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Nude tourists challenge Canadian image abroad Nude tourists challenge Canadian image abroad
(about 20 hours later)
Canadians, generally pride themselves on being internationally respectful - going so far as to boast that American travellers wear Canadian flag pins to appear more neighbourly. Canadians generally pride themselves on being internationally respectful - going so far as to boast that American travellers wear Canadian flag pins to appear more neighbourly.
Now they are expressing embarrassment after two of their own were among those found guilty of obscene behaviour on a sacred mountain in Malaysia.Now they are expressing embarrassment after two of their own were among those found guilty of obscene behaviour on a sacred mountain in Malaysia.
"I am often asked how one breaks down the barriers between people and an outsider living as their guest. Not bravado, I always reply, but rather the same qualities that would make a visitor welcome in your own home: Respect, good manners, self-deprecating humour, a willingness to eat what's put before you," wrote Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis in The Globe and Mail, as a response to this incident."I am often asked how one breaks down the barriers between people and an outsider living as their guest. Not bravado, I always reply, but rather the same qualities that would make a visitor welcome in your own home: Respect, good manners, self-deprecating humour, a willingness to eat what's put before you," wrote Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis in The Globe and Mail, as a response to this incident.
On Friday, siblings Lindsey and Danielle Petersen from Saskatchewan, were sentenced to three days of time-served in jail and 5,000 Malaysian ringgit (£860/$1,330), after their group of 10 stripped off their clothes for Instagram pictures on Mount Kinabalu. They took the photos on 30 May. On 5 June, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake killed 18 people in the area. The local community blamed the group for causing the quake by disrespecting the mountain.On Friday, siblings Lindsey and Danielle Petersen from Saskatchewan, were sentenced to three days of time-served in jail and 5,000 Malaysian ringgit (£860/$1,330), after their group of 10 stripped off their clothes for Instagram pictures on Mount Kinabalu. They took the photos on 30 May. On 5 June, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake killed 18 people in the area. The local community blamed the group for causing the quake by disrespecting the mountain.
Many Canadians took to social media to express their disappointment.Many Canadians took to social media to express their disappointment.
@JimBeyersTravel tweeted "Did Canadians stripping naked cause Malaysia earthquake? No. Were they dumb & disrespectful? You bet."@JimBeyersTravel tweeted "Did Canadians stripping naked cause Malaysia earthquake? No. Were they dumb & disrespectful? You bet."
Alexis Jung wrote on Facebook "Maybe now they'll be smart enough to know when travelling, respect the rules and customs of the country you're visiting ! (Even here it's illegal to strip down in public as well) what a couple of knuckleheads ... Plus, who wants to get naked in front of their sibling???"Alexis Jung wrote on Facebook "Maybe now they'll be smart enough to know when travelling, respect the rules and customs of the country you're visiting ! (Even here it's illegal to strip down in public as well) what a couple of knuckleheads ... Plus, who wants to get naked in front of their sibling???"
The Canadian Foreign Affairs Department said in a statement they were aware of the situation, but would not comment further due to privacy restrictions.The Canadian Foreign Affairs Department said in a statement they were aware of the situation, but would not comment further due to privacy restrictions.
"Canadian consular officials in Malaysia are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to the Canadian citizens as required.""Canadian consular officials in Malaysia are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to the Canadian citizens as required."
A friend of Lindsey and Danielle told the National Post the siblings would never knowingly offend local customs.A friend of Lindsey and Danielle told the National Post the siblings would never knowingly offend local customs.
"I do believe they've not committed any offense in what they've done. They didn't knowingly offend the group of people," Phillip Gourley told the National Post from Taiwan. "Obviously the disaster that happened, the earthquake is extremely unfortunate, but if that is believed locally to be the cause of the earthquake that's not something Lindsey or Danielle would have known about.""I do believe they've not committed any offense in what they've done. They didn't knowingly offend the group of people," Phillip Gourley told the National Post from Taiwan. "Obviously the disaster that happened, the earthquake is extremely unfortunate, but if that is believed locally to be the cause of the earthquake that's not something Lindsey or Danielle would have known about."
Gourley told the Post the climb in Malaysia would have been the siblings' first mountain trek and described them as "really well behaved".Gourley told the Post the climb in Malaysia would have been the siblings' first mountain trek and described them as "really well behaved".
"They were super funny, but they weren't necessarily ones to go streaking," he said of their time together travelling."They were super funny, but they weren't necessarily ones to go streaking," he said of their time together travelling.
The court agreed those charged on Friday had shown remorse over the incident.The court agreed those charged on Friday had shown remorse over the incident.
Agatha Chong, a member of the Malaysian Association of Canada, who is originally from the Mount Kinabalu area, says her Canadian community is abuzz over the social media photos.Agatha Chong, a member of the Malaysian Association of Canada, who is originally from the Mount Kinabalu area, says her Canadian community is abuzz over the social media photos.
"Even before the earthquake, I was getting emails about this," Chong said. "We were saying it was a pity, because they were ignorant. People were joking, they may make these tourists pay the price of a couple of buffalo, as an offering.""Even before the earthquake, I was getting emails about this," Chong said. "We were saying it was a pity, because they were ignorant. People were joking, they may make these tourists pay the price of a couple of buffalo, as an offering."
But she says her community is not upset.But she says her community is not upset.
"We live in Canada now. In Canada, you can say or do whatever you like - the Charter of Rights - but back there, not so much. … Always observe the local customs and respect the people.""We live in Canada now. In Canada, you can say or do whatever you like - the Charter of Rights - but back there, not so much. … Always observe the local customs and respect the people."
She says those involved must have been unaware of the mountain's significance.She says those involved must have been unaware of the mountain's significance.
"The people who stripped themselves did it out of a youthful exuberance, with no intention of offending.""The people who stripped themselves did it out of a youthful exuberance, with no intention of offending."
They are, after all, Canadian.They are, after all, Canadian.