How do you visibly identify your nationality when travelling overseas?

[BindiBratz]

I was reading another thread today, which got me thinking . . . . .

Many Australians I know, dislike being mistaken for someone of another nationality and go to lengths of wearing kangaroo or Aussie flag pins or I recall reading somewhere, an Aussie rugby jumper (I imagine it would get a bit smelly after a day or so, or perhaps they pack a supply ) but not such a good look for ladies

What do you do, or don't you care a toss..???

 

[Hvr]

It depends on whether or not it is necessary to display where I am from.

Usually when I speak people will know I'm not a native and I've been asked where I'm from or am I Australian or even on one occasion, an Englishman!

I am aware that where ever I go I am representing Australia and ensure my behaviour is appropriate.

Probably the only other way I am identified is when I'm seen eating Vegemite at breakfast.

 

[kpc]

I prefer to be anonymous when OS so I don't advertise my nstionality

 

[Inver]

Why make it even more obvious that you're a tourist? Not that the camera and backpack make that apparent already.

 

[Pushka]

This is a great question. I don't think internationals recognise our flag so I find something with the boxing kangaroo.

It's pretty obvious we are tourists so hardly broadcasting the fact. We look different and most likely don't speak the language fluently. That being the case I"d prefer to be recognised as Australian and not British or American.

People don't automatically recognise me as Australian when speaking as somehow us South Aussies don't come across automatically as colonials. . People seem to think I'm British.

 

[tim374]

I was mistaken for a New Zealander once. I quickly fixed that misconception. I wouldn't go out of my way to show my nationality, but I won't try to speak with an accent either.

 

[Shelf]

I don't specifically wear anything/do anything to highlight my nationality.

People don't automatically recognise me as Australian when speaking as somehow us South Aussies don't come across automatically as colonials. . People seem to think I'm British.

I had the same experience on many occasions whilst in ADL.

 

[Mal]

Thongs. Board shorts with the Aussie flag on them. Stubbie holder and can of vb. Singlet top advertising my favourite nrl or AFL team.

Self explanatory really. For added effect, I scream out "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" and my mates call out "oi, oi, oi" in response (its also my mating call).

 

[casanovawa]

I don't desperately go out of my way to advertise i'm an Aussie (and in some places probably better not to) but i do often have a flag pin on the back of my backpack that i usually wear around with me...

And yes in the US i've often been mistaken for a pom coz i guess they don't get to hear a lot of foreign accents, specially Australian, because so many of our actors end up taking an american accent in their movies... If not opening my mouth, because i've got fairly olive skin, i'm routinely mistaken for being from Spain or around the Med...

 

[samh004]

I only correct them if they call me British... As I'm English! That said most people pick up my accent quickly and choose English.

I refrain from wearing socks with sandals

 

[Kef]

I prefer to blend in with the locals when in the US,UK or Europe in Asia not so easy as I'm not of Asian origin.

I don't walk around with a backpack (personally I hate them) and I don't have a camera slung around my neck either why advertise that your a tourist.

In the US I get mistaken for being a pom or South African and if I get mistaken for a New Zealander I quickly ask an American if they would like to be called Canadian,hehehehe..

 

[whatmeworry]

A couple of times in Germany people would start talking to me in German, sometimes I would say sorry don't speak German or "Ich spreche kein Deutsch Ich bin Australian". Then you get the usual ahh Australian!

 

[Burrito]

Id be more than happy to discuss if nationality comes up in conversation though wouldn't feel a need to wear anything for identification

 

[mella2007]

I don't wear or carry anything that says tourist. Often asked if I'm from England and ill then say I'm from Australia.
Interesting though, as when I'm here in Oz I never say I'm an Aussie, always what my heritage is

 

[AdMEL]

A couple of times in Germany people would start talking to me in German, sometimes I would say sorry don't speak German or "Ich spreche kein Deutsch Ich bin Australian". Then you get the usual ahh Australian!

Had a similar experience in Holland - people spoke to me in Dutch all the time! Being very tall, slim, fair, looking of Dutch or German heritage and not looking like a tourist probably led to that. Asia is a whole different story! No matter where I am, I generally don't do anything to single me out as Australian or a tourist, except for carrying suitcase or backpack, visiting places tourists visit and taking the occasional photo with my phone. No bum bag, camera, money bag, flag, etc.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Never do anything to make it appear that I'm not a local. Much more likely to get robbed/ripped off if they think you're a tourist. (I endured a particularly scenic route in a taxi in New York years ago - before there was a flat fare from JFK to Manhattan). My 'disguise' must work, judging by the number of times locals approach me on the street asking for directions!

 

[codash1099]

I don't try and identify myself as anything. I've a broad Australian accent and even then most people don't seem to pick the origin.

As for wearing something, that's a waste of time. I have a jacket bought in Frankfurt which has a small badge s,hoeing where it originated. So most people assume I'm from Germany. If I wear my Edinburgh hoodie, they assume I'm Scottish.

 

[drron]

As soon as I open my mouth people recognise that I'm not from around these parts but surprisingly few pick the accent as Australian-except in New Zealand.In fact in Washington state some thought I was a local.
Today eating lunch in Pretoria our waiter thought we were from Texas.Fortunately his second guess was Australian.

 

[Blinky]

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?

 

[markis10]

The Qantas pins were a nice way when they were around.