# How would an American go about "passing" as a Canadian when traveling abroad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2004, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697 "2004-12-08T05:08:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/21 "2004-12-08T13:22:23Z")
Due to some freak of nature I have a Canadian accent despite spending a grand total of one week in Canada (no BNL jokes please) my entire life. It’s just one of those things. Having people in the UK (where I now reside) assume I’m Canadian has had its advantages, but I’ve only actually pretended to be Canadian once or twice, and then only to escape Turkish street vendors (don’t ask). Far worse to be a Canadian mistaken for an American IME. ---
**Author:** ![Canadiangirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Canadiangirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadiangirl)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/22 "2004-12-08T13:25:50Z")
I agree with the don’t do it. Americans are quite different in the way they think and what they expect. When we travel, we sew or glue Canadian flags on everything we carry: camera cases, purses, etc. We are treated very well as Canadians. I have heard Americans are treated not so good in some places. We are polite, seldom argue and are relatively easy to get along with. For the record, you will ikely be spotted as a fake if you are pretending to be Canadian…but if you are not, please do not do anything to give us a bad reputation. Although it gives me the warm fuzzies to think that we are admired enough for someone to want to be like us 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![altiod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@altiod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/altiod)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/23 "2004-12-08T13:26:49Z")
I am an American living and working in Thailand and I wouldn’t ever say I’m Canadian, there’s just no good reason to here. In touristy spots I’ve found the locals tend to like Americans (because we tip well.) What is sometimes disliked about SOME Americans as individuals is that they can be neurotic about being teased about being American and that they can be paranoid travelers. When I met the Canadians that I work with I often could not tell the difference except that some do say, “aboot.” Some of the Canadians I work with do enjoy teasing the Americans but it is in a friendly way. My general tips would be: have a sense of humor about being American, not everybody wants to hear all about America, tip well and if you like Dubya, lie. If you are going to Panama City or somewhere the US bombed, forget what I just wrote and brush up on your Canadian geography (or learn it in the first place as many Americans never did.) ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/24 "2004-12-08T13:29:18Z")
Don’t wear a t-shirt or plaid shirt tucked into khaki shorts. Particularly khaki shorts with a belt. Don’t wear socks with your sandals. Don’t wear white sporting shoes, especially not with white ankle-high sport socks. Leave the baseball cap at home. Don’t wear baggy jeans, particularly not with aforementioned sporting shoes. Don’t wear a fanny pack. Actually, don’t even use the word fanny. FWIW, the great majority of American tourists I’ve met have been pleasant and respectful people. Being for so long in the spotlight, many American travellers are acutely self-conscious of their image abroad and take steps to give the correct impression. Which more than we can say for several other nationalities while on holiday. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/25 "2004-12-08T13:43:43Z")
What’s this thread aboot, eh? ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/26 "2004-12-08T13:53:09Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > All I can say is, if you’re going to pretend to be Canadian, _don’t_ act like a moron and piss people off and give us a bad name! > [@Canadiangirl](#): > > For the record, you will ikely be spotted as a fake if you are pretending to be Canadian…but if you are not, please do not do anything to give us a bad reputation. I’m from the US. I like Canada, and a few other countries, a lot more than I like the US, but I’m from the US, and if asked, I tell the truth. I’m generally polite and quiet, and I’ve never had any problem abroad as an American. Okay, once in Hanoi an old man snickered at me about winning the war, but that was it. Years ago, in Tokyo, a group of Japanese coworkers, a Canadian coworker, and I were in a museum. The Canadian coworker was, as usual, being loud and obnoxious. People were staring, and as I quietly tried to dissociate myself from the group, a Japanese couple walked by. I overheard the woman whisper to the man, as they stared at the noisy Canadian, “I hate Americans.” I think she was a bit atypical as a Canadian, but not outrageously so. I’ve known a few other obnoxious Canadians. Most are, as the stereotype goes, very polite. Still, it isn’t always Americans that give Canadians a bad name. Sometimes it’s the other way around. Just be a _polite_ American, and there probably won’t be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/27 "2004-12-08T14:17:03Z")
> [@MrO](#): > > I’m from the US. I like Canada, and a few other countries, a lot more than I like the US, but I’m from the US, and if asked, I tell the truth. I’m generally polite and quiet, and I’ve never had any problem abroad as an American. Okay, once in Hanoi an old man snickered at me about winning the war, but that was it. > > Years ago, in Tokyo, a group of Japanese coworkers, a Canadian coworker, and I were in a museum. The Canadian coworker was, as usual, being loud and obnoxious. People were staring, and as I quietly tried to dissociate myself from the group, a Japanese couple walked by. I overheard the woman whisper to the man, as they stared at the noisy Canadian, “I hate Americans.” > > I think she was a bit atypical as a Canadian, but not outrageously so. I’ve known a few other obnoxious Canadians. Most are, as the stereotype goes, very polite. Still, it isn’t always Americans that give Canadians a bad name. Sometimes it’s the other way around. Just be a _polite_ American, and there probably won’t be a problem. Just to clarify: I wasn’t implying that all American tourists are rude and obnoxious, or that all Canadians are sweet and respectful. Just that when you travel, keep in mind that people will take you as a representative of your country, and maybe judge the whole country by your actions. That’s important whether you’re pretending to be from another country, or just being a normal tourist from your own country. Play nice so that the next tourist who goes through that shop/hotel/museum isn’t pre-judged as a jackass. And if you’re going to fake a favorite doughnut from Tim Hortons, say an apple fritter. With a double double. Mmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/28 "2004-12-08T15:21:24Z")
Here’s a weird tip: dress like your dad. Or your uncle. Think of a relative you know who is “unhip” or “way too formal.” Someone who served in the military, or grew up in The South and was raised to be a gentleman (and is now a hopelessly square guy). Nice khaki slacks instead of jeans or cargo pants; solid color or conservatively-patterned collared soft shirts (a Polo) with the collar worn properly, and the shirt-tail tucked in. Plain belt, dark socks, brown or black leather walking loafers or wing-tips. If you have glasses, wear them instead of contacts. Learn to say “hello” in the local language _and accent_, unless you’re very bad at accents. I’ve been mistaken for Canadian in northern France (“American? Imossible! But your French is Parisian, no?”) English in London (“You’re never from the States.”) and a local in damn near every major American city I’ve travelled in. I will also say here that I had been in each country for about four days before I was mistaken for a local, and the young lady judging my British accent was a wee bit drunk and may have had an ulterior motive. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/29 "2004-12-08T15:37:48Z")
Sew a maple leaf on your bag. Nothing else’ll make a difference. I got mistaken for American all the time when travelling in Europe. Face it, accent-wise, clothes-wise and just generally, Canadians and Americans look pretty much the same. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/30 "2004-12-08T15:38:18Z")
> [@Bruce\_Daddy](#): > > What’s this thread aboot, eh? And don’t try to say ‘about’ like a Canadian, because no American trying to do so that I’ve ever heard has ever sounded remotely like a Canadian. There’s still a dipthong there, it’s just shorter and more abrupt. Y’all take it right out and replace it with a single vowel that isn’t even the one we use. :wally ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/31 "2004-12-08T15:58:39Z")
> [@LaurAnge](#): > > Sew a maple leaf on your bag. Nothing else’ll make a difference. I got mistaken for American all the time when travelling in Europe. Face it, accent-wise, clothes-wise and just generally, Canadians and Americans look pretty much the same. I can only confirm that. Trying to fake a Canadian accent is nice, but hardly any non-English speaker will even notice that. People might be able to tell from which side of the Atlantic you are, but that’s about it. I don’t think that people really can tell apart US and Canadian cothing styles in any meaningful way. Who of you could tell whether I am from Austria, our Canada? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/32 "2004-12-08T16:03:34Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > When I traveled in Europe, people assumed I was Canadian. Aha, you may have been the victim of a cunning ruse some of us use…if we can’t tell, we guess Canadian, because it doesn’t worry Americans but impresses Canadians. (If you guess American, and they’re Canadian, they’re more likely to bristle at it.) Oh, and we’re all fully aware that anybody with a maple leaf on their bag is American. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/33 "2004-12-08T16:15:57Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Aha, you may have been the victim of a cunning ruse some of us use…if we can’t tell, we guess Canadian, because it doesn’t worry Americans but impresses Canadians. (If you guess American, and they’re Canadian, they’re more likely to bristle at it.) Well, here is one American who does bristle at it. I know what you’re up to, and it annoys me. If you can’t tell, how difficult is it just to ask “where are you from?” ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/34 "2004-12-08T16:19:20Z")
> [@ruadh](#): > > I know what you’re up to Damn you 😛 … > [@](#): > > If you can’t tell, how difficult is it just to ask “where are you from?” Sure, I’ll opt to do that if possible. It all depends on the circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/35 "2004-12-08T16:21:38Z")
> [@kellner](#): > > Who of you could tell whether I am from Austria, our Canada? If you meant Austria or Germany, then ME! I have to second and third what has been said above: Just Don’t - and if you must, please be nice. ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/36 "2004-12-08T16:45:54Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > Just to clarify: I wasn’t implying that all American tourists are rude and obnoxious, or that all Canadians are sweet and respectful. Just that when you travel, keep in mind that people will take you as a representative of your country, and maybe judge the whole country by your actions. Oh, I didn’t think you were implying that. Sorry if I came across as offended. Most people around the world seem to be able to tell, as **kellner** mentioned, which side of the Atlantic one is from, or which side of the equator. But outside North America, not a lot of people can distinguish Canadians from Americans by accent or appearance. (I realize that this is why so many Canadians fly the Maple Leaf.) The US being what it is (and let’s face it, on the world stage, the US is decidedly more obnoxiously prominent), many people automatically judge all North Americans to be Americans, whether they’re acting nice or not. I suspect that without a prominently displayed Maple Leaf, many a Canadian has been considered a representative of the US. Definitely, about the apple fritter. I could eat a half a dozen or so right now. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/37 "2004-12-08T16:47:34Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > And don’t try to say ‘about’ like a Canadian, because no American trying to do so that I’ve ever heard has ever sounded remotely like a Canadian. There’s still a dipthong there, it’s just shorter and more abrupt. Y’all take it right out and replace it with a single vowel that isn’t even the one we use. :wally Ok, hoser. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/38 "2004-12-08T18:28:08Z")
My 2 cents (which seems to be woth less than it was yesterday) If you have pride in your country then don’t hide behind anothers flag. I mean if you can wave your flag around and say how great it is to be an American at home, then show it abroad by not being afraid to be know as an American. By the way… No one here has called anyone a hoser since the 80s… seeesh what a hosehead eh. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/39 "2004-12-08T18:28:13Z")
My 2 cents (which seems to be woth less than it was yesterday) If you have pride in your country then don’t hide behind anothers flag. I mean if you can wave your flag around and say how great it is to be an American at home, then show it abroad by not being afraid to be known as an American. By the way… No one here has called anyone a hoser since the 80s… seeesh what a hosehead eh. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/40 "2004-12-08T21:22:30Z")
> [@Bruce\_Daddy](#): > > What’s this thread aboot, eh? {puts on Pompous Pedant hat} Actually, Canadians use “eh” at the end of a statement to change it to a question. Adding “eh” to the end of a question sounds a little weird (which is not to say it is never done - just not the common usage). For example: That’s a maple leaf on your bag, eh? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697.md?page=3)