I know that apparently, some American travelers put Canadian flags on their luggage or carry on then claiming they’re from Canada (the dead giveaway on debunking this is their passport, since how can you be “Canadian” when you have US citizenship unless you’re a dual citizen in possession of both nationalities) since some of them have hatred towards the US or feel ashamed of the country due to its internal affairs.

  • Archangel1313@lemmy.ca
    4·
    2 hours ago

    This was definitely a thing back in the early 2000’s, after the US went on its global rampage against brown folks. It wasn’t safe to let people know you were from the US. It also had the unintended consequence of making Canadians look bad, due to the association with rude assholes putting Canadian flags all over their gear.

  • fratermus@piefed.socialEnglish
    5·
    4 hours ago

    When I was stationed in [the former West] Germany in the 80s one of the guys in my platoon was an avid & considerate traveler. He never claimed to be Canadian but

    • he had a Canadian flag patch on his traveling pack
    • listened to the Dayglo Abortions and knew all the words to Proud to be a Canadian

    He didn’t want to lumped in with “Ugly American” a-holes. And he wasn’t. Probably more due his considerate behavior than flag patch but who knows.

    Other proof of his excellence: he took me to my first Fields of the Nephilim, Sisters of Mercy, and Nitzer Ebb shows.

  • Malica@lemmy.zip
    1·
    2 hours ago

    I’m not a liar, but I can see the appeal. Luckily, I also have an EU passport to hide behind, should I want to. Also, other Americans should know that there are many tells that will out them if they try.

  • josephc@lemmy.ml
    6·
    6 hours ago

    If confronted at a bar I’d consider it for basically all the reasons you mentioned. When I send updates to my friends in France or Ireland or China I find myself apologizing for wherever embarrassing things we’ve done most recently.

  • rbos@lemmy.caEnglish
    17·
    8 hours ago

    Canadians don’t wear Canadian flags, it’s almost always an American.

    Used to be you could spot us by MEC or Roots gear, but they’re both enshittified now.

  • hedders@fedia.io
    4·
    7 hours ago

    Only heard about this anecdotally, but it’s plausible that it would work. People who aren’t from North America often have trouble distinguishing at least some American accents (generally the more northern ones) from Canadian accents. Like, you won’t get away with it if you’re from Texas or Louisiana or some such, but if you talk like Dan Rather or David Sedaris you can pass for Canadian in most places that aren’t Canada.

  • Medic8me@piefed.caEnglish
    17·
    11 hours ago

    Traveled Europe in the 90’s with a backpack. It was pretty common then. I met loads of Americans claiming to be Canadian. As a travelled Canadian myself it was fairly obvious to me but some insisted it was worthwhile. It certainly fell off over the years I traveled however.

  • Tomtits@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    282·
    12 hours ago

    I’ve had Americans here in Spain ask me to speak English as they don’t speak Spanish.

    I was speaking to them in English. I am English

    Just cements the proof they often respond without thinking

    • Fondots@lemmy.world
      5·
      4 hours ago

      Just kind of flipping that script a little, I work in 911 dispatch, and we get a lot of calls from Spanish speakers.

      Sometimes we’re lucky enough to have a Spanish speaking dispatcher on duty, so if they’re not on another call, I can transfer them over, and almost without fail the conversation goes like this

      Me (English): 911, where is your emergency?

      Caller (broken English): uh… Speak Spanish?

      Me (broken Spanglish): ok, let me get you a Spanish speaker, un momento Transfers caller

      Spanish Dispatcher (in Spanish): 911 where is your emergency?

      Caller: Ok

      Spanish Dispatcher: repeats in Spanish

      Caller: uh… Speak Spanish?

      Spanish Dispatcher (in Spanish): Yes sir (or ma’am,) I’m speaking to you in Spanish, where is your emergency?

      Caller: oh! continues in Spanish

  • FriendOfDeSoto@startrek.websiteEnglish
    46·
    15 hours ago

    I remember meeting some masquerading Americans during the Iraq war. These were backpackers in SE Asia.

    You only show your passport at the border or maybe when you get a car or a hotel room. That leaves a lot of time to pretend being Canadian everywhere else.

    That being said, I just saw a comedy bit where this was recommended to Americans. I think it’s more meme than happening IRL today.

  • Hanrahan@slrpnk.netEnglish
    151·
    14 hours ago

    I’m embarrassed to be an Australian and always say I am from New Zealand when travelling.

  • susieq0044@sh.itjust.works
    191·
    15 hours ago

    Very few US Americans seem to visit Europe these days. Even at the big tourist attractions you don’t hear or see them much. Some Canadian flags are visible - my personal conclusion is that US Americans are (finally) trying to blend in more: dressing better, keeping their voices down. Their usual loud bravado is gone. To distinguish between a Canadian and US American doesn’t require asking for their passports: just ask a question in French, most Canadians will understand at least a bit of French.