How do you visibly identify your nationality when travelling overseas?

[Rox]

Being identified as Australian in France is really significant.

One of my all time most treasured travel experiences was two years ago, when with my female friend, at one of the large railway stations in Paris, obviously struggling with working out how to get to a small town past Bordeaux, with VERY unhelpful people at counters. We were very tired and must have looked it, as a little old lady came up to us on the platform, asked where we were from, and when informed, instantly hugged us both!
It made our day, took away all the stress, and I still get a warm glow when I think of it.
I Wish I could thank her and find out her story.

 

[Skyring]

I simply can't think of any good reason to advertise I'm an Aussie. Is there one? Are you somehow safer? Cooler? Am I missing something?

Other Australians will recognise you. Meals and cabs may be shared, travel stories exchanged. I ran into some lovely Aussies coming off the Chicago flight at JFK - nobody else would wear a Geelong Cats beanie, surely!. We shared a cab into town.

Saved them a bundle!

 

[SQ421]

Proactively identify myself as an Australian? Only to the immigration officer/airline check in agents.

Other than that, if it comes up in a conversation, I'll happily discuss where I'm from and if I grew up there (or where?).

That said, in the last couple of months, I've sought out the Qantas Lounge despite there being other (arguably better, atleast in HKG) CX alternatives, just for a feel of "home"...

 

[TheRealTMA]

Yes, absolutely, in France very important NOT to be thought of or identified as English or American. You get completely different treatment as a moi'aussie.

 

[simongr]

That said, in the last couple of months, I've sought out the Qantas Lounge despite there being other (arguably better, atleast in HKG) CX alternatives, just for a feel of "home"...

Interesting - I am an Australian by choice rather than birth and get the sense of home when catching a QF or BA flight. However I find the QF lounge in HKG to be bland box with no sense of Australia at all.

 

[trentusjuventus]

Except when dealing with touts etc! ... (as opposed to I'm from "Australia" .... which often invokes a "gday mate" or "Aussie Aussie Aussie" in their very best Australian accent and lots of hounding!.

Yep I'll second this! Especially in certain Asian holiday locations which tend to be popular with Australian tourists.
With regards to identifiers, I have my QF PS baggage tag on my carry-on bag, a subtle hint. But then again I suppose there probably are people out there with QF tags who aren't Australian. One other thing I look for are the good old Dunlop Volleys, possibly the best travel shoes out there!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Why does nationality matter?

I'm a citizen of the world, just like everyone else.

 

[Baysider]

No visible identification, but my phone ringtone changes to "Down Under"

 

[medhead]

I verbally hide my nationality when confronted by beggars.

 

[Baysider]

I verbally hide my nationality when confronted by beggars.

Oh come on, the way we Aussies dress when travelling we normally blend right in with the beggars !

 

[medhead]

Oh come on, the way we Aussies dress when travelling we normally blend right in with the beggars !

Yeah but I still don't want to have to be confronted by beggars, who smell their own (that's a figurative phrase not a literal phrase) and hence know we're not one of them despite appearances.

 

[leadman]

I try to just blend in where ever i am, i just hate that ugly Aussie look. Almost no respect, walking through Asian terminals in shorts singlet and thongs, a great look. And the aussie x 3 oi x 3, why dont we just grunt, fart or burp instead, serves the same purpose.

 

[brickmark]

An experienced International Hotel GM once told me the easiest way to spot an Aussie is at check-in they are the ones carry the clinking plastic bags ..... Beer to restock the mini bar.

 

[Blinky]

An experienced International Hotel GM once told me the easiest way to spot an Aussie is at check-in they are the ones carry the clinking plastic bags ..... Beer to restock the mini bar.

I don't consider myself boganish in any way, but the first thing I do when I arrive at a hotel in an unfamiliar place is to ask where the nearest supermarket is. Why pay 8 euro/dollars/quid for a beer when you can get a six pack for the same price? I've done this at Hyatts, Hiltons and even Palazzo Versace.

 

[SQ421]

Interesting - I am an Australian by choice rather than birth and get the sense of home when catching a QF or BA flight. However I find the QF lounge in HKG to be bland box with no sense of Australia at all.

Likewise.

Re the QF Lounge, it does have Australian Newspapers; homey enough.

 

[Baysider]

I don't consider myself boganish in any way, but the first thing I do when I arrive at a hotel in an unfamiliar place is to ask where the nearest supermarket is. Why pay 8 euro/dollars/quid for a beer when you can get a six pack for the same price? I've done this at Hyatts, Hiltons and even Palazzo Versace.

Yep, exactly right, even if someone else is paying the bill !

 

[TheRealTMA]

Been to France?

 

[sjd]

Yes, absolutely, in France very important NOT to be thought of or identified as English or American. You get completely different treatment as a moi'aussie.

Yes I have had waiters, shop keepers and just about anyone else in Paris totally change their attitude when you tell them or they realise you from Oz. Wonder if it goes back to the reputation of the Diggers in WW1?

On topic - I don't do anything to advertise nationality. I figure I'll give myself away in my behaviour somehow - probably in a way that I don't even realise. Nor do I wear anything that screams of my destination. Saw a British tourist wearing a very loud AUSTRALIA t-shirt at the airport in Longreach the other week. Perhaps he felt the need because the GPS in his phone was not working?

 

[Skyring]

Saw a British tourist wearing a very loud AUSTRALIA t-shirt at the airport in Longreach the other week. Perhaps he felt the need because the GPS in his phone was not working?

Perhaps he felt happy to be in Australia. I have a very loud Route 66 shirt I wear to make me happy. And others, judging by their expressions.

I wore an Aussie slouch hat in Gallipoli last month, but I generally don't feel any need to advertise my nationality in clothing. To be honest, most of my exterior gear is LL Bean, and I haven't bought undies in Australia for several years. My shoes and socks are Rivers, if anybody is sharp enough to spot that.

 

[sjd]

I haven't bought undies in Australia for several years.

I feel that this statement is either TMI or it deserves its own thread, not sure which.