# Wrong to Lie About Nationality When Abroad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 3, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083 "2015-03-03T12:33:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/41 "2015-03-04T13:10:42Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > I hope a Yank who does this is immediately thrown in jail as a political hostage. > > Seriously, Canadians traveling abroad should be jailed for crimes against humanity, given that Canada repeatedly puts Steve Harper in power, and Steve Harper is deliberately trying to accelerate global climate change in the delusional belief that an open Northwest Passage will be a boon to Canada. > > If Canada doesn’t pay their ransom, send their corpses to the Seychelles to build up land height against rising sea levels. > > Since there are 10x as many Yanks as Canucks, that’s more landfill for the drowning island nations. So I strongly encourage Yanks to say they’re Canucks. From Tronna. Who voted for Rob Ford fnord. > > Yes, I am going to be \*at least this much a shit about this from now on, \*until it sinks in. Don’t drink and post. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/42 "2015-03-04T14:00:42Z")
I am who I am and by European standards, I’m a Yank. I’m not going to try to affect the whole phony-accent thing like a bad production of Robin Hood. That said: who is this person who needs to know my nationality? Is it for official reasons? Is this someone on a bus tour with us? Is it someone who I’m getting a bad vibe from who might be the “hook” with muscle near by? About the only person I know it won’t be would be Marko from Tropojë… I’m not going to lie on official documents & end up in jail. I’m saving that for bigger stakes. 😛 [INDENT][INDENT] **GRANDPIERRE** : And yet you registered in measure as Mr. Joshua. Don’t you know it was against the law to register under an assumed name? **REGINA** It’s done in America all the time…[/INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]- Charade, 1963[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT] ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/43 "2015-03-04T14:13:58Z")
Of course I admit to being an American. Why the fuck would I care what a bunch of Euro trash think? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/44 "2015-03-04T14:59:44Z")
My general rule is that there’s nothing wrong with lying to somebody who pries into stuff that is none of their legitimate business. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/45 "2015-03-04T16:53:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Wouldn’t you run the risk of then encountering someone very familiar with Canada and suddenly asking you some embarrassing questions? > > “Do you think Rob Nicholson will be better in the Foreign Affairs portfolio than John Baird?” I don’t follow politics. > [@](#): > > “Will Justin Trudeau really be the next Prime Minister?” Who cares. He’s a politician. They’re all lying corrupt scum. > [@](#): > > “When is the election anyway?” I don’t participate in a scam that gives power to lying corrupt assholes who only look out for themselves and they’re own power and don’t give a shit about the people they are supposed to look out for. > [@Steve\_MB](#): > > My general rule is that there’s nothing wrong with lying to somebody who pries into stuff that is none of their legitimate business. And this. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/46 "2015-03-04T17:04:26Z")
I can’t imagine most Americans could be _successful_ at passing as another nationality. They’re obvious at a glance – overweight, inappropriately underdressed, and usually loud. When I visited China it was immediately obvious who were the Americans and who were other nationalities; no need to hear accents. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/47 "2015-03-04T17:38:35Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > I can’t imagine most Americans could be _successful_ at passing as another nationality. They’re obvious at a glance – overweight, inappropriately underdressed, and usually loud. When I visited China it was immediately obvious who were the Americans and who were other nationalities; no need to hear accents. It appears that you might lack imagination. just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/48 "2015-03-04T17:41:42Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > … I’m not going to try to affect the whole phony-accent thing like a bad production of Robin Hood. Some people can, some people can’t. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/49 "2015-03-04T18:25:37Z")
I voted “Yes, it’s wrong,” but maybe because I’m Canadian and I don’t like it when Americans do that. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/50 "2015-03-04T18:56:46Z")
I’ve had issues with people refusing to believe my nationality or accusing me of faking an accent; I’ve had people in my own country assault me for being from my region; but I file the first under M for Moron and the second under I for Idiot To Be Avoided. If I think a place or group is going to have problems with where I’m from, what I do is avoid them. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/51 "2015-03-04T19:23:25Z")
I don’t think it’s unethical, but it’s unnecessary. Don’t be the American that treats Europe as a “neat” theme park. Be the American that takes an interest in local people and culture. I’ve rarely seen American in the second category have any problems. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/52 "2015-03-04T19:58:03Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > I don’t think it’s unethical, but it’s unnecessary. > > Don’t be the American that treats Europe as a “neat” theme park. Be the American that takes an interest in local people and culture. I’ve rarely seen American in the second category have any problems. (underline added) But you have seen it happen. Walking away is one option. You could also make an attempt to confuse the aggressor, and then walk away, thereby giving you a little more time and distance between you and the aggressor. Or you can stand you ground and get into a meaningless argument, or fight. I see no reason to discuss whatever ObamaBushClintonReaganCarterNixonJohnsonKennedyEisenhowerTruman policy that seems to be bothering some random miscreant. I prefer to use the “I am not the droid you are looking for” defense. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/53 "2015-03-05T06:45:43Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Of course I admit to being an American. Why the fuck would I care what a bunch of Euro trash think? Interesting. I didn’t realize you still considered yourself primarily American. I don’t think I would in your situation. An American ex-pat? Sure. But not actually American. I’d’ve been gone too long and be too acclimated to where I currently live. I’ve never left the country, but I do have experience with not wanting to tell people where I live due to the implications. But I can pull off just being vague. I don’t lie, so I wouldn’t say I was Canadian, but I’m not sure what else you can do. BTW, I don’t think it’s rude to ask you where you are from, as long as you ask the right way. It’s just something that comes up when you talk to people. It’s especially a big thing when you are a tourist. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/54 "2015-03-05T16:05:32Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Interesting. I didn’t realize you still considered yourself primarily American. I don’t think I would in your situation. An American ex-pat? Sure. But not actually American. I’d’ve been gone too long and be too acclimated to where I currently live. Are you kidding me? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/55 "2015-03-05T16:12:09Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Are you kidding me? **BigT** doesn’t kid. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/56 "2015-03-05T16:13:52Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Americans are pathetic at selling themselves. If I was one I would say “see that orb uo in the sky? We’ve been there”. When in foreign lands we try to make our country sound as unpleasant as possible with hope that it will discourage you guys from immigrating here. Sadly it doesn’t seem to be working. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/57 "2015-03-05T16:21:45Z")
I’m another one who identifies more by state than country. If someone asks me where I’m from, I say California. If someone asks me if I’m American, I say yes, from California. People I’ve encountered in Europe have all been much more interested in the fact that I live in California than that I am American. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/58 "2015-03-05T16:23:05Z")
I just figure, “Why lie?” What’s the WORST thing that can happen to a tourist in, say, Paris if locals figure out he’s American? Is he going to get arrested? Executed? No! Are protestors going to carry signs in front of his hotel room? No! MAYBE someone will try to argue politics with him (even that’s unlikely- no stranger in another country has ever tried to start a political debate with me), but even then, all he has to do is say politely, “I’m not a politician, I’m just here on vacation,” and the problem is solved. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/59 "2015-03-05T16:24:33Z")
Typical exchange: “So, where are you guys from?” “Umm, close to Pittsburgh?” “Oh, yes!! GO STEELERS!!! Right?” ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083/60 "2015-03-05T18:38:42Z")
In all my travels, the subject of my citizenship has never come up in casual conversation so pretending to be Canadian in a public setting would not occur to me. Besides, I not good looking enough to convince someone that I was from Canada. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrong-to-lie-about-nationality-when-abroad/714083.md?page=4)