The best advice is not to stick out.
There’s nothing wrong with being American. Globally, we’re known for exporting cultural hegemony in the form of music, soft drinks, and films. Many of our cultural icons, from Marilyn Monroe to Shaquille O’Neal, are among the world’s most recognized faces.
But sometimes, it can be to the traveler’s benefit to blend in—to not be quite as obviously American when traveling. It might be when traveling to a region that has a historically or currently fraught relationship with the U.S. government. It might be when visiting a region that is experiencing tourism fatigue and counts the U.S. as one of its primary source markets. It might simply be because it’s sometimes wise to avoid being conspicuous.
While it’s often difficult to completely conceal one’s nationality (unless you’re trained as a secret agent), here are some tips for being less loudly American, should the need to do so arise during your travels.
Rethink That Maple Leaf
Some years ago, a common trope was to sew a Canadian flag onto a backpack or other carry-on to diffuse assumptions. Many Americans might have done so without realizing they knew less about Canada than they thought (how many of you can name more than one Canadian Prime Minister or remember to pronounce the “a” in “pasta” differently?), giving the game away a bit early. That notion is probably best left in the past unless one has spent a significant amount of time north of the border.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Lower Your Voice
There’s no way to dress it up: Americans are loud. There are a number of theories on why that is, from our generally needing more personal space to our equating loudness with friendliness, but it’s a fact. Outside the U.S., personal bubbles tend to be smaller, and foreigners are often more mindful that a loud conversation might intrude upon others.
Embrace Understatement
Americans tend toward overstatement. We describe mundane things as “amazing,” often claim to be “excited” over trivial matters, and respond, “Oh my God, thank you SO MUCH,” when a server refills our coffee. Americans tend to find enthusiasm friendly and approachable—it’s one of our cultural hallmarks—just know that it’ll be conspicuous outside the country.
A Word on Clothing
Some guides say people tend to dress up a bit more outside the United States. That advice may once have been true, but nowadays, it’s less so. Older guidebooks may suggest not wearing sneakers, shorts, or sandals when traveling, but these days those fashion trends have taken root in plenty of cities worldwide.
Fashion has gone global, and it’s not uncommon to see American sports team jerseys on Middle Eastern teenagers, an array of sneakers pounding Hong Kong sidewalks, or European city-dwellers in shorts on a hot day.
Another oft-repeated piece of advice is to avoid clothing with American logos or English-language slogans or sayings on them, but those items aren’t uncommon in many developing economies that do brisk trade in resale clothing (large lots of unsold thrift store clothing from the U.S. are sold abroad at deep discounts).
A good rule to live by is to remember that outside the U.S., most people compartmentalize their style choices: gym clothes are for the gym, beach clothes are for the beach, trekking gear is for trekking, and so on. Those safari vests with multiple pockets or the waterproof cargo pants that convert to shorts are a no-go in a major capital. The best advice is not to stick out. If nobody else is wearing a baseball cap, leave it in the suitcase. If you’re flying solo in your shorts or your sandals, choose another option. If cargo shorts have gone back in style among the locals, go for it.
Look for Small Talk Cues
Small talk is easy for Americans: “What do you do?” is a common opener. Not so in the rest of the world. In many countries, asking someone what they do is essentially a direct inquiry into someone’s social status, so it’s best to let them bring it up.
In France, for example, it’s common to acknowledge strangers, but not to engage in small talk. In Germanic cultures, it’s not uncommon to have vigorous debates with relative strangers about topics even Americans find taboo. A bit of reading before heading overseas can be beneficial when hoping to blend in.
Don’t Eat on The Run
This isn’t universal, but it’s far less common outside the United States to eat or drink while walking about town, while riding on public transit, or riding in vehicles. That doesn’t mean street food and takeout don’t abound in other countries, but food purchased from them is generally meant to be eaten while seated, either on- or off-site. Ambulatory eating is considered particularly rude in Europe, East Asia, and the Muslim World.
Smile Smartly
In the United States, a smile is a welcome expression. Outside the U.S., it can be a minefield. In some countries, it’s an expression reserved for the already-acquainted, friends, or family; in others, it can be taken as a sign of romantic interest. Still, other countries, like Canada and Australia, have similar “smile cultures” to the United States.
This doesn’t mean one needs to be frowny-faced all the time, but Americans are often noted for being quick to smile, and for smiling broadly, which many cultures find insincere.
The Takeaway
While it’s always nice to keep abreast of how to travel more smoothly worldwide without being the stereotypical “ugly American,” these tips are meant in the spirit of understanding rather than as aids to masquerade. There’s no reason Americans can’t be their full, authentic selves when traveling abroad (after all, part of the exchange of international travel is not only experiencing new people but also for them to experience you), but if they do so with more self-awareness, it will be a more positive experience for everyone.
Having lived all over the world and states, now living primarily in London (rarely stateside, but Manhattan when we are, which is a different place due to the local population evacuating to open states), but owning properties stateside and traveling to every continent but Antarctica every year (all over Africa, S. America, Europe, Australia, Asia like clockwork; we started an IG with which we collaborate with luxury hotels, checking into the St. James in Paris today, left Vienna yesterday, because of our extensive traveling), almost everything in this article is literally universal worldwide. People are sloppy and dressed poorly, stare and have no manners WORLDWIDE. Theres no country I have been to where an idiot is not talking next to us LOUDLY so we're forced to hear them (99% of the time about things/places worldwide we have firsthand knowledge of, and they are almost always wrong and ignorant, yet having manners, we almost NEVER interject). In the UK, we watch people treat restaurant staff like garbage on a daily basis (and chomp loudly on crisps, scattering crumbs everywhere they don't clean up), approach and ask how much money you make, nonetheless what you do. Don't get me started on staring (and taking your photo) if you DO dress well (luxury brands, heels, 90lbs/40kg, blonde)-the USA south, Cape Town, and UK are exactly the same in most ways, ESPECIALLY people.
In the post office in St Marks Square - while everyone was standing politely and quietly in the queue, an American young woman pushed herself to the head of the queue and made her demands in a loud voice! They walk in to Churches with their shoulders uncovered, and wearing inappropriate attire. They push, shove and talk in loud voices.
In Germany we wanted to take a fully booked ferry to an island in the lake. When told it was fully booked we politely stepped aside. The American woman behind us said "that is no problem - money talks" and then proceeded to shout at the ticket seller and wave her dollars in his face.
What a wonderful wake up article. As travellers from another country we know that as soon as we see Americans there is bound to be unacceptable behaviour.
Simple solution. Learn some manners and some respect for others' privacy. Some American travellers are like children desperate for attention all the time. It's intrusive. Most people are bored by what you say so loudly. Boring and disrespectful is not a good look on anyone. You know better, do better.