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Post by DJ on Feb 2, 2006 5:46:43 GMT -5
:-*My luggage tag is a Canadian flag, am proud to be Canadian, but I wouldn't wear a big sweatshirt announcing my nationality--I'd rather have locals ask and strike up a conversation. But then again I'm not strolling the streets and sipping espresso at cafes with my suitcase. It is rude, however, to wear the flag of someone else's country as though to say it's your own nationality. Be proud of your own country, be a goodwill ambassador; travel is your chance to change stereotypes about your country, if that's your concern
--dj
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 10, 2006 1:20:45 GMT -5
Tony... without getting into a political debate... I feel the same way... and I've gotten that feeling from many people around this board... which is that MOST Europeans will treat you with whatever respect you deserve... and with the same respect with which you treat THEM.. I love my country.. I do... but I don't like or respect my leaders at the moment... Treating every American as if they held the same ideals as Pres. Bush does would be like assuming every German citizen under Nazi rule was a supporter of Hitler... and that simply isn't the case... When I travel this Spring\Summer... I've got NO political agenda.. if it's possible to change someone's mind about Americans... and that all American's aren't bad... then, I'll do my best. Like DJ said 2 posts above, when traveling to a foreign country... you're ARE the ambassador... A single person can change someone's outlook on an entire country (for good, or for bad)... As I said, this isn't really my goal... but if I can make a simple point of being polite... please, thank you... I enjoyed your hospitality.... your shnitzel was deliscious...I TOO like Mozart.. Your local beers are WAY better than American beers... etc... then, I've done my part. Be polite... relate to them on a personal level... engage and show an honest interest in their culture... I mean... this is all VERY basic stuff... it's the same, whether you're trying to woo a date, or win-over a sceptical local overseas.... Be polite... and show interest... Simple human psychology... Gosh, I love Dr. Phil  |
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logan
Full Travel Member
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Post by logan on Feb 10, 2006 20:43:11 GMT -5
i'll definitely be putting a Canadian flag on my pack. One because I'm proud to be Canadian why not show it off(although I'm also American)
but i'm also doing it to differentiate my backpack. I'll have a Canadian patch, a UofAlberta patch a Mechanical Enginering patch. And i hope to get more patches while i'm over there.
We'll see how it goes
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Post by Jules80 on Feb 11, 2006 23:33:55 GMT -5
you do. been there done that... although admittedly all my patches (from the last trip) are still tucked away in a drawer... haven't quite gotten around to sewing them on.
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 13, 2006 14:39:48 GMT -5
Take a needle and thread... double up the thread, and tie a decent knot in the end... run it around the patch... the end... it'll take a MAX of 5 minutes... This could be something fun to do on a train trip... (well, time consuming... it's not REALLY what I'd call fun... ) Plus, I think patches could make for a good conversation starter with other travelers... Just a thought... |
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Post by Jules80 on Feb 13, 2006 14:42:57 GMT -5
i have others from past trips sewn on. sewing patches onto thick canvas is not exactly easy and is best done with a thimble  ...which is why i waited to be home... |
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logan
Full Travel Member
Posts: 27
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Post by logan on Feb 15, 2006 2:15:02 GMT -5
note to self: add thimble to packing list ;D Wow stabone no train riding! All hiking and hitching, thats cool. Where will you be travelling? I got one of those learn to play the harmonica, but never quite found the time. I think my pack mates would kill me if i chose this as the time to learn |
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Post by starprincess on Mar 6, 2006 20:04:49 GMT -5
I wore a singlet that had 'Australia' on it and it sparked so many conversations! Fellow Aussies would come up and ask where I was from, it was great!! I recommend wearing something that identifies where you are from as it is the best conversation starter! |
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Post by rousseau5550 on Mar 23, 2006 0:19:21 GMT -5
Well, i know that i'll have my Canadian and Quebec flags beside each on my pack  |
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Post by tigerlilly on Mar 24, 2006 17:38:54 GMT -5
I just sewed on my Canada flag patch I want to get one from each country I got to ~michelle~ |
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tim
Full Travel Member
Posts: 16
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Post by tim on Mar 31, 2006 10:03:21 GMT -5
I have an American flag sewn in the center of my backpack, and the flags of all the countries I've been to in Europe sewn down the sides (Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Rep, Poland, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro) and I really don't think it will be a problem when I go this summer. No one gave me too hard a time about being American, and it's not like they couldn't tell by looking at me. You get a few "Bush is an asshole" comments here and there but whatever. I found most people to look at you for who you are instead of where you are from, and there are tons of Americans over there doing the backpacking thing as it is. It should be an interesting experience this summer going over repping the flag
TIM
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...which is why i waited to be home...
