Angry Canadians express complaints over disrespectful behavior of certain American tourists, who are improperly using Canadian flags for personal gain.
In a recent incident in the Dominican Republic, a 33-year-old American tourist named Chelsea Metzger was confronted by Canadians for falsely claiming to be Canadian during her vacation. Metzger, from upstate New York, was watching the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament at a French-Canadian bar in El Pueblito when the confrontation occurred.
The Canadians were irate about US tourists falsely identifying themselves as Canadians and displaying the Canadian flag on their bags. This practice, known as "flag jacking," has been a growing issue, with some Americans adopting it as a travel hack or a harmless joke. However, Canadians find it offensive and arrogant, particularly when it comes to the use of the Canadian flag.
The practice of posing as faux Canadians is problematic because it risks sullying Canada's global reputation. Canadians are boycotting US travel and American-made products due to President Trump, and the notion that Americans falsely claim to be Canadian and use the Canadian flag is particularly incensing.
Robert Schertzer, an associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto, explains that external threats stimulate nationalist responses in Canadians. Canadian nationalism has an element of anti-Americanism, and emotions associated with nationalism can be as powerful as those linked to religion.
In a similar incident, Metzger tried to defend herself, explaining that she didn't vote for Trump. However, the situation escalated under the influence of alcohol, with a Canadian couple screaming at Metzger, accusing America of being selfish and ruining everything for Canada and the world.
The confrontation was not the first of its kind. In the 1990s and 2000s, many travelers who backpacked through Europe can vouch for the phenomenon of some young Americans posing as Canadians, particularly in the 2000s amidst America's unpopular foreign policy. Even in a 2005 episode of "The Simpsons," Lisa Simpson sewed a Canadian flag on her backpack to avoid negative perceptions of America in Europe.
In response to the growing anti-American sentiment, some Canadians are waving the Canadian flag to express their national pride and anti-American sentiment. The practice of posing as Canadians is not limited to tourists, as several US-American women, including the American Chelsea, have recently adopted the practice of pretending to be Canadians during their travels to protect themselves against anti-American sentiment abroad by displaying Canadian national symbols on clothing or backpacks.
However, the lone "Woo, USA" during a game did not go well with the Canadians present, and Metzger's experience serves as a reminder that cultural sensitivity and respect are crucial when traveling abroad. As tensions continue to rise, it is essential for Americans to be aware of the impact their actions may have on other countries and to respect national pride and cultural identities.
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