Should I wear a maple leaf?
Dec 29th, 2000, 07:00 AM
#1
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Should I wear a maple leaf?
Looking for some advice here:
I have had several friends tell me that during my trip to Europe I should identify myself as Canadian (ie. by putting a maple leaf on my backpack, etc.). The logic behind this being that many people in Europe are (what's a good word here...) nicer to Canadians than to Americans.
Has anyone here had any experience with this? Is it worthwhile, or does marking oneself so obviously as a tourist leave you vulnerable to pickpockets, etc.?
Thanks for the help,
Rob
I have had several friends tell me that during my trip to Europe I should identify myself as Canadian (ie. by putting a maple leaf on my backpack, etc.). The logic behind this being that many people in Europe are (what's a good word here...) nicer to Canadians than to Americans.
Has anyone here had any experience with this? Is it worthwhile, or does marking oneself so obviously as a tourist leave you vulnerable to pickpockets, etc.?
Thanks for the help,
Rob
Dec 29th, 2000, 07:14 AM
#2
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Rob, my luggage tags do have a maple leaf on them, but how often am I carrying my luggage? I've never had a problem - often I've been mistaken for American, but that doesn't seem to result in negative behaviour! On the other hand, once I say I'm Canadian ....... I don't know if people are nicer. I'm usually treated well no matter what.
Dec 29th, 2000, 08:14 AM
#3
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Rob, when my buddy and I first back packed to Europe in the 80's everyone told us to wear maple leaves on our luggage or maple leaf patches on our coats...and we are American! We were told the Europeans hated Americans and we would be taunted and treated badly, this was during that whole "Star Wars" era. Well we didn't wear maple leaves and we were treated fantastically by everyone.. Generally speaking, it doesn't matter if you are Canadian, Australian, German, American or Asian or whatever... if you treat people with courtesy and respect, then you shall be treated with courtesy and respect. Bon Voyage.
Dec 29th, 2000, 09:39 AM
#5
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Rob, it is a myth, perpetuated by insecure Canadians with low self esteem who are only able to define themselves by what they are not, i.e. Americans. The same sad situation as with the "Joe I am Canadian" rant. Visitors from no other country see the need to wear their nationality on their clothing.
As to your second question, you will be recognised as a tourist by where you are and what you are doing, as much as by what you are wearing.
As to your second question, you will be recognised as a tourist by where you are and what you are doing, as much as by what you are wearing.
Dec 29th, 2000, 09:46 AM
#6
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Rob
I am an American and I have been treated nicely by nearly everyone I've met in Europe. The occasional exception was, I believe, more a function of an individual's general rudeness rather than a slap at my nationality.
I never think that I am fooling anyone into believing that I am not a visitor; I just try to be neither rude nor
victimized.
I am an American and I have been treated nicely by nearly everyone I've met in Europe. The occasional exception was, I believe, more a function of an individual's general rudeness rather than a slap at my nationality.
I never think that I am fooling anyone into believing that I am not a visitor; I just try to be neither rude nor
victimized.
