Americans are already loud and obnoxious. When one American tourist runs into another American tourist, the explosive excitement is a head-jerker. They’ll ask each other where they are from. Even if one has never even visited the home state of the other, they will get very animated because a relative they know lives there. It’s like the trauma of being in a foreign culture, even for a week or a few days, is so oppressive, anybody who speaks American English becomes like a long-lost friend.
When Americans meet other Americans abroad, it may seem to a local that they have met their long-lost relatives. But no. These are complete strangers! They’ll get loud. They’ll talk about what states they are from. And they’ll let everyone else around them know they are from the States.
You’re Kinda Loud
Americans are a confident and jolly lot. They like to be heard. They speak loudly and burst into explosive belly laughs. It’s a red flag trait of an American. It’s also one of the biggest pet peeves of Europeans. No one people think of that classic line from "Midnight Cowboy" whenever an American comes along. "Hey, I'm walking here!"
They say it’s impossible to dine next to a table of American tourists. And, as a stereotype, it happens to be accurate. You have to admit, even as Americans, it’s obnoxious. So maybe stick to the more obscure parts of town, where the Americans are less likely to visit.
You Don’t Know the Customs
Perhaps we’re used to living in our own little world with almost an entire continent to ourselves. We don’t think about outside customs. Whatever the reason, when Americans are abroad, they have the tendency to flout other people’s customs, accidentally or intentionally. In South Korea, it’s pretty easy to offend the locals.
Keeping your hand in your pocket is considered a rude gesture. In the Czech Republic, whistling is a problem. Clapping and cheering is fine, but whistling is their way of booing. In Asia, finishing all the food on your plate is rude, and so is chatting on the subway.
You Order Coffee to Go
One sure way to offend a European barista is to take your cup of joe with you instead of enjoying it at their quaint café. It’s a sure way to get labeled “ugly American.” Espresso coffee is such an important ritual in France and Italy that they may not allow you to take it to go. The last thing you want to do is ask for drip coffee.
Americans are always on the go and in a rush. In many places, especially Europe, they take their coffee culture seriously. And it's something that you should sit, sip, and take your time with. If you're looking to grab your drink and dash, you're more than likely giving yourself away as an American visitor!
You Pack Plenty of Purell
Typically, Americans are perceived as germophobes. They are compulsively slathering themselves and their kids with antibacterial hand cleansers at every turn. Though, these days, it’s probably truer than the Purell trend is catching on. Americans aren't cleaner. That's not what we are saying. But they do seem more preoccupied with germs than people in other regions of the world.
When it comes time to eat with your hands out in public, Americans whip out their travel-sized Purell bottles quicker than duel participants. Now, since the pandemic hit, we feel like that levels out the playing feel when it comes to antibacterial gel usage around the world.