Americans are pretending to be Canadian while traveling. Canadians don’t like it.

Americans Pretending to Be Canadian While Traveling

When global opinion turns against America, some U.S. travelers adopt a Canadian identity to avoid negative reactions abroad. This phenomenon, known as "flag-jacking," involves displaying Canadian flags or symbols to pass as Canadians during international trips.

History of Flag-Jacking

The practice dates back to the Vietnam War era, when young American backpackers attached Canadian flag patches to their gear while hitchhiking across Europe. It resurfaced during the Gulf War and again in the early 2000s amid controversy over the Iraq War.

Pop Culture Reference

A 2005 episode of The Simpsons featured Lisa Simpson explaining the concept: “Well, some people in Europe have the impression that America has made some stupid choices in the past, oh, five years. So, for the next week, I’m from Canada.”

Current Trends

With ongoing unpopularity of the Trump White House internationally, Americans planning travel are once again buying Canadian flag patches and stickers to blend in and avoid potential scorn.

Canadian Reaction

A Canadian radio host observed, “It’s like clockwork. The world gets mad at America, and Americans go, ‘Oh no, quick! To the maple leaves!’”

Summary

Flag-jacking is a long-standing tactic used by some American travelers to escape negative sentiments abroad by impersonating Canadians, revealing tensions in international perceptions of the U.S.

The Boston Globe — 2025-11-07