Ask Us Anything: Should Americans Pretend To Be Canadian? Is Nomading Colonialism? How Do I Travel with Sex Toys?

Also, is it possible to travel with my pet? And how do you stay fit while nomading?

This is a regular column where we answer your travel-related questions. If you ask nicely, we might even answer your non-travel-related ones too!

Have a question for a future column? Ask it here.

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I’m from the U.S., and as the actions of the current administration take effect, I’m worried about how people might react during my travels overseas when they learn I’m American. I’m thinking about pretending to be Canadian. Thoughts? — Alec

I do have thoughts — but first, let’s hear from some actual Canadians.

“It used to be a little point of pride for Canadians that Americans would want to pretend to be us when abroad,” says Andy, a Canadian reader. “But now? With the U.S. actively trying to attack Canada? Absolutely not. The feeling towards the U.S. in Canada is absolutely toxic right now, to levels I didn’t think were possible.”

“We will now call you out,” agrees Bruce, another Canadian. “It’s really offensive, pretending you’re anything like us.”

My thoughts? Do not pretend to be Canadian!

Instead of lying, find a way to communicate that while you’re an American, you don’t support Donald Trump. Say, “I didn’t vote for Trump, and I don’t support what he’s doing.” You can also add, “I’m from New York” or “I live in San Francisco,” if you want to communicate your more liberal politics.

I am always very quick to say, “I voted for Kamala!”

And if you do support Trump, well, why not own that?

Anyway, I understand wanting to avoid the uncomfortable situation of answering for your country’s sins. But on some level, they are our country’s sins, and we all have to deal with the consequences. A cold shoulder is, frankly, better than the despicable way America is currently treating a lot of our formerly close allies.

But, Alec, thanks for asking this question — if only because we’re certain the world will soon be reading an article on this topic in the New York Times or the Washington Post, and Brent and I want to be able to smugly say, “Ha! You read it here first.”

— Michael

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Folks in other countries don’t always appreciate what digital nomads are doing in their nations — driving locals out of neighborhoods and driving up prices for goods and services. So please try to think of the effect you, as comparatively wealthy people from the USA and other affluent countries, are having on the local way of life. It’s often just another form of colonialism. — M

We hear this criticism a lot. Is digital nomading just another form of colonialism?

No, and frankly, I hate this tendency to try win online arguments by subtly re-defining words that previously meant something completely different. I think this tactic minimizes the true horrors of things like colonialism.

I also think it completely misrepresents this particular issue.

Look, nomading and tourism are complicated — like many things in life. There are pros and cons, and there are winners and losers, and I absolutely think that most travelers need to be more mindful of and educated about the impact they have on local communities.

But Michael and I have been traveling the world for eight years now, and it’s very, very obvious to us that while tourism sometimes has genuinely negative impacts on local communities, it also has some extremely positive ones.