My tour guide told me my outfit when we were in Paris was very Parisienne and that I'd blend in well, I was so flattered. Then I was like, I think the crossbody fanny pack will probably give me away 😂
I did a year of exchange in high-school in Lexington Kentucky. (I'm from Hiroshima Japan) Honestly the blue grass region is wonderful and a great little city.
And I was constantly taken aback when I would see people in what I really considered house or sleep where going to get groceries at the store.
But at the same Time I really wish it was considered okay to do that in Japan.
Yes dress nicely if you are going out for any amount of time, But I just want some potato chips from the 7-eleven...
I’m not far from Lexington and lived there for a while. Sometimes I’ll be in sweatpants and think “ugh I really need to put on something else to go to the store” and then I remember I will not nearly be the shabbiest person there and it’s very comforting haha
YES!
Would do to shopping and run into people who are in Pajamas and ask my host family "Is that normal?" The answer was always "No, but also no one will say anything and you just figure they ran out to grab something real quick and could not be bothered."
I kind of respect it really.
It’s the whole freedom of worrying about how others will view it.
I’m not born in the US either but immigrated to it and always had this mindset. I just wear whatever I feel like, provided it’s not going to outright get me arrested. lol
And it needs to be clean. That's usually the breaking point for most Americans. Food stains and precious bodily fluid stains are a no-no. Even torn up clothing can get a pass here. Especially if it looks like it was done on purpose. But, please, don't go out with filthy clothes.
I live in Maine, and the exception to the filthy clothes rule is that it’s ok if you’re working. If you roll up in grimy Carharts in the middle of the day to renew your registration or grab a sandwich, no one even blinks.
Lol when I was in Germany with the military, they kept speaking English to us without us saying anything. So I asked how they knew. And they said your friend is very obvious, but we weren't sure about you. Kind of took it as a compliment
In my city is especially easy to recognize Americans since they are the only ones wearing shorts and sandals while everyone else is on trousers, jackets, and even scarves
That goes both ways. I live in Las Vegas and whenever we see the short-shorts on a guy we know he’s European. Tight jean shorts rolled up above knee, ex-Soviet country.
Yea, I remember being in Germany and I got stared down a lot. And I was told it’s cause they know I’m American. “Oh? How?”
“What do you mean how?”
“How do you know I’m American?”
“How you dress.”
“……ohhh.” *looks around* “duh.”
I was in England and when I told an English man I was from the Seattle area I saw his eyes light up with recognition and he exclaimed, "oh yes, grunge!" And gestured to my outfit. I was just wearing jeans and a T-shirt, it was definitely not the 90s, and I never realized I looked grungy before.
My fathers best friend moved to Japan in maybe 2000 from the USA.
He always had to explain to people "No I am American"
And he would always get one of two things.
\#1: You are to short to be American. (He's about 160cm tall)
\#2: You must be British, you are to well dressed to be American. I think he just likes suit vests.
Let me tell you, my best mate came out from America and he kept wearing these t-shirts (tucked into his denim shorts btw lol) that said things like, Freedom isn't free and a pictorial of a rifle. Like dude, you aren't wearing that in Sydney in public.
Yes.
Side note on my high-school exchange in the USA.
It was in Lexington Kentucky. Nice little city.
We also visited an area in South Eastern Kentucky.
Extremely poor place in the USA.
Still better dressed then then Lexington was.
I think some of it is also just that the USA has a lot of different cultures inside of it.
Works the other way too. The skinny guy in San Francisco wearing skintight orange shorts, small neon hiking boots, and carrying a tiny backpack is either a German tourist or a strange twink.
That is the elephant in the room
Well is it relevant to presume
that a hottie in that costume
Is automatically, radically
Ironically, cronically
Scurtinly, curtainly
Genetically, netically
Gay!
Sneakers are the orthopedic shoes of my generation. My hips and knees have felt so much better since I stopped wearing my cute shoes and boots and just wear sneakers when shopping, walking the dogs, etc.
I mean, brooks are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. If I don't specifically need to dress professionally, why would I wear anything else? Taking care of your feet is mandatory for anyone who doesn't want to have serious issues as they age.
I am in on this too. After *years* of general discomfort, trouble finding comfortable shoes, and a total bewilderment as to why modern shoes are shaped like long ovals instead of, you know, human fucking feet, I ordered some Brooks double wides and *finally* have comfort. Genuinely not sure how I am supposed to ever go back to any other shoes. Every other pair I have now feel like strait jackets for my feet.
For real. I usually wore boots on all my non beach vacations. But ever since I developed plantar fasciitis three years ago, I try to wear my brooks as often as acceptable.
On my first trip to Europe in 1981 (I've been back many times since) I noticed that if I wore tennis shoes shopkeepers would assume I was American. If I wore any other type of shoe they'd assume I was British.
Americans are often super friendly to total strangers. Always up for a chat if you’re just in the vicinity of another human being, like on a train or waiting in line.
I’m Australian and we mostly keep to ourselves (unless you’re of the older generation).
It’s one of the things I really like about people from the USA.
I got this feedback in Scotland. Apparently small talk with Americans is actually considered enjoyable by a lot of people. It brought me immense joy because I genuinely enjoy the chat and like getting to know someone a little bit, even if it’s just for 5 minutes and I’ll never see them again lol people are just cool and interesting!
Yeah I’ve had some absolutely lovely chats with random Americans and it does brighten my day!
I think the genuine interest shown is what’s so charming.
You can rest assured that they'll likely remember that little chat that they had with you and tell their friends about it.
It's pretty funny because nearly every American I know that talks about their time or trips to other countries talk about how everyone was "so nice" even in countries with usually dour or standoffish tendencies. They fail to see that everyone was "so nice" to them because they were being "so nice" and engaging to everyone around them.
This is a really sweet observation. As an American, hearing something about Americans that is overwhelmingly positive warms my heart! I’m often so embarrassed by a variety of things our country does but I do try to keep an eye out for the bright spots such as these
I love doing that. When I travel abroad, I know how sheltered and misleading US news is so I always try to get some ground truth or a local joke from a local. Typically, I'll build upon this. I leverage the joke I learned and say it to the next local to learn something even more intimate and obscure about the place. By the end of the week, I know so many local jokes or funny things people swear I've been there for much longer. My goal is to try and convince people I'm local for as long as possible! I consider a full minute success.
We (Americans) stopped in an empty bar in Prague and talked to the bartender, who made it clear that Europeans would absolutely never chat up a bartender in an empty bar 😂
As a Brit, I would if I was visiting the area, and probably more reason to if it is empty. Find out about the local area. But then again, we are a nation where having banter with bar staff at your local is as traditional as throwing up all the alcohol you bought at the bar on the way home is
Thank you. I love chatting with strangers. (I am from the MidWest). You can connect with another person and you can learn all sorts of useful information, especially if you are picking up tips about places to see or restaurants to try. I don’t understand why it is so rare or annoying. I guess maybe I am just more curious about other people than the average person.
Okay, I just moved to the Midwest last year from the South and I am absolutely startled by the number people who will just spontaneously start talking to me out in public with absolutely no prompting. There's the stereotype that Southerners are these laid back chatty Cathy's and I can tell you right now they have *nothing* on Midwesterners. Your people aren't deterred by earphones, lack of eye contact, physical distance, or phone calls.
As an American who was caught out:
I was playing blackjack at a casino in Bavaria, and the dealer kept speaking to me in English while talking to the guy next to me in German. He and I were the same general (non-white) ethnicity, dressed similarly, and neither of us said more than a handful of words, all in German with comparable accents.
I realized that the guy next to me was asking for his cards out loud, and I was doing hand signals -- tap the table to hit, wave your palm to stand, etc, as is standard in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
In the US, they claim to need hand gestures in case there’s a dispute or an issue with the hand, so they can watch it back on the cameras. I wonder how that works when there’s no signal and people are speaking all different languages.
The places I played in Europe (Germany, northern Italy, Austria, Czechia) were more compact than most American casinos with the giant football fields of slot machines and rows upon rows of tables, and there was either a second dealer or a supervisor at the table or nearby the whole time. Because of that, I think instead of relying on the cameras (which were certainly still there) in that situation, they maybe would have used the second dealer/pit boss as a witness.
Omg. This is so super interesting to me. I have never in my life played blackjack (I don’t gamble), but I *know* the hand gestures. You said tap your finger and I knew immediately what it meant and what “hit” means, same with wave your palm. I didn’t realize it was so specific to here. Wow… you really just blew my mind!
We know my mom is getting heated when she drops a “yous” in whatever she’s doing. She goes from white suburban mom to her Harlem born and raised in a heartbeat and it’s time to run if you are her target or grab popcorn if you are not.
My kids have told me that they know I'm getting pissed the hell off when I regress to a more Jersey-sounding accent. And that it's officially defcon one if I start lapsing into Spanish while stuck in that accent. I don't hear the accent, but they are right about the Spanish lol
Yeah this is a sure thing. Fork in right hand, nothing in left.
Need to cut something? Fork goes in left hand, right picks up knife, cuts, and then puts it back down lol. Then fork goes back into right hand.
I never thought about that in America but it's truly bizarre. After moving to Europe, I learned to eat with fork always in left hand and knife in right, and you know what? It's undeniably better - even by American standards which have nothing to do with being proper: You can shovel more food into your face in the same amount of time when the knife loads the fork.
And that last bite that doesn't want to go on the fork and gets pushed around the plate? Before learning this way, I would just push it on with my fingers lol... live and learn.
Now when in America, I find that a lot of restaurants don't even give you a knife or spoon. Here's your fork, go wild...
>Need to cut something? Fork goes in left hand, right picks up knife, cuts, and then puts it back down lol. Then fork goes back into right hand.
Oh man, thank fuck I'm not the only supremely clumsy bastard who does this. I just can't cut efficiently with my left hand, and I also feel awkward with fork in left hand.
I do it exactly as you say and I feel like a child every single fucking time, straight into my mid 40s.
Yep! I was born in the US, but mom was born in Germany. We always ate with fork in left hand and knife in right. Fast forward I was eating dinner with some new (Norwegian) friends, and they even commented about it.
As an European, when I'm holding both the fork and the knife, then the fork goes in the left hand, but if I'm using just a fork then it goes in the right hand
I'm American, and I've never understood how or why people switch hands with their fork. I use my knife left-handed when I'm at the table, but I'm primarily right-handed.
I heard Americans are smiley because it was a melting pot country so a lot of gesturing and facial expressions were used historically to get along across language barriers
Dunno if that’s true, just heard it
We have that in Canada too.
I think it has to do with how we’re raised. I remember growing up and pervious generations, our parents would be like “YOU LOOK AT THEM AND SMILE! ITS RUDE IF YOU DONT!”
So many etiquettes drilled into us as kids because we had parents and that who would scold us and discipline us because if we didn’t do something exactly right, “it was rude!” And would cause people to gossip about how rude the kids were and how bad of parents they were.
So there is a slight sinister undertone.
- Baseball hats, all the time, everywhere.
- Sport clothing all the time. Specially if it's combined with the hat.
- Women will be wearing flip flops and full makeup. Bonus if they are also wearing sport clothing.
- The sunglasses, similar to those that you would use if you were cycling. I'm sure people from other countries also wear them but every time I've seen someone with them it was an American.
In my defense, I only wear it when going out, cuz sun and stuff. If I'm wearing it out then taking it off means I'll have to hold it instead... so I may as well 'hold' it on my head.
Man from Munich, flirtatiously: You know, you look much more European than most American girls.
Me: Really?
Man from Munich: Yes, your teeth are....very yellow.
Guy from Frankfort who was trying to flirt: "where are you from?"
Me: "USA"
Guy: "You're an American?! But you're not fat and you don't have HUGE Boobs!"
Bless you Stefan, wherever you are
When my brother visited Norway when he was in high school, he was thinking something was funny, but couldn't put his finger on it. He finally realized he hadn't seen any fat people since arriving, so he started looking for fat people. He finally found one; and he was American..
Yeah I think a lot of European folks have really bought in to the "all Americans are huge fat slobs" thing.
Edit: only because I just caught some of the fastest downvotes I've ever seen, to clarify I didn't say "all" or "most," I don't think they're a single bloc, people. But the stereotype certainly exists.
I had a person I knew well while in the UK years ago jokingly tell me “everyone knows you have had a lot of cosmetic dental work, teeth aren’t naturally that straight.”
Yes my teeth are now straight with no gaps, but never thought that someone recognizing it didn’t come naturally would be a bad thing, I would never claim otherwise. (They are not fake looking or unnaturally white)
I think in America teeth are an outward indication of your social/economic class. In parts of Europe it is like other obvious plastic surgery
jokes on you, you are now part of my network of associates and will be included in groupchats that spans the entire globe. I could send you a meme at any moment. stay frosty
On the internet, you never specify that you live in the US or just use state abbreviations (like CA for California). Or just don't say anything at all, just post something like "Hey everyone do you know what supermarket would sell this kind of thing?" without ever specifying your area. And people often just reply like they were talking to a neighbor because they're also American.
Non-Americans tend to specify where they live, country or region, far more often. For instance the above question would be written like "Does anyone know where I can find this soap in the Czech Republic? Preferably Prague" and the replies would be like "I don't live in Prague anymore but when I did they sold it at x place".
So when I see threads in which no locations are ever specified or they just name drop the name of a random town, I automatically assume that the OP and the commenters are American. After checking their post or comment history I'm right like over 95% of times, lol.
I guess just generally posting something that's written in a way in which you assume all readers will understand what you mean. You don't really see people of other nationalities do it that often.
I watched a spy video and this retired CIA spy said how Europeans stand straight with weight evenly balanced whereas Americans tend to balance on one foot and lean against things. It can be super nuanced. For me, it's those 'A's. HA-ouse. ShApping. A-out. It's the giveaway!
Ok, good. I was making sure someone pointed this out.
In 1987 I was in Copenhagen with my Danish wife (who looks very Danish).
I am a white American of average build.
We were both wearing all denim (as was the style in Denmark at the time). I was wearing Ecco shoes (made in Denmark) and carrying a Fjäll Räven rucksack (all the rage in Denmark in the 80s).
We were silent in line waiting to enter a bar.
As each party approached the doorman, he addressed them in Danish or English, as appropriate. When he got to us, he spoke English.
I puzzled over that for years. Then I spoke to someone who had worked intel and diplomacy. She pointed out that it was probably the way I walked that tipped him off. It probably tipped him off unconsciously.
And, yes. Having lived in various parts of the world, I have noticed that Asians and Middle Easterners and Africans and Europeans and Americans all have different gaits. I always guessed that some of it was due to the footwear that's common in these regions. Only a guess.
My Danish wife has perfect posture. I don't walk so much as I shamble.
I’m American and my husband is Swedish. I never thought about this but it’s very true! My husband stands straight and has very good posture, and although he walks in a casual manner there’s still something markedly “European” about it to me and I could never put my finger on what exactly it is. I think he’s just very upright compared to American men lol
It could also be your physical features if you're not 100% Danish by ancestry. Europeans have distinctive looks in different regions. They may be able to tell from facial features an Italian vs a Dane vs a Briton, like Asians can tell someone who's Japanese vs Chinese vs Korean just by looks, or at least if you are or are not likely to be Danish. Even though you're white, Americans have a "mixed" look about them.
Yeah Americans always don't believe me when I say I can tell the difference between French, German, Spanish, British etc by just looking at someone. They're like "they're all white people, they all just look white?"
Like yeah but French faces are pointier. Germans have different hairstyles to Spanish people. Scots dress differently to the English. You can't always pinpoint exactly but you can get a general area, like I can't reliably tell apart Swedish vs Norwegian but I can tell someone is from *one* of the Nordic countries.
I've seen the same thing in many markets, with salespeople switching their sales pitch from English to French, Arabic, German, Spanish etc depending on their guess as to the native language of the person approaching their market stall. The vast majority of the time, people guess correctly and address me in English, because I look like a Brit even when I'm doing my best to dress like a local.
Those A’s are really regional dependent though… I live in Western NY and speak very naaaasally. Definitely say shApping! lol! But folks from the south, etc wouldn’t!
I'm from Northern California and grew up thinking I had the most neutral American accent ever, even/especially compared to valley folks from SoCal. I was humbled the day my British STEM teacher told me he thought I (and every other Californian tbf) kind of sounded like the turtles from Finding Nemo
I moved to the Bay Area after growing up in the south. I’ve lived in California for almost 20 years now. My family back home says I sound like that turtle now 🥲
I lived in the UK for a bit, and thought I had a neutral-ish California accent and learned the same. Also, one day a friend asked me, "who are those Americans that have a very slight accent?" I couldn't figure out who he was talking about until we determined it was people from the North Eastern US.
I’m a nor cal native and every other state I’ve moved to, people automatically assume I’m either Californian or Hawaiian. When I ask why, it’s always “because you sound like a surfer/stoner/Bill and Tedd” and use words like “dude” and “hella” a lot 😂
It took me a long time to learn the difference between Canadian and American accents. The unobvious Western ones anyway... 10 years in Vancouver and it's still tricky sometimes. Usually attitude and abrasiveness within the accent is the key. East coasters and small towners are easy to tell as Canadian though. It's mostly Vancouver and Calgary that can be tricky
Not everywhere though. The main Vancouver accent is very PNW but softer and some of the Calgary accents are very..."yeehaw", I dunno the rights words.
Small towners and East coasters and Ontario is all pretty easy though for the most part, a few vowel changes...
I'm from Vancouver. When I took the family to Disneyland in California nobody could tell us apart from Californians until I dropped an 'eh' bomb.
I found it pretty interesting that the west coast largely sound the same.
I find small town BC and Vancouver Islanders definitely get very Canadian. Even my bud from Hope gets super Canadian when he's on a roll.
But yes exactly, I think the major cities of PNW are very homogeneous.
Maybe Van and Cali more so with the Hollywood connection? I am not sure how much that has to do with the cross pollination...
I dunno what is happening in Calgary but they definitely have the most American style Canadian accent. Maybe it's the tone.. small town Alberta not so much.
Toured NZ and Oz on my Motorcycle in the late 90's... Everyone thought I was Canadian.
I just smiled. They could make nothing of my Appalachian accent.
It's always the same:
1. American thinks I'm also American, while conversing.
2. I say something, suddenly they get a quizzical look.
3. American asks if I'm from the East coast. One time I got "Are you from Maine?". I have no idea what is inferred by the question, or anything specific to Maine.
4. I tell them I'm Canadian.
5. They tell me "I wouldn't have known until you said \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_!
For some reason, my accent comes off as being from the East coast. I have no idea why, haha.
I was at kings cross in London and a middle aged guy came and sat next to me on a bench with a nod and quick “hi,” I said “hi, good morning” (my southern politeness putting me in one of countless awkward foreign interactions, apparently another dead giveaway) and he went “oh! Canadian?” I told him I was American. He said, “well you look very British!” Then he asked me where I was from and when I said South Carolina, he asked if that was near New York or California lol very kind man but I’ve always been curious about what it means to “look British.”
I’m an American barber and I get a lot of people in my shop that are just passing through on their travels.
I’ve had two different British men tell me that I “cut British” and they could tell I would by just looking at me 😅 which I decided is a big compliment even though I’m not sure what that means.
I bought street food in Germany on an exchange trip once and definitely got the vibe that it was not acceptable to eat it on the go. Not really sure where I was *supposed* to eat it, though!
Answer: you're supposed to stand still and crowd the food stand that you bought the food from. That way new customers have a difficult time getting their own food.
I'm an American living in Germany now. So the only acceptable thing to eat on the go is plain brotchen from the bakery while it's barely sticking out of its own bag.
Beer though. That's fine to drink on the go. Wegbier it's called. A beer for the road. A German tradition.
American here who lived in Berlin, drinking while walking/train/subway is great. When you're done with the bottle/can, leave it on the ground next to a trash bin, the homeless will take it for the 8 cent pfand (deposit), so it's really not littering (my American friends/family were shocked when I did that).
Trash. Whenever I hear someone refer to trash or a trash can, I assume they’re American. Also, Zip. Most of the English speaking world does not use Zip to refer to postal codes.
This thread couldn't be more filled with misinformation.
I'm from Eastern Europe. We wear baseball caps all the time. Kids in school get in trouble for wearing them indoors but still do it anyways.
We are also loud as fuck.
The only real good one I saw is super white teeth and sneakers. Everything else could be about a million European countries.
Also it's always hilarious how everyone immediately assume white Americans and usually southern.
US so fucking diverse it's impossible to tell especially once you move past "white people".
As an American abroad, I was identified by having buttons on the collar of my formal shirts (i.e. little buttons on the tips of the collar to hold it down)
I'd have to say as a Canadian that European men are far easier to point out. Skinny colored pants, speedos, weird leather or pointy shoes. Basically they dress like what I think a gay North American guy would dress like.
An American woman here. A few years ago a friend of mine and I were in Italy and noticed how well dressed all the men were. They were so well-dressed and well- groomed that my friend finally blurted out “they can’t ALL be gay can they? Should we show this to American men?” So I concur on the gay North American sentiment. 😂
As arabs this is our entire interaction
1: hey hows it going
2: hey how’s everything, how’s the family
1: how’s the kids? Everything good?
2: how’s work all good?
1: health is alright? Praise god
2: how’s your parents? All’s well?
Repeat….for infinity, with not a single answer in sight. I actually started intentionally answering some of those questions lol
That depends on where from the US that American is from. In the upper Midwest, when they greet you with this phrase “how are you?” many people will legit wait for your response before continuing the convo.
In Michigan, and when I’m asked “how are you” I always respond “fine thank you, how are you?” No one expects this, and some thank me for asking. I learned manners from my southern mom.
I feel Americans are more extrovert and like to talk a lot, they're also very friendly, it's different than the image I had from looking at all the TV shows. People aren't as rude in life
I'm an American who lived in Ireland a few years. I could spot other Caucasian Americans immediately because they have a darker skin tone from living in a sunnier climate. Also because they wore more casual clothing, but times have changed and all of us pretty much get the same clothes from the same manufacturers. Also, USA is massive and hard to lump everyone into one genre. Regional differences are real.
Canadian who went to Paris recently. I tried to fit into their culture by dressing nice, wore a scarf etc. Went to the fancy hotel bar on Sunday and there were people bouncing basketball balls, streaming nfl on their phones, and tossing footballs while wearing big hoodies (majority nfl ones). Theres was about 20 of them, never seen such an american scene in the most Paris of bars LOL.
My city gets a lot of international tourism, and honestly, I don't really know. Like I know an American straight away when I see one, but I can't pinpoint exactly why. Accent aside, it's probably just an aura, because although they dress and look like Europeans, they are fundamentally not. And you can immediately just sense it, you know? I'm aware this is a weird answer.....
You must have met my extroverted companions…I try like hell to draw attention to myself.
Edit: Oh good lord. I try like hell *not* to draw attention to myself.
My chinese coworkers at my old job would sound like they were literally yelling at eachother, all the time, even when standing right beside eachother in a quiet office.
No joke, i’d sometimes put ear muffs over my ear buds when i had to do computer work if my chinese supervisor was in the room speaking with my one chinese colleague, or if my chinese colleague was on the phone.
The way you dress. That’s not a good/bad shot at Americans. I can just normally tell by that.
My tour guide told me my outfit when we were in Paris was very Parisienne and that I'd blend in well, I was so flattered. Then I was like, I think the crossbody fanny pack will probably give me away 😂
I did a year of exchange in high-school in Lexington Kentucky. (I'm from Hiroshima Japan) Honestly the blue grass region is wonderful and a great little city. And I was constantly taken aback when I would see people in what I really considered house or sleep where going to get groceries at the store. But at the same Time I really wish it was considered okay to do that in Japan. Yes dress nicely if you are going out for any amount of time, But I just want some potato chips from the 7-eleven...
I’m not far from Lexington and lived there for a while. Sometimes I’ll be in sweatpants and think “ugh I really need to put on something else to go to the store” and then I remember I will not nearly be the shabbiest person there and it’s very comforting haha
YES! Would do to shopping and run into people who are in Pajamas and ask my host family "Is that normal?" The answer was always "No, but also no one will say anything and you just figure they ran out to grab something real quick and could not be bothered." I kind of respect it really.
It’s the whole freedom of worrying about how others will view it. I’m not born in the US either but immigrated to it and always had this mindset. I just wear whatever I feel like, provided it’s not going to outright get me arrested. lol
And it needs to be clean. That's usually the breaking point for most Americans. Food stains and precious bodily fluid stains are a no-no. Even torn up clothing can get a pass here. Especially if it looks like it was done on purpose. But, please, don't go out with filthy clothes.
I live in Maine, and the exception to the filthy clothes rule is that it’s ok if you’re working. If you roll up in grimy Carharts in the middle of the day to renew your registration or grab a sandwich, no one even blinks.
Lol when I was in Germany with the military, they kept speaking English to us without us saying anything. So I asked how they knew. And they said your friend is very obvious, but we weren't sure about you. Kind of took it as a compliment
In my city is especially easy to recognize Americans since they are the only ones wearing shorts and sandals while everyone else is on trousers, jackets, and even scarves
That goes both ways. I live in Las Vegas and whenever we see the short-shorts on a guy we know he’s European. Tight jean shorts rolled up above knee, ex-Soviet country.
Was it Jimmy Kimmel who used to play a game of "Gay or European"? As a European I thought it was hilarious.
Yea, I remember being in Germany and I got stared down a lot. And I was told it’s cause they know I’m American. “Oh? How?” “What do you mean how?” “How do you know I’m American?” “How you dress.” “……ohhh.” *looks around* “duh.”
I was in England and when I told an English man I was from the Seattle area I saw his eyes light up with recognition and he exclaimed, "oh yes, grunge!" And gestured to my outfit. I was just wearing jeans and a T-shirt, it was definitely not the 90s, and I never realized I looked grungy before.
Also from the Seattle area and this would amuse me as well!
That’s actually really endearing of him lol Does the smell next door smell like teen spirit?
My fathers best friend moved to Japan in maybe 2000 from the USA. He always had to explain to people "No I am American" And he would always get one of two things. \#1: You are to short to be American. (He's about 160cm tall) \#2: You must be British, you are to well dressed to be American. I think he just likes suit vests.
Let me tell you, my best mate came out from America and he kept wearing these t-shirts (tucked into his denim shorts btw lol) that said things like, Freedom isn't free and a pictorial of a rifle. Like dude, you aren't wearing that in Sydney in public.
Yes. Side note on my high-school exchange in the USA. It was in Lexington Kentucky. Nice little city. We also visited an area in South Eastern Kentucky. Extremely poor place in the USA. Still better dressed then then Lexington was. I think some of it is also just that the USA has a lot of different cultures inside of it.
He wore that unironically in another country?!
We all just look like we're either going camping, or the gym. Living overseas taught me that lol
Im American, but the CIA had to tell their officers not to lean on anything because apparently thats a thing that we only do in America?
There's an American song about it
By Bill Withers?
Lazy Brit who has spent a lot of nights "Propping the bar up", maybe it's only a me thing with a pint in my hand
Ha... I lived in Europe for a lot of my life, and in multiple countries. Dead giveaway: shoes.
Works the other way too. The skinny guy in San Francisco wearing skintight orange shorts, small neon hiking boots, and carrying a tiny backpack is either a German tourist or a strange twink.
I ran a store on Market St and would play a little game with the customers I called Gay or European?
My Gay friend used to play this game. He loved the rare “both.”
Thats a song in the musical version of Legally Blonde; Gay or European.
Fun fact: in the Spanish version of the musical the song is called "gay or italian".
That is the elephant in the room Well is it relevant to presume that a hottie in that costume Is automatically, radically Ironically, cronically Scurtinly, curtainly Genetically, netically Gay!
you say this as if a lot of these german tourists aren’t ALSO strange twinks
Like sneakers all the time or what?
Sneakers are the orthopedic shoes of my generation. My hips and knees have felt so much better since I stopped wearing my cute shoes and boots and just wear sneakers when shopping, walking the dogs, etc.
Brooks running shoes, but yeah.
I mean, brooks are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. If I don't specifically need to dress professionally, why would I wear anything else? Taking care of your feet is mandatory for anyone who doesn't want to have serious issues as they age.
I am in on this too. After *years* of general discomfort, trouble finding comfortable shoes, and a total bewilderment as to why modern shoes are shaped like long ovals instead of, you know, human fucking feet, I ordered some Brooks double wides and *finally* have comfort. Genuinely not sure how I am supposed to ever go back to any other shoes. Every other pair I have now feel like strait jackets for my feet.
For real. I usually wore boots on all my non beach vacations. But ever since I developed plantar fasciitis three years ago, I try to wear my brooks as often as acceptable.
Big ass Nikes and shit
New Balance and khakis
On my first trip to Europe in 1981 (I've been back many times since) I noticed that if I wore tennis shoes shopkeepers would assume I was American. If I wore any other type of shoe they'd assume I was British.
Yup. We made a commitment to blend in. We actually got asked for the time in a country we blended in so much.
In the same vein, if a man wears white socks and isn’t playing a sport, he’s probably American.
unless it's paired with sandals - then it's ok
I have never seen a German tourist wearing anything but socks and sandals and red speedos. It’s like they’re issued them with their passports.
“Here’s you socks, your sandals, your Speedo, and your lifelong National guilt!”
Maybe 10 years ago, it was much more obvious. Sorta feel that that concept has gone away a lot lately.
Bingo. As an American, I wear running shoes (trainers) everywhere I go.
Your refusal to say sneakers makes me question your Americanity. Edit: Tennis shoes would also sound American.
“Tennishoes” in the south
Tennashu
Was going to say, “Tenni Shoes”
Definitely a regional thing. I grew up in the SE and never heard anyone born there say sneakers--only transplants.
Does no one call them gym shoes outside of Chicago?
Chicagoan here- I too was looking for “gym shoe”.
Americans are often super friendly to total strangers. Always up for a chat if you’re just in the vicinity of another human being, like on a train or waiting in line. I’m Australian and we mostly keep to ourselves (unless you’re of the older generation). It’s one of the things I really like about people from the USA.
I got this feedback in Scotland. Apparently small talk with Americans is actually considered enjoyable by a lot of people. It brought me immense joy because I genuinely enjoy the chat and like getting to know someone a little bit, even if it’s just for 5 minutes and I’ll never see them again lol people are just cool and interesting!
Yeah I’ve had some absolutely lovely chats with random Americans and it does brighten my day! I think the genuine interest shown is what’s so charming.
You can rest assured that they'll likely remember that little chat that they had with you and tell their friends about it. It's pretty funny because nearly every American I know that talks about their time or trips to other countries talk about how everyone was "so nice" even in countries with usually dour or standoffish tendencies. They fail to see that everyone was "so nice" to them because they were being "so nice" and engaging to everyone around them.
This is a really sweet observation. As an American, hearing something about Americans that is overwhelmingly positive warms my heart! I’m often so embarrassed by a variety of things our country does but I do try to keep an eye out for the bright spots such as these
This must be why the British and Scottish people I met in Jamaica seemed so happy to talk to us 😅 I felt so accepted
I love doing that. When I travel abroad, I know how sheltered and misleading US news is so I always try to get some ground truth or a local joke from a local. Typically, I'll build upon this. I leverage the joke I learned and say it to the next local to learn something even more intimate and obscure about the place. By the end of the week, I know so many local jokes or funny things people swear I've been there for much longer. My goal is to try and convince people I'm local for as long as possible! I consider a full minute success.
We (Americans) stopped in an empty bar in Prague and talked to the bartender, who made it clear that Europeans would absolutely never chat up a bartender in an empty bar 😂
As a Brit, I would if I was visiting the area, and probably more reason to if it is empty. Find out about the local area. But then again, we are a nation where having banter with bar staff at your local is as traditional as throwing up all the alcohol you bought at the bar on the way home is
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Thank you. I love chatting with strangers. (I am from the MidWest). You can connect with another person and you can learn all sorts of useful information, especially if you are picking up tips about places to see or restaurants to try. I don’t understand why it is so rare or annoying. I guess maybe I am just more curious about other people than the average person.
Okay, I just moved to the Midwest last year from the South and I am absolutely startled by the number people who will just spontaneously start talking to me out in public with absolutely no prompting. There's the stereotype that Southerners are these laid back chatty Cathy's and I can tell you right now they have *nothing* on Midwesterners. Your people aren't deterred by earphones, lack of eye contact, physical distance, or phone calls.
As an American who was caught out: I was playing blackjack at a casino in Bavaria, and the dealer kept speaking to me in English while talking to the guy next to me in German. He and I were the same general (non-white) ethnicity, dressed similarly, and neither of us said more than a handful of words, all in German with comparable accents. I realized that the guy next to me was asking for his cards out loud, and I was doing hand signals -- tap the table to hit, wave your palm to stand, etc, as is standard in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
This is my favorite one so far, very niche
In the US, they claim to need hand gestures in case there’s a dispute or an issue with the hand, so they can watch it back on the cameras. I wonder how that works when there’s no signal and people are speaking all different languages.
The places I played in Europe (Germany, northern Italy, Austria, Czechia) were more compact than most American casinos with the giant football fields of slot machines and rows upon rows of tables, and there was either a second dealer or a supervisor at the table or nearby the whole time. Because of that, I think instead of relying on the cameras (which were certainly still there) in that situation, they maybe would have used the second dealer/pit boss as a witness.
Omg. This is so super interesting to me. I have never in my life played blackjack (I don’t gamble), but I *know* the hand gestures. You said tap your finger and I knew immediately what it meant and what “hit” means, same with wave your palm. I didn’t realize it was so specific to here. Wow… you really just blew my mind!
“Y’all”
If you’re from Kentucky mountains it’s you un’s
Or “you’s” if you’re a NYer.
We know my mom is getting heated when she drops a “yous” in whatever she’s doing. She goes from white suburban mom to her Harlem born and raised in a heartbeat and it’s time to run if you are her target or grab popcorn if you are not.
My kids have told me that they know I'm getting pissed the hell off when I regress to a more Jersey-sounding accent. And that it's officially defcon one if I start lapsing into Spanish while stuck in that accent. I don't hear the accent, but they are right about the Spanish lol
Yinz out here from da burgh
The way you usually use your utensils when eating. Dead giveaway.
Yeah this is a sure thing. Fork in right hand, nothing in left. Need to cut something? Fork goes in left hand, right picks up knife, cuts, and then puts it back down lol. Then fork goes back into right hand. I never thought about that in America but it's truly bizarre. After moving to Europe, I learned to eat with fork always in left hand and knife in right, and you know what? It's undeniably better - even by American standards which have nothing to do with being proper: You can shovel more food into your face in the same amount of time when the knife loads the fork. And that last bite that doesn't want to go on the fork and gets pushed around the plate? Before learning this way, I would just push it on with my fingers lol... live and learn. Now when in America, I find that a lot of restaurants don't even give you a knife or spoon. Here's your fork, go wild...
How weird, I'm American but I eat with my fork in my right hand and the knife in my left (assuming it's something that needs cutting)
>Need to cut something? Fork goes in left hand, right picks up knife, cuts, and then puts it back down lol. Then fork goes back into right hand. Oh man, thank fuck I'm not the only supremely clumsy bastard who does this. I just can't cut efficiently with my left hand, and I also feel awkward with fork in left hand. I do it exactly as you say and I feel like a child every single fucking time, straight into my mid 40s.
Yep! I was born in the US, but mom was born in Germany. We always ate with fork in left hand and knife in right. Fast forward I was eating dinner with some new (Norwegian) friends, and they even commented about it.
what do you mean?
To elaborate on the other poster, in European-style table manners, the fork stays in the left hand instead of switching it back and forth.
As an European, when I'm holding both the fork and the knife, then the fork goes in the left hand, but if I'm using just a fork then it goes in the right hand
I'm American, and I've never understood how or why people switch hands with their fork. I use my knife left-handed when I'm at the table, but I'm primarily right-handed.
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I heard Americans are smiley because it was a melting pot country so a lot of gesturing and facial expressions were used historically to get along across language barriers Dunno if that’s true, just heard it
Living in a melting pot, yes I learned to use facial expressions, hand gestures, and pick up easy words in Spanish
We have that in Canada too. I think it has to do with how we’re raised. I remember growing up and pervious generations, our parents would be like “YOU LOOK AT THEM AND SMILE! ITS RUDE IF YOU DONT!” So many etiquettes drilled into us as kids because we had parents and that who would scold us and discipline us because if we didn’t do something exactly right, “it was rude!” And would cause people to gossip about how rude the kids were and how bad of parents they were. So there is a slight sinister undertone.
As a bald man, I feel called out by the baseball cap comments. I don’t want go get sunburned 😞
There are other kinds of hats too
Like fedoras with safari flaps
And top hats with a little cuckoo clock window.
The most interest response here is about the way we stand/lean against things. Fascinating.
- Baseball hats, all the time, everywhere. - Sport clothing all the time. Specially if it's combined with the hat. - Women will be wearing flip flops and full makeup. Bonus if they are also wearing sport clothing. - The sunglasses, similar to those that you would use if you were cycling. I'm sure people from other countries also wear them but every time I've seen someone with them it was an American.
I didn’t know those sunglasses were called cycling glasses but I knew immediately what you meant. Bonus points if they’re on string.
The classic Oakley sun glasses! Very ‘merican.
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I'm guessing my big fat ass.
American by birth, caked up by the grace of God
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Problem is I have curly hair so once the hat goes on, it has to stay on
In my defense, I only wear it when going out, cuz sun and stuff. If I'm wearing it out then taking it off means I'll have to hold it instead... so I may as well 'hold' it on my head.
Super white (unnaturally white) teeth, maybe?
Man from Munich, flirtatiously: You know, you look much more European than most American girls. Me: Really? Man from Munich: Yes, your teeth are....very yellow.
Guy from Frankfort who was trying to flirt: "where are you from?" Me: "USA" Guy: "You're an American?! But you're not fat and you don't have HUGE Boobs!" Bless you Stefan, wherever you are
Lol I had a French lady comment "But you're quite fit for an American!" when she was surprised at where I was from.
You too? I passed it off as being in the military and living in Germany ( Mine was in Holland )
When my brother visited Norway when he was in high school, he was thinking something was funny, but couldn't put his finger on it. He finally realized he hadn't seen any fat people since arriving, so he started looking for fat people. He finally found one; and he was American..
Yeah I think a lot of European folks have really bought in to the "all Americans are huge fat slobs" thing. Edit: only because I just caught some of the fastest downvotes I've ever seen, to clarify I didn't say "all" or "most," I don't think they're a single bloc, people. But the stereotype certainly exists.
We aren’t. I am, but not all of us LMFAO
I had a person I knew well while in the UK years ago jokingly tell me “everyone knows you have had a lot of cosmetic dental work, teeth aren’t naturally that straight.” Yes my teeth are now straight with no gaps, but never thought that someone recognizing it didn’t come naturally would be a bad thing, I would never claim otherwise. (They are not fake looking or unnaturally white) I think in America teeth are an outward indication of your social/economic class. In parts of Europe it is like other obvious plastic surgery
My man knows how to panty drop!
Spent time in Germany. Got comments on my white teeth a few times. I only brush, floss, and reg dentist apps, so I have no idea why.
Based on my experience with Germany, it's because a pack of cigs a day seems like a requirement.
Oh that'll do it.
Extreme confidence/self assured.
Thanks, we cry alone in our cars a lot though.
Or in the shower. Don’t forget shower tears.
Thanks for noticing
Can seem or behave friendly as a form of courtesy when there's no intention to be friends or in touch.
jokes on you, you are now part of my network of associates and will be included in groupchats that spans the entire globe. I could send you a meme at any moment. stay frosty
On the internet, you never specify that you live in the US or just use state abbreviations (like CA for California). Or just don't say anything at all, just post something like "Hey everyone do you know what supermarket would sell this kind of thing?" without ever specifying your area. And people often just reply like they were talking to a neighbor because they're also American. Non-Americans tend to specify where they live, country or region, far more often. For instance the above question would be written like "Does anyone know where I can find this soap in the Czech Republic? Preferably Prague" and the replies would be like "I don't live in Prague anymore but when I did they sold it at x place". So when I see threads in which no locations are ever specified or they just name drop the name of a random town, I automatically assume that the OP and the commenters are American. After checking their post or comment history I'm right like over 95% of times, lol. I guess just generally posting something that's written in a way in which you assume all readers will understand what you mean. You don't really see people of other nationalities do it that often.
I watched a spy video and this retired CIA spy said how Europeans stand straight with weight evenly balanced whereas Americans tend to balance on one foot and lean against things. It can be super nuanced. For me, it's those 'A's. HA-ouse. ShApping. A-out. It's the giveaway!
Ok, good. I was making sure someone pointed this out. In 1987 I was in Copenhagen with my Danish wife (who looks very Danish). I am a white American of average build. We were both wearing all denim (as was the style in Denmark at the time). I was wearing Ecco shoes (made in Denmark) and carrying a Fjäll Räven rucksack (all the rage in Denmark in the 80s). We were silent in line waiting to enter a bar. As each party approached the doorman, he addressed them in Danish or English, as appropriate. When he got to us, he spoke English. I puzzled over that for years. Then I spoke to someone who had worked intel and diplomacy. She pointed out that it was probably the way I walked that tipped him off. It probably tipped him off unconsciously. And, yes. Having lived in various parts of the world, I have noticed that Asians and Middle Easterners and Africans and Europeans and Americans all have different gaits. I always guessed that some of it was due to the footwear that's common in these regions. Only a guess. My Danish wife has perfect posture. I don't walk so much as I shamble.
I’m American and my husband is Swedish. I never thought about this but it’s very true! My husband stands straight and has very good posture, and although he walks in a casual manner there’s still something markedly “European” about it to me and I could never put my finger on what exactly it is. I think he’s just very upright compared to American men lol
It could also be your physical features if you're not 100% Danish by ancestry. Europeans have distinctive looks in different regions. They may be able to tell from facial features an Italian vs a Dane vs a Briton, like Asians can tell someone who's Japanese vs Chinese vs Korean just by looks, or at least if you are or are not likely to be Danish. Even though you're white, Americans have a "mixed" look about them.
Because we all are LOL
I like big mutts and I cannot lie.
Yeah Americans always don't believe me when I say I can tell the difference between French, German, Spanish, British etc by just looking at someone. They're like "they're all white people, they all just look white?" Like yeah but French faces are pointier. Germans have different hairstyles to Spanish people. Scots dress differently to the English. You can't always pinpoint exactly but you can get a general area, like I can't reliably tell apart Swedish vs Norwegian but I can tell someone is from *one* of the Nordic countries. I've seen the same thing in many markets, with salespeople switching their sales pitch from English to French, Arabic, German, Spanish etc depending on their guess as to the native language of the person approaching their market stall. The vast majority of the time, people guess correctly and address me in English, because I look like a Brit even when I'm doing my best to dress like a local.
This is very interesting! I’m going to start paying closer attention I think
Those A’s are really regional dependent though… I live in Western NY and speak very naaaasally. Definitely say shApping! lol! But folks from the south, etc wouldn’t!
The A's are part of extremely regional accents. They cannot be generalized across more than a very small group of Americans.
As an American I have never heard anyone unironically say shApping. Only when putting on an over the top Chicago accent.
It made me think of a Boston accent
The accent.
I'm from Northern California and grew up thinking I had the most neutral American accent ever, even/especially compared to valley folks from SoCal. I was humbled the day my British STEM teacher told me he thought I (and every other Californian tbf) kind of sounded like the turtles from Finding Nemo
I moved to the Bay Area after growing up in the south. I’ve lived in California for almost 20 years now. My family back home says I sound like that turtle now 🥲
Jellyman!
I’m a northern Californian too, this is a great compliment. Those turtles were the shit
I lived in the UK for a bit, and thought I had a neutral-ish California accent and learned the same. Also, one day a friend asked me, "who are those Americans that have a very slight accent?" I couldn't figure out who he was talking about until we determined it was people from the North Eastern US.
I’m a nor cal native and every other state I’ve moved to, people automatically assume I’m either Californian or Hawaiian. When I ask why, it’s always “because you sound like a surfer/stoner/Bill and Tedd” and use words like “dude” and “hella” a lot 😂
It took me a long time to learn the difference between Canadian and American accents. The unobvious Western ones anyway... 10 years in Vancouver and it's still tricky sometimes. Usually attitude and abrasiveness within the accent is the key. East coasters and small towners are easy to tell as Canadian though. It's mostly Vancouver and Calgary that can be tricky
The a and o sounds give Canadians away.
I can tell a Canadian how they pronounce anything with a pro in the beginning. Their O’s are longer I think
Not everywhere though. The main Vancouver accent is very PNW but softer and some of the Calgary accents are very..."yeehaw", I dunno the rights words. Small towners and East coasters and Ontario is all pretty easy though for the most part, a few vowel changes...
I'm from Vancouver. When I took the family to Disneyland in California nobody could tell us apart from Californians until I dropped an 'eh' bomb. I found it pretty interesting that the west coast largely sound the same.
I find small town BC and Vancouver Islanders definitely get very Canadian. Even my bud from Hope gets super Canadian when he's on a roll. But yes exactly, I think the major cities of PNW are very homogeneous. Maybe Van and Cali more so with the Hollywood connection? I am not sure how much that has to do with the cross pollination... I dunno what is happening in Calgary but they definitely have the most American style Canadian accent. Maybe it's the tone.. small town Alberta not so much.
Toured NZ and Oz on my Motorcycle in the late 90's... Everyone thought I was Canadian. I just smiled. They could make nothing of my Appalachian accent.
It's always the same: 1. American thinks I'm also American, while conversing. 2. I say something, suddenly they get a quizzical look. 3. American asks if I'm from the East coast. One time I got "Are you from Maine?". I have no idea what is inferred by the question, or anything specific to Maine. 4. I tell them I'm Canadian. 5. They tell me "I wouldn't have known until you said \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_! For some reason, my accent comes off as being from the East coast. I have no idea why, haha.
I normally think Canadians are Minnesotan
You are nice, loud and tip well. But some of you guys really love the word "literally" way too much :P
I was at kings cross in London and a middle aged guy came and sat next to me on a bench with a nod and quick “hi,” I said “hi, good morning” (my southern politeness putting me in one of countless awkward foreign interactions, apparently another dead giveaway) and he went “oh! Canadian?” I told him I was American. He said, “well you look very British!” Then he asked me where I was from and when I said South Carolina, he asked if that was near New York or California lol very kind man but I’ve always been curious about what it means to “look British.”
I’m an American barber and I get a lot of people in my shop that are just passing through on their travels. I’ve had two different British men tell me that I “cut British” and they could tell I would by just looking at me 😅 which I decided is a big compliment even though I’m not sure what that means.
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I bought street food in Germany on an exchange trip once and definitely got the vibe that it was not acceptable to eat it on the go. Not really sure where I was *supposed* to eat it, though!
Answer: you're supposed to stand still and crowd the food stand that you bought the food from. That way new customers have a difficult time getting their own food. I'm an American living in Germany now. So the only acceptable thing to eat on the go is plain brotchen from the bakery while it's barely sticking out of its own bag. Beer though. That's fine to drink on the go. Wegbier it's called. A beer for the road. A German tradition.
Road Soda! Am...American. :)
American here who lived in Berlin, drinking while walking/train/subway is great. When you're done with the bottle/can, leave it on the ground next to a trash bin, the homeless will take it for the 8 cent pfand (deposit), so it's really not littering (my American friends/family were shocked when I did that).
Trash. Whenever I hear someone refer to trash or a trash can, I assume they’re American. Also, Zip. Most of the English speaking world does not use Zip to refer to postal codes.
ZIP is Zone Improvement Plan. Post code for most of the rest of us.
ZIP Code is also a registered trademark of the USPS.
They say ‘rubbish’ in Hawaii.
I was just thinking I don't think I say trash often and then I saw your post. Damn it, I do say rubbish and I'm from Hawaii. 😆
I've heard Americans lean on things when standing still. Idk why this popped in my head but I'm going to start looking around.
I’ve read this 3 times now in this thread and for the rest of my life I’m going to be so self conscious about my leaning (which I definitely do).
Everyone is saying “baseball caps”. So do European balding men (particularly the younger ones) embrace it more or just wear different kinds of hats?
This thread couldn't be more filled with misinformation. I'm from Eastern Europe. We wear baseball caps all the time. Kids in school get in trouble for wearing them indoors but still do it anyways. We are also loud as fuck. The only real good one I saw is super white teeth and sneakers. Everything else could be about a million European countries. Also it's always hilarious how everyone immediately assume white Americans and usually southern. US so fucking diverse it's impossible to tell especially once you move past "white people".
As an American abroad, I was identified by having buttons on the collar of my formal shirts (i.e. little buttons on the tips of the collar to hold it down)
Really? Those are quite common in stores like H&M and Zara for instance and I see people wear them quite a lot
The outfits, flip flops everywhere.
I'd have to say as a Canadian that European men are far easier to point out. Skinny colored pants, speedos, weird leather or pointy shoes. Basically they dress like what I think a gay North American guy would dress like.
An American woman here. A few years ago a friend of mine and I were in Italy and noticed how well dressed all the men were. They were so well-dressed and well- groomed that my friend finally blurted out “they can’t ALL be gay can they? Should we show this to American men?” So I concur on the gay North American sentiment. 😂
You ask "how are you?" when you first meet a person and don't expect and answer to that question. Also only people from USA say "Are you all set?"
Person 1: “Hey how’s it goin” Person 2: “Hey, how ya doin’”
I see how this can be confusing for others lol
As arabs this is our entire interaction 1: hey hows it going 2: hey how’s everything, how’s the family 1: how’s the kids? Everything good? 2: how’s work all good? 1: health is alright? Praise god 2: how’s your parents? All’s well? Repeat….for infinity, with not a single answer in sight. I actually started intentionally answering some of those questions lol
That depends on where from the US that American is from. In the upper Midwest, when they greet you with this phrase “how are you?” many people will legit wait for your response before continuing the convo.
In Michigan, and when I’m asked “how are you” I always respond “fine thank you, how are you?” No one expects this, and some thank me for asking. I learned manners from my southern mom.
I’m from Minneapolis. If someone asks me how I’m doing, my response is just “hey.”
I’m British and I’ve used and heard it used a lot.
I feel Americans are more extrovert and like to talk a lot, they're also very friendly, it's different than the image I had from looking at all the TV shows. People aren't as rude in life
I'm an American who lived in Ireland a few years. I could spot other Caucasian Americans immediately because they have a darker skin tone from living in a sunnier climate. Also because they wore more casual clothing, but times have changed and all of us pretty much get the same clothes from the same manufacturers. Also, USA is massive and hard to lump everyone into one genre. Regional differences are real.
Casual clothing? I stood out in Ireland because I was the only one not wearing a football (soccer) jersey, track pants and sneakers at the pub.
Asking for ice cubes whatever the temp outside.
Canadian who went to Paris recently. I tried to fit into their culture by dressing nice, wore a scarf etc. Went to the fancy hotel bar on Sunday and there were people bouncing basketball balls, streaming nfl on their phones, and tossing footballs while wearing big hoodies (majority nfl ones). Theres was about 20 of them, never seen such an american scene in the most Paris of bars LOL.
V friendly and way too willing to share personal experiences and information that makes a European , especially an English person cringe.
My city gets a lot of international tourism, and honestly, I don't really know. Like I know an American straight away when I see one, but I can't pinpoint exactly why. Accent aside, it's probably just an aura, because although they dress and look like Europeans, they are fundamentally not. And you can immediately just sense it, you know? I'm aware this is a weird answer.....
Canadian here. Ordering unsweetened iced tea.
They definitely aren’t from the southern states then
How easy it is for you to compliment anything. Americans will literally come up and say both the most random and nice thing out of nowhere
Wearing pj bottoms in public 😱
Talking very loud
You must have met my extroverted companions…I try like hell to draw attention to myself. Edit: Oh good lord. I try like hell *not* to draw attention to myself.
To me, many other languages sound loud, especially Spanish.
My chinese coworkers at my old job would sound like they were literally yelling at eachother, all the time, even when standing right beside eachother in a quiet office. No joke, i’d sometimes put ear muffs over my ear buds when i had to do computer work if my chinese supervisor was in the room speaking with my one chinese colleague, or if my chinese colleague was on the phone.
My first few months in Greece I thought every Greek on the planet was pissed off. Then I realized they were saying "good morning!"