It’s literally impossible for anyone to travel to another country and fit in fully with the locals. No matter where you go, the customs and practices will never be exactly the same as they are in your hometown, and you’re bound to do something that gives away the fact that you’re not a resident.
This is especially true of most American travelers. You might think you’re doing a great job of speaking the language and blending in, but, well…most likely, you’re not. In fact, you’re probably doing the complete opposite of blending in.
A recent AskReddit thread asked people to reveal the things that prove someone is an American tourist (besides their accents, of course). Their answers were super fascinating and really covered a lot of different aspects from the way tourists dress to their mannerisms. If you have a trip coming up, this is a good list to study so you hopefully don’t embarrass yourself!
Don’t wait to be seated.
When visiting Paris my wife and I learned they don’t seat you at restaurants.
You just walk in and sit down at an available table.
We figured it out after standing around at the entrance a few times. Then we started noticing other American tourists doing the same.
Shhh!
While in Korea, I was casually talking to a friend on the bus in a regular speaking voice.
Not even a minute later, the lady in front of us turns around in her seat and says very casually, “please calm down.”
I guess American volume is noticeably louder.
This is so true.
When they introduce themselves they never say they’re from America.
Mostly just the state/city they’re from.
Aww.
Saying “Hi, how are you?” to the barista, servers, retail workers.
My country doesn’t quite have that culture so I find it really sweet.
Bold American confidence.
The absolute fearlessness of asking anyone on the street about anything.
I don’t mean this negatively, I’m just saying I’ve seen Americans approach people both in my home country and abroad starting conversations with them that I wouldn’t dream of because they look shady or just plain scary.
Example, I was in Newcastle and I see a bald-headed skinny man with face tattoos and a tracksuit suddenly asked, “Hey bud, d’ya know where…” It’s quite admirable.
Not quite…
Being called African-American while living in The Netherlands.
Simple as that.
When I went to Italy with a friend, I couldn’t figure out why everyone greeted me in English before I said a word.
I don’t wear running shoes outside of the gym, I dress pretty posh, I can’t remember the last time I owned a baseball cap, and I try to have a basic grasp on the local language. How can they tell I’m American?
My friend told me, “It’s because you’re smiling at them.”
Your politeness may betray you.
Some of yous are way more polite than expected.
Whenever I hear someone say “ma’am” I know they’re American.
Like one time I was in Lidls and there was an American family asking someone who worked there if they sold “cell phones” and when the woman said they didn’t they were all “oh okay, thank you for your time ma’am! Have a great day!” which is much more cheery than the average Scot.
Old = impressive.
They get amazed by old things.
Girlfriend used to work on a farm and an estate in the U.K. and would often have Americans in awe of the old buildings.
One once said, “Some of these buildings are older than my country.”
What am I supposed to do with this?
If you see an American in Japan, they will frantically look for public trash cans.
The absence of trash receptacle is something unfounded in the US, and we become confused at the idea of having to hold it for extended periods of time.
Don’t call it a “restroom.”
Asking for the restroom.
I mean, obviously the accent was then heard too but in my little village in Scotland I was in the pub and a woman politely asked the barman where the restrooms were.
He didn’t know wtf she was on about and then it obviously clicked. “Ye mean the toilet? Aye hen it’s joost back ‘err.”
Here’s a tip.
Tipping.
Americans will try to tip everyone, even in countries where tipping isn’t a thing/is considered a serious insult.
Sorry, we’re closed.
They’re looking for a store open at like 11 pm.
Even if in most European countries stores close at like 7-8 pm.
Simple enough.
I’m half Japanese and I live in Japan.
Basically, we automatically assume any white person is American.
It’s the shoes.
I walked into a museum in Germany and the women selling tickets greeted us in English.
We were dressed conservatively and hadn’t said a word, yet she knew. I asked her how, and she said, “it’s your shoes.”
Indeed, I was wearing running shoes.
More ice!
Extra ice in their drinks.
“Outspoken” is a nice way to put it.
They are very outspoken.
At my local aquarium the other day I heard a lady very loudly say, “Have the penguins gone to bed? Can we not see them? Y’all the penguins have gone to bed y’all missed em.”
OK then.
I taught English in Japan.
One of the ways we got the students to speak was to make them guess where we were from because they had a hard time differentiating between American, British, Aussie, etc. accents.
After a year, none of them ever guessed I was American so I asked them why: “Americans are fat and loud. You’re small and quiet!”
That’s not how it works.
This is going to sound made up just because of how ridiculous this is, I wouldn’t believe it myself hadn’t I have seen this happen myself.
Back when I lived in Poland, there was a couple standing in front of me in the line at a Mcdonald’s who were outraged that Mcdonald’s didn’t accept US dollars as a form of payment
“But Mcdonald’s is American!” (Actual quote from the guy.)
Just a reminder: this was in Poland.
I’m not 100% sure but I think they were American.
Interesting!
If they buy peanut butter.
It sounds very weird, but everyone who buys peanut butter where I work turns out to be American.
I wouldn’t have guessed this one.
When they comment about the driving.
Quite a vivid picture.
Baseball caps, University spirit wear, cargo shorts, free t-shirts from events with ads and text all over them, and for the older Americans they always seem to just kinda stand in the middle of everything looking around.
I love this one:
I was at a beach where music was playing and “Sweet Caroline” came on.
I told my sister (we are both Hispanic, but I live in the US): “Hey, if you are wondering who here is from the US, you are about to find out.”
10 seconds later: PA PA PAAAAAA
Not necessarily a good thing.
Confidence.
I have never seen someone walk so confidently in the wrong direction like an American can.
Don’t count on having the right of way.
When they cross the street, they expect cars to stop for them.
In my country, the cars will run you down without thinking twice.
It’s a real look.
Beige cargo shorts and very very white legs.
Vocab lesson!
The way they like to say “oh you call this X? We call that Y in America” or something along those lines.
Time vs. distance.
I don’t have much experience in foreign countries as an American but I heard we “measure” distances in time.
(Ex. It is 4 miles to our destination vs It takes 7 minutes to our destination.)
Nice beard!
I would say impeccable facial hair.
Maybe they get a trim before they go on holiday but I’m always impressed by their tidy beards and mustaches.
Dead giveaway.
They ask for ketchup.
Share this with someone who has an upcoming trip!