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 and involves Americans displaying Canadian flags on their belongings while traveling internationally.
What Is Flag-Jacking?
Flag-jacking occurs when Americans attach Canadian flag patches or stickers to their backpacks or luggage. The goal is to avoid negative reactions or treatment abroad by posing as Canadians amid unpopular U.S. political situations.
Historical Background
- The practice began during the Vietnam War, when young American backpackers hitchhiking across Europe sewed Canadian flags onto their backpacks and clothing.
- Flag-jacking resurfaced during the 1990s and 2000s, particularly around the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.
Popular Culture Reference
In a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, Lisa Simpson explains the tactic to Bart when their family visits 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.”
Renewed Popularity
With the Trump White House facing global disapproval, Americans planning travel have once again turned to buying maple leaf patches and stickers to blend in as Canadians.
Summary: Americans often display Canadian flags on their luggage to avoid negative attention abroad during unpopular U.S. political periods, reviving a decades-old practice known as flag-jacking.
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