Want to know how to spot an American abroad? Ask a European.
“(…)I’ve picked up on quite a few telltale sign.”

From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows.
Comfort-First Fashion
“You’ll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example.” ―Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography
“That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie and maybe ― just maybe ― sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.” ― Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist
Big Spending Habits
“At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.” ― Iskra
“Americans love to spend ― and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel they’re getting great value in return. I would say that mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes don’t realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100 € (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.” ― Batista

On The Hunt For Iced Coffee
“The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There’s a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.” ― Monteleone

“I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water, or iced coffee).” ― Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer
From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, there are many different kinds of signals that can indicate someone is from the U.S. Maskot via Getty Images
Loud Confidence
“One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. It’s not necessarily that they’re loud, but they command attention wherever they are, which also leans into how confidence is built in America. I have often found that Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident which means they tend to take up space wherever they are.” ― Ronke Lawal, PR and communications consultant in London“Americans tend to find everything ‘amazing,’ and they’re not shy about saying so ― out loud and often. They speak with a volume that’s just slightly above local norms, even when whispering. And in a world where many cultures lean toward discretion, that kind of openness stands out.” ― PonsStanley Cups
“Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway ― they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!” ― Iskra“Carrying a Stanley or huge water bottle.” ― CrivellaroLarge Engagement Rings
“The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American. In some countries, engagement rings aren’t as flashy or aren’t even a thing sometimes.” ― IskraJumping Straight Into English
“It’s not the accent ― it’s the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple ‘ciao’ or ‘bonjour’ tends to unlock a different kind of experience. It’s a small gesture, but it changes everything.” ― MonteleoneSeeking Air Conditioning
“In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors: The squares fill up, and the outdoor tables are always the most desired. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority.” ― Diana De Lorenzi, Rome-based lifestyle blogger“Americans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that aren’t so easy to come by in Italy!” ― Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy EditWarmth And Friendliness
“I’ve traveled extensively in the U.S., and if there’s one thing I’ve consistently noticed, it’s their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. It can be quite disconcerting for us Europeans, but it’s a deeply rooted part of their culture. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But I’ve always defended it, I actually find it refreshing to have even a short exchange with someone who is smiling, warm and quick to compliment your outfit or haircut. Personally, I love good energy, and I take the good where I find it.” ―Kenza Sadoun-El Glaoui, Parisian digital creator“In Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we don’t have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions and it’s lovely to see. There’s a sort of genuine, open, curiosity about an American abroad that I, personally, find very endearing.” ―Tara Povey, blogger at Where Is Tara?Genuine Enthusiasm
“Americans are often very expressive ― big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy. And when they feel they’ve been well taken care of, they’re incredibly grateful. I’ve had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry they’d never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA — and it’s truly heartwarming.” ― Batista“My partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always ― without fail ― say the same phrase: ‘Oh my God!’ For us, it’s a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But it’s funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.” ― De LorenziGenerous Tipping
“One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers ― even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. On the other hand, with average salaries nearly double those in Italy, tipping makes sense and is a great way to show appreciation for good service, especially in places where it’s not expected.” ― Hengel“America has a very generous tipping culture unlike any other country I’ve ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from. In Ireland and most of Europe we only leave tips if the service or the food has been particularly good and servers definitely do not expect or rely upon tips.” ― PoveyPaying By Credit Card
“Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day.” ― De LorenziWide Smiles And Perfect Teeth
“Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles. Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways.” ― IskraFull Of Compliments
“I’ve always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because she’ll go out of her way to give me a compliment, and it’s usually thoughtful and specific. It happens multiple times a day whenever I’m traveling in the States, and I’ve never experienced that kind of spontaneous kindness anywhere else in the world.” ―Kelsey Heinrichs, blogger at Kelsey in LondonWanting To Customize Everything
“There’s a kind of customization instinct ― asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency, the belief that services can and should adapt to you, not the other way around.” ― Pons
I found this so interesting thought I thought that I would post it here. These are not my thoughts, but they’re pretty close.
All photos from Google searches.
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