Maybe you travel abroad and don’t think about how your native culture shines through. Maybe you do all you can to blend in when traveling abroad. But regardless, American tourists stand out. No matter where I go and even what I do, there are some things that always alert the locals that I am a foreigner. While identifying American tourists abroad can be a fun exercise in cultural observation, let’s look at the main things that make Americans stand out when traveling:
Clothing & Accessories
Athletic Wear: If you have traveled to Europe, you will quickly see that other Westerners don’t wear athletic clothing and tennis shoes unless exercising. Americans have taken athleisure to a whole new level, but when traveling, our casual gear stands out. I honestly don’t know how to describe it, but I can always tell who is American based on the TYPE of athletic shoes we wear. When traveling, I can always spot the American tourists from our tennis shoe brands and styles (even though lots of people around the world wear Nike, etc.).
Flip Flops: Honestly, enough said. Ha! No seriously, wearing flip flops in the city, not at the beach, is a dead giveaway that you are American. Upgrade your shoes for a nice flat or dressier sandal if you want to avoid the “American” stares.
Shorts: I think this applies more to men than women, but generally speaking, most locals outside the United States don’t wear shorts unless at the beach or exercising. I was shocked to see everyone in pants in Colombia during the hot summer months. Same in Vietnam through Hanoi and HCMC. But the largest place where shorts is a fashion faux pas is Europe. Wearing shorts in Europe is an automatic giveaway that you are American.
Behavior and Appearance
Volume: Aside from Australians, it’s been my experience that Americans speak the loudest in public places, especially in restaurants and on public transit. In London, no local speaks on the Tube during rush hour, so American tourists stand out quickly by conversing in their group. Aussies can also be loud like Americans, but I think we generally take the cake. If you want to fit in abroad, consider staying quiet on public transportation and reading the room in public places to see how locals behave.
Tipping: When I traveled to Morocco and Egypt, I was constantly told, “Oh, you’re American. Nice tipping.” The general expectation is that Americans leave large tips, even in countries where tipping isn’t customary. It’s important (if you want to fit in) to pay attention to how locals tip. I struggle with this, because, as an American, I’m acutely aware of our blessings and feel like a few extra dollars to the local staff doesn’t mean much to my budget but has a greater impact on their daily lives. Regardless, you don’t want to be seen as a target for theft, so it’s better to behave cautiously and try to pay attention to local tipping customs.
Teeth: This seems like a weird one, but it’s the thing that has been commented to me the most. So many other expats when I’m traveling say, “Oh you must be American!” and when I ask why, they ALWAYS say “because you have such straight and white teeth.” I guess all our youthful braces give us away. 😊
Other Ways to Spot an American Abroad
Food Preferences: We are always giving ourselves away as American by requesting ice in drinks. We also tend to be the only ones with “emotional support water bottles” (lol), hand sanitizer and snacks galore. One major thing I’ve noticed traveling is that Americans are the only ones that eat on the go. We will grab a sandwich and walk with it to the next attraction, but most other cultures will sit and eat, even if it’s a cookie or gelato. Take a moment to sit and enjoy your food if you want to blend in with locals.
Air Conditioning: When staying in hostels, I have quickly seen that Americans are in the minority when it comes to our air conditioning. We love to have cool temperatures in the room, especially at night. But I can’t tell you how many Germans or French have gotten up in arms in my hostel dormitory about the cool temps and overnight air conditioning. They say it makes them sick and contributes to bad health. I just shrug and say, “sorry!” I still love my air conditioning, but it’s a dead giveaway we are American.
Small Talk: While this one clearly shows us as American, it’s also one of my favorite character traits. Americans are known for being very friendly and engaging in small talk with strangers. When we join a tour group, we are the first to make friends (followed closely by the Aussies). We love chatting up others and often times comparing travel stories. While I think this is endearing, be cognizant of others and pay attention to their body language for indirect signals. Other cultures might not directly say but may feel uncomfortable conversing with strangers. Also, try to keep small talk light. I have heard complaints from locals that Americans are quick to start griping about a local tradition or different standard of service.
While these traits may make Americans stand out, they’re also part of what makes travel such an interesting experience. I love seeing the differences and similarities in various cultures – how we dress, speak and interact. It’s important to remember that you are a guest in another country and shouldn’t expect everything to operate exactly how it is in America. Be mindful of different customs and standards of service. Embrace the diversity and roll with the cultural differences to enjoy your travels abroad.
If you are new to international travel, check out our 12 tips for beginners traveling abroad!
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Great American travel hints.
What great insights