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!’”
The phenomenon known as flag-jacking has existed for decades. When U.S. politics turn unpopular internationally, many Americans traveling abroad display Canadian flags on their backpacks or luggage. They do this to avoid negative reactions by posing as Canadians, the friendly neighbors to the north.
Origins and History of Flag-Jacking
The practice began during the Vietnam War era, when young American backpackers sewed Canadian flag patches onto their gear while hitchhiking across Europe. It resurfaced prominently in the 1990s and early 2000s amid the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.
Cultural Reference: The Simpsons
A 2005 episode of The Simpsons illustrates the trend. Lisa Simpson explains to Bart upon arriving 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.”
Current Trends
With global disapproval of the Trump administration, Americans planning trips are once again purchasing red maple leaf patches and stickers to adopt a Canadian identity while traveling.
Author’s Summary
This recurring trend of Americans adopting Canadian symbols abroad reflects global reactions to U.S. politics and travelers’ attempts to avoid backlash.