How to Spot an American in Europe
May 12th, 2015, 02:46 PM
#43
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This was so bad, wish I could see what she wears, wait she said she wears yoga pants! I am wearing a type of yoga pants for an eight hour flight this week. I will be comfortable. Lycra is a privilege not a right and mine fit me well, wash easy in a sink and are dry in the morning. I pack light. My Jack Wolfskin jacket has a fleece liner. I love fleece. I have an indoor voice and I will talk to you. I sit down and eat and hate to waste food but have yet to ask for a doggie bag.
Nytraveler has it right:
<Many (esp northern europeans) wear hiking short and sandals with brown hairy socks (I think there must be some central factory somewhere that just turns out millions of pair)>(also those cropped bike pants that look very strange when you aren't biking but boarding a plane.)
<Not tipping or seriously undertipping in restaurants, cabs, etc (here many cabs avoid picking up european tourists since they fear being stiffed)>
As a Floridian with many tourist restaurant and bar staff hate you!!! At least we round up or leave a few euro which I have never seen one bartender miffed about.
My Dad had three purple hearts defending you so stfu.
I get really ticked off with this crap.
Nytraveler has it right:
<Many (esp northern europeans) wear hiking short and sandals with brown hairy socks (I think there must be some central factory somewhere that just turns out millions of pair)>(also those cropped bike pants that look very strange when you aren't biking but boarding a plane.)
<Not tipping or seriously undertipping in restaurants, cabs, etc (here many cabs avoid picking up european tourists since they fear being stiffed)>
As a Floridian with many tourist restaurant and bar staff hate you!!! At least we round up or leave a few euro which I have never seen one bartender miffed about.
My Dad had three purple hearts defending you so stfu.
I get really ticked off with this crap.
May 12th, 2015, 05:43 PM
#44
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We're very proud to be Americans and don't hesitate to say we are. We also travel extensively and feel no need to apologize to anyone about what you think an American is. Have never been treated anyway other than with respect in our travels. Some here need to get a life, stop the generalizations and be kind.
May 12th, 2015, 08:47 PM
#48
On stereotypes... my German father wears his sandals and socks with his shorts in the Australian summer. My brother and I, being horrible teens at the time, completely bewildered him when we made jokes about it.
May 12th, 2015, 08:48 PM
#49
I work in Beverly Hills and see hordes of European tourists tramping up and down Rodeo Drive. The Europeans are easy to pick out, and I could make generalizations about them. But I won't because they're all leaving some money here (cash or credit card, we don't care), and that's a good thing for us. I imagine most Europeans dependent on the tourist economy feel the same way.
BTW, this would seem to be the writer's resume, in which she notes having lived in Europe for about 16 months total. She went to the Univ. of Rhode Island, so I'm pretty sure she's American.
https://it.linkedin.com/in/freemansarah
BTW, this would seem to be the writer's resume, in which she notes having lived in Europe for about 16 months total. She went to the Univ. of Rhode Island, so I'm pretty sure she's American.
https://it.linkedin.com/in/freemansarah
May 12th, 2015, 09:29 PM
#51
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Wow if I were American I'd be offended. I don't find that list tongue in cheek/funny at all. Every American I meet is unfailingly polite, genuinely interested in the culture of the country they're visiting and do their utmost to respect it.
On the other hand, Italians in the UK - ridiculous high heels, a whole store of Sephora on their face, more bling than Fifty-Cent and zero manners in stores (as in please and thank you).
On the other hand, Italians in the UK - ridiculous high heels, a whole store of Sephora on their face, more bling than Fifty-Cent and zero manners in stores (as in please and thank you).
May 12th, 2015, 09:34 PM
#52
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<i>Wow if I were American I'd be offended.</i>
I'm American and I am not offended. In fact, the article amused me -- partly because there is some truth to it and partly because in some parts the author is completely clueless.
I'm American and I am not offended. In fact, the article amused me -- partly because there is some truth to it and partly because in some parts the author is completely clueless.
May 12th, 2015, 09:38 PM
#53
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I just get very *over* American bashing. Where are the articles about Canadians/Australians/English people?
There are always truths in these articles - stereotypes come from somewhere after all - but perpetuating them in a mean-spirited way like this just makes the writer sound pompous.
There are always truths in these articles - stereotypes come from somewhere after all - but perpetuating them in a mean-spirited way like this just makes the writer sound pompous.
May 12th, 2015, 10:13 PM
#54
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<i>I just get very *over* American bashing. Where are the articles about Canadians/Australians/English people? </i>
No need to fret, the English tourist has its own special reputation:
http://www.vice.com/read/brits-abroa...alia-kavos-876 (not for the faint hearted or prudish)
No need to fret, the English tourist has its own special reputation:
http://www.vice.com/read/brits-abroa...alia-kavos-876 (not for the faint hearted or prudish)
May 13th, 2015, 02:18 AM
#59
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There is a big difference between identifying an individual American, and seeing Americans in a group. Individuals of any country may wear baseball caps or tennis shoes, but seeing a group where such people make up a substantial proportion will confirm that they are from North America. It is in the group that such things as loudness of voice, style of conversation, and interpersonal behaviour become more apparent.
Better nutrition, and possibly overeating, mean that Americans are often taller and heavier than residents of the nations they visit. Hairstyles and clothing can be different, and there is sometimes a funny way of walking, perhaps because many Americans don't walk far daily.
We went to a restaurant last night, and our waitress was from Romania. Only a hint in her otherwise very good English gave us a clue. A young American woman would have been instantly identified, both by her accent and her demeanor.
Better nutrition, and possibly overeating, mean that Americans are often taller and heavier than residents of the nations they visit. Hairstyles and clothing can be different, and there is sometimes a funny way of walking, perhaps because many Americans don't walk far daily.
We went to a restaurant last night, and our waitress was from Romania. Only a hint in her otherwise very good English gave us a clue. A young American woman would have been instantly identified, both by her accent and her demeanor.
May 13th, 2015, 02:41 AM
#60
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"will confirm that they are from North America. It is in the group that such things as loudness of voice"
Not to be sensitive but I hope Canadians are not included as being loud. The rest of the paragraph is about Americans so I am desperately yet quietly hoping Canadians are not viewed as loud.
Thank you.
Not to be sensitive but I hope Canadians are not included as being loud. The rest of the paragraph is about Americans so I am desperately yet quietly hoping Canadians are not viewed as loud.
Thank you.
