did tell them, without hesitation. I saw a few strained smiles after that, but they didn't give me any hate or try to debate me politically. If I was treated rudely, I just brushed it off, as I would if I was being treated rudely by someone in my own country.

Really, I shouldn't have to hide my nationality, or hide behind another, because others have a problem with it; whether they've actually met an American or not. The way I am treated should really depend on who I am as in individual, not just by where I come from. (Hey, I can dream can't I? ^_^)

Just don't act like a douche. =D But if you are really worried about it, I suppose just get a small pin and place it on your back-pack, or your bag. Simple & subtle.

 

[Smokej]

well the stereotype of the loud, ignorant and boorish american tourist is still persistent in the public opinion here in (Middle/Northern)Europe.

that being said, if you are a young and metropolitan person, you should have no problem navigating through the urban hotspots and finding helpful people (or the hottest scene parties for that matter ). Of course visiting the more rural areas is a little bit more tricky because you really stick out as a foreigner.

 

[Denamic]

Don't wear your flag.
It immediately paints you as an obnoxious douchebag if anything.

 

[BlackStar42]

Just be polite, and if you go to England for goodness sake don't ask everyone you meet if they know the Queen.

 

[Ampersand]

Of course it would make a difference. It's the same when I go abroad, the second I let people know i'm Irish and not English they're instantly nicer to me, because generally people like the Irish more then the English.

 

[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?

This is totally dependant on one thing ;

Are you French-Canadian..? Is that even what you call it..? :S

If the answer is "yes" I would be more inclined to be a dick towards you, maybe even mug you, it it was "no" I'd probably get on just fine..

I'm not french-Canadian. I heard in france it's worse to be french-Canadian than to be American. and I can understand your atitude towards them.

 

[Baradiel]

A Canadian emblem will probably be better received than, say, a US pattern, if you visited Britain. Just the way it is.

 

[Zaik]

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?

The bolded section is a damned lie. It's like carrying around a huge sign that says "I'M FROM X COUNTRY, ROB ME PLEASE!".

 

[anotherdamnwatanabe]

Even people in France will be polite to Americans. Many French people become insulted that Americans have to ask if they will be treated well while visting their land. I am Japanese-American who has lived in both Japan and America and I can tell you Japanese people will also be polite.

Every country has rude people. I don't think wearing a flag will change that.

 

[dex-dex]

Just say "eh" and "hosers" a lot, we'll know where you're from.

Basically speak like Bob and Doug McKenzie

LOLZ! I talk like that when I am drunk just for shits and giggles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJE3EgTGg9k
and you enjoy SCTV? nice!

I am intruged by this topic because I am Canadian. I have never been told to wear a pin or anything.

 

[ten.to.ten]

I can't speak for Europe but I doubt anyone in Australia would treat you differently if they thought you were American rather than Canadian. Anyone who would is a neurotic dickhead.

 

[PureChaos]

i probably wouldn't recognise it's the Canadian flag

 

[Furious Styles]

and you enjoy SCTV? nice!

I've never watched it properly because it was from years before I was born and is never shown in the UK. I've only ever really watched Bob and Doug on youtube and I only found out about it because I looked up Rick Moranis one day for no real reason.

But yeah, that sketch is fairly hilarious

 

[omega 616]

Nah. I would think you were a bit of an obnoxious tool, only 'cos it would look like to me you were saying "I am not one of your kind, I am from a different country and I wouldn't like to be thought of as from your country".

It would be like going into a gay bar wearing a t shirt that says "I like girls ... and 5318008".

It would just come across as arrogant to me.

 

[TheFederation]

not really no...
most of the stuff caused in england is when people are drunk so they may not regognize you.

 

[mrscott137]

Well I'm Scottish, and along with the French and Welsh and most European countries, we bloody love you guys, so id vote yes :L

 

[Danik93]

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).

Everyone knows if you are a Brit... Just look for the guy that looks like a lobster!

 

[Kair]

If you did so only to distance yourself from an American (and not out of national pride) I would be less sceptical of you.

Society forms the human, and a paranoid, unintelligent and selfish society forms a paranoid, unintelligent and selfish human. The exceptions know better than to object to this general rule.

You would not have to wear anything in particular though because I could tell if you were Canadian by your accent.

 

[dex-dex]

and you enjoy SCTV? nice!

I've never watched it properly because it was from years before I was born and is never shown in the UK. I've only ever really watched Bob and Doug on youtube and I only found out about it because I looked up Rick Moranis one day for no real reason.

But yeah, that sketch is fairly hilarious

It was also before my time. but my dad actually got me watching it. it has it's hits and misses but it is pretty good.
I personally love edith prickley.