Americans Pretending to Be Canadian While Traveling
One Canadian radio host remarked,
“It’s like clockwork. The world gets mad at America, and Americans go, ‘Oh no, quick! To the maple leaves!’”
This phenomenon, known as flag-jacking, has existed for decades. It involves Americans planning international travel attaching Canadian flags to their backpacks or luggage in hopes of avoiding criticism or mistreatment abroad by posing as Canadians.
History of Flag-Jacking
The practice dates back to the Vietnam War era when young American backpackers would sew Canadian flag patches onto their backpacks and clothing while hitchhiking through Europe.
Flag-jacking resurged during the 1990s and 2000s, particularly around the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War periods.
Pop Culture Reference
In a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, Lisa Simpson explains the concept when the family arrives in Italy:
“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.”
Modern Context
With the Trump administration proving unpopular globally, many Americans planning to travel are once again purchasing red maple leaf patches and stickers online to disguise their nationality.
Author's summary: Americans often pose as Canadians when traveling to avoid negative reactions abroad, a practice that resurfaces in times of US political unpopularity.