How to Spot an American in Europe
 

Read this:

http://www.travelfreak.com/american-...xchange_module

It is so true (from my European point of view).

And I would add the running shoes (yes, still!). And the windbreakers. And ill-cut and ill-fitting ladies slacks (if they do not wear yoga pants). And running around with a water bottle in hand. Always. And grossly obese persons eating icecream and complaining about small portions in Europe.

As an American, that article amused me and I found it to be largely true.

Yes, these are as common as Europeans with a false sense of superiority.

"Europeans where yoga pants while doing yoga, whereas Americans where yoga pants while doing almost anything besides yoga."

It says.

Proving that the kind of person producing inane stereotypes like this can't write English.

It takes a blasted foreigner to write this kind of drivel. Or " Just to in the moment end up claiming Canadian citizenship"

Can't these damn French or Germans or whatever stick to mangling their own silly language?

And here we go.

I would have expected from Flanner to unleash a volley against his beloved Americans, but he is inventive enough to surprise us with a tirade against other "foreigners". Chapeau!

So what happened to "its OK, wear what you want, nobody cares" quote.

Last time I was at the Starbucks on rue Montparnasse it was packed, and not with Americans.

Why are stereotypes OK as long as it's making fun of Americans. At the same time, when I see "fleece jacket" posted on a What To Wear thread, I cringe. LOL

If only we could aspire to be as cool as the average European, all of our problems would go away.

<i>So what happened to "its OK, wear what you want, nobody cares" quote.</i>

Nothing.

protip: Just because "nobody cares" doesn't mean "nobody notices".

What are yoghurt pants?

Jumping into a pointless discussion which will change no minds...

What you wear doesn't matter because the locals will be able to pick you out regardless. Unless you know the customs and can speak the language fluently, you're not going to fool anyone.

Use courteous phrases in the local language and respect the local customs, and you can wear all the sneakers and loud yoga pants you want and the locals will still like you.

3. They try to use credit cards at cash only places AKA most places.

In theory, credit cards might seem easier while traveling to Americans because they’re commonplace for almost anything in the U.S. but a bit of research would’ve clued them in to come prepared with a stash of host currency.>

What a bunch of garbage - has the author of this traveled Europe is say the last three decades - you can use credit cards everywhere - taxis, McDonalds, grocery stores - as much as at home in many countries.

I've always loved the idea of hiding naked breasts because they might frighten the children.

One for those who thought the Mayflower was packed with crazy people, sent away to keep the rest of us sane :-)

PalenQ, you clearly haven't done much hopping in the Netherlands, nor eaten at many small cafés. Credit cards are not widely accepted here. We live in a pretty cashless society, but that doesn't mean credit cards are used for everything.

The author of the piece has clearly never been to Britain, (or parts of some Dutch cities) where sweatpants/tracksuits are pretty normal attire in a great many towns.

As for asking how are you, it is only the same as ca va? in French. They don't expect your long list of woes, just the equivalent of fine thanks.

It is true that some Americans find the service in Europe to be very slow, just as Europeans feel uncomfortable with the rush through your meal service in the US.
Plenty of places which have never seen an American tourist offer doggy bags, as it cuts down on food waste.

In Wernigerode, Germany, the waiter at my restaurant asked if I wanted to take home my leftovers, without my suggesting it. The serving was much too big for me. I didn't take them home, but in another restaurant in Wernigerode, I ordered a cheese plate, and there was waaaay too much cheese on that plate for me or for any other single person to eat.

That time I did take home some of the cheese because I thought it was a shame for it to go to waste. I ate some of it later, but it was still too much.

In Garmisch I once ordered a sort of cheese-bacon dish, which turned out to be so huge that (tourists that we are!) we took a picture of it.

P.S. I'm not even sure what yoga pants are.

Just another article making sweeping generalizations that are often incorrect.

I'd say the best way to spot an American is to find someone who looks and acts a bit different than you. Then go up to that person and welcome them to your country and thank them for choosing where YOU live to spend their hard earned $$ to vacation.

When we're in Europe it should be taken as a compliment to you for living in such a great place.

"When we're in Europe it should be taken as a compliment"

So the US of A sends over its most loud, tacky, garish, uncouth as ambassadors and we are supposed to be grateful.

I've travelled extensively in The States and (other the odd nutty dressing up in white sheets) you couldn't hope to meet of more lovely set on people.

Give them FF miles and a passport and they seem to morph into a cross between a Sacha Baren Cohen character and Joan Rivers. Neither of which is a good thing.

not sure what "yoga" is but that "it has pants" sounds logical

The previous post could have been written by a New Yorker.

Banal. The older I get, the more I understand the truth behind "There is no new thing under the sun."