Do You Try To Hide Your Nationality?
 

I've been thinking about making this thread and I think I'll put it in the Lounge also. But after reading the thread of the lady trying to figure out what to wear and not look like a tourist increased my desire to ask.


There have been times I've been mistaken for being a local be it international or domestic. But that depends on the day I guess,be it I'm touring or just hanging out relaxing where I am.
When I went to the Olympics in Italy,I carried my Flag bag and had my USA scarf when I went to the games and switched up and dressed regularly,the way I like to dress when I travel,cute. ;)

I know most on here are seasoned travelers and it seemed there was some division as to this subject.

So do you?

No, whatever for? But the question is asked here every now and then. There was a lengthy thread about this not too long ago.

Do I try to hide my nationality? Absolutely not, why would I? I have sometimes in Italy been taken as an Italian but I believe that is because I have been wearing clothes and shoes from Italy. The cut of their clothes are a bit different. But as soon as I start to speak of course it is obviouse I am not an Italian. I feel sorry for anyone that tries to hide their nationality.

I think people don't want to look like a tourist as in "easy target." I have an Asian face and I think I dress like a typical American, but for the most part I try to blend in with whatever country I am headed for. I'm always amazed at the number of people (locals included) who think I'm local at the destination.

Fashions are the same these days in every country and are adapted by chains like H&M and Anthropologie. So it's only when we speak, so there is no hiding.

Well, to the extent that I speak a couple of European languages fluently and without accent and own a home in France and am part of the local scene there and have been for 16 years, yes, I guess I do.

I don't dress in any way that would suggest that I'm American, I speak pretty much fluent French and Italian and very good German, and most of the time I am not even suspected of being American, so I kind of go along with those suppositions and let people assume I'm a native until something gives me away, if it does.

I'm generally very content to be taken for a European if only because it validates the incredibly hard work my many language professors put into teaching me. I'm also something of a clothes maven and love to buy my clothes in Europe and dress the way that I see European women dressing, so even at home in American I never look like "an American tourist."
I went to a business meeting at the World Bank on Friday and two different people commented "you look more French every time I see you," so I guess I've absorbed something of French culture along the way. I was, in fact, wearing a skirt and sweater I'd bought in France and shoes I'd bought in Italy, but at this point in my life most of the clothes I wear come from Europe or are of European manufacture, so that makes sense.

I guess after all these years of travel and being a homeowner in Europe I don't really have a particular identity, but I probably look and act more European than American at the end of the day.

I don't speak any language fluently but have always worn French fashion and worked in the field to be able to afford quenching my thirst, so I usually am taken for French but...my
last trip to Paris, a French lady stopped me to ask directions to a famed boutique, I answered in French to excuse me as I was a tourist and didn't know where it was. Well, she was miffed at not recognizing me as an American. But so what, Paris is Paris, I lov Paris< I am an American and I think it's all Ok.

Yes and no.

In as much as I'm highly irritated by American backpackers who put Canadian flags on their backpacks, then no. I'm very proud to be an American. I would never hide it like that.

In many ways, traveling around the world has reinforced to me that my country is one of the best places in the world. Besides, in many of the places I like to travel, there's no way I could hide it (save for that Canadian flag I suppose).

On the other hand, if I'm mistaken for a local in Europe, I'm very flattered (and yes, it happens occasionally). :-) It just means to me that in some way, like StCirq, I've managed to adopt a style I admire.

My husband and I have been known to speak Spanish to each other while traveling. But this is not to try to "pass" as local, but rather to hide from the obnoxious Americans sitting next to us.
I know, sounds horrible, but neither one of us wanted to engage in conversation with the people who were complaining loudly about the locals and how "different" everything was there. We just wanted to eat in peace.

Hi

No, I'm proud to be from Norway so I don't make any attemp to hide it :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

In Scandinavia and Germany they assume I am a local.

Best compliment I ever had was in a restaurant in SW France: I had taken a week-long course in conversational French. I ordered in French and the waiter asked if I was Swiss.

My husband and I have been known to speak Spanish to each other while traveling. But this is not to try to "pass" as local, but rather to hide from the obnoxious Americans sitting next to us.
I know, sounds horrible, but neither one of us wanted to engage in conversation with the people who were complaining loudly about the locals and how "different" everything was there. We just wanted to eat in peace.

This sounds like a throw back to the 1960's. This whole loud, complaining american line is so untrue and over done.

Nope, I am me and I am an American. I am sure people know I am a tourist and that is fine, I don't live there, I am just visiting.

Being identified as an Australian has never done me any harm, so the answer is no.

Are there really American backpackers who try to masquerade as Canadians, or is that just an urban myth? If these people exist, what are they afraid of? Being kidnapped and tortured to reveal the secret herbs and spices the Colonel uses?

My husband and I once switched from speaking French (our usual language of conversation) to English so that nobody would associate us with the incredibly obnoxious, rude group of French people with us on a game drive in the Kruger park in South Africa.

And when I lived in France, while I didn't go out of my way to "hide" my nationality (British), I didn't try and advertise it either, simply because it was much easier to go about my daily business without having to answer questions about where I come from, what's it like, where did I learn French, etc? (Like St Cirq, it is fairly easy for me to pass unnoticed because I speak French without an accent so people don't guess straight away).

Now, in Brussels, it's a non-issue - I don't think anybody would care where I came from, given the number of different nationalities living here anyway.

I agree with SeaUrchin, to "pertend to be something I am not would be disengenuos and lacking in honesty. Traits that do not promote good feelings or relations. Being respectful of costoms, friendly, good natured, and polite are all that is needed. Why would I be affraid of who I really am. I feel sorry for those that harbor such fears. thereyet

I'm an elderly Englishwoman who dresses reasonably well and who doesn't dress any differently when I'm abroad.

I usually go to Italy once a year and find that I dress very much like Italian women of my age.
I have been mistaken for Italian, German and French.

Well, I am a tall redheaded freckled Canadian (born in England) and despite my French clothes, and 13 years of living in France no one here would ever think I was French. There are certain accepted national 'looks' - whether or not they are true, and most Anglo-Saxons don't look like most Mediterraneans. So when I go to a market where I'm not known, people will often start off speaking to me in English - I think they are also often happy to be practicing English.

What most people object to is not nationality, but the actions that are often associated with it. Loud, unsympathetic English speakers who complain about local customs will never be welcomed. But even at the height of the 'misunderstanding' between France and the US, most people I know made a distinction between the government and individuals, and were very happy to welcome people who appreciated the differences between the countries.

Do I try to hide my nationality - No, why should i?

Could I hide my nationality - probably not. I am very English - so I'll usually be sunburned and dressed in a manner to frighten stylish children.

In another thread i had to find a picture of what an American tourist looks like and I found this chap - who's far too good to keep to myself:

http://nolans.net/news/images/Tourist.GIF

Audere, I think that guy looks pretty good. If he would lose the color he would blend right in. Note to self, don't bring the very colorful backpack, stick to shades of grey and earth tones. thereyet

The alternative to hiding your nationality ISN'T wearing an "I'm American" (or "I'm French" or "Im from Azerbaijan") scarf and carrying a "flag bag", whatever that might be.

The real alternative is to leave these comfort blankets at home. Even if you live in a country that fetishises displays of nationalism, it's ill-mannered in the extreme to continue this bizarre behaviour when you're someone else's guest.

If travelling abroad, leave your flags (and any Canadian ones you happen to have) at home. The rest of us regard this nonsense as best left to the kind of football supporters that get a permanent police escort.

Interesting thread...I'm starting to think maybe I shouldn't continue wearing my Lederhosen when travelling on the Underground.

We don't hide our nationality. We don't flaunt it. If the topic comes up, fine. If it doesn't come up, fine. It's just a non-issue to us.

I think some American's need to tone it down a bit when they travel. We don't need to wave the American Flag or the Canadian flag all over Europe. I try to dress like the locals dress. I get annoyed when I see Americans walking around showing their bare bellys or walking into churches with sleeveless tops and shorts. And I'm not going to laugh at the European men for wearing those tiny bathing suits on the beach. Life is too short for that.

I'm not going to deny to anyone that I'm from the States, but you won't catch me wearing a "Hooter's Hat" or tacky American t-shirt in Europe.

Traveling in France, Italy, and Spain, I would be pegged as an American, I guess, if the natives bothered to think about it, which the overwhelming majority, going about their daily lives, assuredly don’t.

Occasionally, I will ask for directions or for other assistance on the street in the native language of that country, or at least attempt to, and get a reply that’s far too complicated for me to understand. (But we somehow always manage to work it out.)

One time in Toledo some French school children on a field trip asked me for directions in French, and I broke out laughing. They also spoke English, but I still couldn’t help them.

you won't catch me wearing a "Hooter's Hat">>>>>>

A what?

Northshore-that's really unfair. It's not a "throwback to the 60's", but instead unfortunately true. Every time I travel, I'm shocked at the clueless travelers out there. And no, they are not always American, but in the case I was referring to, they were. And I know if they'd heard us speak American accented English, they would have spoken to us, just as they did to the strangers at the other table next to them.
Believe me, there are loud, obnoxious travelers everywhere, of <i>every </i>nationality, but in terms of hiding my own nationality (which was the original question), the only time I've ever done it was to hide from one of my own.

The only time I've ever given the issue any thought was when we encountered a huge anti-war/anti-Bush demonstration in Paris on the first anniversary of the US bombing of Iraq. We were sort of walking against the crowd and the kids were a bit frightened. I just told them to keep their mouths shut and no one would know we were Americans-probably not true, with the kids decks out in their colorful coats from Lands End, but it made them feel better.

&quot;a tall redheaded freckled Canadian '
- just like my husband.

He is always presumed to be an American in Europe (and even Australia).
I don't know if it is because of the the way he looks or because he'll wear shorts anywhere if the temp. is over 70 degrees.
My only consolations : he has the legs for it!

Nah. Wherever I go, I try to be the &quot;best&quot; representative of my city/state/country. No country/nationality has the monopoly on kindness, sensitivity, and intelligence or its opposites: meanness, insensitivity, and stupidity.

I think it's a lost cause. If I was required to say anything my Southern accent would give me away immediately.

I just try to be respectful of other cultures. I know I am not a member!

I know I look like a tourist (I don't were jeans or white tennis shoes) but the looking up, the map, the camera, etc...

Nthea has the right idea. Kindness, good manners and consideration are not the monopoly of any one nationality or race. I am an American and proud of it but I won't be rude to anyone if I can help it. My heritage is mixed American and Cuban, my husbands...German and American, my children a mix of it all. Why should we complain about other cultures and why should we hide who we are? We go visit another country to learn about the people and to appreciate another culture. It is probably quite obvious that we are tourists and that is alright with me.

No I would not try to hide my nationality (American), but I am very American looking so I doubt I could even if I wanted to.
I think I dress more fashionably on vacation no matter where I go. I tend to save my newer outfits for my trips. So, I am better dressed, but still American! :)

No, not at all. Why would I? I don't walk into a place and announce that I'm American but if asked I have no problem saying so.

&quot;I don't speak any language fluently &quot;

Cigalechanta - your English is pretty good

The most talented makeup and wardrobe artists from Hollywood couldn't hide my nationality with an Oscar on the table as their prize for successfully pulling it off! :)

MvK

I enjoy dressing up in Europe and trying to blend in. But, growing up in Orlando, Florida, I've seen my share of tourists from many countries. Maybe they were trying to look &quot;American&quot; :) but even French and Italian tourists appeared to be dressed for comfort and convenience, rather than for style.

&lt;I don't were jeans or white tennis shoes&gt;

Well, I haven't been all over Europe, but jeans and white tennis shoes can be found on the locals in Ireland, the UK and Switzerland. It's crazy to suggest that Europeans don't wear jeans.

Bill

&quot;If I was required to say anything my Southern accent would give me away immediately.&quot; Do you really think a person from, say, Italy, who spoke no English at all, could detect your Southern (US) and distiguish it from an English speaker from Canada or New Zealand? I certainly doubt that I could distiguish a person from Quebec speaking French from someone from Paris, although I'm sure there must be differences.

I'd like to hear from some Japanese Americans who have visited Europe...I'm wondering if they are mistaken for Japanese tourists, or if everyone knows they are American.

I'd also like to hear from African American tourists...Do Europeans assume you are from the US, or from an African nation?

My assumption is that Americans tend to have an American look, no matter their race or coloring. Is that generally correct?

My assumption is that Americans tend to have an American look, no matter their race or coloring. Is that generally correct?
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

I think so - hence my obsession with American Hair.

missypie wrote: &quot;My assumption is that Americans tend to have an American look, no matter their race or coloring. Is that generally correct?&quot;

Yes. It's the teeth -- big and white and shiny and terrifying.