Americans Pretending to Be Canadian While Traveling
A 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.
What Is Flag-Jacking?
When America's political climate causes international disapproval, some US travelers attach Canadian flags to their backpacks or luggage. This is done to avoid negative attention by posing as Canadians, America's northern neighbors.
Historical Background
The practice dates back to the Vietnam War era, when young backpackers added Canadian flag patches to their clothing while traveling across Europe. It resurfaced notably during the 1990s and 2000s amid conflicts like the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.
Popular Culture Reference
In a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, Lisa Simpson explains flag-jacking to Bart:
“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.”
Current Trends
As recent US politics remain controversial on the global stage, many Americans planning to travel are once again buying red maple leaf patches and stickers to affiliate themselves with Canada.
Author's Summary: Americans have long used Canadian symbols while traveling abroad to escape criticism related to US politics, a trend that continues in response to current political tensions.
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