Citizen Bytes

I am not sure why Andrew thinks that by taking off the Maple Leaves from his backpack that he is suddenly no longer a tourist in the eyes of Turkish vendors. Does he think that these merchants now believe that he is a white local who is happening to wander through the market with a large backpack?? These merchants aren't that stupid.

Just because they don't immediately know where Andrew is from by seeing the Maple Leaf, they would quickly pick up on his Canadian accent when he spoke or at least think he is an American, so I don't get why he did this. From the tone of this article you get the feeling that we as Canadians shouldn't bother advertising our nation of birth because a few merchants might try and talk to us in English.

Well let me tell you something Andrew, when you do some more travelling you will find that most merchants don't care where you come from, they are just trying to make a buck no matter which nation you are from. The big difference is that when you are a Canadian travelling abroad instead of an American, you have a better chance of not having someone spit in your soup before serving it to you or yelling at you for all of the bad things the US has done in the past and you stand a better chance of not getting kidnapped in the seedier parts of the world.

I've always thought it rather desperate that Canadians go around plastered in the flag--no other nationality does this-not the Japanese, not the British, not the Italians, and certainly not the Americans. Frankly, it just looks silly.

Take it from a Canadian living in Ireland for the past seven years and who has backpacked all over Europe.
Many Europeans think the practice of adorning luggage with red maple leaf is odd to say the least.
My co-workers and friends routinely remind me of how strange they think the practice is i.e. desparately trying to show everyone that we're Canadian. It certainly doesn't carry as much weight as you think when it comes to having people respect you and it leaves you a target for every pick pocket and over enthusiastic sales person.

A word of advice (from a proud Canadian); fly the flag at home - not on your backpack.

While I agree with Andrew's point that by not toting the maple leaf you will no doubt avoid attention from market/bazaar vendors and thieves, one should consider there is a marked difference between travelling in Turkey and Norhtern/Western Europe, so you should take his advise with a sizeable grain of salt.

So on the back of one trip they know everything they should know about wearing the maple leaf overseas... why doesn't that add up?

In my own extensive travels I've always found people warm right up when identifying myself readily as a Canadian. I would never shy away from showing that I am indeed a Canadian.

If their only solution to aggressive sellers is to rip off their maple leafs may I suggest just saying "no"? It works wonders in all corners of the globe.

It seems what's being said here is not that the flag on backpacks in bad, just bad in crowded markets. I'm planning a trip to Japan this fall and I still plan to add a flag to my gear, and possibly jacket and I expect no problems given the difference in destination. We'll just see how my theory turns out. Thanks for the insight, though!

I too have travelled a lot, through the eastern world of Asia. Most people at first do not care which country you are from. They are sellers, and those with international exposure will definately pick on the accent and the "polite" mannerisms.

Two experiences stand out in my mind. While being hounded by vendors on Kuta beach in Bali, Indonesia, I let it slip to a lady that I was from Canada. Soon I heard her telling other vendors around that I was from Canada, and my friend and I were then swarmed by others, including one that exclaimed that if was from Canada I must be rich to have come all the way to Bali! Hardly rich, just a difference in money and status (actually I was living in Korea at the time).

On the other occasion, while on vacation in Australia, I met a nice Australian couple who contrary to the usual question of being American, asked me first if I was Canadian. Surprised I asked them how they knew, and they informed me that they had learned from others that Canadians don't like being mistaken for Americans, but that Americans don't mind being mistaken for being Canadian. So they learned that it was better to ask and assume that one was Canadian, therefore not offending anyone.

So it works both ways. Yes, there is still a certain amount of respect with being a Canadian who is travelling, but there are drawbacks. But the best advice I can give is don't stand, and don't indentify yourself freely. You become a target, especially to those familiar with the "polite" Canadian syndrome :-)

I agree with many of the comments posted. Having traveled in Turkey in recent months, it is just the way it is with the vendors. You stand out like a sore thumb as a tourist no matter how you dress. They (the vendors) play a game of "how pushy can I get" without actually touching you. One vendor took hold of my wife's sleeve but when I gave him the "look" and took a step toward him he genuflected deeply and apologized and begged me not to tell the "tourist police". These special police officers are charged with protecting tourists from crooks and over zealous vendors. In Turkey, don't hesitate to threaten anyone with "where's the tourist police" while looking earnestly around.

If the vendors don't identify you as a Canadian, they will latch on to "hey pretty lady", or "distinguished gentleman, come into my store".

Don't worry about being singled out, it's not personal.

I have yet to understand why anybody needs to carry a backpack while strolling the streets, or while visiting a museum or other attraction in any city or country.
Does it not make more sense to leave your luggage (and baggage?) in a hotel room or locker at a train station?
I can understand the logic of taking a street map, and perhaps a stainless steel water bottle while away from your hotel or hostel.
But why would anybody dress or otherwise distinguish oneself from the locals. Being different is the surest way I know of, to attract attention, and not always of the best kind.

When I first started travelling many years ago, I proudly displayed my maple leaf on my backpack in naive anticipation. Sure, there were some benefits to that...many other travellers warmed up to the notion of another traveller they could talk to.

However, those days are long gone. For the simple reason that I do not feel the need to display my nationality. When it comes up, I will proudly say that I am Canadian, and that's good enough for me.

Most instances, I like to just 'blend' myself into whichever environment I am in (as much as I possibly can, anyway - not always easy to do!). However, having dark hair and blue eyes leaves my nationality up to a lot of interpretation at first thing, which is great!

At the end of the day, I have learned that people around the world will generally treat you as respectfully as you are willing to treat them - maple leaf or no maple leaf!

It's too bad Andrew didn't do some research before his trip and find out more about the bazaar & market experience in Turkey...he missed a wonderful opportunity to interact with the locals...if he wasn't interested in their wares, all he had to do was say no thank you. (Canadians are appreciated world-wide for being polite travelers..don't for get the thank you!)

Yes, the vendors can be very persistant...but remember, this is how they earn their living and they also improve their english by engaging tourists in conversation.

It has been my experience, in countries such as Turkey and Egypt, that Canadians are treated with a lot of respect...you want to people to know you are Canadian.

As for plastering maple leaves all over your luggage & backpacks...a small Canadian Flag pin on your shirt,camera bag or backpack is all that is needed.

Remember, travelling in Middle Eastern countries is not the same as travelling in Europe...Andrew, I hope you try it again in the future, this time remembering that you are no longer in Manitoba, but experiencing a culture that is thousands of years old.

just by the way you wrote your story it was apparrent that you have this Holier than thou attitude ( I'm sooo educated ! and so far above these people) that you showed arrogance more than the Canadian flag.

"If their only solution to aggressive sellers is to rip off their maple leafs may I suggest just saying "no"? It works wonders in all corners of the globe."

We're not talking about the shopping experience you have at the Scottsdale Centre in Surrey.

having also traveled extensively, may I say:

1) watching commercials to gain knowledge of protocol while traveling was your first mistake. Always read up on culture and local etiquette and you will be well armed

2) A little red maple leaf pin will do... and is easy to remove

3) Either you are proud to be Canadian or you are not. I never tire of hearing how wonderful other's think of our country and will spread the word and be a good example always.

4) A market place can be thrilling, as well as dangerous. You can lose your wallet and your shirt no matter where it is. if you are being accosted, leave. It means you are in danger. If you were not aware that a marketplace is traditionally busy and in your face, read more before you travel. Some countries/areas like to haggle and will be insulted if you do not bargain while shopping or if you go too far.

5) Smiles and being polite are universal. Knowing what is/isn't considered locally polite will make you a great traveler and a great Canadian! The post above is right on that reminds you respect is the utmost consideration you should give to anyone you meet in your travels. How you treat others will always reflect on your treatment in return.

6) Concierges and other hotel staff are your friends when abroad. Get out the maps and speak about what you need and where you wish to go and ask for help and where to ensure safety.

I was struck by the very low signal to noise ratio of this article.

Try being the 11 year old girl on a men's bicycle (a big no-no for a girl in Europe) in the Netherlands who speaks only English and get's beaten up by two little Dutch boys who call her an "American" as an insult. Yes, I'll keep my Canadian flag firmly sewn to my backpack, thank you. Until, that is, I go to Amsterdam, where the flag will undoubtedly be a pickpocket magnet.

Unless you are going to France or Holland (where they are still moved by the sacrifices we made in WWII), most European countries only see as North Americans. As well, in some parts of Europe (Greece being one) they still regard some Americans, particularly New Yorkers, as being for more interesting and even cultured than Canadians.

The reason we wear the leaf on everything when we travel and other countrys do not is simple. We have something to be proud of, the fact that most of us dont boast about it in any other way just makes all the more reason.

Wearing the maple leaf in a marketplace like that is really not a problem. The culture there is about agressive sales, were it not a maple leaf they would call out anything to draw your attention. Wearing the leaf I hope would intice my fellow citezens to behave in a friendly Canadian manner and pay a fair price for any item they may purchase. Another point...if you arnt going to buy anything..why go to a busy market? I dont feel that the decreased hatred of the USA is any reason to take off the maple leaf. Seems theres alot of watered down Canadians out there these days, mostly from our diluted americanized urban centers.

I knew a man who took part in the Liberation of the Netherlands, he'd lost friends there. He said "Holland was worth the sacrifice." Now thats a Canadian additude thats not watered down. So in my opinion..even if the whole world hated us worse then the USA.. Id still wear my maple leaf. Its worth the sacrifice.

Re the story. I do believe the writer meant "tuque"? If yes, it is a "u", not an "o".

An excellent article Andrew. I've been on 7 different backpacking trips and I've never once felt the need to adorn myself with our flag. I've never felt the need to distance myself from Americans for 2 reasons:

1) Although we Canadians think of ourselves as being vastly different from Americans, in the eyes of the rest of the world, the difference is tiny. To them, we act almost the same, look the same, dress the same, speak the same, etc. The facts that we consider ourselves more polite and enjoy hockey....tell that to a Bedouin nomad in the desert. In his eyes, we are Americans. It's like us mistaking someone from Northern Ireland as being from Ireland.

2. In far off distant lands, the people I've gotten along with the most, had the most in common with, and became the fastest friends with are Americans. I don't mind getting mistaken for them.

Stiching canadian flags or maple leafs is really stupid. So what if you're canadian? You are simply showing what a dumbass you are.