It’s nice to feel incognito when traveling, but sometimes, you can’t hide who you are. If you are an American, there may be a few things you didn’t even realize you’re doing that make it easy for someone to spot you as a foreigner in a crowd. And hey, there’s no shame in being a tourist. But if you’re wondering how people worldwide can spot an American person miles away, we’ve compiled a list of the unique things that give it away.
Eating Sweet Food for Breakfast
There is perhaps no other country in the world that loves a sweet breakfast quite as much as America. From donuts to pancakes to waffles, if you are in the US, the number of sweet options for breakfast is seemingly endless. In many other countries, though, things are quite different. Salads and savory dishes are often served for breakfast, something that would come as quite a shock to the American traveler.
If you see someone abroad actively searching for a sweet breakfast, chances are high that they are an American tourist looking for something that reminds them of breakfast at home.
Socks With Sandals Is a Total Giveaway That Someone’s American
One of the biggest fashion controversies is whether or not it is acceptable to wear socks with sandals. Most people would claim that the answer is no, and yet there are many people seen wearing this combination on the regular – especially American tourists. Maybe they are confused with the weather or didn’t want to pack multiple pairs of shoes, but this is a pretty telltale sign that an American is approaching.
This is a pretty clever solution to having to pack multiple pairs of shoes. Instead of bringing warm shoes and cool shoes, you can just layer on socks.
Only Americans Wear Shorts in the Cold
Ok, so it’s not only Americans who wear shorts outside even when it is cold, but it is definitely one of the most obvious signs that someone is a tourist. Of course, cold is subjective. In some countries, it may be in the upper 60s, and the locals will think it is cold, while tourists (especially from America) may think it is quite hot. That is when you’ll see the locals bundled up and the Americans in shorts.
It is pretty common to see Americans wearing shorts outside, even if it is snowing or there is snow on the ground. Aren’t their legs cold?
Thinking Everything, Including Stores, Will Be Open Conveniently Late
In the US, stores tend to be open pretty late. It is common to find stores that will be open past 10 pm, and many are also 24/7. However, in many other countries, especially in Europe, stores close at a relatively early hour. You can’t just pop out to the store to run some errands at 9 pm under normal circumstances. You have to plan your day to get it done earlier.
Some stores will close as early as 6 pm in many countries in the world. If you need to grab a few items before the evening, be sure to plan in advance.