How should we characterise Canadians?

[Jenn! 918]

I'll admit that I've used it before, as have some of my friends.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I'll admit that I've used it before, as have some of my friends.

*gasp*

did it work?

Daniel

:energetic:

[mawilson 2,133]

come one mawilson, even you can admit that most americans won't fake their nationality because some euro-pansy looks down on them

I'm not so sure. "Most Americans" don't travel to Euro-pansy-land to be looked down

upon, and many of those who do, are full of idiotic preconceived romantic notions

of Europe and Europeans.

[Jenn! 918]

I'll admit that I've used it before, as have some of my friends.

*gasp*

did it work?

Daniel

:energetic:

It often worked when I didn't want to get into a conversation about Bush.

[no name 1]

My sense is it that was more something people did when going somewhere where they were afraid of anti-American sentiment. I am not surprised that you haven't encountered it, because 'pretty common among undergrads' doesn't translate into a large percentage of American tourists, and 'pretty common' doesn't entail universal. Certainly my friends who studied abroad in England didn't.

But I first heard of this phenomenon in college when I asked someone why she had a Canadian flag on her backpack, and she said apologetically it was something her mother thought was a good idea from the summer when she went to France. Another friend did it when he traveled to the Middle East and Egypt. Plus you've got the person's experience in the MP office (which we're discounting for some reason because...?) It's something I've heard students discussing post 9/11.

So, my vote is for 'not urban legend' but 'not universal.'

You think an entire family will go to the trouble to fake being Canadian? Last time I checked most US tourists (non-undergrads) are using fancy hotels & normal suitcases, not flag bearing backpacks.

We are discounting the MP office experience because it's from a Canadian's view, from inside - not actually as an American traveller(s), with (non-flag bearing) backpacks & all.

And yes, I would be more afraid in the Middle East but I still not put a flag on my backpack from any country. I've never seen anyone put a flag on a backpack, except Canadians. Brits don't. Euopeans don't. Aussie/Kiwis don't. Common sense will take a traveller far.

I lived in England for 2 years as a student, so if undergrads were doing it I probably would have encountered it. I didn't.

Me neither, in my 2 years there.

I'm not saying it never happens, I just think it's much, much rarer than people are suggesting here. It's something I hear all the time (usually from Canadians) and experience just doesn't bear it out.

Edited August 28, 2007 by devilette

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I'll admit that I've used it before, as have some of my friends.

*gasp*

did it work?

Daniel

:energetic:

It often worked when I didn't want to get into a conversation about Bush.

ahhh gotcha. so if clinton wins in 08, does the number of 'fake canadians' go down?

*ahem* anywho.... canadians are nice ppl.

Daniel

:energetic:

[no name 1]

I'll admit that I've used it before, as have some of my friends.

*gasp*

did it work?

Daniel

:energetic:

It often worked when I didn't want to get into a conversation about Bush.

Did you use a flag on your backpack tho, or just say u were a Canuk?

I say, 'No speak (insert language here)' myself.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I'll admit that I've used it before, as have some of my friends.

*gasp*

did it work?

Daniel

:energetic:

It often worked when I didn't want to get into a conversation about Bush.

Did you use a flag on your backpack tho, or just say u were a Canuk?

I say, 'No speak (insert language here)' myself.

very sly. B)

I'll have to use that sometime. Do you use the wrong language on purpose? Say if you are in Germany, sya: I don't speak Polish.

get them all riled up that way no?

Daniel

:energetic:

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If Americans are pretending be from somewhere else in Europe (which really, this is about) they might want to consider otherwise

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2137729.stm

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I'll have to use that sometime. Do you use the wrong language on purpose? Say if you are in Germany, sya: I don't speak Polish.

Or better yet, claim not to speak German in Poland.

A British friend of mine who lives in Krakow said there has been a spate of attacks on British tourists recently there. Whatever opinions of Americans we are more beloved than British stag parties.

[no name 1]

Whatever opinions of Americans we are more beloved than British stag parties.

For sure.

[almaty 19]

yes, the british are seen at the Huns in the middle ages..full of piss and vingear

[Marilyn. 340]

We are discounting the MP office experience because it's from a Canadian's view, from inside - not actually as an American traveller(s), with (non-flag bearing) backpacks & all.

but in her experience she said that there were some Americans that were coming asking for Canadian stuff and when asked why they said it was because they were traveling abroad...

no one is saying it happens all the time but t happens on occasion...

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Or better yet, claim not to speak German in Poland.

oooh you are mean one.

A British friend of mine who lives in Krakow said there has been a spate of attacks on British tourists recently there. Whatever opinions of Americans we are more beloved than British stag parties.

interesting. note to self: never praise the queen in Poland.

Daniel

:energetic:

[no name 1]

who said we are mocking?? the magority of the mocking is being done against the Canadians...

post 31, 47, 69, 70, 73....I can go on.

I don't know if most people are aware but most of us Canadians didn't move to the US because we wanted to be Americans, we moved here because our SO's happened to be Americans...

No one said you wanted to be Americans...? LPRs, yes.