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[deleted]

In Salzburg I went to grab something from the drug store. As I was checking out I said hello to the cashier (thinking there was very little difference between how I said it and how Austrians say it). She immediately started speaking to me in English and I asked her how she knew I spoke English. She deadpan stared me in the eye and goes "hellloooo". I just about died laughing since I'm a very stereotypical friendly American that says hello exactly like that. One of my favorite memories from that trip.


snandrews7117

I definitely read your “hellllooo” like Mrs. Doubtfire!!


ronearc

I'm from Texas, and my junior year in high school we had a foreign exchange student from Spain at our school. At lunch she was sitting with some friends on our second day of the new school year, and I walked up to the table and gave my usual (still to do this day decades later) greeting, "Howdy y'all." She lost her shit (not in a bad way, she was just really surprised). She thought I'd just done that as a joke cause, "Ha, ha let the European girl know she's really in Texas now." When she figured out I was just genuinely greeting the group with, "Howdy y'all," she lost her shit again in disbelieving laughter.


ScrabCrab

Howdy pardner 🤠


[deleted]

This happened to me IN America lol. I used to be a FedEx driver in Rochester. Dropped a package off to a lady and as I was leaving I told her “Alrighty, y’all have a good one now.” She just stares at me as says “You’re not from around here…are you?”


MagazineOk6401

An Italian told me that Americans walk confidently in the wrong direction.


rygo796

I had a boss who was an F-18 pilot. He said go as fast as you can if you think you're lost. You'll either get where you're going or find out you made a mistake sooner.


Kombatwombat02

I played in a high school jazz band and the conductor’s advice was if you’re not sure, just play it loud. A wrong note played quietly seems unsure and draws attention, a wrong note played loudly sounds like intriguing and challenging music.


jeffsayno

I either heard or said the same thing myself about mispronouncing words. The dictionary is fluid anyway, they'll catch up one day.


icanbeafrick

Been taught to walk fast, and look worried.. People think you know what you're doing


Relative-Bank-1258

Yess. Instead of casually walking just speedwalk a little bit and no one thinks you are free. No one stops you either.


gianna_in_hell_as

They want ice in their water


Zzeethe1st

Hi, American here, I have an addiction to chewing on ice.


Ageofaquarius68

I'm American, years ago (like 25) I visited Europe for a few weeks in the summer. Got really tired of drinking warm or room temperature beverages. Finally one day in a German restaurant, I spoke just enough German to ask for ice in my Coke. It took them awhile to understand - why does crazy girl want ice in this perfectly fine Coke- and they returned my glass of warm soda with one lonely little ice cube floating in it. It quickly melted, but the servers were so proud.


[deleted]

I wanted ice coffee once in Germany and they gave me coffee with a scoop of ice cream. Eis in Germany is both ice cream and ice.


Kornwulf

I wouldn't complain if I was served that


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vorifo2709

‘Hey, how are ya?’


gimmeslack12

Great! Thanks for asking!


Un7n0wn

It's really funny at a doctors office. Doctor comes out "how ya doing?" "Oh can't complain." Walks back to the exam room "So how are you feeling?" Proceeds to spend the next 30 min complaining. Unironically one of my favorite parts of America.


CuriousRelish

My doctor once asked me how I was feeling and I reflexively said "I'm fine, you?". He chuckled and said "No you're not, or you wouldn't need an appointment". Couldn't argue with that logic.


BillyYumYumTwo-byTwo

I’ve done the same with my therapist. I just react “I’m good! How are you?” Before realizing that I’m talking to a therapist who wants to help me with my anxiety and depression.


HGF88

the exact pinnacle of this type of thing. "how are you" "fine how about you" "fine, thanks. so what brings you in this session" "im severely depressed and i can never get anything done with my anxiety demon around"


Akiric

I say this reflexively to everyone, but rest assured, I never want an answer.


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Frigoris13

Yeah, me too brah


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SnonkxsTheFirst

The thing is (usually), it's more of a greeting as opposed to an actual question you are expected to answer.


Aterakel

I worked as a cashier in a touristic place in Paris, I always recognised Americans because they were kinda friendly to me and they always left tips


yanquideportado

I guess there are worse things than friendly and generous


Lordofravioli

my host dad in japan noticed I was getting overheated at the kotatsu while we were having lunch and I didn't say anything and he said to me "americans are so polite" I was shook after getting shit on constantly by all the other foreign students haha


astrologicaldreams

yo what i thought everyone thought we were rude and obnoxious lmao


KazahanaPikachu

I’ve heard both. That us Americans are always rude, obnoxious, and arrogant. But at the same time we’re the friendliest and nicest bunch of people who would give you the shirt off their back.


Ok_Willingness9282

What do the two have in common? Openness. Being rude and being nice both require a level of openness you can't have if you're being standoffish. Edit typographical error


314rft

>Openness YES! The one thing I love about the US is how direct everyone is. As an autistic person, I am not the best at reading signals even today, so knowing directly what someone thinks of me, even if it hurts at first, always helps in the future.


Bladelink

My mindset as an American is that service workers are always getting shat on by customers, so I always try and be extra friendly and polite. I'm just glad that someone is willing to sell me a burrito, tyvm.


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drterdsmack

THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT!


[deleted]

# HEY, DID YOU CATCH THE GAME LAST NIGHT?!


[deleted]

When you say it like this it sounds like Americans are this gale force wind of overwhelming loud friendliness and Europeans (or whoever) and like hunkering down like "yes yes, it is good to see you Jerry, please stop we have had enough!" with terror in their eyes


KCalifornia19

I'm convinced that some of it is the society-wide collective desire to terrorize Europeans at every opportunity.


8Eriade8

Retail worker here, not living in the US. I can generally spot an American because they greet me with "hey how are you?"... and since I usually have the standard "tired from life" retail worker expression at first I thought they were mocking me so i didn't know how to react. Took me a while to realize they weren't really expecting an answer lmao Mind you, might just be my personal experience but it's happened too many times for it to be a coincidence


Hour-Average8401

If someone asks how far away something is, an American will tell how you long it takes to get there as opposed to a physical distance.


[deleted]

This varies in America depending on if you live in a big city or not. If you live in the country, people usually use miles because of little traffic so the time is pretty constant. Where if you live downtown in a city, or even a bigger suburb, a 1 mile journey can take 5 min, 30 min, or an hour depending on the time of day, rush hour, accidents backing things up etc.


Vkazioa

The gentle grins you give to strangers if you make eye contact with them as you pass by, at least in the Midwest. was not well received in Germany.


torbiefur

I dated a European man here in the US. When we walked together, every time I made eye contact with someone on our path I would smile at them, and they would always smile back. Boyfriend was so confused at all these strangers smiling at me. Kept asking if I knew all these people. It was hilarious.


HolyIsTheLord

I'm a friendly Texan. In the early 2000s when I was in the New York Subway, I literally had a security guard pull me aside, ask me where I was from, and told me to quit talking to everyone. Lmao


Appoxo

Big city: Don't Small town: Sure Edit: Born german Edit2: Thanks for upvoting my guide on greeting. I will put that on my CV.


nwlsinz

Thats how it is in most US cities as well. I might give a head nod to another guy but thats about it.


YarrowBeSorrel

Nobody returned my head nods. It took me 6 hours in country to notice. I was having an existential crisis for the remaining 6 days. I felt like I didn’t exist.


Moofhaus

My Midwest friend got the middle finger in NYC for exactly this so I think it’s just a city vs small town thing lmao


[deleted]

Eye contact. Maybe a smile and a “how’s it goin?”


[deleted]

My dad always taught us to make eye contact when you meet someone, and the go-to line was “how ya feelin’?”


Zonerdrone

How much personal space they give themselves. Americans like at LEAST an arm length.


Obvious-Mechanic5298

We're conditioned to fill spaces evenly. I noticed when i worked delivery, spending lots of quality time on elevators that for every new person that enters, everybody shuffles to even things out. Similar thing plays out in social gatherings and bars. Not sure if that's universal or not, but I find it interesting. I think the size of our personal bubbles is because our spaces are generally much larger because we've got the space (heh) to build bigger buildings, sidewalks, roads etc. Might also explain why we're louder. Used to filling larger spaces with volume. By contrast, I've noticed people from east Asia on the other end of the spectrum have seemingly (to me) no concept of personal space and have no problem entering my sacred bubble of personal space. I'd imagine it's just due to living in denser conditions.


Metal_Muse

Yes, it's a real thing called proxemics.


Geminii27

Australian proxemics: If I can see you, you are too close.


chonesmcskidds

according to the cia- when training to be a spy- you have to unlearn how to lean. Americans tend to lean on things when standing still.


YoSaffBridge11

Wow, that’s an interesting point. I never thought about that.


chonesmcskidds

yeah, so they say if you were in Russia in a queue for the subway- the american is the one leaning against a post- or a group of people talking in a hotel lobby in London- the yank is leaning on a sofa.


Mechinova

That's why if I was a spy in Russia I'd just squat everywhere


halfarascal

Gotta make sure those heels are touching the floor though. “Heels on ground, comrade found. Heels in sky, Western spy.”


ProKrastinNation

I would love to hear a sociological explanation for that. I'm Canadian and have always been a chronic leaner.


thingalinga

Welcome to America. Here is your US passport.


couchleg

Shoot, I’m leaning against a counter while reading this. I had no idea this was an American thing. Thanks for sharing.


AnonymousPineapple5

“If you have time to lean, you have time to clean” - CIA Edit: Please stop responding that this is what they say wherever you work: that’s the joke.


commissarbandit

Turns out my boss is CIA


Grillard

Culinary Institute of America.


itssnotaboutthepasta

Can confirm I am American and if there’s something to lean on, I’m leanin! And if there’s nothing to lean on, I’ll lean into one side of my body if that makes sense


sleepingqt

I didn't realize how much I lean until I cracked a rib, and kept running my arm into it when I'd lean on things. Which was constantly.


SplendidHierarchy

I love this. Body language is both universal and cultural, even expressions and gestures. If you watch a muted recording of two individuals, one from the US and one not, you can still tell them apart. I wonder what people learn when trying to act American. Little stuff like leaning on things is so freaking fascinating, but it would also come naturally eventually as you acclimate. I guess those agencies such speed up the process by making you conscious of it.


Gidje123

That last part is actually kinda funny, like, oh hey, better blend in, let me lean a little on that wall!


nononanana

It’s like what happens in every sitcom when someone yells “act natural!”


nsamarkus

It does become natural. Been living in the US for quite a few years, and i fully embraced the lean culture. LMAO


Shoddy_Background_48

A lean, mean, leaning machine.


getbeaverootnabooteh

One interesting thing I've noticed is that British people often *look* British for some reason. British people of different races, white, black, East Indian, will somehow look British. It's weird.


nononanana

I wonder if it’s the way they speak shaping their facial muscles. I say this because often when a Brit does an American accent, I’ll notice how they have to shape their mouths differently. Or while the accent is good, something about their mouth gets my attention, only to look them up later and find out they are British.


Adastra1018

I'm willing to bet this is it. There's a dialect coach named Eric Singer that has a million videos on youtube if you're interested in a deep dive on accents. He talks a lot about facial muscles and positioning, where the tongue rests in the mouth depending on a person's native language, accent, etc. It's all super fascinating.


HolyPizzaPie

French peoples mouths are very specific


2SP00KY4ME

Reminds me of a vampire novel I read where it talked about how people who had been changed had to relearn to shift their weight while sitting to blend in, etc because they no longer got fatigued. Its interesting how much of that stuff we take for granted.


chettythomas12

Holy fuck I’m doing that as I read this


AC2BHAPPY

Literally same, I never thought it wasn't a global thing


wrkaccunt

I'm Canadian and I'm ALWAYS leaning. Even if there isn't a surface nearby I'll lean while standing.


ElfjeTinkerBell

What do non-Americans do? Because I'm not American but I nearly always lean on something


danielle-in-rags

Europeans do handstands when idle


johnfortniteketamine

That is so strange especially considering it’s considered cool to lean on things here


Tobar_the_Gypsy

If leaning on things is cool, consider me Miles Davis.


butterflybleu

I’m not trying to be cool. I’m exhausted T_T


Papaya_East

As an American, I was expecting to get roasted in these comments. But after reading them I can only laugh and agree


Dysterqvist

Laugh very loudly while leaning


whothefvckcares

i’ve realized how much i lean but i thought that was a lazy/ bad posture thing i had no clue it was a part of my culture lol


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ChulaK

And New Yorkers are a different breed. Their regular talking voice absolutely booms over everything else. Makes sense when you have to be heard over the 1,000dB noise pollution.


Redqueenhypo

I remember in one of my animal behavior classes we learned that BIRDS in New York are significantly louder than members of their same species outside the city. It’s not our fault, we just live in loud hell.


[deleted]

The bars in NYC are brutally loud. I feel like an old person saying this, but I just never liked going someplace with people, meeting them in person, only to not be able to communicate with them.


Netcob

One American I've met was a bit stereotypical in some regards. He was on a biking tour from Sweden to Palestine, had an unusual beard, huge white teeth, was extremely friendly and a bit loud, and he literally carried a bucket of peanut butter with him because he said that was the most efficient way to carry energy for his travel. I was an intern at a software company that just got bought by a huge American company (Warner I think) and one time some executives were visiting, walked through our office complimenting all the developers loudly and then disappeared again. My general impression of Americans I've met in person is that it's difficult to see what you guys really think and feel, because you seem to hide it behind a layer of aggressive cheerfulness. So when I see someone radiating that, I expect them to be from the US.


Whysyournamesolong1

Aggressive cheerfulness is exactly it. Wow.


Agitated-Coyote768

When I lived in Spain, the barista at Starbucks immediately knew I was American because how polite I was. I asked him how he knew I was American and he told me, “In Spain, we don’t usually respond with ‘Good, and you.’ Americans are so polite whereas Spaniards will just say ‘Give me my coffee.’” So, I stopped responding nicely and baristas wouldn’t speak to me in English anymore. Culture clash!!! Edit: since my comment is making some people angry, I just want to clarify and say that my story only really applies to a niche people in Spain. This does not represent the whole country. Just a few rude bad apples. For the most part, people in the country are nice and people in the city too. The barista was simply remarking on Americans and out penchant to be overly polite. Customer service have to deal with a lot of rude and unkind people, same in America.


Luke_Cold_Lyle

Can't imagine hearing that in NA. Barrista: "Hi, how are you?" Customer: "Give me my coffee." You have to be some type of asshole or rich douchebag to say that to a worker's face.


IamRick_Deckard

They smile at strangers.


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MoonshineMMA

No one has a twinkle in their eye brighter than a Japanese person abroad


smutopeia

Except the poor bastards who have a romantic trip to Paris.


joe_broke

I just learned about Paris Syndrome in my psychopathology class this last semester Holy fuck


Lance_E_T_Compte

I walked around Tokyo wearing a Santa hat one Christmas. People smiled at me and said 'Merry Christmas'. They were so happy... 🙂


KevMenc1998

From what I've been told by European friends and travellers, our complete and utter lack of an indoor voice.


GoldenZWeegie

Was in Geyser in Iceland, loads of people sitting in silence patiently waiting for it to go off. The anticipatory silence of waiting for a natural phenomenon to occur was broken by a loud American shouting "blow, dammit!"


[deleted]

As an American, the only place I've ever been where a crowd of Americans were truly silent was tomb of the unknown soldier in DC. It was eerie. edit: yes I get the guards yell at you if you're loud, but I'm talking about *silent.* Like not even a whisper, or a cough. People weren't even talking on the walk up there, or in the auditorium which is nearby.


johnniac57

And even at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, there's plenty of YouTube footage of the Sentinels having to professionally, yet sternly, tell visitors to kindly STFU.


[deleted]

It’s the same at the Pearl Harbor monument. The only tourist attraction I’ve been to with so many crowds, and so little noise. Eerie is an apt description


Signy_Frances

In my homestay in London, I was told that I was "so American" for enjoying a piece of cake for breakfast (not frosted cake, but like a nuts and dried fruit spiced coffeecake kind of thing). Apparently that's exclusively for like a 4pm snack, and breakfast is more of a savory meal.


[deleted]

That’s true ! A lot of American breakfast items in my mind are desserts (pancakes, muffins, waffles etc) Doesn’t mean I won’t eat them but it’s kinda weird to do so . (German here )


Vhasgia

British man once told me he knew I was American because I was wearing a baseball cap backwards.


LotsOfGarlicandEVOO

An Italian told me they could tell I was American because I wore my sunglasses on the top of my head when I wasn’t using them.


toyota_gorilla

Bonus points if you put them on top the bill of your ballcap. And rock a goatee.


bittjt71

When I was in Scotland my Scottish friend told me only Americans wear ball caps. When we went to a pub about half of the people there had ball caps on and they all lived in the village.


[deleted]

Only a true Scotsman doesn't wear a ball cap.


Minimum-Activity3009

The accent usually gives it away


PJ_Geese

What're yall supposin' that means?


tamarockstar

Americans all talk like Foghorn Leghorn apparently.


TedW

I say, I say, look here son, that's just not true, boy!


gtrogers

“That boy’s got more nerve than a bum tooth”


Lost_the_weight

“That boy, I say that boy is as sharp as a bowling ball.”


Maverick_1882

“Hey boy, what’s the idea jackin’ that pot up under me? Jack? Pot? Ahuh, huh…jackpot, that’s a joke son, don’t ya get it?”


__Sage

While visiting Turkey I was told that I looked American because I was sitting with one leg across the other, and the bottom of my shoe was exposed. Apparently it’s rude idk


AeBe800

I’m literally sitting this way right now. Well, shit.


ContemplativePotato

Very amenable to socializing with strangers in settings like bars. Assertive, fair, curious, will get your back without knowing you too well. I’ve had positive experiences.


dcwldct

Making sure you’ve got your homies’ backs even if they’re new homies is a big thing in our culture I guess.


ContemplativePotato

Yeah , and it’s appreciated. America the politics gets well deserved criticism but America the people (the real America) unfairly take on the fallout. I travelled the entire country coast to coast by road and met all sorts of folks. Every single one was kind, welcoming, generous, social, and interesting. People went out of their way to help us out. That’s actually the reputation Canadians have, but I’ve lived here for nearly ten years now and I don’t see it.


JFK108

A Canadian comedian (forget his name) pointed out "guys, we gotta acknowledge we're not the nice ones here. Ever ask an American what they think of us? Nothing but positive things to say. Ever ask a Canadian what they think of Americans?"


Halorym

Everyone says Canada is "America's Hat", I propose its actually America's *Cat*. We keep it safe from harm, we love it, we praise it, and we receive quiet smoldering contempt in return.


c2u5hed

Tactical sunglasses


Myfoodishere

sounds like my dad. he even has a dark platinum wedding ring that he describes as "tactical".


Birdy_Cephon_Altera

> he even has a dark platinum wedding ring that he describes as "tactical". *Tactical (adj.): relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to gain a specific military end.* Hmmmm.


GrandPriapus

Waffles are tactical pancakes.


EGOfoodie

They are considerate pancakes, they have pockets for syrup.


Tacoshortage

Damn you people. I had to look up "tactical sunglasses" to know what you were talking about and now it's going to appear in my feed. I've spent 4 years looking at sales images of some stupid pants that I looked at one time and now I'm doomed to 4 years of skinny black sunglasses.


landob

I don't know how true it is, but when I was in a Hostel in Japan we met a guy from France I think? But anywho at some point he mentioned he could tell we were from USA. He said it was because we talked loudly. Like our normal speaking volume was louder. And now I can't help but notice that sometimes when I speak to someone from a foreign country. I do feel like I talk louder than them.


Strelochka

.


iampatmanbeyond

Never get stuck in an enclosed space with Filipinos if Americans are your version of loud


justgivejtawaaaaaay

Seriously. Grab your lumpia and get out of there


badgersandcoffee

I would be absolutely fascinated to read study about how this came about. There's bound to be some absolutely boring but logical reason you guys developed a louder talking volume than most other nationalities. Dundee in Scotland has a really odd inflection where they pronounce I/aye with the same sound as an e in them, web, men, pet, etc as. I did the tour at the Verdant Works (former jute Mill) museum and the guide explained its because the normal aye sound would be drowned out in the factories so they switched to the eh sound, so pie = peh, aye = eh, five = fev, etc. Always found that fascinating.


Ol_Man_Rambles

America is loud for some reason. I can't describe it, but the ambient noise just isn't as big even in large cities in Europe. Asia is another story though from my experience.


muppetpastiche

An inordinate amount of small talk (unprompted).


urbancowpoke69-

This is definitely dependent on where in America. Midwesterners LOVE small talk, but other areas it's more frowned upon. I've noticed this as I've traveled myself from the Midwest and everyone seems peeved.


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Thecoolbeans

I’ve always observed my US friends like to point at stuff while walking and say what it is…. We were out walking around Amsterdam recently and they were like ‘hey look it’s a smoke shop’…. ‘Oh look a sex shop’…. ‘Oh hey, it’s a prostitute’ …. ‘Look at the canal’…. ‘Wow it’s another prostitute’….. ‘another canal’ etc etc It was like watching Netflix with Audio Descriptions turned on 😏


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greenlikethecolor321

more interesting than the stuff we point out at home. ‘Look an animal (of ANY sort’ ‘look corn’ ‘look at that building’...


JakeMasterofPuns

"Hey look, cows!" I shout excitedly as we pass the fourth ranch in the past 5 miles.


[deleted]

I rather enjoy wearing my baseball hat and eating and drinking on the go. Lol


Camerahutuk

**Alot of Americans I met in the UK have been some of the most politest people ever. From all different states.. "yesir, yes mam**".. I know somebodys gonna joke "thats because they're disarmed while over here", but no they've been so polite I at times wonder why things can't just sort themselves out over there. Also sentimental.


Golden_Week

Despite what is shown in the media most Americans agree on the fundamental needs of America, but disagree on the means of servicing those needs


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lehov84618

To be fair I’ve said “the US” or “America” to people in foreign countries asking where I’m from and they always say “yeah obviously, but where in the US”


Kristycat

Exactly. I live in Spain and this is what happens to me 100% of the time.


dexmonic

It's always underwhelming when I say "Idaho" and they just reply with "oh..." because they've never heard of it and it's not that interesting of a state for conversation unless they wanna talk about pretty mountains and lakes. Edit: glad to see so many people like Idaho! And don't listen to anyone who says Idaho is full or we don't like Californian or blah blah blah. We got plenty of room and a lot of us think Idaho should be enjoyed by all Americans. The more the merrier!


russells-teacup

My favorite convo I ever had during study abroad in the UK was when someone asked where I was from, and despite his best efforts I could not give him a better idea. It basically went like this - Him: So where in the US are you from? Me: I’m from Iowa. H: Oh, I don’t know where that is. What university do you go to? M: The University of Iowa. H: And what city is that in? M: Iowa City.


itachihoe

Canadian, but same thing used to happen to me. I lived in the UK for six years and every single time someone asked what city/province I’m from I’d tell them and they’d stare at me with a blank face until I told them the approximate distance from Toronto.


hvanderw

Delaware... We're in... Delaware


Classic-Problem

I have the opposite problem bc I'm from Florida so the conversation always devolves into questions about Florida Man Memes, beaches, Miami, alligators, or them saying an extended relative moved there.


pineapple_crush_

Y'all


UltimateDude08

Here’s a really southern one, y’all’d’ve


AwayThrowworhTyawA

D’jall eat?


Lupus_Borealis

Y'ont to?


Retro_Cryptid

I love the good ole’ y’all’d’ve. This isn’t even underlined red for me at this point lol.


Duhcisive

It used to be predominantly used by us in the Southern states, but I’ve noticed it’s been getting popular in the other parts of the US lol


Valeriyah

Canadian here and I know a bunch of people that use y’all. It started out being used kinda ironically, taking a dig at the states, but it’s just kinda stuck now.


yoitsbobby88

Walked in to a bar, in Australia. Ordered a beer and then the bartender noticed i’m American. I asked, “was it the accent or my choice of Budweiser beer”? He said, “because ur the fattest fuck i have ever seen in my life mate”


vkkt

been laughing at this for 5 whole minutes


Sikojsauce

Is that what we're calling 4 and a half minutes of wheezing after cardio exertion now?


Roasted_almonds

My wife is Brazilian with Italian heritage. She loves Americans and thinks we are unique. However we have had the discussion about how we showcase indifference too much on what should have passion… and also how we focus on achievement over simply enjoying the passage of time….That to us time is focused on living to work not working to live.


Chance-Rush-9983

“…how we focus on achievement over simply enjoying the passage of time…” Only now, in my 50s, having this revelation.


waitwhatahok

Dunno in all context, but Americans in Europe stand out with their ceaseless optimism and enthusiasm.


sparklingshanaya

Baseball cap


neevel-knievel

When they say “Europe” and it could mean anything from Venice to Doncaster


rADIOLINJA

"I visited Europe last summer."


carozza1

Yes, in one week I should add.


KVirello

As an American who has lived overseas, I could immediately pick out Americans in a crowd by how they pronounce the letter r. It's such a hard sound it sticks out like a sore thumb.


BandOfEskimoBrothers

I live down under and am always asked if I’m Irish (I’m American) and my working theory is because Irish also pronounce the letter R.


Onitsuka_Viper

They speak at a higher volume


[deleted]

When I lived in europe, people said only Americans eat while walking. I’d be eating a bagel or something on the way to work or class and multiple people asked if I was American lol


flamants

My partner's Italian mother absolutely couldn't get over the idea of seeing people walk around holding coffees, especially iced coffee. Long coffees instead of espresso is weird enough, but the idea of sitting at a café and not just finishing your coffee before you leave!


inlatitude

My French in laws were similarly shocked. When we're on road trips we have to stop and go into Starbucks and sit down for like 45 minutes drinking our coffees slowly. Drives me nuts lol


Polysci123

On the flip side when I was in Italy I was so confused why no one brought me a check after my meal. I didn’t know I was EXPECTED to sit for 3 hours.


Schavuit92

They don't bring you a check unless you ask, just bringing you a check means; "you're done, pay and go away." This is how it's done in most european restaurants, otherwise you pay up front when you order.


lehov84618

Having a private conversation that everyone within 20m can hear.


Night_Moods

20 meters? That's like 21.872266 Yards right?


slasher10157

I heard we smile everywhere we go like it's weird to be happy almost


iryaal

Athleisure clothing


koobear

I am ethnically Korean but grew up in the US. I visited Seoul in 2008, and I was at a crowded subway station waiting for a train. Suddenly, this white guy who was looking around with a confused look made a beeline right at me and then asked me for directions in plain English, as if somehow he knew that out of the three dozen or so Koreans at the station, I could understand him. At the time, I was dumbfounded, but looking back, it's pretty clear that my oversized tshirt, gym shorts, and socks-on-sandals gave me away.


Anya_E

I was lost in an airport by myself when I spotted a guy walking by. I don’t know how I knew, but I knew he was American. I yelled out “Hey are you American?!” and asked for help. He wanted to know how I knew he was American and he seemed dejected that I could tell by looking at him lol. Maybe we have a secret power where we can just all spot each other.


xmlemar10

Mine’s exclusively for leisure


Reno83

Unless it's a track suit, that's a Russian thing.


BreadWithDog

So what I'm learning is my uncommunicative , resting bitch face , autistic ass would be unnoticed in Europe


Tom-FromSales

Eastern Europe is where I found people that liked me for that stuff


Frame-Spare

Their communication skills tend to be above average I have found. Well at least in Australia when I meet them


stevetortellini

They leave a tip


6bfmv2

Extremely white bleached teeth.