Canadian flag on backpack

[vandoo]

An interesting topical story - an american company selling a travel kit...to disguise you as a Canadian!
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/ameri ... index.html

[Buckee]

Verrrrryyy nice. I especially liked the part at the end where they translate the meaning of "deke out of a meeting"! Who the heck says deke?

[Brenda]

Who says deke? Anyone commenting on a goal must have used the phrase "deked out of his jockstrap" at least once. I know I've heard it round the rink a few hundred times.

In reference to a meeting though? Never!

[Jeggoes]

I don't see a problem with putting the flag on your backpack. Based on my experience, Americans are not as welcomed as they think... many times I have been told so by a number of different nationalities (it because of the tourist dollars they do not want to offend). Canadians may be naive at the start, but we are quick learners and are appreciated for our openness and acceptance of cultures. The perception of Americans has been long standing and the foreign policy that the US gov't continues to support will not alleviate it in the near future. Sad really - when a gov't politics influences how their people are treated or perceived. But the americans voted them in..... This isn't merely my own opinion, but of others' I have spoken with on this topic.

[|--Joey--|]

I'm going to backpack Europe for 4 weeks in December. There'll be a stretch of my trip where I'll be travelling solo through Italy, Austria, and Germany. Is it safe to leave my canadian flag on the back of my pack, or is it an invitation to getting robbed?

I'm American. im actually a soldier in the United States Air Force. I do lots of traveling overseas (business and leisure) Pretty much anywhere i go people give me dirty looks before they meet me. they will also play jokes when im asking for directions. pointing me all over town. It would be nice if people saw you as a person first besides someone behind a certain flag. unfortunately, that isn't the case. Sometimes i'll tell them im Canadian and it's like im in a whole different world.
So. i just bought a small Canadian flag patch and its going on my backpack this week. im in Korea right now and going to Australia for leisure in a couple weeks. i'll bet i won't be bothered with half as much.

[Scootter]

Geez pkennedy you make it seem like I should be ashamed to be a Canadian-American.

Not at all, only the American half of you should be ashamed. but only if you're pro_Bush.

[wyatt]

I have lived abroad for several years now and can honestly say I will ask people if they are from Canada when I see a small flag/Pin/sticker ect but if they are sporting something oversize I won't ask. I don't wear any Canadian stuff, other then my Toronto Maple leafs shirts

[travoholic]

The only thing more annoying that a 'typical American' (and they do exist!) is a Canadian with a superiority complex! Americans do get the piss ripped out of them behind their backs but with the flag on your pack you probably will as well.

I doubt very much that a flag will prevent you from getting robbed or keep you safer. It just makes me cringe everytime I see it. Although I have to say that there are plenty of other countries doing the flag/backpack thing. Aussies, Kiwis and Scandinavians spring to mind. Somehow though it's less annoying when they do it.

Do what you want but I think the flag is pretty cliche. If your intention is to meet other Canadians, why not be a bit more creative with it. Stick a Tim Horton's or hockey-related patch on there or something.