If you've ever traveled abroad as an American, the chances are you know how it feels to be detected as one. It’s not that we hide it (in fact, we are prouder than anything else!) but sometimes you just wish you could blend in with the rest of the crowd and feel what it’s like to be treated as a local.
And all it takes is to step foot inside, for example, a “bar” in Italy and order a beer on tap, or worse, a cappuccino after 12, and here you've earned a bunch of eyerolls with a solid “where in America are you from?” But in order to find out what really gives Americans away in an instant, we have to look at what non-Americans have to say about their radars themselves.
So below we collected some of the most interesting responses to “How do you spot an American tourist ‘from a mile away’?” on “AskReddit” and wow, this is kinda weirdly specific.
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Americans are very loud, I swear you have loudhailers hidden in your clothes somewhere.
Over 40, the tourists tend to be more on the very overweight side, but the women still wear yoga pants and the men always have a combination of button up shirts and loose fitting cargo shorts. And both men and women wear baseball caps and Oakley's or sunglasses similar to that style; with white trainers.
Under 40, you're very friendly, in a way that's both endearing and creepy. When we chat I feel like I'm being indoctrinated into a cult.
I’m American and I really cannot stand how loud most people are here. I have a quiet voice and it’s considered some kind of a fault by some. It’s actually really stressful.
I'm English and workers in NY for a number of years... my boss told me I must be maladjusted to talk so softly! I told him no, we simply don't talk as if the other person is across the street where I come from.
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A person can be outgoing and friendly, and have a real love of people, and it doesn't have to be that they are fake. If it's going to get me down voted then so be it, but I'll take a loud, friendly person over somebody who'd give you the impression that they are stuck up and constantly judging you.
In africa we generally greet people and ask after them, plus we generally talk loud, so we don't mind it.
So, the thing is that Americans that aren't like this description at all are the ones you probably don't notice?
I have a theory about this. The US in general is SO loud. Want to go to a store? Prepare to be met with blaring music from the speakers. Pulling into a mall parking lot? You guessed it - blaring music from speakers. Sitting down for a meal at a restaurant? Maybe not blaring... but still music playing constantly. Want to go to a pub? Forget having a conversation - you're lucky if you aren't deaf by the end of the night. I now live in Europe, and I kid you not, every single time I come back to the U.S. I have to adjust to the level of noise. The first few days are actively difficult for me because I'm so used to having little background noise when I communicate with others, and I struggle to pick up what people are saying. The U.S. is just LOUD, so I think people turn up the volume of their voice and over time, it becomes a habit. I've also noticed that Americans who live abroad for a while usually dial back the volume as they adapt.
This gives me anxiety about visiting europe because if you think the average american is loud wait till you meet me I really struggle with volume control.
omg lol, now i want to follow on your travel adventures on youtube or something
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I'm Dutch and agree with this on some level. If they cba to learn a little bit of the language or atleast try to be nice, these people try to talk Dutch to like store owners, getting gradually louder and talking increasingly slower, as if that will make people understand your language...
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As an American, we recognize other Americans that fit this description and avoid them like the plague. This is a noticeable stereotype even in America and I'd say the majority of us are not like that.
The thing is, you know they´re Europeans ´cause they´re so skinny! (except British though)
There are actually a few studies on the "loudness of Americans." Quite interesting. One of the proposed theories is that cultures that develop with a lot of space create loud people (US, Canada, Australia, parts of South America). Because houses are larger and farther apart, restaurants are bigger and people are more spread apart, offices are larger - people have to speak up louder to hear each other. Places that are more crowded (Western Europe, Japan, Korea, Hawaii, many Asian cities), create quieter people. This is because people are physically closer together so they don't need to be quite so loud.
Quiet underweight American here. Everyone either asks me to speak up or inquires as to "what is wrong" with me. As if speaking softly or not eating a massive sized portion of food implies some sort of illness or defect. Bless.
Americans are loud, Aussies are louder, Irish, British, Latino folks... I wouldn't say this remotely an American only thing. Barely enough to be a ringer.
which cult? the cult of the 39-but-still-not-40-year-old lamb? i am still learning what a cult is.
which is why, I alway wear my ear buds out in puplic. to drown out the sound.
I live alone with a very quiet cat. When I get out in public I need headphones! Every one seems so loud. In a bar or restaurant, they turn up the music so it can be heard, then people talk louder to hear their conversation, lather, rinse, repeat. I always end up with a headache by the time I get home.
Some Americans sound like seagulls, all shouting at each other and other people without stopping to listen.
Perhaps the loudness is due to shouting over the loud music in bars and restaurants.
theres a guy in my town who i think mustve recently moved to the uk from ohio. i know hes from ohio because after observing tomatoes he went about it for 20 minutes. nice dude but having lived in the uk for so long i forgot people actually talk to each other. it was weird.
I’m Puerto Rican, I’m not comfortable dressing like this unless I’m grabbing milk from the corner store in an empty area or dropping my kids at the curb if their school and going back home
I am an American. My mother was born in Italy and entered through Ellis Island. I feel very close to my Italian heritage.
This makes me wonder how many of us are actually completely under the radar in Europe. I'm an American and was mistaken as a local French person by Americans when I visited. It was pretty funny. Even I knew their French was atrocious.
Have you seen Chinese tourists? Have you weighed me or seen what I wear?
As an American who has traveled a lot, the whole "too loud" thing is really subjective. I would say hands down we are hardly the loudest. However, because we are foreigners we may not know all the rules. It's not that we are LOUDER, it's just we don't realize when it's inappropriate to talk. For instance, if you talk in a normal voice on the subway in London, that's too loud because the expectation is NO talking on the subway. Even when we whispered to each other we were getting death glares. When we got off the subway all you heard was the footsteps echoing off the tunnels and an occasional female monotone announcement. Too me, it was odd. But when we got to a pub it way louder then any bar I've ever been to in the USA. Or when we were walking around London at night, there wa so much shouting. I can give examples like this throughout Europe. In museums and art exhibits, EVERYONE was guilty of bad behavior lol Locals , tourists, adults , children, it didn't matter, there were all rude
I was on a flight from Miami to New Orleans two weeks ago and a German tourist seated behind me asked me and my seatmate to not talk so loudly because he was trying to sleep. Get some earplugs or ear buds, buddy.
My mom is in her 50’s and completely fit, but dad not so much though…
Most Europeans do not appreciate the fake friendliness. We're strangers to each other, why are you treating me like I'm your brother you haven't seen in 15 years?
No reason to keep harping on this cultural difference. I'd prefer inexplicable friendliness to a grumpy, rude person.
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I've rarely known and American UStatesmen to chat. They speak loudly enough that everyone in the supermarket/on the bus can hear them, and they either lecture you or interrogate you.
Nope. When I travelled to Germany, England, Denmark and Amsterdam, I didnt dress, look or act any of these ways but I agree many Americans do, are annoying and easy to spot but how would u even kno how many As there really are walking around if most of us werent this way? These are just the people who stand out. Most Americans coukd be the opposite of this when they travel and no 1 would kno since they can't spot them so how could u possibly say Americans in general are easy 2 pick out when traveling? But yea chances are people will kno ur from America based on u speaking English wit an American accent or speaking their language with an Am. accent so unless u just dont speak, u can't avoid being known as an American or blend in even if you do none of the things listed here and arent overweight, so you cant use that 2 back up ur claim. And I know plenty of people who travel abroad and purposely dont want ppl 2 kno theyre American, we arent all overly patriotic.
This exactly! There must be some kind of standard tourist kit they give out to Americans along with their passport. White slouch socks with the white trainers are a favorite, and don't forget the f***y pack.
The way they dress. For some reason Americans abroad dress like they're doing some hard core exploring in the Amazon...even when they're just visiting a European city.
"Hey oh you're [Irish/Scottish/Italian/etc]! I'm [same] too!"
"Oh really? Whereabouts you from?"
"California. My great great great grandpappy was from here though!"
If you are so proud of your country, why do you still mention the origins of your ancestors?Sounds like a European saying he's a Celtic, a Roman or a Viking... (even if it was cool, tho)
Amazed by things which are more than 200 years old, presumably because they don't have many things that old in the USA.
Same in Australia. We once went to a “historic” attraction that people were really fawning over. It was from the 1950s, my mum is older than it 😆
Saying “hi, how are you?” to the barista, servers, retail workers. My country doesn’t quite have that culture so I find it really sweet.
when they cross the street, they expect cars to stop for them. in my country, the cars will run you down without thinking twice.
In the Netherlands pedestrians are legally protected into the extreme. If a driver collides with a pedestrians, the driver is always 100% at fault and liable. But even here pedestrians wait till it's safe to cross the street.
When they introduce themselves they never say they're from America: mostly the state/city they're from.
I remember I was a small kid in Tijuana. They were typically a lot more good looking than the local population. The girls were hot as hell. The Marines that would come around from San Diego looked like superheroes and made these other guys look like sh*t.
We'd get European tourists as well but the American ones looked bigger and kind of stronger. Especially the military guys, like something out of these Marvel comics, at least the ones in their twenties.
All buff, tall, etc.
The military tourists were always very friendly to me and made me want to be like them when I grew up, which is why I'm going to enlist in the USMC a few years after college, haha.
Very friendly, generous people, very funny too.
They complain that the portions at restaurants are too small.
You can hear them in museums when everyone else is extra silent.
In my experience, any combination of the following:
white socks
wearing a sun visor
Talking incredibly loud
Their phone will be on a belt loop
American teenagers are usually better at blending in however, so the trick with these guys is to wait until you're in a restaurant, at which point they'll make their presence known by complaining about the local food.
In terms of positives however, I find most American tourists are incredibly friendly and sociable, they usually have no problem talking to strangers and striking up a pleasant conversation, something we Europeans never do with each other (this is also another "tell", but it's one we should adopt).
The absolute fearlessness of asking anyone on the street about anything
Expecting everyone to speak English and/or not wanting to learn the local language.
They always look cheerful and are constantly smiling and seeming happy. Tourists from other places look more neutral or even unhappy.
How can you travel to another place and not be happy??? I'm with the Americans on this one!
They get over-excited over very ordinary events and say things like “OMG look that grass how green it is!
I find this very endearing to be honest. It's how children react and how we should all react in my opinion :)
I always felt embarrassingly underdressed when traveling in Europe.
On the flip side, as a native Arizonan I can always spot the European/English tourist because they will be bright red.
Many of the things we say loudly, includes many irrelevant details. In Israel, no one gives a f*ck about irrelevant details. “Yes” or “no” answers are of high value in middle eastern culture; but in American culture we like to tell you all about why something is or that our daughter got married last year or our cat has diabetes.
I didn’t know yes/no answers had high value in Middle Eastern culture. Interesting!
They’re looking for a store open at like 11pm. Even if in most European countries stores close at like 7-8 pm
American: "Can you imagine not being able to buy a microwave at 3 AM?" European: "Yes."
Americans think the world impressed by their city. No one cares that you’re from Las Vegas
And why do so many tourists visit Las Vegas or New York or California?
Tipping. Americans will try to tip everyone, even in countries where tipping isn't a thing/is considered a serious insult.
They're always asking for extra ice in their drinks.
I prefer my drinks at room temperature unless they're supposed to be hot.
They ask for ketchup no matter what they're eating.
They have impeccable facial hair. Maybe Americans get a trim before they go on holiday, but I'm always impressed by the tidy beards and mustaches.
dollars. God damn it, people - hit a money exchange before you hit the market. Especially in a country where hard currency was still illegal.
They’re the first to kick off when it’s a hot day and the Grade II listed hotel I work in doesn’t have air-conditioning.
Then they leave a bad review :( believe me, I would LOVE air con but we’re not allowed to change the building.
Why would you leave a 900 year old historical building intact, when you clearly can ruin the façade with air conditioners?
Their college t shirt, sweater or cap
We are morons about diet. Another American moved to where I lived. He preached about high protein diets, b*tched about how he couldn’t find fat free milk or pasteurized egg whites, in a country that specializes in high-fat cuisine.
fanny pack.
Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Back at it again BP. always ripping on Americans. Please find another group of people to disparage.
It's also total hypocrisy advocating for equality and against discrimination in some posts and then being guilty of it in others. Posts like this suggest that it's okay to discriminate or stereotype certain groups but not others.
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This makes me very nervous to travel to other countries. I would be afraid of insulting someone with my smile or my hello. As an American, I am very polite and happy. I love to ask questions. How am I supposed to learn of the country I wish to visit if I can't comfortably speak to a citizen there? If I wasn't interested in your country, I wouldn't visit it. Just my opinion.... I know every country is different and i respect that.
You are welcome to come over here. This is a stupid thread, that's why I posted nice things. This USA bashing is just stupid. Not all of us are like that.
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Thank goodness, haven’t seen one of these re-hashed articles in nigh on a fortnight. Can I get paid for one of these? Pretty sure I could do it from memory at this point ;)
Most repetitive BP Posts: #1 - Tell us how horrible America is. #2 - Tell us how horrible your workplace is. #3 - Tell us how horrible your family and friends are during (insert holiday or event). #4- Rehashed Reddit topics.
This would honestly only really make sense if each poster said where THEY are from. Something that screams "TOURIST" in one country might be perfectly normal in another.
So... The one thing I've taken away from this, and the many, MANY American-bashing articles on BP is that Eurpopeans hate us. You commenters have made me never want to visit, and that's just sad. I feel unwelcome. And frankly? I don't fall into many of the categories complained about above. But my god, if you hate Americans so much, I hope you NEVER come visit our country. And we will avoid yours? Better? Everyone separate. No mixing. WOO HOO! WHAT A FUN WORLD! Everyone exactly the same. FFS Bored Panda. Stop bashing us.
Don't base your idea of what other people think of your country or people off of the internet. This is just a very picky selection of a lot more comments in a Reddit post.
Load More Replies... Nope. How about we talk about something really non-stereotyping, like how all the French eat is cream and snails? ;-P
Load More Replies... I work in tourism in Boston (USA). I could easily write a counterpoint with all the European stereotypes. Germans, ugh.
Beat me to that one. In my area, you can tell the German tourists b/c nothing is ever good enough. Ever. Even our forests, apparently.
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This is sort of a senseless article. Yes, Americans ARE different. We do things other populations don't do. We also don't do things people in other countries do. It's a wide world. There will be differences. Ok, some Americans are fat over 40. Others talk loud. But not everyone is fat over 40 and not everyone talks loud. French people don't bathe. The English have bad teeth. Russians never smile. We can do this both ways.
As an American who wants to travel in Europe someday… I just want you guys to like me. Go easy please
Most of us are nice, just like you guys in the USA.
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I call BS. I don't think these people have ever meant an American. They just see crappy behavior from their own neighbors and then call them Americans.
So basically don't care about or show interest in history, don't smile or be polite, or enjoy anything ever. Got it.
As an American traveler, none of these stereotypes apply to me with the exception of being amazed over 500+ year old architecture, and asking people who are serving me how they are (which are stupid things to get irritated over). No. I don't wear white socks up my calves (terrible look). No, I don't wear t-shirts with American flags on them. Or sun visors. Or f***y packs. No, I don't expect locals in countries where English is not an official language to speak English to me. No, I don't have loud and obnoxious conversations that everyone can hear, nor do I complain about food or portion sizes. And I would never laugh at local culture that I find different from my own. Part of being a successful traveler involves taking in every cultural difference as your own.
Apart from being somewhat over my ideal weight, I don't match any of these. Looks like I'd go undetected.
My husband and I have been saving for, and planning a trip to visit Austria, Belgium and Germany. I can't guarantee I won't be very excited and happy while I'm there, but I WILL be quiet and not ask for ice! 🙂
I can say all these things about anyone one from any country because there's always that one idiot that makes the whole country look bad. I.e. Trump. I personally have never done ANY of these things. The only time I ever slightly did one of these things was when I was in Japan and couldn't find a store I was looking for. I found a police box and asked for directions (in passable Japanese thank you very much). But that's what police boxes are for! Now did I do something wierd culturally or rude while traveling? Possibly. I'm not from that culture and as hard as I try to know everything about the country I'm visiting, i'm not some walking encyclopedia of cultural knowledge. But I do TRY not to be a giant prat
Always hating on us. Guess they don't want people visiting and spending money there. Honestly, this makes me afraid to travel.
Actually, it IS just you. Unless you are close enough to hear speech patterns and dialects you are probably including a lot of Brits and German. In any event, in any more or less homogeneous environment any local can almost always detect any foreigner because the foreigner will look, sound and walk differently, exhibit interest in things you take for granted and be ignorant of local practices (e.g., in Manhattan, you'll have to jaywalk if you want to get anywhere on time). So, Liucija and Mindaugas, you can stop patting yourselves on the back now, and maybe Bored Panda editors will think twice henceforth think twice before posting threads that are mostly puerile nonsense.
So many stereotypes and generalizations...all Americans are not the same, as I'm sure all Italians, Chinese, Icelanders are not as well.
True story - myself and a friend were in London for a couple of days last month to see a couple of shows. We're doing the whole touristy thing on a Thursday morning, I'm trying to frame a nice shot of Buckingham Palace, when this American tourist spots the NASA flying jacket I'm wearing and loudly asks what part of the States we're from. He was quite perplexed when we told him we were from Scotland.
Lost my temper a bit with this one. Sorry folks. The depths and amounts of stereotypes of Americans as fat, rude, loud, uncouth and unwanted really pisses me off. I think my next trip will not include Europe. There's a whole world out there.
When you are at war, starving, you can easily spot American boys coming to save your asses. Something for which we will be punished in the future as well.
I'm American and no one can tell. I've been all over the world. Stereotypes exist for a reason, but people miss other Americans that don't meet the expected look and demeanor.
Im icelandic. Our american tourists are always dressed like theyre ready to climb mt. everest. Even while just hanging out in the city. Also, backpacks.
Please try to remember that America is huge, and we have all different types of weather. If someone from the Southern states comes to visit, you betcha they are going to be dressed like they are climbing Mt. Everest. If someone has never been there, they aren't quite sure about how to dress. You're Icelandic, so you know. People coming to visit don't. Please be patient.
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I found this really interesting and insightful! There are a lot of things you wouldn't think about or think to Google before going.
Yes, Americans are different. But, if we are so terrible, why do people want to come live here? Let them live in their wonderful, cheap, clean, friendly countries.
Back at it again BP. always ripping on Americans. Please find another group of people to disparage.
It's also total hypocrisy advocating for equality and against discrimination in some posts and then being guilty of it in others. Posts like this suggest that it's okay to discriminate or stereotype certain groups but not others.
Load More Replies... This makes me very nervous to travel to other countries. I would be afraid of insulting someone with my smile or my hello. As an American, I am very polite and happy. I love to ask questions. How am I supposed to learn of the country I wish to visit if I can't comfortably speak to a citizen there? If I wasn't interested in your country, I wouldn't visit it. Just my opinion.... I know every country is different and i respect that.
You are welcome to come over here. This is a stupid thread, that's why I posted nice things. This USA bashing is just stupid. Not all of us are like that.
Load More Replies... Thank goodness, haven’t seen one of these re-hashed articles in nigh on a fortnight. Can I get paid for one of these? Pretty sure I could do it from memory at this point ;)
Most repetitive BP Posts: #1 - Tell us how horrible America is. #2 - Tell us how horrible your workplace is. #3 - Tell us how horrible your family and friends are during (insert holiday or event). #4- Rehashed Reddit topics.
This would honestly only really make sense if each poster said where THEY are from. Something that screams "TOURIST" in one country might be perfectly normal in another.
So... The one thing I've taken away from this, and the many, MANY American-bashing articles on BP is that Eurpopeans hate us. You commenters have made me never want to visit, and that's just sad. I feel unwelcome. And frankly? I don't fall into many of the categories complained about above. But my god, if you hate Americans so much, I hope you NEVER come visit our country. And we will avoid yours? Better? Everyone separate. No mixing. WOO HOO! WHAT A FUN WORLD! Everyone exactly the same. FFS Bored Panda. Stop bashing us.
Don't base your idea of what other people think of your country or people off of the internet. This is just a very picky selection of a lot more comments in a Reddit post.
Load More Replies... Nope. How about we talk about something really non-stereotyping, like how all the French eat is cream and snails? ;-P
Load More Replies... I work in tourism in Boston (USA). I could easily write a counterpoint with all the European stereotypes. Germans, ugh.
Beat me to that one. In my area, you can tell the German tourists b/c nothing is ever good enough. Ever. Even our forests, apparently.
Load More Replies... This is sort of a senseless article. Yes, Americans ARE different. We do things other populations don't do. We also don't do things people in other countries do. It's a wide world. There will be differences. Ok, some Americans are fat over 40. Others talk loud. But not everyone is fat over 40 and not everyone talks loud. French people don't bathe. The English have bad teeth. Russians never smile. We can do this both ways.
As an American who wants to travel in Europe someday… I just want you guys to like me. Go easy please
Most of us are nice, just like you guys in the USA.
Load More Replies... I call BS. I don't think these people have ever meant an American. They just see crappy behavior from their own neighbors and then call them Americans.
So basically don't care about or show interest in history, don't smile or be polite, or enjoy anything ever. Got it.
As an American traveler, none of these stereotypes apply to me with the exception of being amazed over 500+ year old architecture, and asking people who are serving me how they are (which are stupid things to get irritated over). No. I don't wear white socks up my calves (terrible look). No, I don't wear t-shirts with American flags on them. Or sun visors. Or f***y packs. No, I don't expect locals in countries where English is not an official language to speak English to me. No, I don't have loud and obnoxious conversations that everyone can hear, nor do I complain about food or portion sizes. And I would never laugh at local culture that I find different from my own. Part of being a successful traveler involves taking in every cultural difference as your own.
Apart from being somewhat over my ideal weight, I don't match any of these. Looks like I'd go undetected.
My husband and I have been saving for, and planning a trip to visit Austria, Belgium and Germany. I can't guarantee I won't be very excited and happy while I'm there, but I WILL be quiet and not ask for ice! 🙂
I can say all these things about anyone one from any country because there's always that one idiot that makes the whole country look bad. I.e. Trump. I personally have never done ANY of these things. The only time I ever slightly did one of these things was when I was in Japan and couldn't find a store I was looking for. I found a police box and asked for directions (in passable Japanese thank you very much). But that's what police boxes are for! Now did I do something wierd culturally or rude while traveling? Possibly. I'm not from that culture and as hard as I try to know everything about the country I'm visiting, i'm not some walking encyclopedia of cultural knowledge. But I do TRY not to be a giant prat
Always hating on us. Guess they don't want people visiting and spending money there. Honestly, this makes me afraid to travel.
Actually, it IS just you. Unless you are close enough to hear speech patterns and dialects you are probably including a lot of Brits and German. In any event, in any more or less homogeneous environment any local can almost always detect any foreigner because the foreigner will look, sound and walk differently, exhibit interest in things you take for granted and be ignorant of local practices (e.g., in Manhattan, you'll have to jaywalk if you want to get anywhere on time). So, Liucija and Mindaugas, you can stop patting yourselves on the back now, and maybe Bored Panda editors will think twice henceforth think twice before posting threads that are mostly puerile nonsense.
So many stereotypes and generalizations...all Americans are not the same, as I'm sure all Italians, Chinese, Icelanders are not as well.
True story - myself and a friend were in London for a couple of days last month to see a couple of shows. We're doing the whole touristy thing on a Thursday morning, I'm trying to frame a nice shot of Buckingham Palace, when this American tourist spots the NASA flying jacket I'm wearing and loudly asks what part of the States we're from. He was quite perplexed when we told him we were from Scotland.
Lost my temper a bit with this one. Sorry folks. The depths and amounts of stereotypes of Americans as fat, rude, loud, uncouth and unwanted really pisses me off. I think my next trip will not include Europe. There's a whole world out there.
When you are at war, starving, you can easily spot American boys coming to save your asses. Something for which we will be punished in the future as well.
I'm American and no one can tell. I've been all over the world. Stereotypes exist for a reason, but people miss other Americans that don't meet the expected look and demeanor.
Im icelandic. Our american tourists are always dressed like theyre ready to climb mt. everest. Even while just hanging out in the city. Also, backpacks.
Please try to remember that America is huge, and we have all different types of weather. If someone from the Southern states comes to visit, you betcha they are going to be dressed like they are climbing Mt. Everest. If someone has never been there, they aren't quite sure about how to dress. You're Icelandic, so you know. People coming to visit don't. Please be patient.
Load More Replies... I found this really interesting and insightful! There are a lot of things you wouldn't think about or think to Google before going.
Yes, Americans are different. But, if we are so terrible, why do people want to come live here? Let them live in their wonderful, cheap, clean, friendly countries.
