Canadian?

[clevercraig]

It's amazing as my trip grows near (10 days) how many of my friends and family are telling me to say I am a Canadian when overseas. While I have nothing against Canada (hell Montreal is my favorite city in North America) I just don't think I could bring myself to do such a thing. People stress admitting I am an American will not only cause threat but it will result in poor service and disdane towards me. Having done a good deal of research and read these boards enough to know the American thing is not a big a problem as some might think, I am utterly astonished as to how many people here think the world in fact does hate us. Regardless while overseas I will not be telling people I am from Canada. I am an American.......Though I will be trying my damndest to see what's going on with the Stanley Cup Finals!

[pinion]

Dude, trust me. Just say you're American and be proud of it.

In my week I've spent in Europe I've already hung out with a few Americans and none of them have had any problems with being American. I think the whole the world hates the states is a little played up. You won't stick out in a crowd and no one will care you are American. I was so hyped to meet someone who spoke english it didn't matter where they were from!

You'll meet Aussie's & other Canucks & they'll just be happy you speak english!

[Canadian Dude]

Ya I agree, do not hide who you are, its just wrong. I would never expect anyone to do that for any reason.

If your worried about being sterio typed, just avoid the three big "sesitive" topics

Politics, Religion, "The War". You'll do fine.

[Sijuki]

Yeah, just say "I love my country, but fear my government" You will be all good.

[clevercraig]

replace the word fear with the word Loath Sijuki and you have it. The current administration is a clueless disaster.

[ChasinJason1313]

I went to Ireland last year right when the war started. Ireland was against us going to war and we were worried that people might hate us because of it. Invariably, when we walked into a pub (3 or 4 times a day) people stared. But almost every day, at least once, we started talking to the Irish and they realized that we were cool.

AS long as you let people know that you are not America's foreign policy embodied, then you won't have a problem. In fact, from my experience, they will be very interested to see an insiders view of disagreement. And letting Europeans know that most of America is against the war will hopefully help eradicate these generalizations. Just think if in 1941 you met a German travelling abroad who was not a Nazi but could tell you what it was like living in the country with one of the worst foreign policies ever.

Good luck man, stay proud, I'll be right there w/ ya doing the same thing

[chana]

I traveled extensively throughout Europe in the past year and I never had a problem. Not once did I get crap for being from the US. People are generally open minded, however I have to admit, I did say I was canadian on a few occasions. It wasn't embarassment, but saying I'm American made people ask questions. When it became a redundant routine explaining about life here, and I was tired of always talking about it, I said I was Canadian. You will totally have your own unique experience, I say just tell them where you're from, I'm willing to bet if anything you will get more inquiries from curiosity than shit stemming from animocity. Have fun.

[U2fan]

In my experiences traveling, no matter what you do, people will be able to tell you're from N. America, whether Canada or US, just from looking at you. Usually, they can say US without much of a doubt. Even though I didn't think I looked much different than the Irish, they could tell! If they can't tell by looking at you, they can tell when you open your mouth, and most in cities anyway know the difference between Canadian and US. But only if you are obnoxious and/or start bashing their country will it be problem (not that I have ever done this). Most people are smart enough to realize that just because you are from a certain country does not mean you embody that stereotype (ie yay for war). Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. More often than not, locals like talking to visitors/foreigners anyway because it's interesting!

[Diorama]

a couple of weeks ago i was in a hotel in rural fiji and this american man saw my backpack. (It says roots canada on it. roots is a popular canadian brand for those of you who don't know) He wanted to know where I got it from because he said he wanted something that said canada on it. He was going to europe in a few months. I honestly was dumbfounded. And I admit I was slightly offended as well. I think it's so silly. Why hide who you are? be american and be proud of that. I think it's wrong to hide behind another "safer" nationality. good on ya craig!