Flag of BC or Canada on my backpack

I think the Canadian flag would be better. It is unmistakable, and very pleasant to look at. The BC flag, while interesting, is maybe a bit busy to be really seen very well on a patch, and since there is a Union Jack on it it might be mistaken for something more English/British (and maybe more likely to be ignored because of that... being that it's a European country and you'll be in Europe... just a thought).

I put an Alberta flag on my pack. Wife had a Canadian flag. Met lots of Calgarians and Edmontonians due to it!

That's an interesting question. Personally, I'd go with the BC flag for conversation-starting abilities. Of course, don't forget to keep your eye out for other peoples' conversation starters, since you seem game for that :D

Random aside: If you have an ipod touch, there is an app called "Draw-A-Flag" that I find quite useful in situations where I do not recognize a flag. You draw it (to the best of your ability) and it searches its database for a match. Sometimes it takes a few tries, but it finds it! I find it a useful resource out in the field!

Both, of course :)

We are Vancouverites living in a small french town. Seeing bc flag here always makes us smile.

My observation has been that the only people who seem to be overly concerned with their flag when vacationing in Europe are Americans. I’ve seen tourists with American flag tee shirts in the UK and in Germany (it was July 4 and I was in Bavaria on one of my several trips to Germany, so that sort of makes sense I suppose), but I’ve never really noticed flag pins or patches on backpacks. Perhaps tourists have them, but I’ve never noticed any (aside from the tees already mentioned). There really doesn’t seem to be an up or downside…attach whatever flag you wish or none at all. My guess is that most folks won’t care or notice. Right now, the Canadian flag would be cool because of the Olympics.

i am american, canadian and irish. sure i could put a flag to single out where i liek everyone to think or knwo where i come from. Why do this? Fi you are proud of where you come from then the BC flag should be enough but if you are really proud, in my opinion you should not need a flag. Whether your american canadian or another nationaliy you cannot be afraid of lettign people FINDOUT who you are. I want people to find out by talking to me and not seeing a flag or patch on my pack. Now onether thing to do might be a patch or flag of every country you have visited and put that on.

I have a patch/flag of all the countries I have visited sewn on my day back pack:

Holland, Belgium, France, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Germany, Canada, Mexico,
including the US and Israel flags.

I have always liked patch/flags and have collected them during my travels.

Why would you want to draw attention to the fact that you are a tourist and leave yourself more vulnerable to pickpockets and other theives?

Anna,

I'm not a big fan of wandering around Europe with a Canadian Flag on my Backpack. The "locals" are quite aware that I'm a tourist (and probably from North America), so I'm not quite sure why I would need a Flag?

However, just to "cover all the bases", my Daypack is equipped with a Velcro patch so that I can attach a Flag if desired.

Most people in Europe likely wouldn't recognize the British Columbia flag, but it might be a good conversation starter?

Happy travels!

We did this in the 1970's, but I really wasn't aware that anyone did it anymore. I certainly never notice flags on the backpacks of other travelers anywhere.

When I went to Hawaii last November I took a travel pack with a Texas flag on it. No one noticed! Take the BC and good luck.

If you're an Olympic fan, you could put a Van 2010 inukshuk patch on your pack. That might stir up conversation as well.

I have traveled to Europe several times with a Canadian flag on my bag, and have only had positive responses, aside from a few American travelers who actually seemed offended that I had a flag on my bag. To me I never had to even think of it, growing up in Vancouver if you backpacked anywhere it was almost assumed you would have a flag. When I did my first trip almost 4 years ago, I didn't even have to think about it, I just put my flag on my bag. I wonder why this has become an issue for some. Some Americans have said quite rude and bluntly - why do you need to let everyone know your from Canada? Simply put, I love being Canadian! That and I almost feel like its a tradition, like I said I never thought twice about it, I just did it. The flag has only ever helped me, for example I was lost on the Moscow subway, and a very nice man from Budapest approached me and said he had family that lived in Canada and helped me find my way through the subway.

While I did just buy a new Canada patch for my bag for my trip this summer, I love the idea of the BC patch. I think you are right on when you say it will be a conversation stater, I think its a great idea, heck I may even steal it! So my vote is for the BC patch, maybe I will ever see you on your travels! Good luck

Thanks for all your responses. Who knew that such a simple question would spark so much conversation lol

i have made a decision and I'm going with sawing on flags of all the countries I've been too. THought i'd go totally overbaord with it. I thought that the patches would be perfect souvenirs from my trip. I'll start off with my canadian flag. If I can get an american flag before I leave, I'll put that one on (I like to live dangerously) then add each of the countries I visit as I go along. It'll be like the oldschool suitcases with the stickers on it. It'll look bare at first cause I havnt been anywhere yet but hopefully after 3 months, my bag will be nice and colourful.

Unless someone thinks this is a really bad idea, like its braggy or showoffy or something.

I think you'll have a lot of memories stored with that bag by the time you get home, and with all the flags, it'll become a treasured object for you.
Have a great trip and enjoy!

Hi Anna,

I like the BC flag! If you like talking to people I'm sure that one will have someone asking you where your from. When I was a young man I put a American flag on mine and met a lot of people because of it! It's a great way to make new friends. Have fun on your trip.

All the best
Monte

Either, or. In my experience they are good conversation starters. You're standing in line at the Eiffel Tower, Uffizi Galleries, London Eye....guaranteed somebody is going to come up and start a conversation. Whether they are actually Canuck..or have a family member married too, or living in Canada..its all good.

My favourite tho' are the ones that go something like this (counter guy at the gelato place in Florence) "Hey you Canadian? I got brother live in Canada, maybe you know him? His names Guiseppe, live in Montreal..."