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If you've ever traveled abroad as an American, the chances are you know how it feels to be detected as one. It’s not that we hide it (in fact, we are prouder than anything else!) but sometimes you just wish you could blend in with the rest of the crowd and feel what it’s like to be treated as a local.
And all it takes is to step foot inside, for example, a “bar” in Italy and order a beer on tap, or worse, a cappuccino after 12, and here you've earned a bunch of eyerolls with a solid “where in America are you from?” But in order to find out what really gives Americans away in an instant, we have to look at what non-Americans have to say about their radars themselves.
So below we collected some of the most interesting responses to “How do you spot an American tourist ‘from a mile away’?” on “AskReddit” and wow, this is kinda weirdly specific.
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#1
Americans are very loud, I swear you have loudhailers hidden in your clothes somewhere.
Over 40, the tourists tend to be more on the very overweight side, but the women still wear yoga pants and the men always have a combination of button up shirts and loose fitting cargo shorts. And both men and women wear baseball caps and Oakley's or sunglasses similar to that style; with white trainers.
Under 40, you're very friendly, in a way that's both endearing and creepy. When we chat I feel like I'm being indoctrinated into a cult.
Leah Person 3 years ago
I’m American and I really cannot stand how loud most people are here. I have a quiet voice and it’s considered some kind of a fault by some. It’s actually really stressful.
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#2
The way they dress. For some reason Americans abroad dress like they're doing some hard core exploring in the Amazon...even when they're just visiting a European city.
#3
"Hey oh you're [Irish/Scottish/Italian/etc]! I'm [same] too!"
"Oh really? Whereabouts you from?"
"California. My great great great grandpappy was from here though!"
Sarcastic Cow 3 years ago
If you are so proud of your country, why do you still mention the origins of your ancestors?Sounds like a European saying he's a Celtic, a Roman or a Viking... (even if it was cool, tho)
#4
Amazed by things which are more than 200 years old, presumably because they don't have many things that old in the USA.
Tenacious Squirrel 3 years ago
Same in Australia. We once went to a “historic” attraction that people were really fawning over. It was from the 1950s, my mum is older than it 😆
#5
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.
#6
when they cross the street, they expect cars to stop for them. in my country, the cars will run you down without thinking twice.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
In the Netherlands pedestrians are legally protected into the extreme. If a driver collides with a pedestrians, the driver is always 100% at fault and liable. But even here pedestrians wait till it's safe to cross the street.
#7
When they introduce themselves they never say they're from America: mostly the state/city they're from.
#8
I remember I was a small kid in Tijuana. They were typically a lot more good looking than the local population. The girls were hot as hell. The Marines that would come around from San Diego looked like superheroes and made these other guys look like sh*t.
We'd get European tourists as well but the American ones looked bigger and kind of stronger. Especially the military guys, like something out of these Marvel comics, at least the ones in their twenties.
All buff, tall, etc.
The military tourists were always very friendly to me and made me want to be like them when I grew up, which is why I'm going to enlist in the USMC a few years after college, haha.
Very friendly, generous people, very funny too.
#9
They complain that the portions at restaurants are too small.
#10
You can hear them in museums when everyone else is extra silent.
#11
In my experience, any combination of the following:
white socks
wearing a sun visor
Talking incredibly loud
Their phone will be on a belt loop
American teenagers are usually better at blending in however, so the trick with these guys is to wait until you're in a restaurant, at which point they'll make their presence known by complaining about the local food.
In terms of positives however, I find most American tourists are incredibly friendly and sociable, they usually have no problem talking to strangers and striking up a pleasant conversation, something we Europeans never do with each other (this is also another "tell", but it's one we should adopt).
#12
The absolute fearlessness of asking anyone on the street about anything
#13
Expecting everyone to speak English and/or not wanting to learn the local language.
#14
They always look cheerful and are constantly smiling and seeming happy. Tourists from other places look more neutral or even unhappy.
troufaki13 3 years ago
How can you travel to another place and not be happy??? I'm with the Americans on this one!
#15
They get over-excited over very ordinary events and say things like “OMG look that grass how green it is!
troufaki13 3 years ago
I find this very endearing to be honest. It's how children react and how we should all react in my opinion :)
#17
I always felt embarrassingly underdressed when traveling in Europe.
On the flip side, as a native Arizonan I can always spot the European/English tourist because they will be bright red.
#18
Many of the things we say loudly, includes many irrelevant details. In Israel, no one gives a f*ck about irrelevant details. “Yes” or “no” answers are of high value in middle eastern culture; but in American culture we like to tell you all about why something is or that our daughter got married last year or our cat has diabetes.
Tenacious Squirrel 3 years ago
I didn’t know yes/no answers had high value in Middle Eastern culture. Interesting!
#19
They’re looking for a store open at like 11pm. Even if in most European countries stores close at like 7-8 pm
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
American: "Can you imagine not being able to buy a microwave at 3 AM?" European: "Yes."
#20
Americans think the world impressed by their city. No one cares that you’re from Las Vegas
Susan Widomski 3 years ago
And why do so many tourists visit Las Vegas or New York or California?
#21
Tipping. Americans will try to tip everyone, even in countries where tipping isn't a thing/is considered a serious insult.
#22
They're always asking for extra ice in their drinks.
September Meadows 3 years ago (edited)
I prefer my drinks at room temperature unless they're supposed to be hot.
#24
They ask for ketchup no matter what they're eating.
#25
They have impeccable facial hair. Maybe Americans get a trim before they go on holiday, but I'm always impressed by the tidy beards and mustaches.
#26
dollars. God damn it, people - hit a money exchange before you hit the market. Especially in a country where hard currency was still illegal.
#27
They’re the first to kick off when it’s a hot day and the Grade II listed hotel I work in doesn’t have air-conditioning.
Then they leave a bad review :( believe me, I would LOVE air con but we’re not allowed to change the building.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Why would you leave a 900 year old historical building intact, when you clearly can ruin the façade with air conditioners?
#28
Their college t shirt, sweater or cap
#29
We are morons about diet. Another American moved to where I lived. He preached about high protein diets, b*tched about how he couldn’t find fat free milk or pasteurized egg whites, in a country that specializes in high-fat cuisine.
#30
fanny pack.
What do you think ?
Hexenfox 3 years ago
Back at it again BP. always ripping on Americans. Please find another group of people to disparage.
KaySt 3 years ago
It's also total hypocrisy advocating for equality and against discrimination in some posts and then being guilty of it in others. Posts like this suggest that it's okay to discriminate or stereotype certain groups but not others.
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Lovin' Life 3 years ago
This makes me very nervous to travel to other countries. I would be afraid of insulting someone with my smile or my hello. As an American, I am very polite and happy. I love to ask questions. How am I supposed to learn of the country I wish to visit if I can't comfortably speak to a citizen there? If I wasn't interested in your country, I wouldn't visit it. Just my opinion.... I know every country is different and i respect that.
Caro Caro 3 years ago
You are welcome to come over here. This is a stupid thread, that's why I posted nice things. This USA bashing is just stupid. Not all of us are like that.
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Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Thank goodness, haven’t seen one of these re-hashed articles in nigh on a fortnight. Can I get paid for one of these? Pretty sure I could do it from memory at this point ;)
Hexenfox 3 years ago
Back at it again BP. always ripping on Americans. Please find another group of people to disparage.
KaySt 3 years ago
It's also total hypocrisy advocating for equality and against discrimination in some posts and then being guilty of it in others. Posts like this suggest that it's okay to discriminate or stereotype certain groups but not others.
Load More Replies... Lovin' Life 3 years ago
This makes me very nervous to travel to other countries. I would be afraid of insulting someone with my smile or my hello. As an American, I am very polite and happy. I love to ask questions. How am I supposed to learn of the country I wish to visit if I can't comfortably speak to a citizen there? If I wasn't interested in your country, I wouldn't visit it. Just my opinion.... I know every country is different and i respect that.
Caro Caro 3 years ago
You are welcome to come over here. This is a stupid thread, that's why I posted nice things. This USA bashing is just stupid. Not all of us are like that.
Load More Replies... Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Thank goodness, haven’t seen one of these re-hashed articles in nigh on a fortnight. Can I get paid for one of these? Pretty sure I could do it from memory at this point ;)
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