I remember hearing a few years ago that it can be a good idea while travelling to have a pin or something representing your country on your backpack as a way to help meet friendly travellers, locals, etc. In all the websites I've checked recently, I haven't seen anything on this phenomenon. I am a Canadian citizen backpacking through Europe for the first time and would anyone say it's a good idea to wear a little Canadian flag pin or something? Any insights or recommendations?
1
badger1492
Depending on where the US sits in popular opinion polls in Europe, I remember seeing Canadians with small Canadian flags sown to their packs. I believe it was so they wouldn't be mistaken for being from the USA. Don't know what anyone does these days.
2
bmta
tipically only canucks do that, to distinguish them from the southernly neighboir, who indeed in most of EUR have a well-desevred rep of brashness, overloud voices and only sticking to one another. After all they did not travel that far to meet locals. So if you can behave otherwise: no label/pin/flag needed. and youll be surprised (or annoyed) how many locals further away as some capitals will even mistake you : hey does america have a new flag?
4
aribo
How you'll be received will depend more on your attitude than on a flag pin on your backpack, I'd say.
6
bmta
actually, most younger Euro;'s do it reverse: they pin/label flags of those countries they have BEEN TO on their packs: so you may encounter more wry smiles: only just 1 till now??
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner
trusted partner