Miguel Cruz wrote in message ...
devil wrote:
On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 02:17:22 +0200, Mxsmanic wrote:
Most people in the world wouldn't even recognize a Canadian flag, much less accord its wearer any special kindnesses. . .

Whether or not everyone outside North America recognizes a Canadian
flag is not the point of the original question, I think. The question
was does wearing one differentiate people from loud and rude
Americans, who are not liked by hoteliers, restaurant owners and the
like, anywhere in the world. There are lots of great Americans
travelling the globe, I'm sure. But as a Canadian who has travelled
widely for years, I can tell you with certainty that wearing a
Canadian pin or flag and behaving politely and with consideration to
those who are your hosts does indeed make a difference, a big one.
Ask an identified Canadian what Europeans in particular have told them
about "rude yanks." Obviously, wearing a Canadian flag doesn't solve
all problems or preclude bad treatment, it just opens a lot of doors
that are closed to a certain type of American. It's also worth noting
that there are obnoxious Canadians. It's just that there is also a
swaggering, do-my-bidding stereotype of Americans that this whole
thread is addressing. And no, there isn't a western flag in the world
that protects you completely from harm in war zones.