Canadian flag causes flap in the U.S.

Ottawa Citizen | December 8, 2003 | Jack Aubry

[albertabound]

Canadian flag causes flap in the U.S. Maple Leaf on baggage irks 'sensitive' Americans

Jack Aubry The Ottawa Citizen

OTTAWA -- Canadians should be careful not to appear "boastful" to Americans, who are insecure because of the war in Iraq and admit they are annoyed by northerners showing off the red maple leaf on their luggage when they travel, a recent federal report warns.

In focus groups held this fall in four U.S. cities where the federal government is opening consulates, Americans acknowledged they don't know much about Canadians.

"Some participants expressed a certain amount of annoyance at what is perceived as a systematic attempt by Canadians to make the statement that they are not Americans by sporting the maple leaf," said the recently released report. "This underscores the American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest of the world ...."

A front-page story by the New York Times this week, which declared that Canada's stance on social issues is opening rifts with the U.S., is unwittingly confirmed with the findings of the report.

Canadian comedian Rick Mercer said at a recent Toronto show that being attached to America is like "being in a pen with a wounded bull," joking that between gay marriage and pot smoking, "it's a wonder there is not a giant deck of cards out there with all our faces on it."

The report says even Americans who blame the Bush administration to some extent for the country's poor relations with the world, do not seem to understand why friendly countries and neighbours such as Canada would want to distance themselves from Americans.

For instance, an American from San Diego is quoted saying: "What bugs me about Canadians, if I may, is that they wear that damn patch on their bags, the Canadian flag patch. That way, they differentiate themselves from us."

The report is based on eight focus groups conducted in September by Millward Brown Goldfarb in San Diego, Raleigh, Denver and Houston where Canadian consulates are in the process of opening.

Pierre Bechard, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, said Millward Brown Goldfarb was paid $49,543 for the October report and focus groups. He said the findings will act as a base for the consulates to work to understand how much Americans understand about Canada and how they feel about their relationship with their northern neighbours.

© Copyright 2003 Vancouver Sun

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[albertabound]

Well, I like America and Americans, even the Canada bashers on F/P, Old Glory flies proudly on my front porch. What a waste of $50,000.00.

[Spruce]

Where's the Barf Alert for this steaming pile?

[Michael81Dus]

Why should this need a Barf Alert??

[Maelstrom]

Poor Canadians.

Having strapped themselves with a heavily socialist economy, must rely upon their neighbors to the South for wealth and prosperity.

The greatest fear Canadians have is that they will be subsumed and assimilated into the US. Desperate to make a token gesture opposing their unfounded fear, they plaster a Canadian maple leaf on their stuff.

As though those stickers would help if the US actually cared to assimilate Canada.

[Wheee The People]

They speak a lot of French up in Canada...

[Steely Tom]

I usually stare at the Canadian flag. Not because I'm insecure about America, but because I can't get over how much that maple leaf looks like a cartoon of two guys butting heads and shouting at each other.

(steely)

[unread]

Pure....absolute....bull crap!!!!!

[Heatseeker]

I'll be flamed for saying this I'm sure, but I don't have a problem with Canadians dislaying the Maple Leaf. It _is_ their national symbol after all.

It'd be nice if their government was a little less hostile, but I suspect a lot of that was Chretien who leaves office this week.

[ruiner]

Please, like Canadians don't think it is tacky when an American goes around Canada with an American flag on their clothing or backpack.

Any European I've ever asked, "What are some things I should do/not do when I visit Europe" respond "Just don't go around with an American flag or anything outright patriotic"

Believe me, I've asked a few.

[theDentist]

Well, everyone should have pride in their nation and flag, 'cept maybe the French. I don't mind unless they start up with Bush-bashing or America-bashing. Then it's time to light the fuse.

[LieFreeGov]

i thought it looks like 3 heads with SImpson-esque enjoying a 3-way kiss.

[albertabound]

Canada has already been assimilated, culturally economically and geographically that is why the liberal whiners keep bringing this sort of crap up. When I visit my grandkids in New Jersey, I am not recognized as a Canadian unless someone brings it up.

[Spruce]

... Americans, who are insecure because of the war in Iraq...

...American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest of the world...

...front-page story by the New York Times...

Barf!

[Heatseeker]

LOL. A Canadian friend says the real national emblem of Canada should be 12 beavers *issing on a frog. :)

[BlackRazor]

Desperate to make a token gesture opposing their unfounded fear, they plaster a Canadian maple leaf on their stuff.

Actually, the reason they display their flag on their stuff is so they aren't mistaken as Americans when travelling abroad, in the hopes that it will ward off any terrorist attacks that might be aimed at Americans. Seems like a pretty reasonable precaution to me, seeing as it is a symbol of their country and all.

[concerned about politics]

I don't care if they put stickers on their luggage. I like America better anyway. Canada is socialists. If they want to degrade themselves in public, let them.
Why the heck would I see a socialist nations flag as "boastful?"
Who ever thought this was a problem is a stupid liberal. No one in their right mind would feel Canada is a better place to live than the U.S. Sheeesh! What a kook!
I swear, there's got to be a left wing loser standing on every corner these days. They should get a friggen job to keep themselves busy and out of Americas hair.

[Cincinatus]

Americans acknowledged they don't know much about Canadians

Har! They misspelled "care"!!

[Lancey Howard]

Canada?
Who cares about Canada?
Whew.....! These Canadian writers are getting more and more like their brethern Euro-scum writers.

These people need to get a grip. Americans care as much about Canada as they do, say, New Zealand, France, or Brazil. Which is not at all.