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Hahaha, I do the same guessing and in my experience the results are also the sameWhile waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
Karrimor from UK
MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
Millets/Blacks (same company) = UK
Mountain Warehouse = UK and Canada
Also those who wear an Akubra hat and/or smell faintly of Vegemite?Brands sold mainly in AS/NZ that I have seen on the Camino:
It would take a lot to make me give up my Tilley, but if you are a desperate Oz who has run out of Vegemite, I will normally have a small reserve!Also those who wear an Akubra hat and/or smell faintly of Vegemite?
As for the basic premise that this gear branding might be a reliable indicator of nationality - I doubt it very much. Brands like Dueter, Rab, Berghaus, Jack Wolfskin etc are distributed around the world
You are a bad, bad man!! Fancy even contemplating defeating these simplistic views of national stereotyping, let alone following through on it as well.Being Irish I flew a Brazilian flag just to confuse anyone else playing similar game walking behind me. Might also explain why I met lots of Brazilians on last year's Camino and continued my journey on the Caminho da fè
The Scandanavians, Norway and Denmark are particularly patriotic.
Likewise. If you assessed my nationality by the brand of my outerwear, I am some strange combination of Italian/German/New Zealander/Australian/Norwegian/Canadian/American. If you assessed it on the location of manufacturer, I would be Chinese/Thai/Filipino/New Zealander.Being Danish, my backpack and walking shoes are of a German brand and the rest of my outfit is American or British brands
I never realized that -how does that manifest itself?
Being Danish, my backpack and walking shoes are of a German brand and the rest of my outfit is American or British brands
When working in a hotel in St Andrews I once gently pointed out to an American guest that his well-intentioned observation that it was "the cutest little town in England" might not be received with wholehearted approval by the locals. I also explained that England started quite some distance to the south. "England" and "Britain" are not synonymous. And let's not get into the subtle distinction between "Great Britain" and the United Kingdom either...d. suggesting to a Briton not from England that they are - still cannot figure out this one
Elementary my dear @Turga both myself and @dougfitz share similar opinion as yourself with regard to gear as per post #14 but in my experience any Danes I met proudly but discreetly displayed the Danish flag in the form of a patch on their pack and either came from Aarhus or Copenhagen and hadn't tasted Danish bacon
Always an exception especially when stereotyping tall, blonde, blue eyed VikingsYou would never identify me as a Dane! I don't wear a flag-patch on my backpack and I thrive on bacon...
I thrive on bacon
Thank you for point a). I lived in Australia and can attest that point c) is true also. Plus French is my mother tongue (as French is the official second language in Canada. I am proud of my heritage and mindful of others’. It is so nice to experience and witness patriotism. We are one big community if we choose to be so.Likewise. If you assessed my nationality by the brand of my outerwear, I am some strange combination of Italian/German/New Zealander/Australian/Norwegian/Canadian/American. If you assessed it on the location of manufacturer, I would be Chinese/Thai/Filipino/New Zealander.
Noting that Decathalon has a bricks and mortar presence in 54 countries and Deuter has a dealer network covering around 30 countries around the world, treating this as any more than a bit of fun would be itself quite funny.
Some identification 'mistakes' I would not want to make:
a. confusing people from the US and Canada - they are both rightly proud of their national identities and deserve that we recognise the distinction.
b. and the same for Australians and New Zealanders, who delight in their differences unless you offend both at once, when you will have created an unholy coalition the bonds of which will not be broken.
c. suggesting a French person is anything but that - I used to think this was snootyness, but time has changed my mind on that.
d. suggesting to a Briton not from England that they are - still cannot figure out this one
I never realized that -how does that manifest itself?
Being Danish, my backpack and walking shoes are of a German brand and the rest of my outfit is American or British brands
I only have Osprey, but I am not from CanadaWhile waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
When working in a hotel in St Andrews I once gently pointed out to an American guest that his well-intentioned observation that it was "the cutest little town in England" might not be received with wholehearted approval by the locals. I also explained that England started quite some distance to the south. "England" and "Britain" are not synonymous. And let's not get into the subtle distinction between "Great Britain" and the United Kingdom either...Perhaps an analogy may help. Would a Texan welcome being called a Californian? After all since California is the largest state numerically and economically in the USA surely it must be acceptable to label all US citizens "Californians"? And I am sure that the residents of Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs would have no objection to being labelled "Sydneysiders" or "Queenslanders" on similar principles.
In Australia recently I met a young woman on a group tour. After a minute or two of conversation she asked me if I could tell where she was from and I scored big bonus points for correctly saying "Canada" rather than the USA. Apparently I was the first person she had met in weeks who didn't immediately assume she was from the USAWhile walking the West Highland Way, I had a Scot identify me as American. I replied that I was Canadian to which he replied: "what's the difference?" To which I replied: "oh you are English are you"? For some reason my question was more offensive to him than his was to me.
Also One Planet from Australia (packs). You’ll see mine in SeptemberBrands sold mainly in AS/NZ that I have seen on the Camino:
Aarn
Macpac
Fairydown (taken over by Macpac, but I saw one pack in 2010)
Kathmandu
Paddy Pallin (not packs, but clothing items)
As for the basic premise that this gear branding might be a reliable indicator of nationality - I doubt it very much. Brands like Dueter, Rab, Berghaus, Jack Wolfskin etc are distributed around the world. In terms of my current gear, I have gear from Austria, Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and USA as well as kit manufactured for Australian and New Zealand brands.
Perhaps it will be more reliable for brands that aren't widely distributed. Millets and Quechua both come to mind as examples from Europe, or Aarn from AS/NZ.
Also One Planet from Australia (packs). You’ll see mine in September
.I only have Osprey, but I am not from CanadaI am Danish
Put a little flag on your backpack so it’s visible for everyone and we will all know where you are from
While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
But the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
I know that it is an American equipment brand but as a Scot who lived and worked in Fife for a number of years I couldn't possibly see the word "Kelty" without instantly thinking of this insteadKelty? Anyone? Anyone?
You wouldnt pick us from NZ, my sister had a Deuter, mine is Osprey - BUT my sleeping bag is KathmanduWhile waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
I love that bluntness, no ambiguityBut the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
As a Slovenian I have a huuuge Halti backpack. It might be 80l I'd say. But it was used back in the backpacking & hitchhiking days not for the Camino of course. It's from Finland I think.Osprey and Deuter also often used in Skandinavia, at least in Finland. But I guess you're about right there
I'd be in the 10%. Texan with a Deuter!I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
But the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
And I´m Norwegian. I hope I´m not put in the American/Canadian box because my backpack is an Osprey or Japaneese because I wear Hokas.I never realized that -how does that manifest itself?
Being Danish, my backpack and walking shoes are of a German brand and the rest of my outfit is American or British brands
It is not unknown for Americans travelling abroad to purport to be Canadian. I have never met a Canadian who purported to be American, although I do know very well an ex-Canadian who took American citizenship,In Australia recently I met a young woman on a group tour. After a minute or two of conversation she asked me if I could tell where she was from and I scored big bonus points for correctly saying "Canada" rather than the USA. Apparently I was the first person she had met in weeks who didn't immediately assume she was from the USA
I wear an Austrian broad brimmed wool felt hat that I bought in the Tyrol many years ago. I have been accused of being Australian in many countries including Turkey. I probably smell of goat or bovril depending upon weather conditions. But this better than the ammonia smell generated from my tweed jacket (when wet) that were preferred attire for engineers of my generation. The fixatives for the dye is based on natural ammonia products.Also those who wear an Akubra hat and/or smell faintly of Vegemite?
And not buying a round of drinksBut the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
I thought that it was the Americans wearing Hokas.or Japaneese because I wear Hokas.
This is called being frugal not cheapAnd not buying a round of drinks
Not so fast @Purky. There IS another giveaway: people who grew up in Holland (especially younger generations) are really tall. You don't even have to open your mouths.But the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
Ah, yes -but you can be frugal and very generous. (That's my experience of many Dutch people.)And not buying a round of drinks
But they just might have something else stashed...And not buying a round of drinks
I found the lyrics, but even then some bits are completely indecipherable to me!!I know that it is an American equipment brand but as a Scot who lived and worked in Fife for a number of years I couldn't possibly see the word "Kelty" without instantly thinking of this instead
I'm not surprised! Fife is sometimes known as "the kingdom of Fife" because before the advent of road bridges and the railways the relative isolation of the peninsula gave it a distinct local identity and that showed up in dialect and accent amongst other things. A place apartI found the lyrics, but even then some bits are completely indecipherable to me!!
Mine is a much older style, grey canvas, 55L, no fuss, but fits really well and has a wide padded hip strap. Great pack. Do you have one of these?
I have worked in the Netherlands off and on for over 30 years and found the locals to be friendly and good company and generally have a better work life balance than most other nations. But to paraphrase an ex colleague of mine. "The Dutch are like Scots but with their sense of generosity removed" But he was a contract negotiator@LTfit and @henrythedog beat me to it but I'll say it anyway:
Not so fast @Purky. There IS another giveaway: people who grew up in Holland (especially younger generations) are really tall. You don't even have to open your mouths.
Ah, yes -but you can be frugal and very generous. (That's my experience of many Dutch people.)
I wear HokasI thought that it was the Americans wearing Hokas.
It is not unknown for Americans travelling abroad to purport to be Canadian. I have never met a Canadian who purported to be American, although I do know very well an ex-Canadian who took American citizenship,
I have many friends and colleagues from the States and they would explain that as a response to a real or perceived security issue, or concern over the perception of political or international relations issues abroad.
The only hint giving by me was the fact, that I ordered a Radler first almost on every stop in my Albergues.
I remember the same with the group of 6 young (25-30) Americans in Eastern Turkey back in 2007. After arrival I asked them why they said they were Canadians to the driver of our minivan they explained it (or they didn't) with "don't you understand?".During my last Camino this year I meet 5 women carrying a packsac with a Canadian flag. When I say hello they told me they were from New York ...
I can always tell the Dutch cyclists - they have the best bikes!! AND they can hold a conversation whilst pedalling uphill despite coming from a flat country.... Whereas I come from Devon (the God/Goddess' own country!But the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
Lots of us are still looking for Yost!But the Dutch are notoriously hard to spot. We walk among you, wearing a mix of brands and invariably speak your language. The only thing that will give us away, we just can't help it, is our bluntness.
Osprey and I am from U.K.While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
Heyyyy, where is Fjällräven on this hilarious list?
Fjällräven backpack = Start speaking Danish (80 pct. chance), otherwise switch to Swedish (15 pct. chance). If this doesn't work, shift to German (=5 pct chance)! I never understood why our Norwegian friends don't wear Fjällräven though... maybe because they have Bergans?!?View attachment 62890
Osprey and I am from U.K.
Both Haglöfs and Fjällräven are Swedish brands... not Danish or Scandinavian or anything else.While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Halti from Sovenia
FJALLRAVEN from Danmark at 80% chance
Osprey from Mexico
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Osprey Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
Osprey AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
During May and June on the Camino Frances Osprey was easily the most popular pack brand. Almost 60-70 percent of Pilgrims used one. While nationalities were much more diverse. I use an Osprey and I am a Kiwi.
I am from Canada. I have two packs that I wear depending on which route I take. AARN for del Norte and Francés and Osprey for shorter routes.While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Halti from Sovenia
FJALLRAVEN from Danmark at 80% chance
Osprey from Mexico
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Osprey Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
Osprey AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
HiWhile waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Halti from Sovenia
FJALLRAVEN from Danmark at 80% chance
Osprey from Mexico
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Osprey Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
Osprey AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
Im from Sweden - Ospray is very popular here! ( We have our own brands Fjällräven and Haglöfs so of course a lot of swedish pilgrims have these brands..)While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Halti from Sovenia
FJALLRAVEN from Danmark at 80% chance
Osprey from Mexico
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Osprey Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
Osprey AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
Hi
I am from Cape Town South Africa and have a Deuter
K-Way would also be from South Africa
Jane
Im from Sweden - Ospray is very popular here! ( We have our own brands Fjällräven and Haglöfs so of course a lot of swedish pilgrims have these brands..)
You are well versed! I have done this to a minor degree--not at all as comprehensive as your research. Being from the US, I am familiar with REI, Osprey, Lowe and Northface, but not with the others. LL Bean is another popular brand from the US but I don't know if you have seen many on your travels.While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Osprey Fjallraven Haglosfs from Sweden
Deuter and K-Way from South Africa
Halti from Sovenia
FJALLRAVEN from Danmark at 80% chance
Osprey from Mexico
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Osprey Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
Osprey AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
Indeed, but both available in many other countries. I am not planning to take use my beautifully designed and constructed Fjallraven Raven 28 for my next pilgrimage, but were I to do so, it would give no indication of my nationality than most of the other gear and outerwear that I use. It was purchased in Trondheim and is reasonably readily available in my own country.Both Haglöfs and Fjällräven are Swedish brands... not Danish or Scandinavian or anything else.
If the person is wearing long pants, likely they are from Spain or Italy.While waking the camino you are pass by a pilgrim and wonder from which country he or she is? And to shy to ask?
Try this.
Try to identify the packsak brand...
If the brand is Lafuma, Millet or Quechua there are good chance they are from France!
Osprey Fjallraven Haglosfs from Sweden
Deuter and K-Way from South Africa
Halti from Sovenia
FJALLRAVEN from Danmark at 80% chance
Osprey from Mexico
Altus Trango Quechua from Spain
Deuteur and Vaude from Germany
North Face from Korea
Haglof from Scandinavian
Norrona from Norwegian
Osprey Millets Blacks Mount Warehouse Karrimor from UK
Mount Warehouse Osprey MEC and Arcteryx from Canada
Gregory Ula Gossamer Zpacks REI Osprey lowe and Nortface the USA
One Planet AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from Australia
Osprey AARN Macpac Fairy Down Kathmandu from New Zealand
I am shure this is not 100% but it is almost 90% OK with Deuter and Germany...
What is your experience?
I really think this is a bad bet!If the person is wearing long pants, likely they are from Spain or Italy.
Deuter and K-Way from South Africa
It proved true most of the time when I asked hikers last year.I really think this is a bad bet!
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