Patriotism dilemma: What should Americans wear at the Olympics?

[maxsolomon]

I'm driving up to the Olympics on Thursday (Slalom events) - and here's what i realized:

I do not own a single piece of "USA" clothing. Not one. Not even a stars & stripes bandana. Why is this?

2 Reasons:
1. REPUBLICANS.
2. WAR.

I don't like either, and I pretty much associate the Stars & Stripes with Nationalism, our hubristic foreign policy, & both "Liberals are Traitors" Republicans & "Get a Brain Morans" workout-pants wearing morons.

So, do I take my flag (I do have a flag) & wave it about? Or go out and buy a USA ski cap?

[Mari333]

1. clothes.

:)

[wolfgangmo]

26. I wore my leather jacket, blue jeans, and a comfortable warm shirt.

And I bought a baseball cap with the Canadian Olympic logo on it to keep my head warm. On the other hand I went to see the sports and not to be a walking sign for the USA. I let my behavior be my flag.

My point here is that how you behave while being an American in another country is far more important than what you wear. I'm sure whatever you wear, no matter if it is head to toe flags, or casual wear will be fine as long as you are not behaving like an entitled asshat. As my sainted mother never said, be a mensche.

[knitter4democracy]

2. Find a knitter who has the mittens and/or hat done already.

It's all over Ravelry.com (free to join).

Or, you could get something when you're there that's the standard Olympics stuff. That would be appropriate. I've noticed a lot of the Americans in the crowds not wearing nationalistic stuff, just their usual winter wear with maybe a flag. You'd fit in with just that.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. Perhaps

a small lapel pin of a flag?

[Arctic Dave]

4. Bring a gun and a bible. People will know exactly were you are from.

[City Lights]

12. LOL! nt

[Tesha]

33. Leave your gun(s) at home; Canada, sensibly, won't let you in if you're packing heat.

They *WILL* ask you about it at the border and they will be happy
to detain you.

Tesha

[leftstreet]

5. A medal around your groin

apparently

[dysfunctional press]

6. wear some combination of red, white, and blue...

[KonaKane]

7. A Puritan outfit

That says "I hate Scott Lagos" on the inside of the cape.

[maxsolomon]

13. nah, i wish i WAS Scotty Lago

poor kid. i hope he slept with the girl at least. the whole snowboarding team should have left in solidarity.

[canadianbeaver]

19. he should never have left......

its a frickin party up here...and EVERYONE is being a bit loopy and getting caught up in the excitement and fun...it was harmless if you ask me...Heck..I am sure there is gonna be a youtube of me acting like a total goof dancin it up...good thing I didn't flash my tits to get some beads, or I might never be able to hold my head up high again...geeesh..some people really need to lighten up.

[Bluebear]

8. No worries: Wear your normal clothes & enjoy sports for sport's sake.

Have fun!

[Warpy]

9. I tend to be rather subdued in dress

and were I wealthy enough to be attending the Olympics, my patriotism would be limited to a small handheld flag to be waved if Americans won an event I was attending.

Flag clothing is just plain tacky and the ski hats are appropriate only to members of the ski team, IMO.

Canada is remarkably civilized, but advertising this country in much of the world is no longer a good idea, anyway, not since Stupid stole two terms and wrecked our image.

[canadianbeaver]

10. Take your flag if you like......

there were lots of people from the states with the flag...or some other form of the stars and stripes.....its all good....Just watch out for those canadian hockey fans...they are still a bit sore...but that never lasts too long...on to the next game!! Go Canada Go!

Come on up and party with the world....just leave the teabags at home!

[Brickbat]

11. How about clothes made in the USA? Good enough for me.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

14. A "FUCK YOU" hat...

...that sports flames?






:shrug:

[Green_Lantern]

15. wear red,white, and blue...

Don't let right-wingers "own" the flag and US colors.

[polly7]

18. Yep. Wear whatever you like and be proud. Most people are smart enough to

realize being a fan of your own country's athletes has nothing to do with any politics. Or it shouldn't ...... especially, at the Olympics.

[ChicagoSuz219]

27. I agree. n/t

[Demoiselle]

28. Exactly.

We can demonstrate a love for our country without endorsing right wing horseshit.
And, of course, you can wear whatever you like, too. with or without stars and stripes.
Enjoy!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. Blue & White and wave a UN flag.

"Patriotism is the most foolish of passions and the passion of fools." Schopenhauer

[Green_Lantern]

24. UN flag...

When you want to scream incompetence.

[maxsolomon]

25. Maybe i'll reprezent Cascadia!

[HeresyLives]

17. Oh I'm sure people will know you're an American.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

20. Yep.

Just listen for the chuckles.

[Echo In Light]

21. "A flag is a symbol, and I'll leave symbols to the symbol-minded" ... George Carlin

[Obamanaut]

22. It doesn't matter. Go and enjoy the competition. n/t

[SoxFan]

23. A 1980 USA hockey jersey

[rcrush]

29. Paint yourself in red, white and blue bodypaint and get a beer hat.

Make sure to scream as loud as you can and make sure you are drunk as possible.

[damntexdem]

30. Something warm:

it's the WINTER Olympics.

[CBR]

31. I don't own any either but I would purchase a USA olympics shirt

if I were going. My husband has become tattoo crazy lately and says his next one will be a giant patriotic tattoo on his back. He has become Mr. USA recently!!!

Edit: typo

[NM_hemilover]

32. If the weather continues,

board shorts and flip flops.


I'd enjoy the Olympics and turn the "politics" off in the ole noggin. Those athletes/spectators are there for the spirit of competition, and the life long memories made by watching The Olympics in person and meeting people you never would have otherwise !

Enjoy the experience ! I'm freaking jealous as hell ! There is plenty of time to come home and savor the political and social outrages, without taking them on the road. There IS still a life outside US politics, bizarre as it may sound.

Political signs, slogans, and in general .............political BS at the Olympics is weak !

[Johonny]

34. What I wore in Vancouver

My USA olympic T shirt I bought some years ago.

Basically there's so much Canada Olympic gear available to buy, it doesn't matter. If you plan to buy some stuff you are going to end up with Vancouver Olympic gear or some Russian gear. Head to the Bay then Robson and see everything available in the shops. Depending on your budget. Plus people are going to give you pins to wear and a flag to wave. Either way most people cheer for all the competitors (and a little louder for their home team). People don't tend to boo. Don't be afraid to collect stuff from other countries like a hat or coat or flag. That's part of the experience is meeting people from all over. I ended up with some Russian, China, USA and Canada gear from trading, buying and hand outs. Overall a fun time.