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Traveling is one of the most enriching experiences in life. You discover different parts of the world, soak in new cultures, and gain new perspectives that help you become a well-rounded person. After all, you learn about all the similarities and differences your homeland shares with these faraway territories. But at the same time, people over there also observe that you’re far, far away from a local.
To people outside the US, Americans are a recognizable bunch. Apparently, it’s not only the accent that gives them away. Extremely extroverted? Check. Wears shoes inside? Yes, sir. Asks for refills? Spotted in plain sight! And many more similar traits, as Reddit user TheRighteous999 proved when they posted this question, "What are some things American people do that instantly tell you that they're American?"
Sure enough, the thread received an avalanche of responses with typically "American" traits that make them stick out in other countries. We’ve gone through the answers and gathered the ones that bleed blue, white, and red. So if you wish to be a more discreet traveler, scroll down and consider these giveaways for your next trip. Keep reading to also find an in-depth interview with travel blogger Megan Starr. Then let us know which of the replies you agree with most, and be sure to share your own takes in the comments!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Talks about “freedom” like it’s an exclusive American privilege and not the bare minimum for a good chunk of the world.
Ange Marsden 2 years ago
Trump called my country a Socialist Hell; We're hoping that puts his family off moving here
RELATED:
#2
"I'm french, italian, spanish, portuguese and serbian"
**Born and raised in Connecticut, never left the state, only speaks english and maybe took a 23andme test**
Or
"You're french ? I'm french too ! My great great ... great grandmother was in Paris one time when she was a toddler !"
DrBronxx 2 years ago
Yes. Americans claiming to be from another country without any qualifiers is a pet peeve of many around the globe. The first time I met an American while I was traveling abroad, she said "I'm English", and I, assuming she must have moved to the US as a child, said "Oh really? Which part?" Her response was "Oh, I don't know. I just know that my great grandparents came from there." The exchange left me very confused.
It’s no secret that citizens of the most powerful country in the world often find themselves in the spotlight. The internet’s fascination with America, from its culture to its politics to its people, seems to be beyond control. It looks like everyone has at least a few opinions to share about the nation, and, news flash! They’re usually far from great.
In reality, not all typically American characteristics are negative. Every culture has peculiar quirks that can tell people around the world what country someone came from, even without asking. But differences between the US and other places can sometimes be so painfully obvious that they make for some amusing moments of confusion whenever pointed out.
To learn more about the subtle and not-so-subtle things American tourists do that immediately out them in other countries, we reached out to a writer and travel blogger Megan Starr who is originally from Virginia, US. She is one of the authors of a blog called Megan & Aram that’s purely dedicated to showcasing the beauty of Scandinavia, the Eastern bloc, and beyond. Living abroad for 12 years now, Megan is an avid traveler that has explored many breathtaking places around the globe and has amassed an arsenal of experiences she’s eager to share with others.
#4
Smug and overconfident. Especially applies to White American men. I work in engineering consulting and it constantly amazes me how comfortable they are listening to the sound of their own voices and being wrong or inaccurate more than 50% of the time.
#5
They make a huge fuss over your accent.
I was in London and some American tourists asked for directions, I told them and they were like ‘you sound so British!’ and even called his friend over to marvel at my accent. Like, dude you’re *in* England. What do you expect? The people aren’t a f*****g museum attraction
#6
Most Americans I meet are some of the friendliest, polite people. That being said, they are unmistakably loud and over-sharey of personal details.
Also they should know that the customer is not always right, that service industry jobs are respectable occupations, and asking for ketchup is a dead giveaway.
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago (edited)
I do NOT over-share personal details! I mean, the ONLY thing you REALLY need to know about me is that I'm 5'5", I have curly hair, I have two cats who are named Kohl and Preacher, and Kohl was named for the mineral stibnite, and Preacher was named for one of my favorite comic book series, and I have a puppy named Stilgar, and I really like pears, and I like pretty much all insects except for earwigs, and I was adopted at birth, and my adopted mother is a toxic narcissist who was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive towards me my entire life, and I have one adopted sister and two biological sisters, and my adopted dad died last year, and he was an awesome dad and a great guy, and I have this one hair on my chin that grows out all bristly and thick, and we call those "bruja hairs" in my family, and I like parsnips and beets and pretty much all vegetables, and I'm 40 years old, and when I was a kid I had a small speaking part in a TV series so I have an actual IMDB listing, and
When asked if she could reveal certain things that instantly expose Americans as tourists, she said that extreme confidence is probably the biggest one. "I can always tell an American (especially when abroad) because they walk around with confidence, they speak loudly and clearly (sometimes too much), and they are quick to say hello and be social," she told Bored Panda. "When I am abroad, this is usually how I can spot an American."
While the accent is seemingly their biggest giveaway, body language, behavioral differences, and even fashion choices also help people to recognize that a tourist is from the US. "That and the fact that they are likely wearing a t-shirt from their favorite college or sports team," Megan added.
#7
Measure everything in eagles per squarefoot
Nathan Jones 2 years ago
Literally nobody has ever done this. We strictly measure in football fields.
#8
Based on my personal experience:
“I don’t understand why no one here speaks English” - In a foreign country where actually a lot of people do speak English although not at a native level.
Also “You guys have no customer service” just because Karens in my country don’t get free food.
#9
Introduce themselves as their ancestors nationalities lmao
Ange Marsden 2 years ago
Australians and Kiwis don't do this; You gonna live in the past, better mention all the shifty things your ancestors did too....
I I 2 years ago
ahh so , Irish American and my family is best known for slaughtering Indians and keeping African slaves.......
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Lazy Panda (she/her/hers) 2 years ago
I'm American and while I think it's fine that people identify by their heritage, it's odd to introduce yourself as Irish/Italian/whatever rather than "of Irish/Italian/whatever descent." And it's every odder to introduce yourself that way to *someone actually from that country.*
Bored Person 2 years ago
This annoys me so much. Just because you great great great grandfather was Irish doesn't make you Irish
StarlightPanda! 2 years ago
It doesn't make you entirely Irish. But it's still part of your ancestry. Unless you're a full Native American, you're of different ethnicities. It shouldn't be annoying to hear someone say where their families were from and such. Diversity is beautiful.
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Cashme Outside 2 years ago
Ive personally never done this. I couldn’t tell you where my ancestors are from and really couldn’t care less. Every member of my family that Ive ever met was born and raised in America and I only consider myself American.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
Again, you're confusing nationality and ethnicity. In the US, the overwhelming majority of us are NOT ethnically American.
Jennifer Rose 2 years ago
Do you think all of a sudden because you were born in America your ethnic background changes to American? It is great to be nationalistic, but rather racist to ignore and forget where you came from.
CeddysMum 2 years ago
That's probably one of the issues that confuses things. If I ask someone "where they're from" I'm asking about their nationality and/or where they live, not what their ethnicity is. If I want to know their ethnicity/ancestry, I'll ask for it specifically.
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Daniel Whelan 2 years ago
I have never once introduced myself to someone overseas (I travel extensively for work) and told them my ancestry. It has come up during social conversations with those people, yes....but never "Hi, I'm Dan, I'm a Celto-Slavic American".
Gypsy Lee 2 years ago
Wtf? Nobody introduces themselves as their ancestors nationality. We introduce ourselves with our NAME, just like everyone else. They may mention they had ancestors from somewhere at some point, similar to someone from another country mentioning they visited somewhere in the US during a conversation; again, that’s not an insult. Why do people get their knickers in a bunch over this? I get everyone hates Americans - we get it, we’re aware- but come on.
Benita Valdez 2 years ago
I only talk about my ancestry when asked. My name doesn't match my features so people are curious "what I am" and I couldn't possibly have Hispanic heritage because im so pale(idiots). And I have had to say "yes my dad is my biological dad even though he's 10 shades darker than me and I look nothing like him except for my hair and eye color".
Elliott the not Idiott 2 years ago
Babe, if you were born in Vietnam, great that's awesome, you're from Vietnam, but if your great great grandma had an aunt from Vietnam and you don't even know where from, I don't really care.
Susan Reid Smith 2 years ago
I ask how long my ancestors have to have lived in a place before my ancestors are from that place. I live in California, so my ancestry is the states my parents and grandparents live in before they came here.
Firefly 2 years ago
I just received a questionnaire from the U.S. census bureau, from our government, and it said I had to answer all the questions truthfully under penalty of law. One of the questions wanted to know the background ancestry for everyone in our household. How the heck should I know? According to family oral history, my background is a hodge podge and my children are adopted. Why is this on a government document?
Meaghan O'Mulrain 2 years ago
The census bureau compiles ethnicity data to determine funding for different community programs and benefits. And why did you get a census form in 2022? The census was held summer if 2020.
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Tobias Reaper 2 years ago
they are like oh my grandfathers sisters best friends neighbours lawyers wife's uncles best friend said Scotland once so I'm Scottish
Bruce Stuart 2 years ago
It's sad, but we are forced to do this for every legal document and job application... We cannot claim to be American unless you want a lawsuit up our mailbox.
Phil Green 2 years ago
There are so few "American-Americans", they're all Irish-Americans or Italian-Americans, as if they are somehow ashamed of who they are. Come on guys, we don't judge you by your politicians' standards...
Chancey 2 years ago
Notice how none of us ever claim to be British-American though. lol
Load More Replies... Most of the responses from the community can be considered as clichés that poke fun at American citizens, and as we all know, stereotypes do tend to have a grain of truth in them. However, they may also form a rather negative view of the country for those who have never come into contact with the culture. Since Americans wear their identities proudly, they often become subject to "America vs. the rest of the world" comparisons.
When asked why some people spend so much energy frowning upon the US, Megan believes it has become trendy for some to make "hating Americans" their personality. "I feel bad to say that... but I know many people that have allowed that to become their entire personality. As an American (who has plenty of issues with her home country), I have found many American tourists to be better behaved than other nationalities," the travel blogger said. "I feel like (for the most part), our best people travel abroad."
#11
Extremely extroverted and talkative
I've lived in germany for 14 years and I've never seen strangers talk really. when I went to America everyone was so nice and talkative. it was a nice but strange experience
#12
Honestly all the American I saw in my town were particularly cheerful and enthusiasts about things we take for granted. Like walking in a thousand years old street.
I also find them very expansive about their feelings. They don't hesitate to say: "Oh! this guy is so funny, man" in public. whereas in Europe I have the impression that we have lost the habit of communicating together in public.
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago
Our country is kind of embarrassingly young and we don't have much history/historical culture. So we do tend to be fascinated and awed by the old stuff in other countries :)
Even if stripes and stars seep through your pores, the chances are that you sometimes want to be a more discreet traveler. Maybe you’re tired of feeling singled out, or perhaps you experienced unfortunate situations only because locals knew you’re a foreigner. Whatever the reason, Alyse, The Invisible Tourist, shared a few tips on how to blend in when traveling.
First, do a bit of research. The odds for you to look more like a local grow significantly if you spend time learning about the culture and etiquette. "Not only will this demonstrate to locals that you respect their heritage, but they’ll also be super appreciative of your efforts," she wrote. Also, learning a few basic phrases in their language can help you find a way out of troubling situations. Then, avoid proudly displaying your camera or selfie stick out in public, as they’ll immediately blow your cover. "Unless you’re a professional photographer, do you really need a flashy camera permanently draped around your neck that makes you look like a tourist?" Alyse asked. Well, that's for you to decide.
#13
Maybe woosh, but...
If you hold your fork on the left, and cut with the knife in the right, then you would usually keep the fork on the left to eat with.
Very American to cut with the right, then swap the fork to the right to eat that bit, then swap again to cut with the right. Rinse and repeat.
#14
Equating freedom with being able to buy a product or being able to do something really meaningless
Regal Kitten 2 years ago
Hey, if I don't have the freedom to waste my time doing something entirely pointless when I feel like it, what even is life worth?
#15
Asking for refills, ice, or iced tea has outed me more times than I'd care to admit.
Bored Person 2 years ago
I don't understand this. You pay for one drink, so you get one drink, or at least that's how it works where I'm from
However, Megan mentioned that trying your best to blend in may take away some joy from your journey. "I think that if you're headed to visit the Colosseum, for example, you are likely not going to give off the vibe that you're a local! I think it is good to remain chilled out and respectful, but I don't see the point in trying to 'blend' in. I have made several friends on the road from simply being a foreigner. But, I am also the first person to throw headphones on and wander about trying to discover the streets on my own terms,” she said.
#16
"Do you speak English? DOOO! YOOOU! SPEEEAK! ENNNNGLISH!"
Regal Kitten 2 years ago
I never understand how saying something really loudly and slowly is supposed to make it easier to understand.
#17
BEING LOUD. And I don’t mean intentionally. They can be just talking in a restaurant or a train and it’s the only conversation that can be heard from everywhere.
StarlightPanda! 2 years ago
American here. Most people I talk to here think I talk too loud. So I must talk overly loud as an American. I think it's a me thing though. Lol
If you want to be a great tourist when traveling around the globe, Megan shared one tip that could help you reach your goal. "Asking questions in a non-invasive and judgmental manner," she told us. "You can make friends this way and also learn a lot about culture."
"I also think it is about respecting where you are. If you are in a conservative country as a female, cover up. Simple as that. You may not agree with it, but being respectful goes a long way. Also... don't break stuff. And don't photograph places you shouldn't or fly drones in no-flying zones," the travel blogger concluded.
#19
Ask about common American chains that are uncommon/nonexistent in other countries. Also assuming that international chains serve the same thing in every country; McDonald’s, for example, has different menu items in, say, China. Assuming the food is prepared the exact same, too—I remember ordering chicken nuggets as a kid in Germany and being shocked they tasted so different. Probably because they were made with real chicken.
#20
Uses their shoes inside. Even if there has been raining
Cashme Outside 2 years ago
Ive got a Mr. Rogers thing goin on in my house. I have house shoes and outside shoes.
#21
They start talking to you/always trying to make conversation.
I was at the car wash one time and this guy sat beside me and asked if the truck was mine. I said no politely and hoped he’ll stop talking to me as English is not my first language.
Lo and behold few minutes later he was telling me the story about 9/11 as he was one of the first responders and how he developed an illness because of the said job.
Americans are really interesting people. They really know how to keep a conversation going. I couldn’t do that, Europeans wouldn’t do that, i think lol.
#23
I asked for a refill of coke on vacation at a restaurant in Australia. They said I’ve got to be American and had a good laugh.
Silly Putty 2 years ago
I guess I don't get out much but I've ever once expected, or asked for, a refill.
#24
If they’re a 35+ year old man wearing a large T shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and white sneakers with socks that go halfway up their calves
Regal Kitten 2 years ago
It's like in a video game where everybody gets the default skin, and then you can upgrade, except nobody does
#25
Saying "hey how are you/how is it going" without expecting an actual answer. An when you answer and ask how they are, it usually baffles them!
Jill Rhodry 2 years ago
We have the same greeting but Aussie style - 'owyagoin' - the only appropriate response is 'not bad, yaself?"
#26
It's 10 degrees and you're wearing an oversized sweatshirt with the name of your college, shorts and flip flops.
Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago
10 degrees Celsius...thats reasonable...not great but whatever. 10 degrees Fahrenheit, they're gonna be a frozen idiot soon.
#27
Wear a baseball cap at an indoor restaurant.
Signed, an American who (ONCE!) wore a baseball cap at an indoor restaurant.
Downunderdude 2 years ago
Most recent Prime Minister in Oz who wore a baseball cap instead of an Akubra got annihilated at our recent election. Coincidence? I think not.
#28
We get a lot of American tourists here, why do you all wear the exact same clothes? Ireland t shirt, shorts, socks with sandals or those awful trainers, sunglasses and baseball caps
Lazy Panda (she/her/hers) 2 years ago
These are all making me think that I am positively incognito when I travel. I hope I can at least pass for Canadian, if nothing else.
#29
Loud, the way they dress, being overly polite, ask what I do for a living in the first 5 mins of conversation, etc
#30
Eating while walking (eg eating a bagel or breakfast sandwich on the way to work or school)
What do you think ?
Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
To add a tiny bit of balance. I have crossed paths with a huge number of U.S. citizens, I worked in hospitality, I found them to be engaging and polite, they loved the history of our hotel (built in the 1400s), they loved a conversation and that is way better than being grunted at by a drunk, English businessman. I can honestly say they were a delight to have at our hotel, they brought an energy that livened things up, they made folk smile (even if it was unintentionally) and they treated staff respectfully and generally speaking they made great guests. Every race, colour, creed has negatives assholes, don’t define a nation by the idiots you see, would you want your nation to be defined by your idiots?
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
Thank you very much. I didn't expect any of these comments. You all have warmed my cynical heart!
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Glitterati 2 years ago
When I was a backpacker travelling Asia and South America I got bashed constantly for the sins of the British. Other travellers would not let up about all the shitty things the British did over the years, using the term “you did x, y and z” like I was personally responsible. It really got me down. This post probably has the same affect on Americans. Every country has jerks and quirks. Negative stereotyping in any form is uncool.
Hexenfox 2 years ago
Please stop bashing Americans. Why can't you find another country to bash.
No One 2 years ago
I seriously couldn’t get through this list. A lot of ignorance and rudeness regarding Americans.
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Jaden Alexander 2 years ago
So we're not allowed to post words like d*ath, a*s, kn*b, etc but entire threads bashing the 3rd largest country on the planet based purely on stereotypes and the actions of a few " tourists" (compared to the total number of Americans) is totally fine. Yeah. Makes perfect sense.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
A website based i nLithuania bashed the US but not Russia. *gives highly skeptical look* Lithuania. Sure. Uh-huh... -------- BTW, if you've ever been on a train with fans after a match in the UK? No, Americans are not the loudest, rudest, nastiest, awful-est people on earth. British football (soccer) fans. Hands down, would make Attila the Hun run the other way. They may be stiff-upper-lip-liberal-lovelies at home, but after the match, they're raging a-holes. If I judged all Brits by the football fans, what would that make me? ... An a-hole. So I don't. I just don't don rose-colored glasses about the UK, or US, or Canada, or anywhere. Humans suck, not nations. Humans.
Remi (He/Him) 2 years ago
Almost ended up in a fight with a couple of Brits in a bar. First they try steal my seat while I'm getting drinks for me and my friends and when the friends told them "Excuse me, but that seat's taken, our friend is getting drinks from the bar" they got spitting mad and almost knocked the drinks from my hands when I was getting back. The security threw them out when one of them started to actually roll up his sleeves. But what stuck to my mind was how he kept yelling "In Britain we have some manners!!!!" Should have taken those manners along to the holiday too if you ask me. 😬
Load More Replies... Nadine 2 years ago
I agree we Americans can be loud and pushy but this makes us sound like disgusting apes. Are there any pleasant things about us? Like we spend money in your country?
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
This is not going to be popular, but this is the one thing I hate about BP. It's kind of like being insulted by someone over and over and there's nothing you can do about it because that makes you look like a whiner who can't handle criticism. It really does become disheartening - I don't read these posts anymore but I know it's the same old criticisms, over and over. It's like they're beating a dead horse and don't know when to stop. Our government is a mess. Our citizens are being divided by b******t we can't easily control and anything we do in other countries is considered gauche and uncouth. Some of us may act like idiots in foreign countries, but it's not all of us. l also notice that Americans on BP don't usually make comments about other countries, so why isn't the same consideration given to us? It would be nice if posts like this would just go away.
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Bill Evs 2 years ago (edited)
BP, please give this American bashing a rest. These "articles" appear on your site every few weeks and for what? Has the author actually been to the US? And if they have and had a negative experience that doesn't mean others have. I'm a Brit (Welsh) and for what it's worth I've been to the US several times and always found the people there to be kind and welcoming. Yes you get get nutters there but I get that at home too. It's almost like, and bear with me now, people are individuals and not some homogeneous group. Mad isn't it!! Probably get downvoted for this but screw it.
Lary Canary 2 years ago
Just for that, I'll order 2 IPA's or whatever you like!
Load More Replies... Brutus Trump 2 years ago
Wait until Bored Panda editors find out that there are other countries besides the U.S.
Koos Kommentaar 2 years ago
Asked so many times. Wtf is BP editors obsession with "America"? Day after day after day. There 195 other countries in the world....
DaFetus 2 years ago
I find it funny how all these comments show pride ad elitism yet they bash Americans for doing the same. Why are only Americans hated on for wanting a culture and expecting others to respect their ways. All these comments are extremely judgemental and what Americans get shamed for..yet it's ok for us to do it? This whole thread is disgusting and toxic, bored panda isn't progressive its American hating and anti white. This is racist and elisitist and should not be an article.
BordestPanda 2 years ago
What is this Lithuanian website’s weird obsession with the US and the people that live there?
Rachel Ashwell 2 years ago
OK- can we now do how people from other countries act when they come to the US and we can spot them a mile away? Nothing like stereotyping!
Gigantor the Bog Monster 2 years ago
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Summer Mason 2 years ago
As an American.... we could do the same thing to other countries. But alot of us don't. Alot of us are like the rest of the world looking at our leader ship whispering s**t. And wondering what kind of future the world collectively holds for our children. Yeah America sucks sometimes. But every country does. Everyone has their flaws. Britain "steals everything" Germany "had Hitler" Russia "has putin" China "facing computerized nation like 1988 book" North and South Korea "afraid of a very unstable dictator who controls everything". So just stop. We live in a very cruel world. And 90% of us hate it and want change. All over. No matter were we are from.
Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago (edited)
Bingo...I know I know I KNOW!!! We arent perfect in the U.S....but no country, leader, way of life, religion, not one person on this ball of elements covered in meat machines flying through the void..nothing!...is perfect. Theres alot of skeletons in alot of closets. We are all flawed, and we have to move past those flaws and love one another anyway. Edited to fix autocorrect spellings...see, even autocorrect is flawed.
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Kenny Kulbiski 2 years ago
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't understand why Panda thinks these type posts are interesting but I'm not clicking on anymore of them. When Putin decides Lithuania needs to be de- Nazified who's the first country they'll come whining too?
Bored Retsuko 2 years ago
It's entertaining and all, but I can see why US pandas are getting tired of this topic ...
DDmaybeandor 2 years ago
I’m from the US and one thing I hate that we do is refer to ourselves as “Americans”. I mean, that’s two effing continents. I’ll say I’m from the states or the US. I only say I’m ‘murican ironically.
similarly 2 years ago
Even people who live in the Americas refer to people from the US as "Americans". It's really fine. The only people who worry about it are, ironically, Americans.
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Stannous Flouride 2 years ago
Generally, these seem to be defining the difference between tourists and travelers. To quote Paul Theroux “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” The tourists alway go where everyone else goes, a traveler less so.
Isaac7lego🇺🇸 2 years ago
Jesus Christ we get it Americans are all gun toting xenophobic assholes and the rest pdf the world all agrees! Just kinda tired of American bashing, were not perfect but all of this is based on stereotypes.
sofacushionfort 2 years ago
Average American: “Bored Panda taught me that everyone thinks I’m a fat, stupid bigot.” American from the US South: “And all this time you were fine with that so long as it only applied to us folks down here.”
Mac Fletcher 2 years ago
Sad how Americans are looked down. But, I'm afraid lots of American tourist prove them right. Sigh
Grownnutkid 2 years ago
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years and really daydreaming about saving up money and traveling (specifically Ireland) It would be a massive expense for us. Family of 6, don't make a lot of money. This topic is kinda making me think maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
Pittsburgh rare 2 years ago
On the positive side, l'd say they're friendly and open to strangers, and we could learn that a bit where l live. On the negative side, that EXTREMELY nasal, high pitched voice of some girls with a Californian accent. It somehow bypasses my earbuds on the metro.
Tye Williams 2 years ago
How to "spot" an American. Holy s**t, ummm I remember people doing that through out history. You're demographics say you're almost WHITE. Lithuania...land of what?
Grownnutkid 2 years ago
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years. Been daydreaming about saving money and traveling (specifically Ireland). It would be a massive expense for us, a family of 6. We don't make a lot of money. This topic has me wondering if maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
Jill Bussey 2 years ago
Out of curiosity, I wonder if the ancestral thing is because they are ashamed of being American?
Izzy Curer 2 years ago (edited)
Not at all. It's because the people in any one locality are such a melting pot of races and cultures, it's a way to claim a little bit of identity. Mind you, it's not taken very seriously, and saying something like "I'm Irish" for example, in American parlance, is the same as saying "I'm of Irish decent". It's just shorthand, and not meant literally. There's no need to clarify it to other Americans since they also have ancestors from a different country, and you clearly don't have a non-American accent. We forget to switch our parlance when speaking to anyone else. But claiming you're of one heritage or another also has connotations within the history of America itself. Taking the example of Irish again, Irish Americans were treated very differently than, say, German Americans, and it had a large impact on where and how your American ancestors lived, which has a direct affect on us today. What I'm curious about is if non Americans would have a problem with Native Americans claiming their ancestral heritage. Or, what about the term 'African-American'? Or, what do they call 2nd and 3rd generation Middle Easterners with citizenship in some place like Germany?
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Blue 2 years ago
One thing I noticed was the craze over sneakers!! I haven't seen it anywhere else. Like the massive long lines and high resell prices just for a pair of shoes. Is there an American here who can explain why?!
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
That's just something people like to have a collection of, but it's not a national obsession ( at least I don't think it is). I know some are real admirers of different designs and styles, so maybe that's why?
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Bruce Stuart 2 years ago
Sarah, I've traveled a lot. It's my job. Do it once, and you won't be embarrassed. I promise.
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Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
LA is probably the worst possible example of the US, but hey, no disagreement from a born-US-citizen on LA.
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Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I'm from the US. However, in every foreign language, I'm referred to as "American". So... Yella t everyone else, please. Wasn't my idea. BTW, there are *two* Americas ---- North (which includes Mexico) and South (which includes the rest of what we think of as "central" America) by strict geographical rules and all that. Please don't forget South America. Thank you.
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Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
To add a tiny bit of balance. I have crossed paths with a huge number of U.S. citizens, I worked in hospitality, I found them to be engaging and polite, they loved the history of our hotel (built in the 1400s), they loved a conversation and that is way better than being grunted at by a drunk, English businessman. I can honestly say they were a delight to have at our hotel, they brought an energy that livened things up, they made folk smile (even if it was unintentionally) and they treated staff respectfully and generally speaking they made great guests. Every race, colour, creed has negatives assholes, don’t define a nation by the idiots you see, would you want your nation to be defined by your idiots?
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
Thank you very much. I didn't expect any of these comments. You all have warmed my cynical heart!
Load More Replies... Glitterati 2 years ago
When I was a backpacker travelling Asia and South America I got bashed constantly for the sins of the British. Other travellers would not let up about all the shitty things the British did over the years, using the term “you did x, y and z” like I was personally responsible. It really got me down. This post probably has the same affect on Americans. Every country has jerks and quirks. Negative stereotyping in any form is uncool.
Hexenfox 2 years ago
Please stop bashing Americans. Why can't you find another country to bash.
No One 2 years ago
I seriously couldn’t get through this list. A lot of ignorance and rudeness regarding Americans.
Load More Replies... Jaden Alexander 2 years ago
So we're not allowed to post words like d*ath, a*s, kn*b, etc but entire threads bashing the 3rd largest country on the planet based purely on stereotypes and the actions of a few " tourists" (compared to the total number of Americans) is totally fine. Yeah. Makes perfect sense.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
A website based i nLithuania bashed the US but not Russia. *gives highly skeptical look* Lithuania. Sure. Uh-huh... -------- BTW, if you've ever been on a train with fans after a match in the UK? No, Americans are not the loudest, rudest, nastiest, awful-est people on earth. British football (soccer) fans. Hands down, would make Attila the Hun run the other way. They may be stiff-upper-lip-liberal-lovelies at home, but after the match, they're raging a-holes. If I judged all Brits by the football fans, what would that make me? ... An a-hole. So I don't. I just don't don rose-colored glasses about the UK, or US, or Canada, or anywhere. Humans suck, not nations. Humans.
Remi (He/Him) 2 years ago
Almost ended up in a fight with a couple of Brits in a bar. First they try steal my seat while I'm getting drinks for me and my friends and when the friends told them "Excuse me, but that seat's taken, our friend is getting drinks from the bar" they got spitting mad and almost knocked the drinks from my hands when I was getting back. The security threw them out when one of them started to actually roll up his sleeves. But what stuck to my mind was how he kept yelling "In Britain we have some manners!!!!" Should have taken those manners along to the holiday too if you ask me. 😬
Load More Replies... Nadine 2 years ago
I agree we Americans can be loud and pushy but this makes us sound like disgusting apes. Are there any pleasant things about us? Like we spend money in your country?
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
This is not going to be popular, but this is the one thing I hate about BP. It's kind of like being insulted by someone over and over and there's nothing you can do about it because that makes you look like a whiner who can't handle criticism. It really does become disheartening - I don't read these posts anymore but I know it's the same old criticisms, over and over. It's like they're beating a dead horse and don't know when to stop. Our government is a mess. Our citizens are being divided by b******t we can't easily control and anything we do in other countries is considered gauche and uncouth. Some of us may act like idiots in foreign countries, but it's not all of us. l also notice that Americans on BP don't usually make comments about other countries, so why isn't the same consideration given to us? It would be nice if posts like this would just go away.
Load More Replies... Bill Evs 2 years ago (edited)
BP, please give this American bashing a rest. These "articles" appear on your site every few weeks and for what? Has the author actually been to the US? And if they have and had a negative experience that doesn't mean others have. I'm a Brit (Welsh) and for what it's worth I've been to the US several times and always found the people there to be kind and welcoming. Yes you get get nutters there but I get that at home too. It's almost like, and bear with me now, people are individuals and not some homogeneous group. Mad isn't it!! Probably get downvoted for this but screw it.
Lary Canary 2 years ago
Just for that, I'll order 2 IPA's or whatever you like!
Load More Replies... Brutus Trump 2 years ago
Wait until Bored Panda editors find out that there are other countries besides the U.S.
Koos Kommentaar 2 years ago
Asked so many times. Wtf is BP editors obsession with "America"? Day after day after day. There 195 other countries in the world....
DaFetus 2 years ago
I find it funny how all these comments show pride ad elitism yet they bash Americans for doing the same. Why are only Americans hated on for wanting a culture and expecting others to respect their ways. All these comments are extremely judgemental and what Americans get shamed for..yet it's ok for us to do it? This whole thread is disgusting and toxic, bored panda isn't progressive its American hating and anti white. This is racist and elisitist and should not be an article.
BordestPanda 2 years ago
What is this Lithuanian website’s weird obsession with the US and the people that live there?
Rachel Ashwell 2 years ago
OK- can we now do how people from other countries act when they come to the US and we can spot them a mile away? Nothing like stereotyping!
Gigantor the Bog Monster 2 years ago
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Load More Replies... Summer Mason 2 years ago
As an American.... we could do the same thing to other countries. But alot of us don't. Alot of us are like the rest of the world looking at our leader ship whispering s**t. And wondering what kind of future the world collectively holds for our children. Yeah America sucks sometimes. But every country does. Everyone has their flaws. Britain "steals everything" Germany "had Hitler" Russia "has putin" China "facing computerized nation like 1988 book" North and South Korea "afraid of a very unstable dictator who controls everything". So just stop. We live in a very cruel world. And 90% of us hate it and want change. All over. No matter were we are from.
Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago (edited)
Bingo...I know I know I KNOW!!! We arent perfect in the U.S....but no country, leader, way of life, religion, not one person on this ball of elements covered in meat machines flying through the void..nothing!...is perfect. Theres alot of skeletons in alot of closets. We are all flawed, and we have to move past those flaws and love one another anyway. Edited to fix autocorrect spellings...see, even autocorrect is flawed.
Load More Replies... Kenny Kulbiski 2 years ago
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't understand why Panda thinks these type posts are interesting but I'm not clicking on anymore of them. When Putin decides Lithuania needs to be de- Nazified who's the first country they'll come whining too?
Bored Retsuko 2 years ago
It's entertaining and all, but I can see why US pandas are getting tired of this topic ...
DDmaybeandor 2 years ago
I’m from the US and one thing I hate that we do is refer to ourselves as “Americans”. I mean, that’s two effing continents. I’ll say I’m from the states or the US. I only say I’m ‘murican ironically.
similarly 2 years ago
Even people who live in the Americas refer to people from the US as "Americans". It's really fine. The only people who worry about it are, ironically, Americans.
Load More Replies... Stannous Flouride 2 years ago
Generally, these seem to be defining the difference between tourists and travelers. To quote Paul Theroux “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” The tourists alway go where everyone else goes, a traveler less so.
Isaac7lego🇺🇸 2 years ago
Jesus Christ we get it Americans are all gun toting xenophobic assholes and the rest pdf the world all agrees! Just kinda tired of American bashing, were not perfect but all of this is based on stereotypes.
sofacushionfort 2 years ago
Average American: “Bored Panda taught me that everyone thinks I’m a fat, stupid bigot.” American from the US South: “And all this time you were fine with that so long as it only applied to us folks down here.”
Mac Fletcher 2 years ago
Sad how Americans are looked down. But, I'm afraid lots of American tourist prove them right. Sigh
Grownnutkid 2 years ago
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years and really daydreaming about saving up money and traveling (specifically Ireland) It would be a massive expense for us. Family of 6, don't make a lot of money. This topic is kinda making me think maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
Pittsburgh rare 2 years ago
On the positive side, l'd say they're friendly and open to strangers, and we could learn that a bit where l live. On the negative side, that EXTREMELY nasal, high pitched voice of some girls with a Californian accent. It somehow bypasses my earbuds on the metro.
Tye Williams 2 years ago
How to "spot" an American. Holy s**t, ummm I remember people doing that through out history. You're demographics say you're almost WHITE. Lithuania...land of what?
Grownnutkid 2 years ago
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years. Been daydreaming about saving money and traveling (specifically Ireland). It would be a massive expense for us, a family of 6. We don't make a lot of money. This topic has me wondering if maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
Jill Bussey 2 years ago
Out of curiosity, I wonder if the ancestral thing is because they are ashamed of being American?
Izzy Curer 2 years ago (edited)
Not at all. It's because the people in any one locality are such a melting pot of races and cultures, it's a way to claim a little bit of identity. Mind you, it's not taken very seriously, and saying something like "I'm Irish" for example, in American parlance, is the same as saying "I'm of Irish decent". It's just shorthand, and not meant literally. There's no need to clarify it to other Americans since they also have ancestors from a different country, and you clearly don't have a non-American accent. We forget to switch our parlance when speaking to anyone else. But claiming you're of one heritage or another also has connotations within the history of America itself. Taking the example of Irish again, Irish Americans were treated very differently than, say, German Americans, and it had a large impact on where and how your American ancestors lived, which has a direct affect on us today. What I'm curious about is if non Americans would have a problem with Native Americans claiming their ancestral heritage. Or, what about the term 'African-American'? Or, what do they call 2nd and 3rd generation Middle Easterners with citizenship in some place like Germany?
Load More Replies... Blue 2 years ago
One thing I noticed was the craze over sneakers!! I haven't seen it anywhere else. Like the massive long lines and high resell prices just for a pair of shoes. Is there an American here who can explain why?!
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
That's just something people like to have a collection of, but it's not a national obsession ( at least I don't think it is). I know some are real admirers of different designs and styles, so maybe that's why?
Load More Replies... Bruce Stuart 2 years ago
Sarah, I've traveled a lot. It's my job. Do it once, and you won't be embarrassed. I promise.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
LA is probably the worst possible example of the US, but hey, no disagreement from a born-US-citizen on LA.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I'm from the US. However, in every foreign language, I'm referred to as "American". So... Yella t everyone else, please. Wasn't my idea. BTW, there are *two* Americas ---- North (which includes Mexico) and South (which includes the rest of what we think of as "central" America) by strict geographical rules and all that. Please don't forget South America. Thank you.
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