Whether you realize it or not – Americans are very unique people. Think about it – we’re a massive country, spanning an entire continent with an ocean on either side. Not to mention, we only have two neighboring countries! So, whether you want to admit it or not – we live in a bit of a bubble. A beautiful and amazing bubble! But a bubble nonetheless.
When Americans travel, we might not think that we stand out – but we most certainly do.
As tourists in brand new countries, people often try to blend in and do as the locals do. But when culture and way of life are so ingrained in you – it’s hard not to always have the “American” show every now and again.
One Reddit user asked the internet, “Besides their accent, what’s one way you know a tourist is American?” Here are 50 of the best responses.
Wait…we have accents?
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1) Americans just stand there
At restaurants, most Americans are used to waiting for a hostess to seat you or at least tell you where to sit. Unless there’s a “Seat Yourself” sign, that’s normal! Well, everywhere else? It’s not the case. In most cases, you just seat yourself.
Americans are loud. It’s just a fact. Travel in many other countries and you’ll always be able to pick out the American because of their volume. Like this person’s experience in Korea…
3) Because our country is so big!
When Americans travel, if they’re asked where they’re from, they’ll usually tell you the city and state. Most foreigners probably aren’t familiar enough with our country to know each city and state. We’re so used to answering that way when the reply from any other tourist would just be their country.
4) Americans are overly nice
Canadians have a reputation for being the friendliest, and they certainly are. But Americans are a close second. We’re used to greeting people, like our servers or baristas, with a smile or at least a hello. Other countries aren’t so cordial.
The Russian culture is used to really only smiling when something is actually funny and not so much just to throw around at everyone. Americans? We’re used to giving any and everyone a nice big toothy grin.
6) We don’t have buildings that old here!
Americans love looking at old buildings and ruins! Why? Because we’re quite a relatively new country and none of our buildings are as old as they are in other countries. It’s fascinating for us to see.
7) Really, though – why do we call it that?
Restrooms, bathrooms, or “little girl’s/boy’s room,” Americans have a lot of names for the toilet. Other countries have absolutely zero idea what we mean when asking about the location of the restroom. Why do we call it that anyway?
In America, we tip everyone. Our servers, our baristas, our bellhops, our airport shuttle drivers, our cafe performers, you name it. In many countries, in fact,
most countries, tipping is not customary. And sometimes? It’s even insulting.
9) There’s no 24-hour store?
Americans are used to convenience. We can have pretty much anything at any time. Food? No problem. Booze? Sure! Candy and snacks? Just around the corner. In other countries, they actually call it a day by the evening. You know, so they can enjoy themselves too. You just have to plan ahead to not need to go to the store!
10) We like frozen water?
Apparently Americans are known to like their beverages extra cold. This Reddit user says they can spot an American by their request for extra ice in their drink.
11) Americans let everyone know what’s going on
Americans aren’t just known to be loud, but they’re also known to share their opinions when it wasn’t even asked for. Take this lady for example, she felt the need to announce the world what she knew (or thought she knew) about a penguin exhibit.
12) No American can resist ‘Sweet Caroline’
There are certain classic American songs that literally every single American knows. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond is most certainly one of those songs. Apparently, if you put it on the radio in a foreign country, it’s a sure-fire way to find out who’s American in the room.
13) That damn Imperial system
There are only THREE countries in the entire world that don’t use the metric system. And America is one of them! Besides Liberia and Myanmar, Americans are for some strange reason using the Imperial system. We have no idea how many kilograms something weighs, how far five kilometers is, or how hot 30 degrees Celsius feels like.
14) Pedestrians always have the right-of-way in America
In America, we’re used to cars slowing down or stopping if we need to cross the street as a pedestrian. In other countries? Good luck with that! There are probably quite a lot of Americans getting injured abroad due to this assumption.
Everthing in America is very spread out. So, we’re used to driving for long distances without even batting an eye. For us, we might think a four- or five-hour drive isn’t terrible, but for Europeans, you could have driven through 3 or 4 countries in that amount of time!
16) It’s not universal currency
For some reason, some Americans think that the US dollar is some sort of universal currency that is accepted everywhere. Of course, that is not the case. Come on, people, what do you think all of those currency exchange places are for?
17) Seeing as much as possible in the shortest amount of time
American tourists love going on excursions and tours. When you only have two weeks of vacation a year, you have to cram in as much as possible! Those multiple-destination, drive-around tours are right up our alley.
What do you mean you don’t have ketchup?! How am I supposed to eat this?! I don’t know why Americans love ketchup, but we do! When we ask for it at restaurants abroad, people know we’re from the U.S. of A.
Here’s another Reddit user from another country just confirming the fact that Americans are super (maybe overly?) friendly. Is this really a bad thing, though? Maybe other countries can take a hint!
In American restaurants, it’s usually standard to have ice water brought to your table without even asking for it. In other countries, that’s rarely the case. And the chances of your water having ice? Slim to none.
21) Because it’s delicious
This Reddit user says that they can spot an American because they like to put cheese on everything and, quite frankly, we see nothing wrong with that. Cheese is absolutely delicious.
22) We just look American
Apparently, we just “look” American. According to this Reddit user, there isn’t necessarily anything that stands out about us, but they just…know.
Foreigners say that they can spot an American tourist because they’re always wearing a baseball or trucker hat. After all, they are a common daily accessory here in the U.S.
24) Americans are curious
Like we said before, America only has two neighboring countries so, you know…we don’t get out a lot! When we do travel, everything is new and exciting so we have a lot of questions. For many Americans, it’s a shocking experience to see how differently some people live.
25) The U.S. has good dentists
We like to take care of our teeth in America. Always striving for perfectly straight pearly whites, we go to great lengths to have that picture-perfect smile. And it looks like some people in other countries have taken notice.
26) Americans are known to be a bit larger
It’s not something to be proud of but Americans are known to be bit a bigger and heavier than other people. Our obesity rate is one of the highest in the world – and sadly, people in other countries can pick us out of the crowd because of it.
Wow, well, is this not the case for other people across the world? The fact that we’re happy to be alive isn’t something to be ashamed of, that’s for sure. I guess we’ll take this stereotype?
28) It’s always a funny reminder that we don’t know the metric system
Oh, right. 500 meters? Yep, I have no idea what that means. That’s why we let out a nervous chuckle. We are always quickly reminded that the rest of the world operates together on one system and we’re over here with our inches, feet, and miles having no idea what’s going on.
29) We don’t condone this behavior
Let’s get this straight. Many Americans do not, I repeat, do not, condone wearing sandals with socks. Honestly, what’s the point of wearing toeless shoes with socks? But for some reason, there are those that do it. We apologize on America’s behalf.
30) We never had to learn anything else
Americans are generally known to speak only one language – English. Many other countries speak their native language and also know English, and sometimes, even more languages. In America, it’s not required to learn any other language, which is a shame because being bilingual is so valuable.
31) We love our collegiate sports
Americans love to represent their favorite university. Whether it’s the school they attended or they just love one of their sports teams, we love to wear all of the gear to show our support. In other countries, they don’t have that same sort of dedication and passion to universities. Maybe because they didn’t have to pay tens of thousands of dollars to attend?
Dining in American restaurants, we have high expectations when it comes to the level of service we receive. If the service is slow or “unfriendly,” it could result in leaving a bad tip. So, servers are usually very attentive and friendly. Abroad, this just simply isn’t the case. Slow service and common and indifferent attitudes are very common.
33) Is there such a thing?
I didn’t know there was such a thing as being “too” polite, but apparently, that’s what Americans are. The rest of the world is used to being a bit more rude and indifferent to everything it seems.
It looks like the consensus is in – Americans are loud, but at least when we’re loud, we’re being really nice and complimentary to people. I could imagine there are worse people in the world, right?
Every country has their slang. For Americans, “what’s up?” is a standard greeting that people would recognize everywhere in the country. Generally, it’s used very casually and by the younger generation, but it’s not strange to hear – unless you’re abroad.
The white tube socks pulled all the way up are a dead giveaway to locals that you’re definitely from America. That’s what we call the “traveling dad look.” They can’t help their dorkiness. Oh, and they’ll also probably throw in a bad joke about some historic site you’re visiting.
37) There’s that “look” again
I am curious to know what the general “American” look really is. I guess our shirts and pants are different than everywhere else. Can someone please elaborate here?
This person is breaking it down to baseball caps, baggy clothes, loud, and nice. This must be the standard “American” look. I personally don’t wear baggy clothes and baseball caps, but it seems like lots of people do!
39) Once again, our dashing smiles
This isn’t the first time people abroad have noticed the straightness of our teeth. Growing up in America, it was just normal to have braces as a kid. I don’t know why we’re so obsessed with our teeth.
Other countries are just sick of us smiling at everyone. I mean, why are you so happy? It’s not like you’ve been working all year and get to finally let loose and enjoy yourself or anything. Oh, wait. That’s exactly why I’m smiling!
Americans like to show off everything they know. It’s just what we do. The first chance we get to display our knowledge to anyone that will listen, we’ll do it. And, of course, we’ll be referencing the imperial system because it’s all we know.
42) Overflowing with politeness
As Americans, we’re raised to say “please” and “thank you” to pretty much anyone for doing anything at all. If someone holds the door open, when you walk into a bank, getting onto the bus, paying for a movie ticket. It’s crazy! And other countries take notice of our overly polite ways.
43) Yes, we like to brag a little
What can we say? We love being Americans! It’s just second nature to want to tell other people about it and want them to come see how great it is too. It’s innocent really.
44) Wanting to capture every detail
The chances of us ever coming back to a place abroad will probably be slim to none. The next time we get a vacation, we’ll probably want to try somewhere new, so while we’re visiting, we have to get allll the pictures.
45) Yeah, sorry about that
Even though there are Americans that are getting out of their comfort zones and traveling to other countries, they still expect people in different countries to speak English.
46) And what is that exactly?
We walk differently, huh? I wonder what that means exactly. We all still have two legs and two feet, and I think we still put one foot in front of the other, but apparently it looks a little “different.”
47) They’re so cute, though!
If I’m visiting Ireland and we come across a lush, green field with little white sheep milling around, I’m definitely going to stop and take a photo. It just feels so adorably Irish! Oh, and by the way, I’m American.
48) Proud of our heritage
America is a unique place in the fact that most of the families that live there weren’t originally from there, so Americans are obsessed with knowing about their heritage. Other countries don’t tend to do that.
49) Just shooting the breeze
I don’t know why Americans love small talk, but they do. Casually asking a stranger how their day is going is completely normal in America. But abroad? It’s strange to do that.
Only in America will you find people eating ranch salad dressing. It really just doesn’t exist in many other places at all. People in America love their ranch and if you ask for it abroad, you’ll probably get a look of confusion as to what the heck you’re talking about.
If you’re an American tourist, there’s no shame in being blatantly American. In fact, being nice, polite, and friendly sounds like a pretty great thing to spread across the world! Maybe just try and keep the volume down a little bit.
H/T: Reddit
Whether you realize it or not – Americans are very unique people. Think about it – we’re a massive country, spanning an entire continent with an ocean on either side. Not to mention, we only have two neighboring countries! So, whether you want to admit it or not – we live in a bit of a bubble. A beautiful and amazing bubble! But a bubble nonetheless.
When Americans travel, we might not think that we stand out – but we most certainly do.
As tourists in brand new countries, people often try to blend in and do as the locals do. But when culture and way of life are so ingrained in you – it’s hard not to always have the “American” show every now and again.
One Reddit user asked the internet, “Besides their accent, what’s one way you know a tourist is American?” Here are 50 of the best responses.
Wait…we have accents?
