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?”
Talks about “freedom” like it’s an exclusive American privilege and not the bare minimum for a good chunk of the world.
rockwoolcreature , Edgar Colomba Report
“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 !”
Matrozi , Mental Health America (MHA) Report
Assume everyone on the internet is American.
RoombaTheKiller , Josh Johnson Report
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.
Apprenhensive-Sun-236 , Andrew Wise Report
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
Eli_JMI , Janis Oppliger Report
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.
ZealousidealRush2899 , zoetnet Report
Measure everything in eagles per squarefoot
firebullmonkey , Aaron Doucett Report
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.
Poeberry_fields , Clem Onojeghuo Report
Introduce themselves as their ancestors nationalities lmao
sweatybisexy , Sora Shimazaki Report
Drive from one shop to the next even if it is 50 meter by walk
maldobar4711 , mentatdgt Report
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
doykjoe , Tim Douglas Report
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.
Nikokab , Jacek Dylag Report
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.
Eldowon , ROMAN ODINTSOV Report
Equating freedom with being able to buy a product or being able to do something really meaningless
nomoreofyourbs , Harry Cunningham Report
Asking for refills, ice, or iced tea has outed me more times than I’d care to admit.
roastedoolong , ROMAN ODINTSOV Report
“Do you speak English? DOOO! YOOOU! SPEEEAK! ENNNNGLISH!”
JeffRyan1 , Mimi Thian Report
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.
bobthememequeen , Sebastian Coman Photography Report
“Do you accept American dollars?”
kgold0 , Titouan COLOMB Report
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.
marshmallord , Erik Mclean Report
Uses their shoes inside. Even if there has been raining
TurbulentBarracuda83 , Tenis Amante Report
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.
what-now_ Report
Not giving a f**k what the rest of the world thinks.
hmmm_thought_pig , Giorgio Trovato Report
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.
shreddymcwheat , Lukas Ballier Report
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
knightsofgel , Chris Hunkeler Report
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!
audio_inferno , Jonah Brown Report
It’s 10 degrees and you’re wearing an oversized sweatshirt with the name of your college, shorts and flip flops.
darienhaha , John Fornander Report
Wear a baseball cap at an indoor restaurant. Signed, an American who (ONCE!) wore a baseball cap at an indoor restaurant.
solo_duality , Nathan Dumlao Report
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
leopoldsghost29 , Francis Bourgouin Report
Loud, the way they dress, being overly polite, ask what I do for a living in the first 5 mins of conversation, etc
lioness-2208 , Obi - @pixel6propix Report
Eating while walking (eg eating a bagel or breakfast sandwich on the way to work or school)
Fatigued_Otter , Skinny Guy Lover Report
Got mad at me because I didn’t know if our ATM’s accept Bank of America cards, in Belgium. I could tell immediately he was from New York. He’s basically the stereotypical New Yorker.
LieutenantCrash Report
Be extra, doesn’t matter in what, it’s just always extra
skuloph Report
When they’re shocked you have to look 25 to buy an energy drink
gingerfingerbread Report
I’m american, but these are some things thay have given me away. Referring to distances in minutes. Certain types of clothing, like a PGA tour polo shirt. Sneakers. Wallet. Casio products. Stubble. If you shave with a philips norelco, it leaves slightly more stubble than a straight razor and everyone notices. Walking. Your back muscles are underdeveloped compared to europeans, makes you fling your feet out farther. Europeans keep mass centered on top of their leading foot. Belts. Not lnowing how to wear a suit. Masculine haircut. Smiling. Referring to wings, peanut butter, broccoli, or out of season vegetables. Asking for salt. Asking for water with ice. Buying soda with groceries. Paying with a credit card instead of a cellphone. Using american apps.
snoggol Report
As soon as you say you are British they hit you with the “can I ‘av a bo-ol o’ wotah”
Unique-Hamster-93 , Ethan Wilkinson Report
“can I get some ranch for my fries?”
McFeely_Smackup , Michael Burrows Report
sweatshirts with logos on them.
galwegian Report
Asking for vine with ice. I once observed in Italy how an american Dad asked kindly for some ice for his red vine. The server brought an bottle cooler but the man wanted normal ice. The server was so confused he sent his supervisor. Then the supervisor asked multiple times if he wants the ice IN the glass. They just couldnt believe it and thought it was some kind missunderstanding.
MoneyRough2983 Report
Yell in the streets when they are on holiday in Europe. You can spot them from a mile away.
oddlyhot Report
Tell you they’re American
Totally_Not_Evil Report
putting cheese on everything
locketrkive Report
“This is the worst fried chicken I’ve had all day.”
BarracudaEFC Report
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.
Apprehensive-Sun-236 Report
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. Edit: Spelling
what-now Report
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