Americans travelling as Canadians

[Andem]

Americans travelling as Canadians with a new 'Go Canadian' package on sale

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (AP) -- An American T-shirt company has a solution for their fellow citizens who want to vacation in Europe without having to answer questions about U.S. politics -- pose as Canadians.

For $24.95, T-shirtKing.com offers the "Go Canadian" package, full of just the kind of things an American traveler needs to leave their country and its politics behind.

While I think it's kind of cool that Americans want to pose as Canadians just so they can get around without hassle, but how does that make us look if we're travelling with Canada flags on our back? Will Canadians be snubbed like Americans are once this news travels across Europe and Asia? I'd really like to be able to travel with our flag on my luggage and backpack without hassles.. but this might just create them.

*sigh*

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

Too late Andem. This news has already reached Europe. I read it this morning in the newspaper.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Americans travelling

So what are Canadians supposed to do if they want to travel in Europe now? Wear a New Zealand flag and speak with a fake accent?

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

I'm afraid so.

 

[aupook]

As a canadian, I like travelling around the world pretending I am a canadian to, I think if more people did that it would be a much better world. If you are in doubt, go ask the dutch.

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

How do you mean aupook?

 

[sj007]

well its an intresting idea but i think if ur american u should atleast tryto explain ur countys actions or ucan sayi dont want to talk about it better just to not but a flag at all insted of posing
the subject wuz on the front page of the gazette yesterday

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

Should an American explain her or his country's position when they are on a trip in a foreign country sj007?

 

[sj007]

do they have to advertise that thier american?

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

The have that right, yes, in my opinion. When they're only a trip, I don't see the point in hiding their identity.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Americans travelling

I get the feeling that most of the Americans who care enough about the rest of the world to travel aren't Bush supporters anyway. What can they possibly explain? They don't understand what happened to their country either.

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

But do they HAVE to explain?

 

[Andem]

I think it's usually obvious if someone is American the second they open their mouth, usually before. Sometimes Canadians are not as obvious, but more often or not, Canadians can usually say it up front "I'm Canadian eh!" and your day just got a lot brighter!

I never usually have the problem for long, as after about spending one week in a place, I fit in and feel like home

 

[zenfisher]

Rick, I don't understand why you would expect the average citizen of any country to explain the actions of their particular government. Unless, of course, they are leaders in the government.

If they live in a democracy, they have little or no control over what their elected officials do after being elected. If they live with any another form of governing power...they often have less control. How could anyone explain what is beyond their control.

As for the actual election of a particular individual... One person, one vote. They can only validate their reasons for voting the way they did. The rest is speculation.

With that being said... travelling, with a Canadian flag on their person is not only a great form of flattery, it is an advertisement or invitation for people to come to Canada. Tourist dollars help the economy. That creates a stronger, more self reliant Canada. As Canada becomes less reliant on American trade, it positons it self as a more viable trading partner with many countries. I don't see that as being a bad thing.

 

[Diamond Sun]

Will Canadians be snubbed like Americans are once this news travels across Europe and Asia? I'd really like to be able to travel with our flag on my luggage and backpack without hassles.. but this might just create them.

*sigh*

It might create that initial first doubt in their eyes as to whether you are "really" Canadian, but once you open your mouth, trying their language, saying please, thank you, they'll know. Canadians are easily recognizable even without our flags.

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

Rick, I don't understand why you would expect the average citizen of any country to explain the actions of their particular government. Unless, of course, they are leaders in the government.

zenfisher, I agree. I don't expect an average citizen to do that either. I was reacting to sj007 first, and after that I just wanted to know your opinion about this. I didn't insinuate that I expect this from an average citizen, and if I did, then that was not my intention, absolutely not. My opinion is quite the opposite to that, just like your opinion: when an American, Canadian or Chinese or any foreign national travels to another country, they should not be "forced" to explain their country's position. Not only because they are not responsible for the actions of their government, but come on, a tourist should not be worried about this when they go on a trip to a foreign country.

 

[Martin Le Acadien]

Rick, I don't understand why you would expect the average citizen of any country to explain the actions of their particular government. Unless, of course, they are leaders in the government.

zenfisher, I agree. I don't expect an average citizen to do that either. I was reacting to sj007 first, and after that I just wanted to know your opinion about this. I didn't insinuate that I expect this from an average citizen, and if I did, then that was not my intention, absolutely not. My opinion is quite the opposite to that, just like your opinion: when an American, Canadian or Chinese or any foreign national travels to another country, they should not be "forced" to explain their country's position. Not only because they are not responsible for the actions of their government, but come on, a tourist should not be worried about this when they go on a trip to a foreign country.

Never had a problem, don't usually discuss politics.Like Diamond Sun says, use manners, try to speak the local language (even if its only please and thank you). Might get mistaken for a member of the human race!

 

[sj007]

Never had a problem, don't usually discuss politics.Like Diamond Sun says, use manners, try to speak the local language (even if its only please and thank you). Might get mistaken for a member of the human race!

i did a mission trip and they though i wuz from the north of the states like pensilvania then isayed i wuz canadian the rest is history, eh?[/quote]

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

I've never had any problems with my nationality when I went abroad, guess we Dutchies fit in everywhere hehehehe (actually, that is not true, but it's nice to believe that) 8)

 

[sj007]

i reread the article and the kit is supposed to be a joke to give to a friend at least that wat they said