# Some American tourists are flagjacking; Canadians are not amused **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 23, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323 "2025-09-23T02:33:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/1 "2025-09-23T02:33:54Z")
“Flagjacking” is the term used for American tourists who sew a Maple Leaf on their gear and pretend to be Canadians, to avoid the stigma of being an American abroad. The practice was common in the early 2000s, then declined. It’s on the rise again, as reported by CNN: > **[Some American travelers are ‘flag jacking’ and Canadians are livid | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/18/travel/american-travelers-canadian-flag-jacking)** > > As Trump’s second term sparks global reactions, some Americans are posing as Canadians abroad — infuriating real Canadians, who say it’s cultural identity theft. As one Canadian podcaster states: > [@](#): > > “For some reason, Americans think that we are their backup passport. The world’s first dual-action moral absolver. Just apply gently and watch the shame disappear,” says Tod Maffin, a Canadian cultural commentator who eviscerates flag-jacking Americans in a [short video rant](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mJ6L9VFJP4w)that has had more than 100,000 views across his social media platforms since being uploaded less than three months ago. > … > But the Canadian flag is not a shield or an invisibility cloak, he continues. “Calling yourself Canadian is not a safety move. It’s performance art.” > > The days of Canadians offering a sympathetic shoulder as an “emotional support Canadian” to their non-MAGA neighbors — an online trend that emerged following Trump’s election in 2024 — appear to be over. > … > And it’s ironic in light of American exceptionalism. If America is the greatest country on earth, Canadians ask online, why are Americans concealing their nationality and hiding behind another flag? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/2 "2025-09-23T02:38:38Z")
As someone of Hispanic descent from South Texas, I could probably get away with pretending to be Mexican, but I doubt that actual Mexicans would be amused. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/3 "2025-09-23T02:43:59Z")
Meh, Carney has it covered… > **[Canada places 200% tariff on little Canadian flags Americans wear while...](https://www.thebeaverton.com/2025/03/canada-places-200-tariff-on-little-canadian-flags-americans-wear-while-travelling/)** > > OTTAWA – As US President Trump’s unilaterally-launched trade war continues, Canadians have struck back with counter-tariffs on a valued American item: the little Canadian flag patches Americans put on their luggage while travelling abroad. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/4 "2025-09-23T02:56:59Z")
I thought “flagjacking” had a whole different meaning that I won’t get into here. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/5 "2025-09-23T03:15:44Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And it’s ironic in light of American exceptionalism. If America is the greatest country on earth, Canadians ask online, why are Americans concealing their nationality and hiding behind another flag? I’m pretty sure the Americans who sew Canadian flags on their gear don’t think America is the greatest country on earth. Personally, I’m ashamed to be American right now. Although, I’ve just been apologizing, not pretending I’m from somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/6 "2025-09-23T03:25:33Z")
**Puzzlegal** said exactly what I was going to say: the Americans who flag-jack do so because they know America isn’t great. It’s not MAGA folks doing this. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/7 "2025-09-23T03:42:32Z")
Even in the 80s US backpackers in Europe did this. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/8 "2025-09-23T04:00:10Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m pretty sure the Americans who sew Canadian flags on their gear don’t think America is the greatest country on earth. True American patriots wouldn’t leave the Lower 48 to take a vacation. Wonder the odds of whenever 45/47 sends his legions to invade Canada that they also sew Canadian flag patches onto their knapsacks? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/9 "2025-09-23T04:06:16Z")
We need to a quiz to expose these flagjacking bastards. What are five questions only a true Canadian could answer? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/10 "2025-09-23T04:15:45Z")
Some suggestions … 1. What is homo milk? 2. Not including bowling alleys, what is a gutter? 3. Do you use a napkin or a serviette? 4. How do you like your coffee? 5. What did your grandmother call a sofa? Answers: 1. What Americans call whole milk. 2. An eavestrough. 3. Serviette. At least, when I was a child. 4. Crisp. 5. Chesterfield. Well, it’s a start. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/11 "2025-09-23T06:09:42Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Wonder the odds of whenever 45/47 sends his legions to invade Canada that they also sew Canadian flag patches onto their knapsacks? Well, I’m pretty sure that actually counts as a war crime, so, pretty good? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/12 "2025-09-23T06:10:57Z")
“Sing at least two verses of any Stompin’ Tom song,” ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/13 "2025-09-23T06:12:04Z")
Yep I’d flunk entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/14 "2025-09-23T06:28:15Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > “Sing at least two verses of any Stompin’ Tom song,” I like it, but maybe not idea of singing the verses. Rather, ask about the subject matter. For example: 1. When do the girls go out to bingo and the boys get stinko? 2. What is Margo’s cargo? 3. Who rolls down the highway smilin’? (Bonus point: Where does the trip begin?) 4. Where did Tom expect to find the cigarette trees? 5. What bridge came tumbling down, causing the chaplain to spread 19 scarlet roses? Answers: 1. On a Sudbury Saturday night. 2. Cow manure. 3. Bud the Spud. (Bonus: Prince Edward Island.) 4. Tillsonburg, Ontario. (Ontario’s tobacco country.) 5. Second Narrows Bridge, in Vancouver (while under construction; 19 workers died.) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/15 "2025-09-23T06:53:48Z")
What’s Geddy’s “real” name (like, um… born with, eh?) Take off, you Hoser! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/16 "2025-09-23T06:59:22Z")
You know, music might provide an interesting series of questions: 1. What road did Bruce Cockburn take in at a glance? 2. Where did Neil Young go, because weather’s good there in the fall? 3. What did the Rankin Family ascend in the four-wheel drive? 4. Name the Acadian singer who scored a disco hit in 1976. (Bonus: Name the song.) 5. Where were the Guess Who runnin’ back to? Answers: 1. Toronto’s Yonge Street, “Coldest Night of the Year.” 2. Alberta, “Four Strong Winds.” 3. Gillis Mountain, “Gillis Mountain.” 4. Patsy Gallant. Bonus: “From New York to LA.” 5. Saskatoon. Gee, this is fun! ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/17 "2025-09-23T06:59:39Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > What’s Geddy’s “real” name (like, um… born with, eh?) I’m going to get shot by my own side… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/18 "2025-09-23T07:01:36Z")
Is it about shame? I was always told it was for practical reasons, claiming American tourists would be mistreated due to stereotypes about them. And I saw this claim both from Americans and Canadians who wear the maple leaf flag abroad, with neither one wanting to be treated like the “ugly American.” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/19 "2025-09-23T07:06:27Z")
That was, Like a trick question, Eh? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323/20 "2025-09-23T07:20:31Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Is it about shame? I was always told it was for practical reasons, claiming American tourists would be mistreated due to stereotypes about them. I’ve met four American tourists in the past year (that is, met to speak to beyond ‘hello’ - three while we were out hiking in this country and one when we were in France). All of them managed to work in ‘we didn’t vote for Trump’ into the early part of the conversation. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323.md?page=2)