Americans Pretending to Be Canadian While Traveling
One Canadian radio host commented on a recurring trend: “It’s like clockwork. The world gets mad at America, and Americans go, ‘Oh no, quick! To the maple leaves!’” This behavior, known as flag-jacking, involves Americans adopting Canadian symbols to avoid negative treatment abroad.
What Is Flag-Jacking?
Flag-jacking is when U.S. travelers display Canadian flags on backpacks, luggage stickers, or tags to pass as Canadians. The goal is to dodge criticism or hostility in places where America’s political stance is unpopular.
Historical Context
- The practice dates back to the Vietnam War, when young American backpackers stitched Canadian flag patches onto their gear while hitchhiking in Europe.
- It resurfaced prominently during the 1990s and 2000s amid the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.
Popular Culture Reference
“Well, some people in Europe have the impression that America has made some stupid choices in the past, oh, five years. So, for the next week, I’m from Canada.” – Lisa Simpson in a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, explaining flag-jacking to her brother Bart while arriving in Italy.
Current Trends
As the international opinion of the Trump White House remains negative, American travelers are again purchasing Canadian maple leaf patches and stickers to blend in as Canadians when abroad.
Author’s Summary
This longstanding trend of Americans posing as Canadians during politically tense times highlights travelers’ desire to avoid global backlash by adopting Canada’s friendly image.