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?"
Sure enough, the thread received an avalanche of responses with typically "American" traits that make them stick out in other countries. We’ve gone through the answers and gathered the ones that bleed blue, white, and red. So if you wish to be a more discreet traveler, scroll down and consider these giveaways for your next trip. Keep reading to also find an in-depth interview with travel blogger Megan Starr. Then let us know which of the replies you agree with most, and be sure to share your own takes in the comments!
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Talks about “freedom” like it’s an exclusive American privilege and not the bare minimum for a good chunk of the world.
Trump called my country a Socialist Hell; We're hoping that puts his family off moving here
"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 !"
Yes. Americans claiming to be from another country without any qualifiers is a pet peeve of many around the globe. The first time I met an American while I was traveling abroad, she said "I'm English", and I, assuming she must have moved to the US as a child, said "Oh really? Which part?" Her response was "Oh, I don't know. I just know that my great grandparents came from there." The exchange left me very confused.
Assume everyone on the internet is American.
It’s no secret that citizens of the most powerful country in the world often find themselves in the spotlight. The internet’s fascination with America, from its culture to its politics to its people, seems to be beyond control. It looks like everyone has at least a few opinions to share about the nation, and, news flash! They’re usually far from great.
In reality, not all typically American characteristics are negative. Every culture has peculiar quirks that can tell people around the world what country someone came from, even without asking. But differences between the US and other places can sometimes be so painfully obvious that they make for some amusing moments of confusion whenever pointed out.
To learn more about the subtle and not-so-subtle things American tourists do that immediately out them in other countries, we reached out to a writer and travel blogger Megan Starr who is originally from Virginia, US. She is one of the authors of a blog called Megan & Aram that’s purely dedicated to showcasing the beauty of Scandinavia, the Eastern bloc, and beyond. Living abroad for 12 years now, Megan is an avid traveler that has explored many breathtaking places around the globe and has amassed an arsenal of experiences she’s eager to share with others.
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.
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
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.
I do NOT over-share personal details! I mean, the ONLY thing you REALLY need to know about me is that I'm 5'5", I have curly hair, I have two cats who are named Kohl and Preacher, and Kohl was named for the mineral stibnite, and Preacher was named for one of my favorite comic book series, and I have a puppy named Stilgar, and I really like pears, and I like pretty much all insects except for earwigs, and I was adopted at birth, and my adopted mother is a toxic narcissist who was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive towards me my entire life, and I have one adopted sister and two biological sisters, and my adopted dad died last year, and he was an awesome dad and a great guy, and I have this one hair on my chin that grows out all bristly and thick, and we call those "bruja hairs" in my family, and I like parsnips and beets and pretty much all vegetables, and I'm 40 years old, and when I was a kid I had a small speaking part in a TV series so I have an actual IMDB listing, and
When asked if she could reveal certain things that instantly expose Americans as tourists, she said that extreme confidence is probably the biggest one. "I can always tell an American (especially when abroad) because they walk around with confidence, they speak loudly and clearly (sometimes too much), and they are quick to say hello and be social," she told Bored Panda. "When I am abroad, this is usually how I can spot an American."
While the accent is seemingly their biggest giveaway, body language, behavioral differences, and even fashion choices also help people to recognize that a tourist is from the US. "That and the fact that they are likely wearing a t-shirt from their favorite college or sports team," Megan added.
Measure everything in eagles per squarefoot
Literally nobody has ever done this. We strictly measure in football fields.
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.
Introduce themselves as their ancestors nationalities lmao
Australians and Kiwis don't do this; You gonna live in the past, better mention all the shifty things your ancestors did too....
Most of the responses from the community can be considered as clichés that poke fun at American citizens, and as we all know, stereotypes do tend to have a grain of truth in them. However, they may also form a rather negative view of the country for those who have never come into contact with the culture. Since Americans wear their identities proudly, they often become subject to "America vs. the rest of the world" comparisons.
When asked why some people spend so much energy frowning upon the US, Megan believes it has become trendy for some to make "hating Americans" their personality. "I feel bad to say that... but I know many people that have allowed that to become their entire personality. As an American (who has plenty of issues with her home country), I have found many American tourists to be better behaved than other nationalities," the travel blogger said. "I feel like (for the most part), our best people travel abroad."
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
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.
Our country is kind of embarrassingly young and we don't have much history/historical culture. So we do tend to be fascinated and awed by the old stuff in other countries :)
Even if stripes and stars seep through your pores, the chances are that you sometimes want to be a more discreet traveler. Maybe you’re tired of feeling singled out, or perhaps you experienced unfortunate situations only because locals knew you’re a foreigner. Whatever the reason, Alyse, The Invisible Tourist, shared a few tips on how to blend in when traveling.
First, do a bit of research. The odds for you to look more like a local grow significantly if you spend time learning about the culture and etiquette. "Not only will this demonstrate to locals that you respect their heritage, but they’ll also be super appreciative of your efforts," she wrote. Also, learning a few basic phrases in their language can help you find a way out of troubling situations. Then, avoid proudly displaying your camera or selfie stick out in public, as they’ll immediately blow your cover. "Unless you’re a professional photographer, do you really need a flashy camera permanently draped around your neck that makes you look like a tourist?" Alyse asked. Well, that's for you to decide.
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.
Equating freedom with being able to buy a product or being able to do something really meaningless
Hey, if I don't have the freedom to waste my time doing something entirely pointless when I feel like it, what even is life worth?
Asking for refills, ice, or iced tea has outed me more times than I'd care to admit.
I don't understand this. You pay for one drink, so you get one drink, or at least that's how it works where I'm from
However, Megan mentioned that trying your best to blend in may take away some joy from your journey. "I think that if you're headed to visit the Colosseum, for example, you are likely not going to give off the vibe that you're a local! I think it is good to remain chilled out and respectful, but I don't see the point in trying to 'blend' in. I have made several friends on the road from simply being a foreigner. But, I am also the first person to throw headphones on and wander about trying to discover the streets on my own terms,” she said.
"Do you speak English? DOOO! YOOOU! SPEEEAK! ENNNNGLISH!"
I never understand how saying something really loudly and slowly is supposed to make it easier to understand.
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.
American here. Most people I talk to here think I talk too loud. So I must talk overly loud as an American. I think it's a me thing though. Lol
If you want to be a great tourist when traveling around the globe, Megan shared one tip that could help you reach your goal. "Asking questions in a non-invasive and judgmental manner," she told us. "You can make friends this way and also learn a lot about culture."
"I also think it is about respecting where you are. If you are in a conservative country as a female, cover up. Simple as that. You may not agree with it, but being respectful goes a long way. Also... don't break stuff. And don't photograph places you shouldn't or fly drones in no-flying zones," the travel blogger concluded.
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.
Uses their shoes inside. Even if there has been raining
Ive got a Mr. Rogers thing goin on in my house. I have house shoes and outside shoes.
I dislike your choice of username with the burning passion. And I am very sorry that I couldn't just say nothing. :/
Load More Replies...Wait just a second, please don't lump us all together on this one, I don't personally know anyone who doesn't take their shoes off once in a home.
My parents throw a tantrum when I ask them to remove their shoes at my house. Every. Damn. Time. It’s an argument. Their excuse is that they wear shoes at their house. Cool story, but you’re in MY house.
After I had lived in Japan for a year, I moved back to the USA (for ten months). My older brother came to visit, and we asked everyone to remove their shoes inside the house (particularly because we had a toddler and liked to let him crawl on the floor, and didn't want a dirty floor). My older brother announced "Sorry. I don't take my shoes off for anybody!" and walked into my house, scattering dirt everywhere.
"Sorry I don't compromise my home hygiene for anyone" is the response I hope you gave
Load More Replies...We take our shoes off in our house, but I allow visitors to keep their shoes on. Most of the house is tile and I regularly steam the rugs (we have dogs).
Most people take off their shoes at home if it is just with family. However when visiting people in their homes shoes are usually left on.
This is regional *and* cultural. As an example, northern NY, no shoes. Southern NY, if there's a pile of shoes near the door, "would you like me to take my shoes off?" South Carolina, shoes *on* because it would be very presumptuous to act as if you live in that house. Unless it's the house of your third generation Japanese friend, in which case shoes off... (And this is an example of why many people in the US specify their family origins.)
While I understand that American don't usually take their shoes off even at home, but personally, we have to do it at my house and I'd do it at yours. No offense or anything, but I don't really want to track soot and dirt from wherever I've traveled into your house or anyone's house for that matter.
American here. In case you are wondering we have textured door mats to wipe off our shoes in case of bad weather. Where I live we have little rain (the desert) so it is very rare that shoes would so dirty as to not be able to give them a quick swipe on the door mat before coming in the house.
I have REALLY gross feet (no arch to speak of) and they hurt like hell if I don't wear shoes in the house. I have my outside shoes and my inside shoes.
As a child my father would yell at me if I took my shoes off indoors whereas my wife had the opposite experience.
As an Asian, this is our tradition, coming to America we of course follow the same , as I got older it was more ‘why would you walk around your house with shoes on tracking dirt( or whatever else) around your house? I had to put a sign on the door when my in-laws would come over even after being told not to out of respect, my MIL took it as a sign I just made up because I didn’t want her there, oh well whatever works I guess
Australian with lots of Asian friends- it took a while to get used to this. Annoyingly now I have mobility issues and literally can't walk without my specially made shoes- I always feel awkward and rude that I can't take off my shoes now!
I have to wear shoes due to medical conditions . If I don't, my feet swell horribly.
I have an opposite problem to this. If I wear shoes too long my feet crack and bleed
Load More Replies...I think sometimes it's an age thing, too. Since my father moved in with me, we have this argument a lot. He's convinced that he has to wear his shoes, because floors are dirty. I'm convinced that the floors are dirty, because he wears his shoes. The dirt doesn't just magically appear on the floor. It's tracked in on the bottom of his shoes! It's especially bad during winter and spring.
If they're dirty they come off... if not why bother I'll be going out again soon anway.
You can walk in the garden barefoot, but indoors is where glass things break and lego resides. Not wearing shoes indoors is a literal health hazard. Not to mention that taking your shoes off in public is just repulsive, nobody needs their floors reeking of your sweaty socks.
Do people really do that? I mean, I’ve seen it in a million movies and reacted with “euugh” every time, but I’ve never been sure if it actually happens.
This seems to be a generational thing. Most millennials and younger seem to be no-shoes-in-the-house, at least based on my experience. But my parents generations and older do. Not sure why. Possibly our floors have gotten cleaner or less splintery.
I have to wear shoes in the house due to my leg turning in and my shoes help support my foot as well. My grandmother also has to wear shoes due to neuropathy.
Its filthy and disgusting, and not so kind to your poor feet.
Load More Replies...That's why we have welcome mats - they are for wiping your feet. I can't stand walking barefoot in my house.
Keep your shoes on in my house please. I'm not a fan of stinky feet. Gross.
Growing up mom wanted us to put shoes ON when we came in the house. Barefooting is the way to go!
Oh hell no. Even before I got new carpeting I wouldn't let anyone where their shoes in my house cuz, then I'm stepping in whatever they stepped in.
Look I've tried but I need the traction to run after the dog when he's being a jerk. We don't have carpets so traction is important. Always end up using the inside shoes to run out after the dog in the backyard when he's being a jerk. My dog is a jerk but I still love that grumpy feisty old man. I'd love to be able to do shoeless in the house or house slippers but jerky mcjerkington makes it difficult. And yes he is trained but if you have no treat he feels he shouldn't do anything; he's more like an entitled cat 😋
I have been living in Turkey for seven months and still forget to take off my shoes sometimes in our house. My husband is constantly calling me a “dirty American.”
Lived in the US for a number of years. Took me a long time to get used to keeping my shoes on while visiting. Then I moved back to Finland, and VERY quickly re-learned that that was not acceptable 😊
Non-American here, and barefootedness can taking a running jump. Shoes are comfy, floors are not, and stubbed-toes suck.
Ok. well, I understand other peoples' povs. But a lot of us are squirrel brained. So we keep our shoes on to focus on what we're doing so that our brain knows that we are working at the moment. I too do this for good reason.
Yeah I've seen this a few times on American shows and they wear their shoes on the bed and put them on the couch lol can anyone confirm this isn't true because damn that's nasty if it is
Gee I bet their feet are quite stinky because the shoes are not removed regularly for them "to breathe" 🙊
We do take off our shoes at home if it is just with family. When visiting with people in their homes shoes are usually left on. So no, most of us don't have smelly feet.
Load More Replies...Why do non-Americans think there is only one right way of doing things? We do what works for us. You do you.
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
I guess I don't get out much but I've ever once expected, or asked for, a refill.
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
It's like in a video game where everybody gets the default skin, and then you can upgrade, except nobody does
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!
We have the same greeting but Aussie style - 'owyagoin' - the only appropriate response is 'not bad, yaself?"
It's 10 degrees and you're wearing an oversized sweatshirt with the name of your college, shorts and flip flops.
10 degrees Celsius...thats reasonable...not great but whatever. 10 degrees Fahrenheit, they're gonna be a frozen idiot soon.
Wear a baseball cap at an indoor restaurant.
Signed, an American who (ONCE!) wore a baseball cap at an indoor restaurant.
Most recent Prime Minister in Oz who wore a baseball cap instead of an Akubra got annihilated at our recent election. Coincidence? I think not.
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
These are all making me think that I am positively incognito when I travel. I hope I can at least pass for Canadian, if nothing else.
Loud, the way they dress, being overly polite, ask what I do for a living in the first 5 mins of conversation, etc
Eating while walking (eg eating a bagel or breakfast sandwich on the way to work or school)
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.
Be extra, doesn't matter in what, it's just always extra
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.
As soon as you say you are British they hit you with the "can I 'av a bo-ol o' wotah"
"can I get some ranch for my fries?"
Ranch is the greatest abomination in the culinary world. American chef. Hate ranch.
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.
Yell in the streets when they are on holiday in Europe. You can spot them from a mile away.
Tell you they're American
Canadians don't tell you right away that they're Canadian. But, if you call them 'American', wow, will they ever tell you!
putting cheese on everything
Putting weird, tasteless cheese on everything and going "eew" when presented with real, smelly cheese.
"This is the worst fried chicken I've had all day."
Yup that's it no more Panda for a few years. This is really stupid BTW.
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.
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
To add a tiny bit of balance. I have crossed paths with a huge number of U.S. citizens, I worked in hospitality, I found them to be engaging and polite, they loved the history of our hotel (built in the 1400s), they loved a conversation and that is way better than being grunted at by a drunk, English businessman. I can honestly say they were a delight to have at our hotel, they brought an energy that livened things up, they made folk smile (even if it was unintentionally) and they treated staff respectfully and generally speaking they made great guests. Every race, colour, creed has negatives assholes, don’t define a nation by the idiots you see, would you want your nation to be defined by your idiots?
Thank you very much. I didn't expect any of these comments. You all have warmed my cynical heart!
Load More Replies...When I was a backpacker travelling Asia and South America I got bashed constantly for the sins of the British. Other travellers would not let up about all the shitty things the British did over the years, using the term “you did x, y and z” like I was personally responsible. It really got me down. This post probably has the same affect on Americans. Every country has jerks and quirks. Negative stereotyping in any form is uncool.
Please stop bashing Americans. Why can't you find another country to bash.
I seriously couldn’t get through this list. A lot of ignorance and rudeness regarding Americans.
Load More Replies...So we're not allowed to post words like d*ath, a*s, kn*b, etc but entire threads bashing the 3rd largest country on the planet based purely on stereotypes and the actions of a few " tourists" (compared to the total number of Americans) is totally fine. Yeah. Makes perfect sense.
A website based i nLithuania bashed the US but not Russia. *gives highly skeptical look* Lithuania. Sure. Uh-huh... -------- BTW, if you've ever been on a train with fans after a match in the UK? No, Americans are not the loudest, rudest, nastiest, awful-est people on earth. British football (soccer) fans. Hands down, would make Attila the Hun run the other way. They may be stiff-upper-lip-liberal-lovelies at home, but after the match, they're raging a-holes. If I judged all Brits by the football fans, what would that make me? ... An a-hole. So I don't. I just don't don rose-colored glasses about the UK, or US, or Canada, or anywhere. Humans suck, not nations. Humans.
Almost ended up in a fight with a couple of Brits in a bar. First they try steal my seat while I'm getting drinks for me and my friends and when the friends told them "Excuse me, but that seat's taken, our friend is getting drinks from the bar" they got spitting mad and almost knocked the drinks from my hands when I was getting back. The security threw them out when one of them started to actually roll up his sleeves. But what stuck to my mind was how he kept yelling "In Britain we have some manners!!!!" Should have taken those manners along to the holiday too if you ask me. 😬
Load More Replies...I agree we Americans can be loud and pushy but this makes us sound like disgusting apes. Are there any pleasant things about us? Like we spend money in your country?
This is not going to be popular, but this is the one thing I hate about BP. It's kind of like being insulted by someone over and over and there's nothing you can do about it because that makes you look like a whiner who can't handle criticism. It really does become disheartening - I don't read these posts anymore but I know it's the same old criticisms, over and over. It's like they're beating a dead horse and don't know when to stop. Our government is a mess. Our citizens are being divided by b******t we can't easily control and anything we do in other countries is considered gauche and uncouth. Some of us may act like idiots in foreign countries, but it's not all of us. l also notice that Americans on BP don't usually make comments about other countries, so why isn't the same consideration given to us? It would be nice if posts like this would just go away.
Load More Replies...BP, please give this American bashing a rest. These "articles" appear on your site every few weeks and for what? Has the author actually been to the US? And if they have and had a negative experience that doesn't mean others have. I'm a Brit (Welsh) and for what it's worth I've been to the US several times and always found the people there to be kind and welcoming. Yes you get get nutters there but I get that at home too. It's almost like, and bear with me now, people are individuals and not some homogeneous group. Mad isn't it!! Probably get downvoted for this but screw it.
Just for that, I'll order 2 IPA's or whatever you like!
Load More Replies...Wait until Bored Panda editors find out that there are other countries besides the U.S.
Asked so many times. Wtf is BP editors obsession with "America"? Day after day after day. There 195 other countries in the world....
I find it funny how all these comments show pride ad elitism yet they bash Americans for doing the same. Why are only Americans hated on for wanting a culture and expecting others to respect their ways. All these comments are extremely judgemental and what Americans get shamed for..yet it's ok for us to do it? This whole thread is disgusting and toxic, bored panda isn't progressive its American hating and anti white. This is racist and elisitist and should not be an article.
What is this Lithuanian website’s weird obsession with the US and the people that live there?
OK- can we now do how people from other countries act when they come to the US and we can spot them a mile away? Nothing like stereotyping!
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Load More Replies...As an American.... we could do the same thing to other countries. But alot of us don't. Alot of us are like the rest of the world looking at our leader ship whispering s**t. And wondering what kind of future the world collectively holds for our children. Yeah America sucks sometimes. But every country does. Everyone has their flaws. Britain "steals everything" Germany "had Hitler" Russia "has putin" China "facing computerized nation like 1988 book" North and South Korea "afraid of a very unstable dictator who controls everything". So just stop. We live in a very cruel world. And 90% of us hate it and want change. All over. No matter were we are from.
Bingo...I know I know I KNOW!!! We arent perfect in the U.S....but no country, leader, way of life, religion, not one person on this ball of elements covered in meat machines flying through the void..nothing!...is perfect. Theres alot of skeletons in alot of closets. We are all flawed, and we have to move past those flaws and love one another anyway. Edited to fix autocorrect spellings...see, even autocorrect is flawed.
Load More Replies...Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't understand why Panda thinks these type posts are interesting but I'm not clicking on anymore of them. When Putin decides Lithuania needs to be de- Nazified who's the first country they'll come whining too?
It's entertaining and all, but I can see why US pandas are getting tired of this topic ...
I’m from the US and one thing I hate that we do is refer to ourselves as “Americans”. I mean, that’s two effing continents. I’ll say I’m from the states or the US. I only say I’m ‘murican ironically.
Even people who live in the Americas refer to people from the US as "Americans". It's really fine. The only people who worry about it are, ironically, Americans.
Load More Replies...Generally, these seem to be defining the difference between tourists and travelers. To quote Paul Theroux “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” The tourists alway go where everyone else goes, a traveler less so.
Jesus Christ we get it Americans are all gun toting xenophobic assholes and the rest pdf the world all agrees! Just kinda tired of American bashing, were not perfect but all of this is based on stereotypes.
Average American: “Bored Panda taught me that everyone thinks I’m a fat, stupid bigot.” American from the US South: “And all this time you were fine with that so long as it only applied to us folks down here.”
Sad how Americans are looked down. But, I'm afraid lots of American tourist prove them right. Sigh
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years and really daydreaming about saving up money and traveling (specifically Ireland) It would be a massive expense for us. Family of 6, don't make a lot of money. This topic is kinda making me think maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
On the positive side, l'd say they're friendly and open to strangers, and we could learn that a bit where l live. On the negative side, that EXTREMELY nasal, high pitched voice of some girls with a Californian accent. It somehow bypasses my earbuds on the metro.
How to "spot" an American. Holy s**t, ummm I remember people doing that through out history. You're demographics say you're almost WHITE. Lithuania...land of what?
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years. Been daydreaming about saving money and traveling (specifically Ireland). It would be a massive expense for us, a family of 6. We don't make a lot of money. This topic has me wondering if maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
Out of curiosity, I wonder if the ancestral thing is because they are ashamed of being American?
Not at all. It's because the people in any one locality are such a melting pot of races and cultures, it's a way to claim a little bit of identity. Mind you, it's not taken very seriously, and saying something like "I'm Irish" for example, in American parlance, is the same as saying "I'm of Irish decent". It's just shorthand, and not meant literally. There's no need to clarify it to other Americans since they also have ancestors from a different country, and you clearly don't have a non-American accent. We forget to switch our parlance when speaking to anyone else. But claiming you're of one heritage or another also has connotations within the history of America itself. Taking the example of Irish again, Irish Americans were treated very differently than, say, German Americans, and it had a large impact on where and how your American ancestors lived, which has a direct affect on us today. What I'm curious about is if non Americans would have a problem with Native Americans claiming their ancestral heritage. Or, what about the term 'African-American'? Or, what do they call 2nd and 3rd generation Middle Easterners with citizenship in some place like Germany?
Load More Replies...One thing I noticed was the craze over sneakers!! I haven't seen it anywhere else. Like the massive long lines and high resell prices just for a pair of shoes. Is there an American here who can explain why?!
That's just something people like to have a collection of, but it's not a national obsession ( at least I don't think it is). I know some are real admirers of different designs and styles, so maybe that's why?
Load More Replies...Sarah, I've traveled a lot. It's my job. Do it once, and you won't be embarrassed. I promise.
Load More Replies...LA is probably the worst possible example of the US, but hey, no disagreement from a born-US-citizen on LA.
Load More Replies...I'm from the US. However, in every foreign language, I'm referred to as "American". So... Yella t everyone else, please. Wasn't my idea. BTW, there are *two* Americas ---- North (which includes Mexico) and South (which includes the rest of what we think of as "central" America) by strict geographical rules and all that. Please don't forget South America. Thank you.
Load More Replies...To add a tiny bit of balance. I have crossed paths with a huge number of U.S. citizens, I worked in hospitality, I found them to be engaging and polite, they loved the history of our hotel (built in the 1400s), they loved a conversation and that is way better than being grunted at by a drunk, English businessman. I can honestly say they were a delight to have at our hotel, they brought an energy that livened things up, they made folk smile (even if it was unintentionally) and they treated staff respectfully and generally speaking they made great guests. Every race, colour, creed has negatives assholes, don’t define a nation by the idiots you see, would you want your nation to be defined by your idiots?
Thank you very much. I didn't expect any of these comments. You all have warmed my cynical heart!
Load More Replies...When I was a backpacker travelling Asia and South America I got bashed constantly for the sins of the British. Other travellers would not let up about all the shitty things the British did over the years, using the term “you did x, y and z” like I was personally responsible. It really got me down. This post probably has the same affect on Americans. Every country has jerks and quirks. Negative stereotyping in any form is uncool.
Please stop bashing Americans. Why can't you find another country to bash.
I seriously couldn’t get through this list. A lot of ignorance and rudeness regarding Americans.
Load More Replies...So we're not allowed to post words like d*ath, a*s, kn*b, etc but entire threads bashing the 3rd largest country on the planet based purely on stereotypes and the actions of a few " tourists" (compared to the total number of Americans) is totally fine. Yeah. Makes perfect sense.
A website based i nLithuania bashed the US but not Russia. *gives highly skeptical look* Lithuania. Sure. Uh-huh... -------- BTW, if you've ever been on a train with fans after a match in the UK? No, Americans are not the loudest, rudest, nastiest, awful-est people on earth. British football (soccer) fans. Hands down, would make Attila the Hun run the other way. They may be stiff-upper-lip-liberal-lovelies at home, but after the match, they're raging a-holes. If I judged all Brits by the football fans, what would that make me? ... An a-hole. So I don't. I just don't don rose-colored glasses about the UK, or US, or Canada, or anywhere. Humans suck, not nations. Humans.
Almost ended up in a fight with a couple of Brits in a bar. First they try steal my seat while I'm getting drinks for me and my friends and when the friends told them "Excuse me, but that seat's taken, our friend is getting drinks from the bar" they got spitting mad and almost knocked the drinks from my hands when I was getting back. The security threw them out when one of them started to actually roll up his sleeves. But what stuck to my mind was how he kept yelling "In Britain we have some manners!!!!" Should have taken those manners along to the holiday too if you ask me. 😬
Load More Replies...I agree we Americans can be loud and pushy but this makes us sound like disgusting apes. Are there any pleasant things about us? Like we spend money in your country?
This is not going to be popular, but this is the one thing I hate about BP. It's kind of like being insulted by someone over and over and there's nothing you can do about it because that makes you look like a whiner who can't handle criticism. It really does become disheartening - I don't read these posts anymore but I know it's the same old criticisms, over and over. It's like they're beating a dead horse and don't know when to stop. Our government is a mess. Our citizens are being divided by b******t we can't easily control and anything we do in other countries is considered gauche and uncouth. Some of us may act like idiots in foreign countries, but it's not all of us. l also notice that Americans on BP don't usually make comments about other countries, so why isn't the same consideration given to us? It would be nice if posts like this would just go away.
Load More Replies...BP, please give this American bashing a rest. These "articles" appear on your site every few weeks and for what? Has the author actually been to the US? And if they have and had a negative experience that doesn't mean others have. I'm a Brit (Welsh) and for what it's worth I've been to the US several times and always found the people there to be kind and welcoming. Yes you get get nutters there but I get that at home too. It's almost like, and bear with me now, people are individuals and not some homogeneous group. Mad isn't it!! Probably get downvoted for this but screw it.
Just for that, I'll order 2 IPA's or whatever you like!
Load More Replies...Wait until Bored Panda editors find out that there are other countries besides the U.S.
Asked so many times. Wtf is BP editors obsession with "America"? Day after day after day. There 195 other countries in the world....
I find it funny how all these comments show pride ad elitism yet they bash Americans for doing the same. Why are only Americans hated on for wanting a culture and expecting others to respect their ways. All these comments are extremely judgemental and what Americans get shamed for..yet it's ok for us to do it? This whole thread is disgusting and toxic, bored panda isn't progressive its American hating and anti white. This is racist and elisitist and should not be an article.
What is this Lithuanian website’s weird obsession with the US and the people that live there?
OK- can we now do how people from other countries act when they come to the US and we can spot them a mile away? Nothing like stereotyping!
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Load More Replies...As an American.... we could do the same thing to other countries. But alot of us don't. Alot of us are like the rest of the world looking at our leader ship whispering s**t. And wondering what kind of future the world collectively holds for our children. Yeah America sucks sometimes. But every country does. Everyone has their flaws. Britain "steals everything" Germany "had Hitler" Russia "has putin" China "facing computerized nation like 1988 book" North and South Korea "afraid of a very unstable dictator who controls everything". So just stop. We live in a very cruel world. And 90% of us hate it and want change. All over. No matter were we are from.
Bingo...I know I know I KNOW!!! We arent perfect in the U.S....but no country, leader, way of life, religion, not one person on this ball of elements covered in meat machines flying through the void..nothing!...is perfect. Theres alot of skeletons in alot of closets. We are all flawed, and we have to move past those flaws and love one another anyway. Edited to fix autocorrect spellings...see, even autocorrect is flawed.
Load More Replies...Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't understand why Panda thinks these type posts are interesting but I'm not clicking on anymore of them. When Putin decides Lithuania needs to be de- Nazified who's the first country they'll come whining too?
It's entertaining and all, but I can see why US pandas are getting tired of this topic ...
I’m from the US and one thing I hate that we do is refer to ourselves as “Americans”. I mean, that’s two effing continents. I’ll say I’m from the states or the US. I only say I’m ‘murican ironically.
Even people who live in the Americas refer to people from the US as "Americans". It's really fine. The only people who worry about it are, ironically, Americans.
Load More Replies...Generally, these seem to be defining the difference between tourists and travelers. To quote Paul Theroux “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” The tourists alway go where everyone else goes, a traveler less so.
Jesus Christ we get it Americans are all gun toting xenophobic assholes and the rest pdf the world all agrees! Just kinda tired of American bashing, were not perfect but all of this is based on stereotypes.
Average American: “Bored Panda taught me that everyone thinks I’m a fat, stupid bigot.” American from the US South: “And all this time you were fine with that so long as it only applied to us folks down here.”
Sad how Americans are looked down. But, I'm afraid lots of American tourist prove them right. Sigh
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years and really daydreaming about saving up money and traveling (specifically Ireland) It would be a massive expense for us. Family of 6, don't make a lot of money. This topic is kinda making me think maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
On the positive side, l'd say they're friendly and open to strangers, and we could learn that a bit where l live. On the negative side, that EXTREMELY nasal, high pitched voice of some girls with a Californian accent. It somehow bypasses my earbuds on the metro.
How to "spot" an American. Holy s**t, ummm I remember people doing that through out history. You're demographics say you're almost WHITE. Lithuania...land of what?
Not gonna lie, I've been pretty miserable in the US the last several years. Been daydreaming about saving money and traveling (specifically Ireland). It would be a massive expense for us, a family of 6. We don't make a lot of money. This topic has me wondering if maybe we'd just be laughed at and unwelcome?
Out of curiosity, I wonder if the ancestral thing is because they are ashamed of being American?
Not at all. It's because the people in any one locality are such a melting pot of races and cultures, it's a way to claim a little bit of identity. Mind you, it's not taken very seriously, and saying something like "I'm Irish" for example, in American parlance, is the same as saying "I'm of Irish decent". It's just shorthand, and not meant literally. There's no need to clarify it to other Americans since they also have ancestors from a different country, and you clearly don't have a non-American accent. We forget to switch our parlance when speaking to anyone else. But claiming you're of one heritage or another also has connotations within the history of America itself. Taking the example of Irish again, Irish Americans were treated very differently than, say, German Americans, and it had a large impact on where and how your American ancestors lived, which has a direct affect on us today. What I'm curious about is if non Americans would have a problem with Native Americans claiming their ancestral heritage. Or, what about the term 'African-American'? Or, what do they call 2nd and 3rd generation Middle Easterners with citizenship in some place like Germany?
Load More Replies...One thing I noticed was the craze over sneakers!! I haven't seen it anywhere else. Like the massive long lines and high resell prices just for a pair of shoes. Is there an American here who can explain why?!
That's just something people like to have a collection of, but it's not a national obsession ( at least I don't think it is). I know some are real admirers of different designs and styles, so maybe that's why?
Load More Replies...Sarah, I've traveled a lot. It's my job. Do it once, and you won't be embarrassed. I promise.
Load More Replies...LA is probably the worst possible example of the US, but hey, no disagreement from a born-US-citizen on LA.
Load More Replies...I'm from the US. However, in every foreign language, I'm referred to as "American". So... Yella t everyone else, please. Wasn't my idea. BTW, there are *two* Americas ---- North (which includes Mexico) and South (which includes the rest of what we think of as "central" America) by strict geographical rules and all that. Please don't forget South America. Thank you.
Load More Replies...