Canadian and American Identities

[queequek]

OK. So we had this session for Study Abroad this summer, and we were discussing lots of issues: health, insurance, safety tips, and the whole nine yard.
Then, we reached the current events issue, about safety and abroad. Thus, our advisor suggested us to be "Canadian", meaning that we need to introduce ourselves as Canadian rather than as American abroad. We were suggested to deny ourselves to be American.

I mean, WTF? I understand that not so many people too fond with Americans, but I think "borrowing" other national's identities was wrong. Especially after we often time ridicule Canada.
Maybe if we are going to Afganistan or in that area. But going to Rome? London? Germany?

Chicken out? Maybe for safety reason?
Pride and honor as an American?
What do you guys think?

[SoCalGirl]

Long before Iraq Americans would say they were Canadians when travelling abroad.

People think you're friendlier if you're Canadian.

[texas*princess]

This might be long and it might not make any sense, but I'm tired.

I kind of think of it this way, even though the two situations (the one I'm about to describe, and your situation) may not be exact parallels, but I kind of think along these lines.

For some people who go to very anti-Greek schools, are they going to parade around campus and claim to be non-greeks just because they other people may think they are not <insert any typical negative Greek stereotype here>??? would that be right? Probably not. If they don't understand what being Greek is, and yet automatically judge anyone walking by wearing letters or any other Greek shirt based on very narrow stereotypes, then that is just ignorant.

Same thing goes for pretending to be Canadian because other people might automatically think you are nicer because you didn't tell them you were American. Or whatever the case may be.


on a lighter note:
Maybe I'm just uninformed, but I don't understand why your security would be at risk in Rome or London?

I think I could understand Germany

hehehe j/k

[Lady Pi Phi]

I understand why your advisor told you to identify as a Canadian. Many Europeans dislike Americans. Whether there is a war or not. Serveral places you will often find a warmer even extremely gracious wlecome if they know you are a Canadian (Holland for example).

But all I can say is DON"T YOU DARE!

[TechAPhi]

I agree with Lady Pi Phi: "Don't you dare!"

Be proud of your nationality. Prove to others by the way you conduct yourself that their disdain for Americans is unwarrented. Show them by the way you live that Americans have just as much class as they do.

And have fun abroad! I toured all over Europe (including France, which is supposedly full of American-haters) and never had a problem.

[MSSTCY1]

Originally posted by SoCalGirl
Long before Iraq Americans would say they were Canadians when travelling abroad.

People think you're friendlier if you're Canadian.

I completely agree... It's true. It's VERY sad, but the fact of the matter is, you are safer and apparently "nicer" if people think that you are canadian.

I am not saying that I agree that this is 'right,' but I do believe that for your own good you should lie.

[moe.ron]

Saya kira kamu orang Indonesia.

[LeslieAGD]

Originally posted by TechAPhi
I agree with Lady Pi Phi: "Don't you dare!"

Maybe these Americans claiming to be Canadians are the ones giving Canadians a "friendlier" image. Go as yourself...as a proud American, be respectful and curteous, and portray a "friendly" American image. Europeans aren't going to see a better image of Americans if we hide who we are.

[navane]

Ok, I'm an American living in Europe and I haven't had people disliking me. I mean, a few colleagues have wanted to pick my brain on the subject of war, but it's not as if people spit on me in the street!

I don't think telling people that you're Canadian will really do much for you. I understand the logic behind that, but come on now. Summer is tourist season and people expect to find tourists in their cities.

If anything, an American could make things *worse* by saying that they are Canadian. A lot of people here in England have relatives in Canada or have been to Canada etc. How lame would it be if they were like, "Oh, you're from Toronto? My cousin lives in Toronto! What do you think of such and such neighbourhood?" and you have no answer 'cause you're making it all up. They might find out your game and then think that Americans are a bunch of lying twats who are too ashamed to admit their nationality.

Claiming to be Canadian might work in Saudi Arabia or a similar place...but it's not really necessary here.


.....Kelly

[moe.ron]

don't be that "ugly"American. Just be cool and respect the country and you'll be fine.

Funny story bout "ugly" American tourist. I was with this tour group (I will never ever be in another tour group ever, I rather see a country on my own) and these 2 people from Ohio were commenting on how Paris was similar to Cleveland. They kept on saying how we have this in Cleveland, that in Cleveland, and how Paris is as buetifull as Cleveland. Me and another guy got really annoyed and we told them to shut up. And we receive a standing ovation from the group.

[Optimist Prime]

I tell people here I'm Canadian. Overseas, I pretend to be British.

[sugar and spice]

Originally posted by texas*princess

For some people who go to very anti-Greek schools, are they going to parade around campus and claim to be non-greeks just because they other people may think they are not <insert any typical negative Greek stereotype here>??? would that be right? Probably not. If they don't understand what being Greek is, and yet automatically judge anyone walking by wearing letters or any other Greek shirt based on very narrow stereotypes, then that is just ignorant.

Same thing goes for pretending to be Canadian because other people might automatically think you are nicer because you didn't tell them you were American. Or whatever the case may be.

It's not a good analogy because, as a Greek on an anti-Greek campus, you can't go around hiding who you are for years and years. If you're an American travelling in Europe, you only have to disguise your "American-ness" for a couple weeks at a time.

Plus, as a Greek on an anti-Greek campus, while I don't DENY that I'm Greek if someone asks, I do avoid wearing letters to class or mentioning most sorority activities because of the unfair stereotyping that many professors, TAs and other students will do to me. I've had sisters who had professors pick on them in class when they were wearing letters. Is that fair? No. But it happens.

Obviously those of us who are Americans travelling in Europe don't HAVE to say we're Canadian, and I doubt that most of us would do it. But it definitely does minimize the risk and will probably make people treat you better. If you don't care about that, then don't tell people you're Canadian.

[Optimist Prime]

I am a citizen of the world and sovereign of where ever I happen to be at the moment.

[cash78mere]

i am too proud of my nationality to ever deny it. i would never want to be anything but american

[Kevin]

Maybe in someplace like Paris... But in Germany or many other places? Hell no -- in my experience they love us! Even in France. Not too fond of Bush but otherwise very friendly.

I remember being at a Bar (think it's called a bierhall) in Munich. Essentially it's a huge room with picnic tables. They just seat you down next to whoever and ya'll get drunk together.

We didn't speak a word of german and the germans at our table didn't speak english very well at all -- great people though! Ended up with business cards and them telling us that we should definitely show up for Octoberfest!

In Orleans a lady took like 30 minutes out of her day to find us a parking spot! I think we take it too personally when we're treated bad in other countries. I think tourists get essentially looked down upon in tourist-frequented areas. Get off the beaten path a bit and people are very hospitable in my experience.