Do you ever lie about your citizenship?

I'm American and never lie about where I'm from. Yeah, a lot of people ask more questions, but to be honest most locals are truly interested about the States and want to know your opinion of the politics. I think it is important for those Americans that are traveling to show that not everyone from the U.S. is ignorant of what happens around the world. For example, when I was in Bolivia the U.S. ambassador had just gotten thrown out for something Bush and Evo had gotten into a fight about. A lot of the locals were really intrigued in what I thought about Bush, U.S. politics, etc. And, I think it is crucial as an open minded citizen to try to show that while my country has done, and continues to do, some ridiculous things at times, not everyone there, and not everything it does, is bad.

A lot of the Europeans I met were super interested in the election, the system, why the right is the way they are and why the left always seems to drop the ball. And the conversations can get repetitive, but at times I feel like I need to explain the situation. I personally lean towards the left of the American political spectrum, but had a degree in Poli Sci so always approach the conversation from more of a neutral place and at the bare minimum hope I explained some of the errors and injustices of the U.S. and possibly even pointed out some of the good things.

What I found most interesting, and I'm not stereotyping all Canadians but just commenting on my experiences, but they were consistently the most offensive to me once they found out I was American. A lot of times they became accusatorial and just straight up rude. And I'm actually from the northern U.S. and spent a lot of my summers in Canada so I have no clue why... My guess is just that it stems from them constantly having to deal with people confusing U.S. and Canada accents while they travel. I completely understand their desire to not be referred to as Americans; my accent is really northern and most people I meet from the southern U.S. actually think I'm Canadian!

Anyway, my two cents.... Reply to this

Whenever a taxi driver here in Bangkok is asking me where I am from it's always easier to say - I'm from Europe... I think is not a lie - it's just an easiest way to explain... specially when three of us is there... All from different and mixed nationalities.... Reply to this

I have three passports, UK, NZ and Australian. I've lived in Australia longer than anywhere else, although born in UK regard Australia as my home and myself as an Australian especially during the cricket season. When there are any visa fees to pay I'll present whichever passport attracts the lowest charges. I find that very few people ask my nationality but many do ask where are you from and my answer is Sydney Australia. Reply to this

Hi dear MJ,

you didn't need to lie about ur citizenship in Muslim Country but u have need to condemn ur newspaper which had published a Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) cartoon. It was satanic try. We all Muslims loves to all nations bcz our religion never permission to bother the human. ye there are some groups in all religions who don't want a peace at living planet. I just wanna to explain that our religion is incomplete without Hazrat Chris.

Love for all Reply to this