What one bumper sticker on a rental car in Europe might make me look non-American?

[DemoTex]

I'm renting a Prius in Milan and driving around northern Italy and Switzerland in late May and early June. Dr. D. has a business meeting in Verona.
I want to be "invisible", with respect to being from the USA. I have a great beret that I'll wear, and European shoes. What else can I do?
I'm thinking of a simple bumper sticker that might be uniquely European .. or Italian (the Prius will probably have Italian plates) .. non-controversial .. that might make us more European looking.
I originally thought about slapping a DemocraticUnderground bumper sticker (I have many!) on the rent car, but that would let the cat out of the bag. Maybe.
Ideas?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. No bumper sticker

the sticker is an Ameircan practice.

[TomInTib]

2. Good advice, Nadine...

[TomInTib]

4. oops!

A bumper sticker screams "American".

By the way, don't forget to remove that flag pin from your lapel.

[DemoTex]

18. I was one of the few pilots at my airline that NEVER wore any pins on my lapels.

I am a very, very low-keyed guy .. sartorially speaking. I'm like that Faulkner character, Col. Sartorius!

:rofl:

[DemoTex]

9. That's what i figured.

Good advice.

[pbca]

10. Agreed

No bumper sticker - even in Canada it's a rarity and if you do see one it's usually an American tourist.

[Canuckistanian]

21. Damn. I was going to put my DU bumper sticker on my car

Oh, well, maybe I'll put it on my lawn tractor.

[Book Lover]

3. You know, don't bother with the charade

When you slip up, people will really dislike the deception. Just don't be the ugly American.

[Happyhippychick]

5. Canadian flag on the dashboard. Works every time.

[provis99]

8. sure. So many Americans do it, just still act like the "ugly American"

that Europeans are starting to hate Canadians, too.

[pbca]

13. Bad advice on several fronts

1) Canadians generally don't do that so people will assume you're American or Israeli
2) If you actually meet Canadians they will be very upset with you

[Happyhippychick]

32. Really? You have a Canadian flag as your avatar - does that mean you're American or Israeli?

I can't argue with the second point.

[pbca]

36. I don't have one

On my car, my backpack or any of my clothing (save one Olympic jersey from Sydney)

[TomInTib]

6. Listen to Nadine, Mac.

A bumper sticker screams "American".

By the way, don't forget to remove that flag pin from your lapel.

[DemoTex]

44. Dr. D. and I took the Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in 1994 ..

It was an interlude after the Singapore Air Show, and before a writing assignment in Viet Nam (that's another story). I gave her the train trip for our 20th anniversary. We left Singapore late in the afternoon and arrived in KL early the next morning.
At about 7 pm we went to the dining car for our reservation. We are very quiet, unobtrusive people .. especially when traveling abroad. Across the aisle was a table of four Americans. Texans. The men were obviously top-level Bell Helicopter executives, fresh from the Singapore Air Show, too (I knew their names). Obnoxious. Loud. Drunk. Profane. Disgusting. But we were so quiet they never knew who we were. I could tell they wanted to. I think they semi-recognized me (famous aviation writer .. ha!), but were too drunk to place me.
That is just the way we are. Don't worry about us, Tom. I never wear lapel pins or jewelry .. other than my wedding band from my wonderful Dr. D.!

[TomInTib]

75. You got it, Mac....

Heavens!...

Good Dog A'Mighty!

Man, we should travel together.

All that stuff...

Tom

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. Nothing, Europeans don't use bumper-stickers

Get a Canadian sticker for your bags and keep it small

Americans stick out like sore thumbs being loud and boisterous in their appearance and language.

[DemoTex]

57. Europeans don't use bumper-stickers. Ever?

[PA Democrat]

11. Buy some Roots clothing and pass for a Canadian.

[DemoTex]

63. Since I'm often mistaken for an Englishman or Frenchman, I'll stick to that!

I guess its the gray hair and tweeds.

[Faygo Kid]

12. I went through this while backpacking through Europe in 1973. How about "1/20/09"?

The Vietnam War, of course, and Nixon. I decided there was no way I was going to pretend to be anything else than an American, and I was damned glad of that decision.

Why not put the 1/20/09 sticker on the car, and when people ask what that means, you can tell them it's when Bush leaves office. Have a dialogue with people. Tell them we despise Bush, and change is coming. They listened then, and they will listen now. Why try to be something you're not?

[pbca]

14. The Reality is

That if you don't do anything, very few people will ask. If you attempt camouflage people will wonder why AND please don't try to do it with Canadian flags. Most Canadians don't and it's hurting our image internationally when Americans (and now Israelis) do.

[DemoTex]

64. That does not make much sense.

Re-write for a new grade.

[Speck Tater]

15. So, instead of being the "ugly American"...

you want to be the "phony American?" Bad Idea. Just be honest. Honesty is always the best policy. Deception just sets you up to be exposed, and mistrusted for that.

[DemoTex]

22. Neither.

I want to be the Invisible American.

[MaryCeleste]

47. No really possible, unless you speak the lanuage like a native

The real key is not to stand out. You seem to be on the right track with the shoes, not sure about the beret unless you look natural in them. Lose other American affectaions like fanny packs or water bottles.

The key is to match what the locals who are like you in age and gender wear and emulate them. I travel to foreign countries a lot and actually have several virtual wardrobes for different locales. Its easy once you get the hang of it.

Things to no do include sneakers as casual shoes, ball caps, and water bottles. Watch the locals for other clues.

When asked if I am an American, I always say the truth, but it has never caused any issues. Most people want to ask me things about NYC or Texas

[DemoTex]

59. Welcome to DU .. stay a while

Read all the posts in this thread and you will see that I am not really a rube, off last night's turnip wagon! Much of this was tongue-in-cheek.

Again .. welcome MaryCeleste! Great name!

[MaryCeleste]

61. Thanks

I can still pick out the Americans...the white sneakers with jeans are a dead giveaway

[SoCalDem]

16. bumper stickers on RENTED cars is a big No-No..n/t

[DemoTex]

60. WHY? You with Hertz?

I've often put bumper-stickers on rent cars here in the US. Especially around election time. Never had a problem.

[pitohui]

17. i just tell people i'm from new orleans

don't know if it will work for a texan but even before katrina it seemed to work every time for getting some "slack"

bumper stickers, i don't do, nor am i sure it can be correct to put a bumper sticker on a rental

do you want an ugly american to show up and help you pay for the gas? :evilgrin:

[DemoTex]

20. Well, actually .. I used to get beaucoup mileage when I told Europeans I was from Texas.

That was when I flew over there regularly. Their response: J.R.! They absolutely loved Dallas.

[cbayer]

19. I was in Europe the day of the 2004 election and for the following week and it was hell.

I'm not much of a liar, so if anyone asked me, I told them the truth.

And I'm not an "ugly American" - I go out of my way to speak the local language as best I can and always carefully observe local customs.

I was screamed at, called names and even thrown out of one tapas bar in Madrid.

Sorry to the Canadians, but I starting telling people I was from Canada. And everything got much better.

[melody]

35. Bigots are everywhere - French friends of mine had problems in Atlanta, too

If you have to be in Europe for business, then I guess you'd have to put up with local
bigots as well as the sane people, as we all do.

[melody]

23. Be yourself, let other people deal with their own bigotry

I see a whole parade of it on this thread -- sad, but true.

I don't expect French people visiting here to be less French. I didn't resent the Italian tourists that walked up and hugged and prodded me because, though they were visiting my home, they were our guests. I don't resent all Europeans who think I'm going to act like a New Yorker or a Texan, simply because I'm from California. I don't expect them to act like us to be "acceptable". I don't sneer at Canadians for whatever reason. I don't think being American is the best OR worst thing. It's just who we are.

To hell with bigots. Hold your head up and be proud. Bush doesn't define you any more than any other negative political figure defines his/her compatriots.

[BigDaddy44]

24. Sorry

As much as I hate the current administration, I love the United States, and I'm proud to be from the United States. I refuse to let one idiot and his band of merry morons define who I am and where I'm from. When I go to Europe and anyone asks, I tell them exactly where I'm from. I have never had an iota of difficulty. I refuse to let Bush change my behavior. If I do, he wins. Ain't gonna happen.

[DemoTex]

26. Great philosophy ..

Welcome to DU!

[melody]

34. Well said and welcome n/t

[datasuspect]

25. putting a bumper sticker on a car you do not own would be considered "damage"

and you would more than likely get a bill for it.

what would inspire a random driver to assume you are an american anyway?

[DemoTex]

27. Well, hell! It wasn't the first damn-fool idea I've ever had.

Know what I mean, Vern?

[-..__...]

28. Please tell me you're kidding about the beret.

[DemoTex]

30. Oh no! I wear it all the time.

It was a gift from Serge Dassault. It is well worn and funky.

[idovoodoo]

38. Nobody outside France will know who Serge Dassault was

;-)

[DemoTex]

41. Anyone who has ever flown a Mirage or Falcon jet would!

BTW: Welcome to DU! Lots of newcomers tonight. Great. Love having you here.

[idovoodoo]

42. Great airplanes! Not so much the Dassault ultra-right-wingers though

actually I guess Serge is still alive I was thinking of the old man

[DemoTex]

53. Oh yes. Ultra right. Do you know that the name Dassault is affected?

It is exactly what it sounds .. The Assault. It is an allusion to a tank. It was Serge's WW-II nom-de-guerre. He is Jewish, and was subject to the pogroms of the time. He is a genius .. and a character. I have partied at his digs in south France: Chateau Dassault en Bordeaux. I carried a case of his estate-bottled wine on the TGV and Concorde a few years back. GOOD SHIT, THAT!

I have also flown most of the Falcon Jets (Ken Lay's favorite) and a couple of the fighters. BTW: Fred Smith started FEDEX with Dassault Fanjet Falcon 20s!


Serge Dassault


Dassault Falcon 900-EX

[DemoTex]

67. Reminds me of my favorite PA as an airline captain .. on the way to Wally World!

This is the captain speaking. Will Mr. Griswald .. Mr. Clark Griswald .. please report to the senior flight attendant. Thank you.

I did that one many times! Few got it!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

29. If you're driving around Italy in a car with Italian plates,

why would people assume ANYTHING about you?

I agree with the Canadians that pretending to be Canadian is lame. It was lame in 1968, and it's lame now.

Be what you are. I've never run into hostility traveling overseas. The Americans who do are the ones who go around acting like idiots.

Unlike the kinds of Americans who went around looking for Arabs to beat up after 9/11, most Europeans can tell the difference between ordinary people and their government. If you don't come off as a Bush supporter, people will treat you fine.

When I went to Japan in 2004, everyone I talked to for any length of time asked if I was a Repubicanite or a Democrat. When I said "Democrat," they got friendlier.

At a B&B in England, I came down to breakfast to find the owner ragging on Bush with a couple from New Zealand. They shut up quickly when they saw me, but I just laughed and told them that I agreed with everything they said.

[DemoTex]

31. See post #27

[htuttle]

33. If I was really wanting to look other-than-American...

...I'd pick up some European professional sports paraphernalia, like a "Manchester United" T-Shirt or something.

Of course, you might end up looking like kind of a yob, but that might be better than looking like an American...

:eyes:

[Ikonoklast]

50. That will work just fine

Until a drunken hooligan in an Arsenal jersey busts a pint bottle over your head.

[htuttle]

56. When in Rome...

...or Holloway...


:beer:

[Canuckistanian]

37. You might want to consider stocking up on these

That'll earn you some "cred" and respect.

[DemoTex]

39. That "movement" was in Germany. I remember the story well.

Same pile, from my extensive photo library.

:rofl:

[DemoTex]

40. OK! OK! OK! Dumbass idea. Now, how about the Prius? Maybe an Alfa?

Maybe I should rent an Alfa? Eh? That's what I rented last time I was in Italy, and I LOVED it! I wrecked it too. Actually, a truck hit me in a traffic circle outside of Florence. It was his fault.

[blonndee]

43. Why not just be a good American instead?

Ya know, be yourself? Be a good example, and counter the ugly-American stereotype? We could use all the good press we can get! :)

[DemoTex]

45. Best advice yet!

You choked me up with that one, Blondee. That's the ticket.

[AlCzervik]

48. i'm going back to Europe next month and Blondee's advice is the best imo.

[Ichingcarpenter]

69. I see renting a Ford explorer or a Hum-vee in your future

LOL


:) :spank: :sarcasm: :rofl:

[AlCzervik]

70. who me?

[Ichingcarpenter]

71. Sorry wrong reply

I meant the OP....

[AlCzervik]

72. sadly i wont be in one place long enough to rent a car, the tubes, i'll be on it.

[DemoTex]

73. Hard to get to Lugano and Como on the tubes ...

Eh?

[AlCzervik]

74. i'll be in London, then Scotland and the last stop and the one i am so excited about is Prague.

I love London, if i could afford it i'd move there.

[XOKCowboy]

46. Don't worry about it...

It's a myth that they hate us "over there". Heck I wear my cowboy boots and Wranglers and I get the same looks I would in the US. It's how you act that matters. You probably won't even be asked about Bush or Iraq. What the European's especially like are people who are open, try to appreciate the local culture, speak a little of the language and are enjoying themselves. Most would come over just to practice their English on us. Their English was almost always better than our pidgin Italian/French/Spanish but they always appreciated us trying.

I've been to Italy twice, London 3 times and even HORRORS France and have never had any problems. The only times I have been asked about American politics I've just said "Hey I didn't vote for him", every body laughs and you're instantly accepted.

Your best bet in Europe or anywhere else around the world? Just don't be the

UGLY AMERICAN

[DemoTex]

49. Oh, I have been hundreds of times (as a pilot and writer).

But I haven't been since 9/11. Ironically, I was in Positano, Italy, when Jeffords jumped ship from the GOP in early summer 2001. Most Italians there already hated Bu$h, and they loved that development. They told me what was going on back home .. politically .. with great glee. I would never have broached the subject myself.

When I was editor of a certain international aviation publication, I went to London so often that I would get pulled out of the line at Gatwick's passport control. They knew me by name.

I went over once for a 1 hour meeting in Prestwick. I landed at Gatwick and was met by a BAe-125-800 corporate jet for the flight to Scotland. Met the dudes for one hour, then flew back to Gatwick on the BAe 125-800. I slept at the Gatwick Hilton and caught the flight back to Philly the next morning. One night in the UK.


Positano

[XOKCowboy]

52. I never went before 9/11

9/11 is why the company started doing international shows. Nobody in the US had any money to send people to trade shows but nothing had changed in Europe. They know what it's like to be hit by terrorists and life went on.

Post 9/11 hasn't changed life there that much. I've never had any problem and we even spent a week touring Cannes/St. Tropez/Monte Carlo. Heck that's hard core France and I had a great time. Hey if ya get a chance while you're in Milan, hop on the train to Florence. It's the most incredible city in Europe.

[DemoTex]

54. I've been to Florence many times.

Art heaven!

[XOKCowboy]

62. Ain't it?

Heck I'm just an ol' farm boy from Oklahoma and I stood in awe of David for half an hour. Goosebumps and everything. I became a fan of Michelangelo.

If you haven't been back in 6 yrs wait till ya see the lines to the Ufizzi and Academia NOW! :) Oh man what about that food though? Some of the best in the world.

[DemoTex]

65. Never, ever stand in those lines!

Stay at a good hotel (I don't know the cut-off), and have the concierge get tickets for the Ufizzi and/or Academia. You might have to tip, for God's sake! But then you just walk to the head of the line at the apponted time .. and, Voila, in!

No money? Sneak in the Ufizzi from the gift shop. Very E-Z. But I'd rather pay. It is worth it.

[XOKCowboy]

66. Hey I'm a traveler..

I did the modern version of that. Ordered my tix online. Walked right by 1000 people and got right in. I almost felt sorry for them but hey.... :)

[DemoTex]

68. That is what I mean!

Online .. concierge. Using the noodle helps the B/P!

[many a good man]

51. Here are some bumper stickers for ya

Never seen these on American cars.

Especially interesting is the one of the ruc catala humping the Spanish bull! The ruc catala, or Catalonian black ass, was the symbol of opposition to bull fighting in Catalonia. This was a Spanish car photographed in Rome. The owner of the car must be gallego. "Nunca mais" means "never again" and refers to the big oil spill they had there a few yrs ago.

[DemoTex]

55. But .. but .. some expert above says you NEVER see bumper stickers in Europe .

Never say never ..

[many a good man]

58. If you notice, they're on the hatch, not the bumper!

And they aren't rectangular. How odd!

Therefore you have to buy a non-rectangular sticker and put somewhere NOT on the bumper. You'll fit right in.