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An estimated 700 million tourists traveled internationally in 2022 between January and September, which is more than double (+133%) the number recorded for the same period in 2021.
As the sector rebounds from the pandemic, we can once again go abroad (or have people visit us) and observe the peculiar ways of foreigners. This gives us insight into the world's cultural diversity, helping us understand how people from different backgrounds interact and behave in various environments.
One of the most talked-about nationalities is American. Due to the United States' global status, they are one of the most-traveled-to countries (5th) and biggest tourism spenders (2nd) on the planet.
So when recently Redditor Ermland2 asked other platform users to reveal what are some of the tell-tale signs that someone is from the US, many contributed. Continue scrolling to check out the submissions and upvote the ones you agree with. Let's see which is the most accurate!
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#1
From what I've been told by European friends and travellers, our complete and utter lack of an indoor voice.
#2
An Italian told me that Americans walk confidently in the wrong direction.
#3
In Salzburg I went to grab something from the drug store. As I was checking out I said hello to the cashier (thinking there was very little difference between how I said it and how Austrians say it). She immediately started speaking to me in English and I asked her how she knew I spoke English.
She deadpan stared me in the eye and goes "hellloooo". I just about died laughing since I'm a very stereotypical friendly American that says hello exactly like that. One of my favorite memories from that trip.
Persephone hates Pomegranate 1 year ago
I just tested this on me, an American. I realized I do this too.
#4
They're wondering why everyone is speaking German. In Germany.
I wish I was making that up.
SilverIsGold 1 year ago
I am an American, and I can confirm that I would not ever make the mistake of this
#5
A smile on their face for no particular reason. Being friendly and encouraging even to strangers.
Lolly Gagger 1 year ago
They so are! When we were doing our travels it was always the Americans the were breaking the ice, starting the conversation, joining in, random hello when sitting nearby. I must say, as someone starved for adult, human interaction (and, hence, wastes a lot of time on BP) I love that.
#6
When they claim to be 1/8 German, 1/8 Irish, 1/16 Scottish 1/16 Spanish, 3/8 French and 1/4 Canadian
#7
I’ve always observed my US friends like to point at stuff while walking and say what it is….
We were out walking around Amsterdam recently and they were like ‘hey look it’s a smoke shop’…. ‘Oh look a sex shop’…. ‘Oh hey, it’s a prostitute’ …. ‘Look at the canal’…. ‘Wow it’s another prostitute’….. ‘another canal’ etc etc
It was like watching Netflix with Audio Descriptions turned on
#8
NOT wearing Speedos at the beach.
And for this, I’d like to thank American men!
#9
Assuming something is about america on the internet because it isnt declared otherwise
Lakota Wolf 1 year ago
But, but, whenever anyone NOT from America sees a story/comment about someone being offensive, or a weird thing they don't understand, they assume it's American XD
#10
If someone asks how far away something is, an American will tell how you long it takes to get there as opposed to a physical distance.
Pensive_Panda 1 year ago
Definitely true. Been in Cali all my life & we always speak in terms of time rather than distance. Our traffic is SO bad, we really need to determine/discuss how long it will take to get somewhere.
#11
According to the CIA- when training to be a spy- you have to unlearn how to lean. Americans tend to lean on things when standing still.
#12
Definitely the wit. I'm Asian, and I've talked to a lot of Americans, and one thing I've noticed about them is their sense of humor. I also watch a lot of American movies and have seen many humorous videos and memes from them, which is one of my favorite things ever lol. They're hilarious!
#13
To quote a Latvian woman I met at a hostel: you hear them coming like the thunder.
More often than not, if they’re talking and laughing louder than everyone else, they’re American.
Edit: I love my American neighbours! Sorry if I sounded rude. Canadians are also pretty loud when we get going.
#14
In Europe - being afraid to go to the ER or doctor's, anticipating a massive bill, even after you try to convince them that it's basically free.
#15
When I lived in Europe, people said only Americans eat while walking. I’d be eating a bagel or something on the way to work or class and multiple people asked if I was American lol
Zedrapazia 1 year ago
Not true, I've seen people walking and eating at the same time too in Switzerland where I live, Germany, Austria, Italy and Croatia. Even saw a guy buttering his jelly toast in the bus, then running out with it in his mouth.
#16
Y'all
#17
They want ice in their water.
Sherry Moore 1 year ago
What is the big deal with wanting a COLD drink. Try it in the summer it's amazingly good
#18
One American I've met was a bit stereotypical in some regards. He was on a biking tour from Sweden to Palestine, had an unusual beard, huge white teeth, was extremely friendly and a bit loud, and he literally carried a bucket of peanut butter with him because he said that was the most efficient way to carry energy for his travel.
I was an intern at a software company that just got bought by a huge American company (Warner I think) and one time some executives were visiting, walked through our office complimenting all the developers loudly and then disappeared again.
My general impression of Americans I've met in person is that it's difficult to see what you guys really think and feel, because you seem to hide it behind a layer of aggressive cheerfulness. So when I see someone radiating that, I expect them to be from the US.
#19
British man once told me he knew I was American because I was wearing a baseball cap backwards.
#21
When they say “Europe” and it could mean anything from Venice to Doncaster.
Marcos Valencia 1 year ago
Well, right now we're saying "Americans" and it could mean anybody from Maine to California.
#22
Drive from one shop to the next even if it is 50 meter by walk
censorshipsucks 1 year ago
it's because they are not sure what 50 metres is, and they are worried it might be 5.4 miles.
#23
I think they are generally friendly people, easy to talk to, accessible and welcoming. Would love to visit America. There is something quite old fashioned about the type I am speaking about. Hospitable, warm, helpful.
Sheila Stamey 1 year ago
Visit the southern part, especially NC, I can vouch for at least one Friendly Panda you might find there! But when you say the southern US, it's pretty big. My friends from overseas are usually astounded by the distance just from the airport to my house and the need for a rental car just to get around with any ease. If you want to explore a small town, like the one I live in, that's probably doable on foot, idk myself as I am mobility disabled. But people are really nice. I once had my postman, instead of having my mail in the box at the end of the street, come to my house and check on me because he hadn't seen me out and about per usual. For Christmas, he got cookies and a good gift card that year!
#24
I worked as a cashier in a touristic place in Paris, I always recognised Americans because they were kinda friendly to me and they always left tips.
#26
If they introduce themselves with the state that they’re from instead of just saying USA. That’s what my European friends always say haha.
IamMe 1 year ago (edited)
We do that, because the states can be very different from each other. Culturally, linguistically, geographically, everything. So, someone from, say, the bayous of Louisiana, is going to be very different from someone from, like, Utah. Or, like, New Jersey and California. Completely different places.
#27
Dunno in all context, but Americans in Europe stand out with their ceaseless optimism and enthusiasm.
#28
Retail worker here, not living in the US. I can generally spot an American because they greet me with "hey how are you?"... and since I usually have the standard "tired from life" retail worker expression at first I thought they were mocking me so i didn't know how to react. Took me a while to realize they weren't really expecting an answer lmao.
Mind you, might just be my personal experience but it's happened too many times for it to be a coincidence.
Paul Macdonell 1 year ago
Asking someone how they are is a polite greeting. I find Europeans can learn a lot from (North and South) Americans when it comes to politness. Some Americans are rude, as with any nationality, but mostly I find Americans genuinely friendly.
#29
Amazed by things which are more than 200 years old, presumably because they don't have many things that old in the USA.
Quite often on the heavy side weight-wise (sorry!)
Hand-held fans, maybe because air conditioning is very common in the USA.
Alex Martin 1 year ago
I still remember being on a tour in Italy, we were in the older part of a city and they were talking about the "new" bridge and how it was built in the 1400s. That new bridge is older than the European presence in the Americas. It's older than the Inca, built during the height of the Aztecs. And that bridge was built by your ancestors. How can we not be amazed by that?
#30
Extremely white bleached teeth.
What do you think ?
Rocco MZ 1 year ago
I'll add that I live in an American town very popular with European tourists and we can spot you a mile away, we just don't judge you for it. Our town is actually know for how much we embrace tourists. Many times I have ended up talking to a foreigner and given them tips about what else to do and see and have often befriended them and taken them on walking tours to show them things they may not see as a tourist. Imagine just being nice to the people helping to feed your economy.
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
The tone on every US article is "ew, yuck" but if it's anywhere else, "oh, how quaint". And if anyone's traveled at all ----- people are people anywhere. It's unfortunate, but true. Been many times outside the US in Canada, Latin America, Europe, and it's pretty much... everyone's got their traffic, their crazy stuff, the food that someone else can't think of without gagging, some excuses to make for their nation, it's the same same same. The only thing that changes is the language it's done in, in my experience.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
I'm going to post this again. I can spot an American tourist, a Dutch tourist, an Indonesian tourist, a,a,a,a bla bla bla miles away. So frigging what. I've met many a******s on my travels - from all countries. I have found Americans to be positive and polite. You are welcome here anytime Leo.
Load More Replies...
Rocco MZ 1 year ago
I'm American and I'm not even going to read this. The amount of American-bashing on this site is making me not want to log on at all anymore. This amount of blanket judgement isn't in the least bit funny and I actually have a great sense of humor and am able to laugh at myself.
Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
This one was actually pretty positive. But I know what you mean. They love perpetuating the fat loud stereotype. Remember, they are only posting what will get the most clicks.
Load More Replies...
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago (edited)
Wow, BoredPanda really loves to bash people from the United States. We get it BoredPanda, Americans are all a bunch of uncultured swine and Europeans are all culturally superior. I'm saying this as an expat Scottish woman living in the United States--please stop. How damn hard is it BoredPanda staff to actually write a positive listicle about the country featuring a neat post about the national parks there for example or foods from all the different cultures there?The amount of stereotypes in these threads are disgusting. Stop with this nasty cultural elitism...it's just creepy. Why do you want to alienate part of your audience?
Pat Bond 1 year ago
This site only a couple of years ago was nicer and had far better quality content, that however doesn't seem to bring in enough comments/revenue for them so they've gone all Daily Mail on it and now post lists from other sites that usually have quite a negative vibe to them to create an argument, if its not bashing men or women separately it's attacking your culture, don't get me started on the complete rubbish AITA articles they just need to go and never return. Been thinking for a while it's time to delete the account and never return here.
Load More Replies...
Tamra 1 year ago
So, before my trip to a few countries in Europe, I need to remember: Don't smile, don't talk, don't eat and walk, don't ask for ice, don't wear certain things, don't be friendly to strangers. Got it. My previous joy for our upcoming trip is now greatly diminished, and now all I feel is stress.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
If your upcoming trip is near me then you better come on over and have some cheese. Please stay YOU, that's why I love you ...
Load More Replies...
Drinking my Covfefe 1 year ago (edited)
Who the f**k cares how people live? Start enjoying life instead of judging. It is exhilarating! I can't imagine how miserable these people are that worry about others. How they can't just embrace different cultures wanting to visit.
Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
I always love how inadvertently judgey anti judgement posts sound 😂
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago
BoredPanda really needs a moderation team or someone who is at least able to review the comment section on the site. Instead, they censor common curse words like we are children. I have never seen a site with so many hateful comments that are not removed. I have been asking them for over three years now to be able to block troll users.
Load More Replies... 
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago (edited)
BoredPanda is really on a roll. They probably have a new quota to meet. I find it hilarious as a Scottish expat woman living in the United States that BoredPanda creates cutesy listicles about the UK and other countries, yet almost every single listicle on this site about the US is bashing the country and the people living there. Yes, the United States has an incredible amount of problems, however, I just feel like BoredPanda does the same old stereotypes over and over again.
Load More Replies...
Andy Saputo 1 year ago
Downvote the whole article from the main BP page. We need to keep burying these articles.
Old Roadie 1 year ago
Agreed. Whose life is so meaningless they collect and curate such stuff?
Load More Replies...
Alan Christensen 1 year ago
Ah, but then there are all the Americans they don't realize are Americans because they don't fit the stereotypes.
Carrie Laughs 1 year ago
Exactly! Sneaky and clever beggers having fun unnoticed!
Load More Replies... Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
Someday we'll figure out that you can't make sweeping generalizations about a huge and diverse country. Someday. Its strange how all of Europe is recognized as different cultures and regions, but the US is just ONE big town to the them.
Angie the Octopus 1 year ago
Most of these seem like they are saying we are too nice? Or that we are too carefree
Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago
American here. While I'd prefer to live in Europe (my mother grew up there and I have lots of family still in the village), this list is filled with SO many silly and inaccurate generalizations. At least this wasn't exclusively "why Americans s*ck" for a change. Just pick another country BP like, I don't know, Lithuania...
Roman Hans 1 year ago (edited)
One of hundreds of reasons I love Germany: no shame, just be yourself. If you're fat and hairy and like to go swimming in a speedo, the people who complain are the problem.
Cassi Lyris 1 year ago
A lot of these are rich American things. Basically the people who can afford to travel.
Scrolling Panda 1 year ago
Very worth noting that this list should specify that this is how you can tell a person who is wealthy enough to travel to Europe is from America. Most of us never get to leave our country because we are barely surviving. The idea of a trip to Europe is a pipe dream.
Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
That's why stereotyping all of the US is absurd. New York is a small state and it's pretty well known they are culturally different due to the mixture of races and such a large population living in such a small space. It's pretty extraordinary from the rest of the country.
Load More Replies...
Suzie 1 year ago
I can totally get the bit about telling someone how long it will take to get somewhere as opposed to the actual distance. I used to live in Cali and time was always the thing we factored in over distance. Also travel time could change depending on time of day. If I left for work at 6:00 am, it took me 45 minutes. If I left at 6:30, it took 1.5 hours. No joke. It once took me two hours to drive 20 miles.
Howl's sleeping castle 1 year ago
And another US vs rest of the world article with the same old posts
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago
I don't think BoredPanda even reads let alone edits what they copy-and-paste from Redditt anymore.
Load More Replies...
Alexa Saltz 1 year ago
I wish I could UPVOTED twice, Americans really do fit the stereotype. I am a dual citizen - German/American.
Psy Yobutishyne 1 year ago
Every photo example of "Americans" (except Eating While Walking) was of Caucasians. It feels like the majority of these "tells" are actually talking about White Americans' behavior.
Kathy Davis 1 year ago
I am excessively optimistic and cheerful by American standards. I hate to think what I would appear like. It's kind of embarrassing to think about.
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
For me it's obvious when they say "Excuse me", when they actually mean "What did you say" or "I'm sorry". The real giveaway though is using "alternate" when they mean "alternative".
Nicole Kosanke 1 year ago
I like how the majority of these boil down to "They're too nice and friendly; why can't they just be grumpy like everyone else?" If you're trying to make Americans look bad, you're not doing a great job of it.
Thetruthhurts 1 year ago
This is the sooo tolerant borepanda site. Tolerant until it is about males who are white and Christians. Tolerant until it starts being about Americans, then they take the xenophobic turn...
Rocco MZ 1 year ago
Nope. You haven't even described even one person I know. And just so you know, I live in a town that is VERY popular for European tourists and we can spot you a mile away as well, we just don't judge you for and are happy you are here.
Load More Replies...
Rocco MZ 1 year ago
I'm American and you haven't described even one person I know.
Load More Replies... Rocco MZ 1 year ago
I'll add that I live in an American town very popular with European tourists and we can spot you a mile away, we just don't judge you for it. Our town is actually know for how much we embrace tourists. Many times I have ended up talking to a foreigner and given them tips about what else to do and see and have often befriended them and taken them on walking tours to show them things they may not see as a tourist. Imagine just being nice to the people helping to feed your economy.
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
The tone on every US article is "ew, yuck" but if it's anywhere else, "oh, how quaint". And if anyone's traveled at all ----- people are people anywhere. It's unfortunate, but true. Been many times outside the US in Canada, Latin America, Europe, and it's pretty much... everyone's got their traffic, their crazy stuff, the food that someone else can't think of without gagging, some excuses to make for their nation, it's the same same same. The only thing that changes is the language it's done in, in my experience.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
I'm going to post this again. I can spot an American tourist, a Dutch tourist, an Indonesian tourist, a,a,a,a bla bla bla miles away. So frigging what. I've met many a******s on my travels - from all countries. I have found Americans to be positive and polite. You are welcome here anytime Leo.
Load More Replies... Rocco MZ 1 year ago
I'm American and I'm not even going to read this. The amount of American-bashing on this site is making me not want to log on at all anymore. This amount of blanket judgement isn't in the least bit funny and I actually have a great sense of humor and am able to laugh at myself.
Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
This one was actually pretty positive. But I know what you mean. They love perpetuating the fat loud stereotype. Remember, they are only posting what will get the most clicks.
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago (edited)
Wow, BoredPanda really loves to bash people from the United States. We get it BoredPanda, Americans are all a bunch of uncultured swine and Europeans are all culturally superior. I'm saying this as an expat Scottish woman living in the United States--please stop. How damn hard is it BoredPanda staff to actually write a positive listicle about the country featuring a neat post about the national parks there for example or foods from all the different cultures there?The amount of stereotypes in these threads are disgusting. Stop with this nasty cultural elitism...it's just creepy. Why do you want to alienate part of your audience?
Pat Bond 1 year ago
This site only a couple of years ago was nicer and had far better quality content, that however doesn't seem to bring in enough comments/revenue for them so they've gone all Daily Mail on it and now post lists from other sites that usually have quite a negative vibe to them to create an argument, if its not bashing men or women separately it's attacking your culture, don't get me started on the complete rubbish AITA articles they just need to go and never return. Been thinking for a while it's time to delete the account and never return here.
Load More Replies... Tamra 1 year ago
So, before my trip to a few countries in Europe, I need to remember: Don't smile, don't talk, don't eat and walk, don't ask for ice, don't wear certain things, don't be friendly to strangers. Got it. My previous joy for our upcoming trip is now greatly diminished, and now all I feel is stress.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
If your upcoming trip is near me then you better come on over and have some cheese. Please stay YOU, that's why I love you ...
Load More Replies... Drinking my Covfefe 1 year ago (edited)
Who the f**k cares how people live? Start enjoying life instead of judging. It is exhilarating! I can't imagine how miserable these people are that worry about others. How they can't just embrace different cultures wanting to visit.
Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
I always love how inadvertently judgey anti judgement posts sound 😂
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago
BoredPanda really needs a moderation team or someone who is at least able to review the comment section on the site. Instead, they censor common curse words like we are children. I have never seen a site with so many hateful comments that are not removed. I have been asking them for over three years now to be able to block troll users.
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago (edited)
BoredPanda is really on a roll. They probably have a new quota to meet. I find it hilarious as a Scottish expat woman living in the United States that BoredPanda creates cutesy listicles about the UK and other countries, yet almost every single listicle on this site about the US is bashing the country and the people living there. Yes, the United States has an incredible amount of problems, however, I just feel like BoredPanda does the same old stereotypes over and over again.
Load More Replies... Andy Saputo 1 year ago
Downvote the whole article from the main BP page. We need to keep burying these articles.
Old Roadie 1 year ago
Agreed. Whose life is so meaningless they collect and curate such stuff?
Load More Replies... Alan Christensen 1 year ago
Ah, but then there are all the Americans they don't realize are Americans because they don't fit the stereotypes.
Carrie Laughs 1 year ago
Exactly! Sneaky and clever beggers having fun unnoticed!
Load More Replies... Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
Someday we'll figure out that you can't make sweeping generalizations about a huge and diverse country. Someday. Its strange how all of Europe is recognized as different cultures and regions, but the US is just ONE big town to the them.
Angie the Octopus 1 year ago
Most of these seem like they are saying we are too nice? Or that we are too carefree
Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago
American here. While I'd prefer to live in Europe (my mother grew up there and I have lots of family still in the village), this list is filled with SO many silly and inaccurate generalizations. At least this wasn't exclusively "why Americans s*ck" for a change. Just pick another country BP like, I don't know, Lithuania...
Roman Hans 1 year ago (edited)
One of hundreds of reasons I love Germany: no shame, just be yourself. If you're fat and hairy and like to go swimming in a speedo, the people who complain are the problem.
Cassi Lyris 1 year ago
A lot of these are rich American things. Basically the people who can afford to travel.
Scrolling Panda 1 year ago
Very worth noting that this list should specify that this is how you can tell a person who is wealthy enough to travel to Europe is from America. Most of us never get to leave our country because we are barely surviving. The idea of a trip to Europe is a pipe dream.
Amanda Schmidt 1 year ago
That's why stereotyping all of the US is absurd. New York is a small state and it's pretty well known they are culturally different due to the mixture of races and such a large population living in such a small space. It's pretty extraordinary from the rest of the country.
Load More Replies... Suzie 1 year ago
I can totally get the bit about telling someone how long it will take to get somewhere as opposed to the actual distance. I used to live in Cali and time was always the thing we factored in over distance. Also travel time could change depending on time of day. If I left for work at 6:00 am, it took me 45 minutes. If I left at 6:30, it took 1.5 hours. No joke. It once took me two hours to drive 20 miles.
Howl's sleeping castle 1 year ago
And another US vs rest of the world article with the same old posts
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago
I don't think BoredPanda even reads let alone edits what they copy-and-paste from Redditt anymore.
Load More Replies... Alexa Saltz 1 year ago
I wish I could UPVOTED twice, Americans really do fit the stereotype. I am a dual citizen - German/American.
Psy Yobutishyne 1 year ago
Every photo example of "Americans" (except Eating While Walking) was of Caucasians. It feels like the majority of these "tells" are actually talking about White Americans' behavior.
Kathy Davis 1 year ago
I am excessively optimistic and cheerful by American standards. I hate to think what I would appear like. It's kind of embarrassing to think about.
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
For me it's obvious when they say "Excuse me", when they actually mean "What did you say" or "I'm sorry". The real giveaway though is using "alternate" when they mean "alternative".
Nicole Kosanke 1 year ago
I like how the majority of these boil down to "They're too nice and friendly; why can't they just be grumpy like everyone else?" If you're trying to make Americans look bad, you're not doing a great job of it.
Thetruthhurts 1 year ago
This is the sooo tolerant borepanda site. Tolerant until it is about males who are white and Christians. Tolerant until it starts being about Americans, then they take the xenophobic turn...
Rocco MZ 1 year ago
Nope. You haven't even described even one person I know. And just so you know, I live in a town that is VERY popular for European tourists and we can spot you a mile away as well, we just don't judge you for and are happy you are here.
Load More Replies... Rocco MZ 1 year ago
I'm American and you haven't described even one person I know.
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