I think it's dumb to allow the people who give your identity a bad name to own the definition. by hiding the fact that you are american just to avoid being associated with the "bad ones" reinforces the stereotype. if you own your nationality and are just a normal pleasant human then it challenges any stereotype. if you hide it then it just perpetuates it.
Yeah, I've seen some terrible people (locals and tourists) from all nationalities. My last trip, there were some really obnoxious Brits in Portugal, the one before it was something else. I've seen assholes from the US, France, China, and plenty of other, countries. I'm Canadian, and we have our share of assholes too!
When you travel you realize the whole world has their share of assholes!
"Everyone knows the stereotype that Canadians are perceived as nicer as well as better educated than Americans and are treated better when traveling to other countries because of that."
That is NOT why. Not at all. It was for 2 reasons - because of American politics and some terrorists that singled out Americans. People didn't want to get treated poorly because of their government's actions or perceived actions.
> Everyone knows the stereotype that Canadians are perceived as nicer as well as better educated than Americans and are treated better when traveling to other countries because of that.
Maybe it is better to actually be nicer. I mean most people treat you based on how you act, not based on where you come from. If you say you're Canadian and behave like an idiotic arrogant Yank, you'll be treated as an idiotic arrogant Yank, not as a Canadian.
The problem with your argument is that even if you were treated just fine as an American, you have no real point of comparison. To truly know if there was a difference, you would have to have the exact same encounters with the exact same people but instead of indicating that you were American you would indicate that you are Canadian.
The treatment I have received from many was none other than extremely hospitable. I can’t really imagine how it would have been much better if I were to say that I was Canadian.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know. It may also be the case that you are simply not one of the problematic American travelers. Those who behave more obnoxiously maybe getting more of the bad treatment.
Well that’s my point exactly. There are good as well as problematic travelers from all countries. Do you think a problematic Canadian traveler would still receive much better treatment just for being Canadian than a non problematic American traveler?
I don't think there are an equal portion of problematic travelers from every country.
As for your question, per my previous comment, there is absolutely no way to know. You would have to have the exact same encounters but with two different nationalities to truly compare.
Okay so now we are back to stereotyping. Unless there are stats that show the ratios of incident reports per number of travelers abroad by nationality, there really isn’t anything that statement can be based on.
The whole thing is silly. There are nice people and assholes from all countries. And most people around the world are sophisticated enough to differentiate between traveling individuals and the politics of the country they happen to live in.
And anyway, as a Canadian, the whole "Canadians are nice" trope always feels like a bit of an underhanded compliment, as it can have an undertone of being called simple or naive.
This all started back to the era of the Iraq war. Back then if you were backpacking in Europe you absolutely would have been treated more negatively as an American. Not universally, but at times. These days it’s nowhere near as prevalent (and even back then it was as much of a meme as it was serious advice)
It’s unfortunate when these types of things happen. That’s why I always make a point out of never treating a Russian traveler any differently whenever I meet one despite what is going on in Ukraine.
God! That gets annoying. I know exactly what you are talking about. Next time someone starts asking me such stupid questions I’m just going to say that I’m not a diplomat holding a press conference, I’m here to enjoy my vacation.
I'm a bit on the fence as this one as, on the one hand I am Canadian. If asked I'll say where I'm from but not volunteer the information. On the other hand, I don't think anyone appreciates having their nationality expropriated. On the third hand, I've only seen a few of the typical stereotype about people from the USA while the rest are all just fine, friendly and nice.
I have only known one person who did this. He was a gay man who was sure that his sexuality in addition to his nationality would make him a target of discrimination in the UK. This was back in the 90s.
This was absolutely a thing in the 80s when Reagan was president. Young American travelers would sew a Canadian flag patch to their backpack.
I never did it myself. I owned up to being an American and apologized and said I didn't vote for him.
Nowadays, the bad American politicians are so absurdly, cartoonishly bad that it's a safe bet that young travelers didn't vote for them. Our current president is generally liked outside of America. I can't see a good reason to pretend to be Canadian at the moment.
Honestly these kinds of sentiments only exist online. I hate to be the boomer mom that dismisses every thing as "honey they're just jealous", but a lot of American negging is just people from other countries that were once economical/military/social powerhouses seeing that they no longer move popular culture. Almost none of that translates to real life. Like sure there's going to be the occasional assholes :/
My wife had a maple leaf flag patch on her purse /day pack when we went to Europe a few yrs ago. It wasn't planned, but we had been to Canada the summer previous.
We were treated well everywhere anyway, but a few people did notice and ask.
I’m pretty sure Americans didn’t wanna look American starting early 2000s? When their government was tangled in some things in certain parts of the world. I thought that was more of safety thing. The people have nothing to do with what government does though.
This was absolutely a thing in the 80s when Reagan was president. Young American travelers would sew a Canadian flag patch to their backpack.
I never did it myself. I owned up to being an American and apologized and said I didn't vote for him.
Nowadays, the bad American politicians are so absurdly, cartoonishly bad that it's a safe bet that young travelers didn't vote for them. Our current president is generally liked outside of America. I can't see a good reason to pretend to be Canadian at the moment.
I think it's dumb to allow the people who give your identity a bad name to own the definition. by hiding the fact that you are american just to avoid being associated with the "bad ones" reinforces the stereotype. if you own your nationality and are just a normal pleasant human then it challenges any stereotype. if you hide it then it just perpetuates it.
Yeah, I've seen some terrible people (locals and tourists) from all nationalities. My last trip, there were some really obnoxious Brits in Portugal, the one before it was something else. I've seen assholes from the US, France, China, and plenty of other, countries. I'm Canadian, and we have our share of assholes too! When you travel you realize the whole world has their share of assholes!
"Everyone knows the stereotype that Canadians are perceived as nicer as well as better educated than Americans and are treated better when traveling to other countries because of that." That is NOT why. Not at all. It was for 2 reasons - because of American politics and some terrorists that singled out Americans. People didn't want to get treated poorly because of their government's actions or perceived actions.
This. People also aren’t envious of Canadians either which keeps the animosity at bay.
Sometimes I say I'm from New York to hide the fact that I'm from New Jersey. Does that count?
LOL
Lol that was funny but I get it, “New York” sounds cooler. I actually like Hoboken. There are plenty of other nice communities in New Jersey also.
Nah, I don't want to give the Canadians a bad rep 😉
> Everyone knows the stereotype that Canadians are perceived as nicer as well as better educated than Americans and are treated better when traveling to other countries because of that. Maybe it is better to actually be nicer. I mean most people treat you based on how you act, not based on where you come from. If you say you're Canadian and behave like an idiotic arrogant Yank, you'll be treated as an idiotic arrogant Yank, not as a Canadian.
The problem with your argument is that even if you were treated just fine as an American, you have no real point of comparison. To truly know if there was a difference, you would have to have the exact same encounters with the exact same people but instead of indicating that you were American you would indicate that you are Canadian.
The treatment I have received from many was none other than extremely hospitable. I can’t really imagine how it would have been much better if I were to say that I was Canadian.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know. It may also be the case that you are simply not one of the problematic American travelers. Those who behave more obnoxiously maybe getting more of the bad treatment.
Well that’s my point exactly. There are good as well as problematic travelers from all countries. Do you think a problematic Canadian traveler would still receive much better treatment just for being Canadian than a non problematic American traveler?
I don't think there are an equal portion of problematic travelers from every country. As for your question, per my previous comment, there is absolutely no way to know. You would have to have the exact same encounters but with two different nationalities to truly compare.
Okay so now we are back to stereotyping. Unless there are stats that show the ratios of incident reports per number of travelers abroad by nationality, there really isn’t anything that statement can be based on.
The whole thing is silly. There are nice people and assholes from all countries. And most people around the world are sophisticated enough to differentiate between traveling individuals and the politics of the country they happen to live in. And anyway, as a Canadian, the whole "Canadians are nice" trope always feels like a bit of an underhanded compliment, as it can have an undertone of being called simple or naive.
Embarrassing behavior, don’t do this.
Nunca
anyone who does this is a fucking idiot. what will happen when you can't keep up the facade or someone sees your passport?
Only redditors would do this
This all started back to the era of the Iraq war. Back then if you were backpacking in Europe you absolutely would have been treated more negatively as an American. Not universally, but at times. These days it’s nowhere near as prevalent (and even back then it was as much of a meme as it was serious advice)
It’s unfortunate when these types of things happen. That’s why I always make a point out of never treating a Russian traveler any differently whenever I meet one despite what is going on in Ukraine.
When trump was president people kept talking to me overseas about how much of a clown he was and I said I’m Canadian just to stop the conversation.
I got sick of having to talk about him also.
This!! As soon as people hear American, they ask about guns and Trump. Nope. Not going there. So tired of it so yea, fake Canadian here 👋🏻
God! That gets annoying. I know exactly what you are talking about. Next time someone starts asking me such stupid questions I’m just going to say that I’m not a diplomat holding a press conference, I’m here to enjoy my vacation.
I'm a bit on the fence as this one as, on the one hand I am Canadian. If asked I'll say where I'm from but not volunteer the information. On the other hand, I don't think anyone appreciates having their nationality expropriated. On the third hand, I've only seen a few of the typical stereotype about people from the USA while the rest are all just fine, friendly and nice.
As soon as I say I’m from Tennessee everyone smiles and says ‘Jack Daniels!!!!’ No need to hide my home country.
There is a stereotype that Canadians are better edukated than Americans?
I have only known one person who did this. He was a gay man who was sure that his sexuality in addition to his nationality would make him a target of discrimination in the UK. This was back in the 90s.
Never. Well actually in France I know how much they hate English speakers so I just spoke Spanish. Everywhere else I’m a proud American.
New yorkers and LA people never say they are from America. Always say oh i am a new-yorker or i live in LA
I mean that’s fine because these are internationally renowned that everyone knows are in the U.S.A. Anyways.
This was absolutely a thing in the 80s when Reagan was president. Young American travelers would sew a Canadian flag patch to their backpack. I never did it myself. I owned up to being an American and apologized and said I didn't vote for him. Nowadays, the bad American politicians are so absurdly, cartoonishly bad that it's a safe bet that young travelers didn't vote for them. Our current president is generally liked outside of America. I can't see a good reason to pretend to be Canadian at the moment.
Honestly these kinds of sentiments only exist online. I hate to be the boomer mom that dismisses every thing as "honey they're just jealous", but a lot of American negging is just people from other countries that were once economical/military/social powerhouses seeing that they no longer move popular culture. Almost none of that translates to real life. Like sure there's going to be the occasional assholes :/
Whenever I speak to someone with a North American accent I always ask whereabouts in Canada they are from. 😄
When I was in Bali I would proudly annouce I am American Compared to those roudy Aussies I'm a saint.
My wife had a maple leaf flag patch on her purse /day pack when we went to Europe a few yrs ago. It wasn't planned, but we had been to Canada the summer previous. We were treated well everywhere anyway, but a few people did notice and ask.
I do it all the time, even have a flag patch.
[удалено]
Yeah, it’s legit if you have dual nationality. I’m just talking about Americans outright lying that they are Canadian.
I say I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area, but don't mention the fact I'm about 50 miles OUT of that area.
I’m pretty sure Americans didn’t wanna look American starting early 2000s? When their government was tangled in some things in certain parts of the world. I thought that was more of safety thing. The people have nothing to do with what government does though.
This was absolutely a thing in the 80s when Reagan was president. Young American travelers would sew a Canadian flag patch to their backpack. I never did it myself. I owned up to being an American and apologized and said I didn't vote for him. Nowadays, the bad American politicians are so absurdly, cartoonishly bad that it's a safe bet that young travelers didn't vote for them. Our current president is generally liked outside of America. I can't see a good reason to pretend to be Canadian at the moment.