Michael
Full Travel Member
Posts: 28
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Post by Michael on May 22, 2003 12:40:02 GMT -5
I've run into this a few places, such as my Rough Guide - First Time Europe by Louis CasaBianca and right here in this forum.
There are insinuations or overt suggestions that the old flag on the pack is silly and/or impractical. Is it no longer accepted practice? Do "serious backpackers" still do this?
It just seemed odd to me to be something frowned on so strongly (admittedly...I think the few times that I've run into this it was by Americans).
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Post by Kim on May 22, 2003 13:24:21 GMT -5
It's really just a personal thing if you want to or not. To be honest, it doesn't really matter. The amount of time you spend lugging your backpack around (if you have the flag on it) is alot less than you will spend sightseeing etc. Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with being proud of your country and any person from whatever country that chooses to put a flag on their pack.. I say, go for it. Do I have a patch on my backpack? No. Do I care if others do? No. Do I understand why some people get so worked up over the fact that Canadians like to add patches to their packs? Definately not.. really, who cares. Does it annoy me when I've told someone I'm Canadian and they say "Oh, that's the same as the US anyway" Yes. Ignorancy annoys me- hello, 2 different countries. Am I offended if someone asks if I'm from the US? Not at all - for closely related places, even I can't tell the difference most of the time!  Basically, do what you feel best about. There is nothing wrong with being proud of where you are from. If you want to add a patch to your pack, go for it. Do expect that Americans will frown on it - does it matter that they do? That's up to you to judge. You will find people will judge you on how you act rather than on your nationality anyway. Kim |
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rookie
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 92
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Post by rookie on May 22, 2003 14:33:04 GMT -5
I put one on my pack. It's the one thing that distinguishes Canadians from everyone else, and it's the best way to meet other Canadians as well. That's the only reason I had one. It was also fun to have foreigners joke with you and say, "Oh, it's always you Canadians and your patches!"
But don't expect to get any special treatment because you're Canadian, because you won't.
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Post by me on May 22, 2003 14:41:40 GMT -5
Who are these Americans? Why are they upset that you'd have a Maple Leaf flag on your pack?
this American has no objections to you wearing whatever flag you waant on your pack. Freedom of expression is one of the 4 freedoms FDR spoke about. . .
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Post by Kim on May 22, 2003 15:14:30 GMT -5
Yeah, you wouldn't think it would you .. it's weird. I can't tell you the number of times in Europe when an American would ask me where I was from and the minute I would say Canada, the next thing they would say would be "Do you have one of those dumb patches on your pack?  But, then again there's always a few weirdos in every bunch! Trust me, there were some Canadians I wished would take the patches off as they were acting like asses! Didn't want everyone to think that that's what Canadians were like! ;D Kim |
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Post by LHR02 on May 22, 2003 16:31:31 GMT -5
I for one had a big old US flag on mine, as well as a '101st Screaming eagles' patch on it. I'm an American, and military, and proud of both. If you want a patch, for heaven't sake do so. I never got one bit of hassle over it, and while in BeNeLux had so very many folks comment on my 101st airborne patch. They were the 'heros' of the Battle of the Bulge and I was surprised how many 'older' folks struck up a conversation with me when they saw it. I saw folks with every possible patch.....and it started many a conversation. Where oh where is this idea that it is a no-no coming from?  ging - maybe naive but truly puzzled over this whole topic |
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Michael
Full Travel Member
Posts: 28
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Post by Michael on May 22, 2003 21:03:00 GMT -5
Well, Louis CasaBiance just makes a couple of jokes about it in "First Time Europe", such as "Americans will get grilled on foreign policy, whereas Canadians will be asked why their government requires them to wear their flag when they travel" and then again later when discussing safety how if you're really concerned about your safety, just put a Canadian flag on your pack as it seems to make all Canadians feel better...there was just an underlying vibe I picked up from his comments.
And then snorkelman commented on it in another post.
I've heard murmurings of it elsewhere as well.
I just thought I'd ask as it seemed to me to be an interesting issue, one that I would have felt was a non-issue until I ran into it a few times.
I think the only people that care are the occasional odd American, hate us for not joining the 'war', don't hate us for patriotism!
Just thought I'd ask, thanks for the responses, once again common sense rules the field.
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