If you like to travel, you invariably learn all sorts of words and phrases having to do with traveling. Gate lice. Snowbirds. Pink eye flights. In the beginning, they were just terms someone made up to describe certain niche groups or situations. But word spread and they eventually went mainstream, to the point where they’ve made it into urban dictionaries, real dictionaries, and everyday conversation.
Anyway, there’s another phrase that’s been making the rounds recently. Flag jacking.
What is flag jacking?
“Flag jacking” is defined as “the act of displaying the flag of a more favorable country on your garments/backpack (instead of your home country’s flag), in the hope of receiving friendlier treatment.”
There have been several recent write-ups (in CNN, NY Post, The Mirror, etc.) that suggest Americans are (once again) flag jacking and posing as Canadians.
Where did the term come from?
Unlike most terms that have mystery origins, we can trace “flag jacking” to a 2013 article in Huffington Post, called “How to Spot Flag-Jacking Frauds Abroad.” The author, Allison Eberle, coined the phrase to identify Americans who put Canadian flags on their backpacks in an attempt to “pass” as Canadians and possibly get better treatment.
In subsequent days, similar articles were then posted by Business Insider and CNN, among others.
OK, but that was 2013. Why is “flag jacking” making the rounds now?
Most likely because of the world situation right now.
More countries than ever have warnings about traveling to the United States. And, let’s face it, Americans have been on the radar as among “the world’s worst tourists,” at least in some circles, for years.
So between the two, some people from the U.S. miiiiiight think they’re persona non grata when they visit foreign lands. SOOO…they’re cosplaying as Canadians (which is making Canadians really mad but what can ya do?).
Does it actually work?
It kind of depends on who you ask LOL. I mean, there have been no studies that suggest Canadian tourists are treated better than American ones. Overall, it seems to be anecdotal or situational, more than actual fact.
How do you spot a flag jacker?
Oh, that’s simple. Someone may be wearing a Canadian flag on their backpack, but that doesn’t mean they’re ACTING like a Canadian. I mean really, with all the innate behaviors that separate us, you can spot an American from a mile away.
Flag jacking might be a decent attempt, but it won’t work for most savvy people.
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