Do Americans Really Pretend They Are Canadians When Traveling Abroad??

Question

I ask this as an American, because I've heard people from the U.S. and Canada say this.

I live in western New York state. I see and hear Canadians all the time and I can tell you that Canadian accents are completely different from our accents. Canadians pronounce words differently & also use words and expressions we don't use. I can point out a Canadian the second I hear two words from their mouths.

Don't you think someone from Alabama would look dumb with a Canadian flag on their backpack???

Please!!

Answer 1

As a Michigander, I probably have about the same amount of exposure to Canadians as you do - we're experts, basically, on the differences between Americans and Canadians. But can you hear the difference between Posh and Broad Australian? Or Moroccan vs. Egyptian Arabic? Viennese or Berliner German? The English think Canadians sound... kind of American.

It's a good dodge, and I haven't been out of the country since I was a fairly small child, so I haven't had a chance to use it, but I've had friends extricate themselves from touchy situations in foreign countries by claiming to be Canadians.

Answer 2

Greetings Patrick from footprintsdownunder here - Firstly I can tell you with only 10% of Americans having a passport there really ain't many of them backpacking - also there are huge VISA restrictions in OZ for Yanks - When you do come across an American traveller you are faced normally with one of two scenarios.

First one They are so quick and loud to let the whole world know they are American, I have experienced two Americans in a travel park you would of thought there were 30 of them.

Or we have the second variety rare, often seen in later years sporting boating shoes, these Americans are the total opposite educated and tolerant to the world and do not believe the world focuses around them. We all know Europe runs the world.

America - Shut your mouth get a Passport see the World Yea there is one out side the US - Try it some time you may learn something and stop annoying other country's.

Sorry for the Rave was not much of a question any way so why not!!

Answer 3

Who would say that Americans pose as Canadians? Sounds like some weird urban legend that's going around near the Canadian border.

I was a military brat and grew up living and visiting all over Europe. In my adult life I have traveled constantly all over the world..... and I mean all. And never have I seen nor heard of such a thing.

But what I have seen countless times is Canadians overseas being asked if they are americans by the locals. Or the locals just make the assumption that they are americans. Usually the response by the Canadians is "no I'm Canadian!" and usually said with a bit of irritation. I have asked Canadians who work, travel or live abroad about this. They say that its just a fact of life and they just get used to it.

I suspect that those who say americans pose as Canadians have never traveled or at least much...... they just heard this from somebody. Again I bet it's some sort of canadian pride urban legend kind of thiing.

Answer 4

There are Americans who take this precaution, because of US foreign policy, especially in the volatile Middle East. You're right,
Canadian and American accents are different. I think a person
who lives in either country can tell the difference, especially if
they have been living in either country a long period of time.

Answer 5

I didn't know anyone was. Canadians are Americans by the way, North Americans actually.

Answer 6

i guess that american tourists just dont have a good reputation. i dont want to sound offensive, i hear australians can be bad as well (im australian). americans seem to yell REALLY loudly and canadians are more polite