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Like it or not, when you come from a country that dominates news headlines, movie screens, and sports stadiums worldwide, others tend to notice the things that set you apart. On the subreddit r/NoStupidQuestions, user Vector1013 sparked an evocative discussion, asking what makes Americans instantly recognizable in an international crowd.
Thousands of direct replies rolled in, with people mentioning habits and features they consider both positive and negative. Does that mean everyone from the United States shares these traits? No, but apparently they’re common enough.
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#1
You’ve been programmed that America is the best.. and it drips off of you.
Jeremy James 3 months ago (edited)
Totally the best! Except in terms of education, health care, health outcomes, mass shootings, democracy, social equity, wealth inequality, incarceration, life expectancy, or overall quality of life.
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#2
Americans are loud. I say this as an American. After a few weeks in Scandinavia, encountering other Americans in public made me think, "why are you so damned loud?".
Dragons Exist 3 months ago
My brother is the epitome of "loud American", he constantly talked loudly and rudely in Britain, Germany, & Switzerland, where everyone was so much quieter
Beyond anecdotal observations, a 2023 Pew survey shows that people around the world generally see the U.S. as more or less similar to other wealthy nations.
However, a median of 31% respondents from 23 countries say the United States is less tolerant than other wealthy countries and just 21% say it is more tolerant, while among Americans, the balance of opinion is reversed: 44% say the U.S. is more tolerant than other nations, while 22% say it is less tolerant.
#3
Imma go against the usual grain of Europeans c***ping on Americans and everything American
They're the best kind of tourists here (Greece) and somehow in recent years, they've all decided to come here?
Anyway, polite, smiling, enthusiastic, chill/down to earth. You MAY think this is how most people are on their holidays but believe me, they're NOT. I don't wanna mention here other uh... potentially problematic nationalities I compare them to (ALL from Europe btw...)
So as far as I am concerned, what makes Americans stand out is being this cheerful, outwardly polite person. MAYBE that's a facade, it probably is, but this salesman type of personality is what I think of when I think of a stereotypical American.
john stock 3 months ago
When we were there, we tried to use the language and let people know how happy we were to be there, Maybe we didn't do it right, but we were thrilled to be able to experience the history of that place.
#5
Smiling. Very American thing to smile at people when making eye contact. It’s actually an interesting anthropological anecdote. Since America was more diverse (albeit mostly European) smiling was a way to indicate you were friendly with someone who might not speak the same language.
The aforementioned study also suggests there are differences when it comes to the relative political stability of the U.S.
A median of 33% of people in the 23 surveyed countries believe the U.S. is more politically stable than other countries, while 17% say it is less stable.
Americans themselves take a more pessimistic view: 34% say the U.S. is less politically stable than other wealthy countries, while 23% say it is more stable.
#6
Loud, love small talk, exaggerate everything and speak in absolutes "this is the best meal I've ever had".
#7
Preternaturally white teeth.
Alexandra 3 months ago
I once asked my dentist if he could whiten my teeth. He took out a set of slightly differently coloured teeth, matched them with mine and told me, 'No, you're fine. Your teeth have a normal colour. I'm not going to mess with that.' So he didn't and that's fine. White teeth are unnatural.
#8
A default assumption that people outside of the US have general knowledge of US states, cities, geography etc. (while not having that same knowledge about other countries).
#9
The American lean is a big one. We see a wall and immediately assume we need to lean on it to hold it up. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Looking deeper, Gallup also found that Americans have become less likely to value religion and less patriotic than in the past while becoming more likely to value money.
And while Americans seem to be placing more value on community activities than in previous years, there is a decline in the perceived importance of having children.
#10
The clothing is a definite tell. Much more athleisure for all scenarios.
Michael Largey 3 months ago (edited)
Remember that most Americans abroad are Americans on vacation. Those there on business probably dress differently.
#11
Tipping. If you want to look less American, then stop tipping for every little thing. It's a dead giveaway.
#12
Americans wear a lot of sports team clothing.
#13
Besides loud and good teeth - look at the way Americans walk. We walk like we own everything and everyone- it is a sort of mega confidence that I have only seen in Americans (yes, there are elites elsewhere, but Americans have that strut and go fast).
Alexia 3 months ago
On the other hand, I hardly found any sidewalks to walk during my American journey; everyone was using a car, even for small distances. I was puzzled when a police officer stopped me and asked whether my car was broken. "You don't have a car, ma''am??" Um, no, but - for a 10 minutes walk - I have feet 🤣
#14
My grandfather telling every European he met that we saved them in WWII.
#16
How we use a knife and fork. Many Americans will cut something with the knife, set it down, move the fork to the hand the knife was in, then eat the food; repeat. That's not as common in most other countries. Most people keep the utensils in their hands the entire time without switching which hand they are in.
#17
Americans inevitably have a drink in their hands when out (water,coffee,fancy Stanley cup…). One of my Asian colleagues pointed this out to me when we were in Belgium for a work meeting.
#18
As someone from The Netherlands, Americans stand out to me because they speak quite a lot louder in public than other native English speakers. There's also common phrases only Americans tend to use like they ask "how are you?" to someone they've never met before. It's just meant to be friendly but it often confuses non Americans where this sudden interest in a stranger's private life comes from.
Michael Largey 3 months ago
When I'm in a foreign location, I don't ask "How are you?" nearly as often as I ask "Where am I?"
#19
The notorious American laugh can be heard from all corners of the world.
#20
Personal space. American here. Been around some French people while vacationing at a national park. Not sure why they need to be right next to me. I was close enough the French tourist often; so close I could’ve whispered sweet nothings into their ears.
#21
Americans hold a bouquet of flowers like it’s a trophy but Europeans carry them downward as it’s gentler on the flowers.
#22
Calling people Maam and Sir. Being super friendly and optimistic.
Ducking and looking around when they hear a loud bang, like someone dropped a plank of wood in a hardware store. Americans tend to be quite edgy about that kind of thing happening unexpectedly.
Saying excuse me when walking around in a crowd and thinking you are getting too close or they are in the way when they aren't. Partly because most of America isn't as densely populated as most European countries. Americans typically have a larger personal space and talk loudly too.
I've been living here for a couple of decades, and still not really used to it.
Tucker Cahooter 3 months ago
Maybe when they hear a loud bang they think someone is shooting, so ducking down is a reflexive action
#23
Our sense of entitlement is one thing. I was in France one time and we were at a restaurant ordering food. I had asked for a small change, like no onions or something. The waiter was shocked that I had asked for that. You’d think I had asked they change their entire menu or something. Me asking the chef to change the way he makes food was an insult to them. Haha. Lesson learned.
#24
I lived in England for awhile for grad school, and one of my English friends told me and another American early on that she knew we were American right away because when we were meeting people at the start-of-term grad school function where we met, we'd go up to people and immediately introduce ourselves by name-- maybe one sentence of small talk first if the conversation started from someone making a side comment to us, but then right to "I'm Amy, I'm studying anthropology" and possibly even shaking hands (though I don't think I did that). She said English people had to do small talk first before even exchanging names, though I'm not sure how true that is.
I know I got a *lot* of odd looks when I sat on the floor in a bookstore to look at some of the books on the lower shelves. And once I was sitting on the floor outside my advisor's office, waiting for him and reading an article. I was sitting criss-cross and one of the other professors came by, walked past, did a double take, back-tracked, and then asked me what I was doing. I was like "Uh, waiting for a meeting with Jay?" and he said "Oh, I thought you might have been praying to Mecca or something" (again I was sitting criss-cross applesauce and. reading. He was pretty racist though). I think it's not unusual to sit on the floor in a bookstore or library in the US, and it's not unusual for students to sit on the floor in the hallway when there aren't chairs, or to sit on the floor in a dorm to sprawl out and study. Apparently this is not universal.
We *are* generally loud. People in England also commented on how much Americans smile, which my mom also remembered being something people said a lot when she visited the USSR as a college student.
I think that while we can be blunt/direct, or maybe more like straightforward, we also tend to not like to say overtly negative things-- I've heard comments like "When you ask Americans how they are, if they say "Great!" they mean "Fine," if they say "Fine," they mean "I'm hanging on by a thread," if they say "Okay," they mean "miserable," if they say "Oh, hanging in there!" they're on the verge of breakdown.".
#25
Baseball caps and leaning on things.
#26
I don’t know if it’s okay anywhere else in the world to walk out of your house in pajamas.
Also- the shorts. People everywhere talk about the shorts. You know the ones.
#28
Didn’t see where anybody has mentioned the American lope. Maybe it’s less of a thing now?
When I lived in Central Europe in the latest ‘80s, Americans not only towered over the locals (just look out over the heads to see the American you’re meeting an in a crowd), Americans’ heads went up and down as they walked. Perhaps we habitually have a longer stride? Europeans were gliding like swimming ducks while Americans were bounding in and out of view across the way. Doing doing doing.
#29
Atleast compared to us brits, Americans are way more animated than us in practically every way.
#30
I'm American and I tried impersonating a Brit once over text. Someone instantly called me out on my use of the word "got." Apparently "get" and "got" are more frequent in American English than in British English, at least in this case between me and this other guy.
MagicJacket 3 months ago
I remember the late great British comedian Sean Lock roasting Americans who say "Can I get a coffee?" at a Starbucks. "No," he said, "you may HAVE a coffee. If you GET a coffee, you WORK THERE! THEY get it for you, YOU have it!"
#31
One of the examples from that class (allegedly) is the way we count on our fingers. We start with the number 1 on our pointer finger, while Europeans start with their thumb. Obviously not exclusive to Americans, and I have no idea how they count on other continents.
#32
I always spot American plus size women because they dress amazingly! Here In Greece plus size clothing is either ugly or pricey.
#33
Very forward. In America, I can go to an event, make a new connection, and at the end they will hug me goodbye. A complete stranger! However, I am American so it never really struck me. When I lived in South Korea though, they would look at me as if I had 2 heads when I hugged them. Same with hand shakes. It was a reaction that I never really thought about until then. Oops. We are an overly friendly bunch.
#34
Based on my experience. When we ask you, "Where are you from?" Americans will typically mention the state that their from instead of United States. I've only gotten this type of response from Americans haha.
#35
Americans are either the most fit, built, athletic, people you have ever seen or overweight. For some reason there are not as many average build people. I think this fits in with the theme of America the land of extremes.
#36
I remember reading that Americans squat on their toes not their heels, and that we wear tennis shoes everywhere.
#37
As a Brit
-Leaning a lot more
-Smiling at people
-Loud or projecting voices
-American English terms “sidewalk”, “diaper” “freeway” etc
-Asking for coffee creamer
-Being resistant to walk places
-Starting conversation with shop workers
-Spreading out on public transport
-Tipping all the time
-The term “Irish goodbye” (this isn’t even a thing in Ireland)
-Expecting food shops to be open really early
-Talking about suing people
-Having the chicken pox Vaccine
-Using medication to treat everything
-Always saying “*Blank* in the world” or “*Blank* in history”. Like if you’re talking about the worst serial killer. It will always be “the worst serial killer in history” or “in the world”. Whereas they may only be the worst in America.
-Talking about your rights
-Equating constitutional rights to human rights. So saying “*Blank* is against my human rights”. When it’s not against the human rights act it against the United States constitution.
-Talking about people “having an accent”.
-Thinking South Africans using the term “Coloured people” is offence
-Referring to someone’s heritage by region or race. In Britain people are more specific than the US so someone is Nigerian or Bangladeshi etc.
#38
When they travel they dress like they're going to Walmart, or about to mow the back yard..
NoRestfortheQWERTY 3 months ago
I'm an American and live abroad. This annoys me to no end. Dress up a bit when you travel, people, you're not just heading down to the Stop and Shop. I bet all of Italy thinks we're a bunch of awful slobs.
#39
I went to America and everyone was so outgoing and funny, one person asked me if i was from “butt chart gardens” in the most southern accent ever known to man. He meant to say the Bouchard Gardens in Victoria BC which is literally a garden centre and not a city but the thought was there. It still never fails to make me laugh.
#40
I’m in Denmark now and a waiter told us that Americans always order drinks first and then food while Danes order food first and then drinks. I had never heard that before or thought about it and thought it was kind of a sweet simple thing to notice.
Wat Tyler's Revenge 3 months ago
Ordering drinks first gives the table time to think about what to order. The hope is by the time the waiter returns, the table is ready to order their food.
#41
Apparently, we kick when we walk while Europeans step.
#42
In my experience you guys seem to try and always have something to say about anything. Whether it's prompted or not.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but it's an observation that's brutally confirmation biased. :D.
#43
Loud and interrupting. Demanding .
#44
It will also depend on where you are. In many places e.g. Russia (well 20 years ago and further. not sure if its that way now): smiling in public. Immediately known as american. Also, frankly, weight. And not like grossly obese, just not as angular, regular eating is evident.
Wat Tyler's Revenge 3 months ago
I remember when Alexander Mogilny played for the Leafs and all the players were asked what they would get for gifts at Christmas as kids. Alex simply stated “orange”.
What do you think ?
Child of the Stars 3 months ago
I'm glad to see that most of these are just cultural differences and not outright offensive behavior.
Johnnynatfan 3 months ago
How many times BP? Stop being hack “writers” and come up with something original. Lazy and boring
JuJu 3 months ago
I love how excited American tourists are about things I see every day: An old church, a Fachwerk house, cobble stone streets etc. It reminds me how much history and beauty is around me all the time. But taking you to dinner can be a bit difficult, if you are not used to "foreign foods".
Julie S 3 months ago
Yes I think we get so used to all our old architecture that we forget to appreciate it. So it's nice to be reminded to stop and just take it all in.
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Child of the Stars 3 months ago
I'm glad to see that most of these are just cultural differences and not outright offensive behavior.
Johnnynatfan 3 months ago
How many times BP? Stop being hack “writers” and come up with something original. Lazy and boring
JuJu 3 months ago
I love how excited American tourists are about things I see every day: An old church, a Fachwerk house, cobble stone streets etc. It reminds me how much history and beauty is around me all the time. But taking you to dinner can be a bit difficult, if you are not used to "foreign foods".
Julie S 3 months ago
Yes I think we get so used to all our old architecture that we forget to appreciate it. So it's nice to be reminded to stop and just take it all in.
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