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Our accents, body language, and mannerisms can tell everyone around us what country we’re from before they even ask. However, there are other more subtle cultural and behavioral differences that give this away as well when you’re going abroad on holiday. We’re not even aware of some of these things until someone points these out to us.

Redditor Mknapp37 went on r/AskReddit and asked people to share the ways in which you can recognize that a tourist is American, besides their accents. Redditors from all over the globe, including from the US, shared their opinions and experiences. Having loads of confidence, talking to waiters and strangers, and being super polite are all just the tip of the iceberg.

Have a scroll through these subtle and not-so-subtle signs that someone’s American, upvote the ones you agree with, and share your own insights from your travels in the comment section. Remember, dear Pandas, this list is a mix of compliments and subtle criticisms—all cultures have their upsides and downsides and it isn’t something that any of us should be ashamed of. However, stereotypes and false assumptions also play a large role in how Americans are seen abroad. More about that below in Bored Panda's interview with a redditor from the US.

#1

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Being called African American while living in the Netherlands

Your_Black_Nemesis , Joey Nicotra Report

#2

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American I went to Russia once, and they knew I was American because I smiled too much.

Bangbangsmashsmash , Anastasia Vityukova Report

#3

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Confidence. I have never seen someone walk so confidently in the wrong direction like an American can.

olaolie , Alex Perri Report

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Karin Lange
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can walk very confidently in the wrong direction also. Believe me, you don't have to be an American to do that.

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I had an insightful chat about cultural stereotypes with redditor Pfl2020, who created another thread about how Americans are viewed abroad. The redditor, who lives in the United States and has traveled abroad and seen the stereotypes foreigners have about Americans firsthand, shared with Bored Panda that some of these points of view are here to stay.

“I think cultural stereotypes are impossible to live without to some degree. Until people have been exposed to other cultures and really understand that there is more than one way to live they will continue to pass judgment on things they don't fully understand,” Pfl2020 told Bored Panda.

#4

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Some Americans are way more polite than expected. Whenever I hear someone say 'ma'am,' I know they're American. One time I was in Lidl and there was an American family asking a worker if they sold cellphones. When the woman said they didn't, they were all, 'Oh, okay, thank you for your time, ma'am! Have a great day!' which is a lot cheerier than the average Scot.

foundcosy , Alex Bocharov Report

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80 Van
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The use of “ma’am” is somewhat more typical of a specific region of the US (the Southeast, mostly). “Thank you for your time” is a pretty common sentiment throughout the US.

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#5

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American While in Korea, I was casually talking to a friend on the bus in a regular speaking voice. Not even a minute later, the lady in front of us turned around in her seat and very casually said, 'Please calm down.' I guess American volume is noticeably louder.

jrlags , Blake Guidry Report

#6

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American When Americans cross the street, they expect cars to stop for them. In my country, the cars will run you down without thinking twice.

ToeRagger , Colby Winfield Report

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Bear Hall
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always tell my American friends: "Here two kinds of people cross the street: the fast and the flat."

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According to the redditor, something that greatly influences how the world stereotypes people from the United States is the media that the country puts out.

“I think pop culture and the prevalence of American media internationally is the true source of so much of the ‘presumption.’ As Americans, we really don't know that much about the way other people around the world live day to day,” they pointed out that many foreigners already have an idea of how Americans are ‘supposed to’ act and can shoehorn some of them into neat little categories when they meet them. After all, we tend to look for things that support our hypotheses when we’ve already come to a conclusion about something.

#7

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American When I went to Italy with a friend, I couldn't figure out why everyone greeted me in English before I said a word. I don't wear running shoes outside of the gym, I dress pretty posh, I can't remember the last time I owned a baseball cap, and I try to have a basic grasp on the local language. How could they tell I'm American? My friend told me, 'It's because you're smiling at them.'

thewidowgorey , pexels Report

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Miss Cris
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't believe this. Italian people are smiling, too. I guess it was your clothes and mouvement manners and that your friend wanted to be kind with you.

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#8

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Americans are amazed by old things. My girlfriend used to work on a farm in an estate in the UK and would often have Americans in awe of the old buildings. One time someone said, 'Some of these buildings are older than my country'.

curved_oracle , vaasuu ahluwalia Report

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is sad since the US has such a long diverse native culture. I'm from Europe so I'm used to old buildings (the entirely insignificant church in my village is over 600 years old and it's church #4 in its place), and I'm not particularly interested in native American art and culture personally, but I find it rather sad that these people's long history and rich culture is just ... not seen as history. America has thousands of years of history, it just wasn't European for the longest time. /steps off soapbox

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#9

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Saying, 'Hi, how are you?' to baristas, servers, retail workers, etc. My country doesn’t quite have that culture, so I find it really sweet.

tomayto_tomaahto , Brooke Cagle Report

Pfl2020 told me that they’ve been abroad only a couple of times and it was to visit their wife’s extended family in England. “I was intrigued at the assumptions some placed on us because of where we lived. We just had candid friendly discussions about how we lived that was different from England in particular,” they shared.

The key to being a good tourist is pretty much the same as being a decent human being: respecting others and doing your best to fit in with the local customs. The more time you put into learning about the culture, the better off you’ll be.

#10

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American I was at a beach where music was playing and 'Sweet Caroline' came on. I told my sister (we are both Hispanic, but I live in the US): 'Hey, if you are wondering who here is from the US, you are about to find out.' Ten seconds later, we heard: 'BA BA BAAAAAA.'

ardyndidnothingwrong , kuszapro Report

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#11

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American I mean, obviously you could tell they were an American when they spoke, but once in my little village in Scotland I was in the pub and a woman politely asked the barman where the restrooms were. He didn’t know wtf she was on about and then it obviously clicked. 'Ye mean the toilet? Aye hen it’s joost back ‘err.'

MogadonMandy , pixabay Report

#12

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American It's 80 degrees out there!

How many miles?

That's two pounds?

whatissevenbysix , Ludovic Migneault Report

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debster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in grade school in the 70s in the US. We, for a whole year I think, were FINALLY switching to the metric system with the rest of the world. I don’t know why we stopped. It's idiocy I agree. I tell my kids about it. I rebel and use that side of the ruler because it's easier for me.

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Also, make sure to learn at least a handful of key words and phrases so that you can communicate with the locals. Yes, English might be a global language but it would be arrogant to assume everyone knows it. Besides, learning a new language before your trip is part of the romance of travel. Embrace the experience.

#13

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American When Americans introduce themselves, they never say they're from America. They mostly say the state/city they're from.

hazily , MAKY_OREL Report

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Håvard Hovde
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I usually reply with "Oh, ok. I'm from Harestua". I've always seen it as them thinking everybody knows where Baltimore or Seattle is, when I usually have no idea UwU

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then you just started a conversation, because the natural reply would be to ask about your hometown. We’re not being stupid, or annoying, or rude. We’re just naturally curious and very interested in meeting new people, especially if they’re from a place we’re not familiar with. So there’s no need to be such a sarcastic douche about it—-though we would graciously overlook it, to be polite—-as we would happily tell you about our own hometowns.

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John Topper
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from America and I usually just say I'm from Canada. Makes people think I'm less of an idiot.

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Nevits Yibble
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was made an honorary Canadian by my Canadian friends (they even held a ceremony, attaching a maple leaf pin to my lapel). So I do the same on occasion.

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askrivan avatar
80 Van
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Each state is so unique, it is a better way of explaining where we are from and what our culture is like than just broadly from the US. It would be analogous to someone from Europe identifying what county they are from rather than simply saying they are from the EU.

andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no comparison between the cultural, historical and language differences between european countries and the states in USA.

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lay1fly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because the next question is always “ where in America?” Might as well cut to the chase

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Giovanna
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well honestly, I know it is not exactly the same, but when I introduce myself to an American I dont say I'm "european". I say I'm italian. The USA is the same size as Europe so...

andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its not comparable. Italy has millenia of history as a country, USA has 300 years. They had more but they destroyed all native american culture. The equivalent would be like you saying "I am from Campania". Most people, even other europeans would be like "ok..."

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స్టీఫెన్ ఆండ్రూ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so near-sighted. Just say you're from the United States and be done with it. Anyone interested will ask more questions.

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do? i say I'm from the US. Huh. Missed this one in "how to be a stupid tourist" class ;-D

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Kyle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always say I’m Canadian. Americans behave so badly as tourists.

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Amy Pattie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless they don’t… An American (who, to be fair could have been from Canada I guess) was visiting. I couldn’t pin their accent so I asked them where they were from. They replied “America” Oh, really? I couldn’t have guessed…

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Me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To my American ear, many Americans and Canadians have the same accent.

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Kayla J
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my history, people usually ask where in the states, so it is sometimes easier to just cut to the chase and many have been more interested when I say Texas v just the US.

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Ninn Kynok 2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first part of your comment indicates they already knew you were American. That is different from people Americans, unlike other nationalities, introducing themselves as being from an state rather than country.

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Katchen
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saying, “I’m from America” is as vague as saying, “I’m from Europe,” not because of cultural differences between states, but because the US is really big, so saying you’re from the US isn’t a very specific answer.

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. They said their state or city. It would be like me saying I am from Valencia instead of I am Spanish. Most people dont know where your city is.

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Megan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, whenever I've said I'm from the United States, the person I'm talking to is like "yeah obviously, where in the United States?"

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Marnie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say United States, then I would add Minnesota and unless they immediately indicated they knew where that was, I would say "close to Canada". Of course we say what state we're from. My state has a different culture from, say, Florida. Probably as much difference as between some European countries.

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Jonathan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How are we supposed to know? That's like me saying a random Scottish town and expecting them to know what the hell I'm talking about lol.

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Maxine Caroline
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tell Americans I’m from Saskatchewan and they are like whaaaaat?!! Yep, it’s that giant rectangle right above North Dakota and Montana, can’t miss it! I’m Canadian and have a good sense of American Geography but can count on my hands the number of times people knew were my province was.

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Me
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American citizens live in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico), the middle of the pacific (Hawaii), the south Pacific (Guam), the Arctic circle (Alaska) and the continental US. Saying we are from America feels rudely vague.

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Miss Cris
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rusia is big, too, and people say they're from Rusia. The same for Chinese, French or others. In some countries, big or small, people often tend to speciphy more, if you know the country, it's a neighbourg country or just they are very proud of their region or town. But anybody else say the whole continent (Antarcticans?).

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Colleen Hindson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That could be because anyone from the Western hemisphere is American. Europeans and U.S. citizens assume that only people in the U.S. are Americans.

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Josurf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I'm from Belgium" "Oh where is that?" "Well, you know Brussels?" "Oh yeah, I heard of that country!" No, no, nope...

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Charleybo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's probably because North America is comprised of 23 countries and 18 dependencies. People from the United States should say just that, for a start, then take it from there. When one's from the UK, that's what they say...not that they're from Europe.

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Fact Perils
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah because it's a huge country, and when you live in the US generally you introduce yourself by state. Or city if it's one of the big ones.

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Kelly Kenrick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Americans always say Canadian addresses as Vancouver Canada, not Vancouver British Columbia, it like saying Little Rock America….you guys don’t do that that, why don’t you use the provinces ?

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ellie angel urban
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is because not all States in the U.S. are the same, obviously, and Americans take distinctive pride in their home states. As a person living in New York, though, I do have to complain about the reaction I get from non-Americans when I say I am from New York. They tend to automatically assume I am from New York City. Generally speaking, there is Upstate New York, The New York City area, and then Long Island (as well as smaller islands). Not everyone is from "The Big Apple."

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Em.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brits do this quite often too. Sometimes they would even pin it down to the neighborhood without mentioning the city or county. I once met a girl who said she was from California and it turned out to be an area of Derby, UK

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Ninn Kynok 2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, 'Brits' do not commonly do that. In respect of the girl you describe, she was probably having a little joke as she knew you were Amercian and hence would assume / be confused about her mention of that California.

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Violet Smith
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was about 7 years old, we were at a camp-site in the US (I'm from Canada) and I got to playing with a girl about my age. We asked each other where we were from, she told me what state she was from, and I told her which province I was from in Canada. She was utterly confused, "No, but which STATE are you from?" I explained that in Canada, what you call "states," we call "provinces", but she seemed unable to grasp this. Only 7 years old, I know, but so was I!

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Stannous Flouride
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Though there are other cities and towns that share my city's name, when I say "San Francisco." I know I needn't add the state or country.

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Johnny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I introduce myself, I never say where I'm from, unless they ask.

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Pamela Blue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I lived in England and visited Europe in the 70s, people would always assume I was American. If they asked, I'd say I was Canadian (which I am), and suddenly they'd perk up and I was their best friend. I couldn't fathom out why they didn't like Americans so much.

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KMill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am “American” but I don’t say I’m from “America”. I say I’m from the US. I don’t know if other Americans do this but I don’t think it’s common to say I’m from “America”. “America” is 2 entire continents so it would be so weird to say that.

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People have been debating this. "America" is not 2 continents. There is "North America" and "South America". We don't refer to the two continents together as just "America". The problem with United States it the country doesn't have a name, just a description. So, what would you have us say? We aren't Canadian, French, Spanish. Most other countries, there is a word for the people who live there. So, people when with United States of America -> Americans. And most people recognize that. (A Mexican and a Canadian don't call themselves American.) In Spanish, it's "Estados Unidenses" (if I remember correctly) which translates to United Statesians. So, "United Statesians" is really our only other option and I see no evidence people use that in the US.

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Don't Look
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some do it out of education. Some know that saying "I'm american" labels them, often incorrectly. There's a whole lot of America, north, south.....

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I usually comment, to anyone that I discuss this with (away from home) that I'm from TN. If I'm chatting/speaking to a foreigner, I'll say I'm from TN, USA.

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The Redhead
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Grandmother was French when asked she would name the city she was from, not just France.

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Lillukka79
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Asked in France or abroad? Because if I'm in Finland and someone asks where I'm from, I'll say my city, if I'm abroad, the country.

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Robert T
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They usually say the city and state. I presume they have to say the state so that it can be distinguished from the real one. ;-)

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T Hausomapi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Australia husband always introduces me as being from California. I constantly remind him just say I'm from the states. Nope never remembers.

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Aisling Raye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean I kind of get saying California bc it's well known, would have the 5th largest economy if it was its own country, and a whole lot of the U.S.A. seems to hate us for no reason lol.

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Jon Clingenpeel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know with my wife and I we say the US. When people ask where in the US I’ll say Maryland and I’ll get a look like “that’s a state” and then I’ll have to say it’s next to Washington DC Even people in the US doesn’t know where Maryland is 🤦🏻‍♂️

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Kelley Hudson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I was living in Denmark everyone would follow up “I’m from America” with “which part? South, central or north?” So I just starting saying I was from California.

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mmm maybe because USA is only a fraction of the entire continent.

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De Gueb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny, people from Madrid city do that. they don't say I'm from Madrid. They tell you what area of Madrid they live in as if everybody has to know. It's also a status/class thing

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s because each state is so different from each other and often areas within a State are very different from cities just a couple miles away. Many Americans like to celebrate that difference. I don’t know if it’s regional pride or what but it’s a big thing

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Ninn Kynok 2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is very common for different parts of countries to be different: such is not unique to the US.

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DE Ray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bear in mind, the US basically spans the continent. How many Europeans do you hear say "I'm from the EU"? No, they say what state or city they're from.

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Ninn Kynok 2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. It is common in such a situation to introduce themselves by nationality, however the exceptions is those from the US who frequently introduce themselves by the city or state from where they originate. Also, you may be shocked to learn some countries are of comparable size, and even larger, than the US.

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John L
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2 years ago

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Yeah, that's because we are the United States of America...emphasis on states. While the government mainly worries about issues abroad, it's the state we are in that is our "we are aware of" government. So we identify more with our states, than our country as a whole.

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Nicholas Kraemer
Community Member
2 years ago

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Nope. Just nope. This is 100% brought on from people outside of North America. If you're from the US and travel anywhere that isn't Canada or Mexico and people ask where you're from, there's no safe answer. If you say you're from the United States, they ask where. If you say you're from the US and add a state, they ask what city. You name a city that isn't NYC, LA, Chicago, or New Orleans, they say, huh? There is no winning. We answer state/city because that's how the world trained us to answer. This is on you rest of world.

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Ian Milne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agreed mostly until the end. Our grasp of US cities will be far more than four cities for your average person.

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Carol Emory
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2 years ago

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That's because the country is so big, to say you're from America is the equivalent of saying you're from planet Earth. We say city and state because it's more specific. It also can help some people understand the culture of the person by place. People in the Southwest are way different from people in the Southeast who are nothing like the people from the Midwest.

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The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Russia and Canada are bigger and Im pretty sure if a Russian named the Republic, kray or region they were from most American's would have no idea. Im Canadian and after many, many trips to the US I no longer say what province I am from , just the country. I can remember one time trying to explain to someone in California where Canada was. They had heard of it but thought it was " across the water".

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#14

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Baseball caps, university spirit wear, cargo shorts, free T-shirts from events with ads and text all over them, and, for the older Americans, they always seem to just kinda stand in the middle of everything and look around

Zack1018 , Maureen De Wit Report

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Donna Leske
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"free t-shirts from events"? you should know we BUY those to support the artist or event - and they ain't cheap!

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#15

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American The absolute fearlessness of asking anyone on the street about anything

AthleticallyLazy , Surprising_Shots Report

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Miss Cris
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not only a thing of USA people. I life in a touristic city and people from all nationalities, even those steretyped as more introverted, do.

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#16

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American They complain that the portions are too small.

TheBenji300 , congerdesign Report

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Flip
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was funny. We once took Americans to a restaurant. One said: What's that for? A tiny glass. Is it to wash your hands? No that's your drink.

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#17

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Absolutely no problem with long car/bus drives.

sfzilabs , 4634656 Report

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Neil Bidle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is mostly because you can (and sometimes have to) drive thousands of miles to visit places or people, "gas" is super, super cheap, and the roads are often scenic. You try driving 1000 miles in England and you'll either be in the sea, or going in circles

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#18

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American They’re overexcited over something ordinary. “OMG look that grass how green it is”

tajmer , p26jp Report

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A B C
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not only US-Americans, but stoners all over the world :D

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#19

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American If you see an American in Japan, they will frantically look for public trash cans. The absence of trash receptacles is something unfounded in the US, and they become confused at the idea of having to hold onto their trash for extended periods of time.

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Foxxy (The Original)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think many people from various countries would be looking for public rubbish bins, not just Americans.

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#20

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Having conversations with family at a level appropriate to a rock concert. HEY SANDRA WOULD YA LOOK AT THIS!

tragicworldrecord , pixabay Report

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#21

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American When we were visiting Paris, my wife and I learned that they don't seat you at restaurants. You just walk in and sit down at an available table. We figured it out after standing around at the entrance a few times. Then we started noticing other American tourists doing the same.

dcabines , Artur Tumasjan Report

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Katie Lutesinger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Australia, there's usually a sign saying "PLEASE WAIT TO BE SEATED". If there isn't one, just help yourself.

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#22

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Americans are very outspoken. At my local aquarium the other day, I heard a lady very loudly say, ‘Have the penguins gone to bed? Can we not see them? Y'all, the penguins have gone to bed! Y'all, we missed 'em.’

Rangersgers , Jeffery Erhunse Report

#23

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Inability to be discreet + really really really loud.

From across the petrol station on the other pump, I can hear that your wife's pin number is 7321 and she also wants you to buy her a coke, the other lady in the back just wants a sprite or whatever that is over here.

You are counting the money in your wallet on the way into the store out in the open, and i can see you have about a grand in 50's.

Where does the loudness come from, is it because everyone lives in such large houses that are built a few yards apart, so there has just absolutely never been a requirement to be quiet?

SickboyGPK , 1265983 Report

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DragonflyGreen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all Americans are loud and indiscreet. Most aren't. Too many are. And apparently, they are the ones who travel abroad the most. We Americans HATE the loud ones too.

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#24

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Americans will try to tip everyone, even in countries where tipping isn't a thing/is considered a serious insult

lukan2 , Dan Smedley Report

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80 Van
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truly, no harm is meant when that happens (though a bit of cultural research is always advised before visiting another country). It is viewed as rude to not tip in the US, so Americans are simply trying to be polite when they tip, not trying to push some agenda.

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#25

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American There was a bowl of ice in the middle of the table for everyone to share between them, and this American guy took the bowl and dumped all of the ice in his own drink. Apparently Americans like ice more than Europeans

BestUserEU , andreas291 Report

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Amy Pattie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this goes hand in hand with the “free refills” culture. In other countries, the more ice, the less drink, and ordering/getting more is too much of a haste

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#26

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American They’re looking for a store to be open at like 11 p.m. In most European countries stores close at like 7–8 p.m

millennium-popsicle , Devanath Report

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therarestbanana
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In rural Germany everything closes at 6pm. And good luck trying to shop on a Sunday 😂 the only thing that opens 24/7 are gas stations usually

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#27

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Handing the credit card to the server to be taken away and processed

SherrifOfNothingtown , mastersenaiper Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a terrible idea. Never hand your card over, especially out of your sight. Is this normal anywhere else besides the US?

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#28

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American Not looking to blame or shame, but there was this (otherwise Adorable) lady at a social gathering a few weeks back, that started talking about religion, and abortion, and how everyone should basically 'pick a side' (her words). I live in Northern Ireland, and that happened in Derry. Luckily everyone took it fine and the conversation went on after a short silence.

Edit : so pretty much as expected, obviously not all Americans are Muricans :)

lllGreyfoxlll , stephen7272 Report

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Downunderdude
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it comes to things like abortion, religion or politics, laying down the law among a bunch of people you don't know just marks you as an ignorant, arrogant clod, no matter what your nationality.

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#29

29 People Share How They Can Tell If A Tourist Is American I hear that us Americans can easily be spotted in the airport by the fact usually were use to taking off our shoes in TSA

R3ddspider , pixabay Report