Non-Americans Share the Ways They Can Spot American Tourists Traveling Abroad

From their love of corndogs to their obsession with CrossFit, it’s no secret that Americans have some unique tastes and habits. Of course, when they’re at home in the US of A, all their cultural quirks and patriotic pastimes seem perfectly normal. It’s when they’re traveling abroad that they truly stand out from the crowd.

Americans often find themselves awestruck when faced with artifacts and relics that are more than two centuries old. It’s as if their minds can hardly comprehend the fact that something has survived and endured for such a long time. 

Have you ever enjoyed the gentle ambiance of a museum? The place can be thoroughly crowded, but all you hear are a few faint murmurs as people gaze at the ancient artifacts and treasures. Unfortunately, many Redditors reported that American tourists don’t seem to be able to read the room on such occasions. 

College is a time of growth, learning, and memories. For many, it inspires great pride in the institution that made it all possible. Perhaps that’s why we so often see Americans wearing college t-shirts, sweaters, and caps long after graduation. 

Do you know that Americans try to tip everyone, even in countries where tipping isn’t a thing? As good-natured as this gesture is, there’s a problem – tipping can be seen as insulting in some cultures.

Americans are a polite bunch, so when they want to use a public toilet while traveling abroad, they often ask for the nearest bathroom, restroom, or washroom. These words distance them from what they plan to do in the toilet, thus sanitizing the request. However, it’s hilariously confusing to non-Americans.  

Americans love to remind the rest of the world that they are the “land of the free and home of the brave.” This is perhaps why so many travelers are amused to see Americans obediently removing their shoes at airport security, even when there are signs clearly stating that you don’t have to do so. 

When Americans meet someone new, they rarely just say they’re from the US. Instead, they often proudly proclaim the state or city they call home. While this makes sense if you’re from somewhere famous like New York or San Francisco, it can leave people confused if they’ve never heard of the town mentioned. 

Okay, no one’s going to criticize Americans for being friendly – it’s a wonderful trait that many people admire. However, in some countries, people find it odd that Americans ask so many personal questions of baristas, restaurant servers, and retail workers. 

Americans are well-known for their confident and daring attitude when it comes to having conversations with strangers. Whether it’s in their home country or abroad, they are not scared to ask anyone on the street about anything. 

Have you ever felt the contagious energy of American tourists when traveling? They always seem to be in a jovial mood, with beaming smiles and radiating positivity. Tourists from other places, on the other hand, appear more neutral or even unhappy. 

It seems that the rule in America is that a thirst-quenching beverage should always come packed with an overabundance of ice. Since people in other countries prefer to leave as much room as possible for the actual drink, American travelers always need to make ice a special request.

In America, cheese is for food what ice is for drinks. It has the magical ability to elevate the flavor of almost any dish. From pizza to pasta, salads to sandwiches, cheese seems to be every American’s go-to ingredient for adding a creamy, flavorful touch to food. 

Americans are known for their “go-getter” attitude, and it’s no surprise that this extends to how they take their coffee. While in Europe, most people take time to savor and enjoy their coffee at the café. 

Only three of the world’s 195 countries still use the imperial system: Liberia, Myanmar, and the United States of America. Even Canada and the UK have figured out the metric system, but Americans are still hopelessly attached to inches, feet, miles, pounds, and degrees Fahrenheit.

Many American travelers assume that stores remain open late or even 24/7, but this is often not the case. Many cultures value work life balance and close up by early evening at the latest. 

Be it a soul patch, a handlebar mustache, or a full-on beard, Americans know how to maintain their facial hair with incredible precision. Whether they’re prepping for a holiday or just keeping up appearances, their grooming skills never disappoint. 

From bright Hawaiian shirts to cargo shorts, some Americans tend to dress like they are ready to explore the Amazon rainforest while traveling abroad. This fashion faux pas is a common sight abroad, where American tourists often opt for comfort over style. 

Socks and sandals are a tell-tale sign that you’re looking at a pair of American feet. So when those feet hit the sidewalks of your city, you’ll know straight away what this fashion statement means.

Americans are accustomed to pedestrians having the right of way, expecting that cars will stop when they cross the street. Sadly, this is not the case in many places around the world. Indeed, one Redditor noted that in their country, a car could run you over without the driver thinking twice about it.

From french fries to hot dogs, burgers to chicken wings, ketchup is the perfect partner for any American meal. It can be found on every restaurant table in every corner of the country, so it’s no wonder Americans expect it when they travel.

It’s a cold winter day, and everyone is bundled up in their warm coats, scarves, and hats. But then, there is that one person who seems to be untouched by the chill of the season, walking around in shorts and a t-shirt as if it’s nothing! 

Did you just hear someone go on and on about how beautiful that gray river is, the vibrant colors of a rainbow, or the lush green of the grass? You’ve likely just passed by an American tourist. 

Americans are famous the world over for making no attempt whatsoever to pronounce words the right way, leading to miscommunication and confusion. If they bother to learn a few words of another language, American tourists often pronounce those words in their own super-American way, making them unintelligible to locals. 

Is the person at the table next to you unsatisfied with the small portions they’ve been served? Are they complaining that they’re not getting enough bang for their buck? If you answered yes to these questions, we feel confident in guessing that you’re sitting next to an American. 

Redditor u/thewidowgorey put her hand up as an American traveler with some info on how people spot her when she’s overseas. She spent a lot of time wondering how people could tell she was American before she said a word. The answer? She smiles at everyone. 

Americans have an uncanny way of connecting with strangers. While this is lovely, some foreigners are taken aback by how willingly Americans will pour their hearts out to bartenders, taxi drivers, and fellow tourists.

Is the guy next to you on the subway donning a baseball cap and a collar that’s standing at military levels of attention? That guy is not only most likely an American tourist, but he probably answers to ‘broseph’ as well.

Clapping is an essential part of any performance, and it’s always appreciated. However, Americans have earned a reputation for applauding inappropriately in movie theaters, on planes that land smoothly, and when listening to pre-recorded music. 

If you’re from the USA and trying to keep a low profile, you may have to update your slang. But here’s one thing you don’t have to worry about: “Bro” is no more odd than any other term of endearment used around the world. 

Walking down a chick shopping street packed with stylishly dressed fashion aficionados and that one middle aged couple sporting matching fanny packs? Not only have you spotted an American tourist, but you can even probably guess that they’re from the midwest.

Americans love to have a good time. However, the nation’s puritanical roots still have a profound influence on what’s considered acceptable. As such, Americans often stand out in Europe due to their horrified reaction to nudity depicted in art.

Americans love to be comfortable in their clothing, which makes shorts an obvious option, but that’s not a clear choice everywhere. In India, shorts are typically seen as an item of clothing for children, so a grown man in shorts may seem comical.

Americans aren’t entirely indifferent to the global obsession with football. The problem is that Americans use the term “football” to refer to, well, American football. For this reason, most Americans use the term “soccer” to refer to what the rest of the world calls “football.”

We learned earlier that Europeans can always spot Americans by the takeaway coffee cups in their hands. Well, it seems this logic extends to food as well. While people from cultures across the world prefer to sit and enjoy their meals, Americans love getting a bite on the go. 

We mentioned earlier that people can spot Americans a mile away by their need to convert everything to the imperial system. However, there’s another level to the story. Not only do Americans need to convert everything to imperial, but they also refuse to give the metric system a chance.  

Traveling abroad can be a great experience, but why go to all the expense just to eat the same food you would get at home? Many Americans seem to disagree with this sentiment, as McDonald’s is one of the most popular restaurants among US expats around the world. 

Americans aren’t obsessed with cleanliness, but they sure do love their hand sanitizer! When it comes to eating out in public, there’s nothing quite like the convenience of a trusty travel-sized bottle of Purell.

The United States covers more than 3.5 million square miles, and in all that space, one language dominates: English. Of course, there are plenty of other languages spoken by immigrants to the US. However, many Americans still grow up with the idea that everyone around them naturally speaks their language. 

Talking louder can definitely be effective when trying to get someone’s attention, but it is not always necessary. Unfortunately, Americans have yet to master the art of the “inside voice.” 

Nothing brings US citizens together like an unexpected reunion abroad! From a distance, it may appear to be a family reunion, but these are complete strangers. When two Americans cross paths, there is an undeniable joy in the air as they share stories of their home states. 

Americans love to cross their legs when they sit. If ten people are in a room sitting with legs crossed, best believe that eight of them would be from the States. You can trust these unofficial statistics. 

Many Reddit users agreed that Americans are blessed with a great sense of humor. Besides their extrovertive and carefree approach to exploration, they can also transmit their joy with words.

It’s easy to tell someone who is from the States apart from a group of tourists when it’s time to define distances. Non-Americans “complain” about Americans’ unusual way of describing distances. 

Also, don’t be too amused to hear an American tourist groan about the U.S. dollar’s lack of acceptance in a foreign land. We aren’t sure why, but Yankees seem to think that the dollar should be universally adopted. 

Americans appreciate the little things. Maybe too many of the little things. So they leave tourist sites with loads of pictures taken, way more than they need. That’s how to spot an American tourist.