30 Non-Americans Reveal The Secret To Spotting An American Tourist From Miles Away

It's great to be able to spot someone, but this is actually scary. It's like a cult of its own.

Lakeisha

• Published in Funny
• February 15, 2022

Being a tourist is great when there are perks to be gained, but then being a tourist also means you'll be ripped off far more than others. What locals get for $20, you'll be getting the same thing for $50.

It's just a sad reality, but that's how the tourism industry thrives - sometimes by ripping tourists off. That's not the only side-effect of being a tourist.

When you're a tourist, people won't bother telling you that the place you long to see is an absolute no-go for locals. They will tell you that the things you carry aren't allowed but sell the exact same thing to you for a higher price.

Don't get it? This one person went to the Grand Canyon with his camera and before starting to walk on the bridge, he was told he couldn't carry the camera as taking pictures was prohibited.

He says, "You cannot take pictures or bring a camera onto the bridge, but they will sell them to you, of course."

The perks of being a tourist. smh.

The moment people categorize you as one, a virtual rollercoaster opens up. You sit, buckle up, and wait for the ride to begin.

But when you blend in with locals, suddenly you get to see and experience your vacation in a different way altogether. But the question is, how can you blend when you do some of these 30 things?

Cue in the scroll.

1. This is actually quite stressful.

Americans are very loud, I swear you have loudhailers hidden in your clothes somewhere.

Over 40, the tourists tend to be more on the very overweight side, but the women still wear yoga pants and the men always have a combination of button up shirts and loose fitting cargo shorts.

And both men and women wear baseball caps and Oakley's or sunglasses similar to that style; with white trainers.

Under 40, you're very friendly, in a way that's both endearing and creepy. When we chat I feel like I'm being indoctrinated into a cult.

Sco0bySnax

2. Ah yes, the thrilling concrete jungle of a busy metropolis.

The way they dress. For some reason Americans abroad dress like they're doing some hard core exploring in the Amazon... even when they're just visiting a European city.

jackofharts94

3. And the ancestors are introduced too.

"Hey oh you're [Irish/Scottish/Italian/etc]! I'm [same] too!"

"Oh really? Whereabouts you from?"

"California. My great great great grandpappy was from here though!"

4. The question is, do they expect an answer after the formal greetings? Hmm.

Saying “hi, how are you?” to the barista, servers, retail workers. My country doesn’t quite have that culture so I find it really sweet.

tomayto_tomaahto

5. That's cool.

Amazed by things which are more than 200 years old, presumably because they don't have many things that old in the USA.

Dusepo

6. Oh. Wait, you should wait until it's safe to cross thed road.

when they cross the street, they expect cars to stop for them. in my country, the cars will run you down without thinking twice.

ToeRagger

7. Sweet.

I remember I was a small kid in Tijuana. They were typically a lot more good looking than the local population.

The girls were hot as hell. The Marines that would come around from San Diego looked like superheroes and made these other guys look like sh*t.

We'd get European tourists as well but the American ones looked bigger and kind of stronger. Especially the military guys, like something out of these Marvel comics, at least the ones in their twenties.

All buff, tall, etc.

The military tourists were always very friendly to me and made me want to be like them when I grew up, which is why I'm going to enlist in the USMC a few years after college, haha.

Very friendly, generous people, very funny too.

JFMX1996

8. The USA is huge, so can't really blame them.

When they introduce themselves they never say they're from America: mostly the state/city they're from.

hazily

9. How pleasant.

In my experience, any combination of the following:

white socks

wearing a sun visor

Talking incredibly loud

Their phone will be on a belt loop

American teenagers are usually better at blending in however, so the trick with these guys is to wait until you're in a restaurant, at which point they'll make their presence known by complaining about the local food.

In terms of positives however, I find most American tourists are incredibly friendly and sociable, they usually have no problem talking to strangers and striking up a pleasant conversation, something we Europeans never do with each other (this is also another "tell", but it's one we should adopt).

the_drew

10. It's a culture thing, I guess.

They complain that the portions at restaurants are too small.

TheBenji300

11. Um. I think Chinese tourists are louder.

You can hear them in museums when everyone else is extra silent.

12. They assume everyone's friendly, so that's nice.

The absolute fearlessness of asking anyone on the street about anything

AthleticallyLazy

13. ROFL.

Expecting everyone to speak English and/or not wanting to learn the local language.

Dusepo

14. Wonder how people can travel and still be unhappy.

They always look cheerful and are constantly smiling and seeming happy. Tourists from other places look more neutral or even unhappy.

15. That's actually a trait we should all have.

They get over-excited over very ordinary events and say things like “OMG look that grass how green it is!

tajmer

16. Oh boy.

They wear white socks pulled all the way up.

grittypokes

17. That's an easy one to spot.

I always felt embarrassingly underdressed when traveling in Europe.

On the flip side, as a native Arizonan I can always spot the European/English tourist because they will be bright red.

DeadSharkEyes

18. ROFL.

Many of the things we say loudly, includes many irrelevant details. In Israel, no one gives a f*ck about irrelevant details.

“Yes” or “no” answers are of high value in middle eastern culture; but in American culture we like to tell you all about why something is or that our daughter got married last year or our cat has diabetes.

spaghatta111

19. So you can't buy a microwave at 3 AM? That's sad.

They’re looking for a store open at like 11pm. Even if in most European countries stores close at like 7-8 pm

millennium-popsicle

20. Well, some people do. But who cares.

Americans think the world impressed by their city. No one cares that you’re from Las Vegas

spaghatta111

21. Well, that's a sensitive topic.

Tipping. Americans will try to tip everyone, even in countries where tipping isn't a thing/is considered a serious insult.

22. Wonder why.

They're always asking for extra ice in their drinks.

23. Well, that's not a clue.

Quite often on the heavy side weight-wise (sorry!)

Dusepo

24. Well, that's a good thing.

They have impeccable facial hair. Maybe Americans get a trim before they go on holiday, but I'm always impressed by the tidy beards and mustaches.

todayiswedn

25. Coz ketchup rules, dude.

They ask for ketchup no matter what they're eating.

sirZofSwagger

26.

dollars. God damn it, people - hit a money exchange before you hit the market.

Especially in a country where hard currency was still illegal.

chiaspod

27. Because let's not ruin a 900 year old building with air conditioners.

They’re the first to kick off when it’s a hot day and the Grade II listed hotel I work in doesn’t have air-conditioning.

Then they leave a bad review :( believe me, I would LOVE air con but we’re not allowed to change the building.

mailroomgirl

28. Well...

Their college t shirt, sweater or cap

29. You can't escape them, honestly.

We are morons about diet. Another American moved to where I lived.

He preached about high protein diets, b*tched about how he couldn’t find fat free milk or pasteurized egg whites, in a country that specializes in high-fat cuisine.

spaghatta111

30. Yep, those are a must-have.

fanny pack

We're obviously proud of being Americans because who wouldn't?! But the risk of being identified as a tourist outweighs the pride, honestly.

I know someone who toured somewhere I've been. Normally, the transportation from Stop A to Stop B is about $7.

The moment the taxi driver found out the guy sitting behind was an American tourist, he charged him $93 for the same trip!

It's Insane! So I get it you're proud, and you should be, but when you're vacationing, blend in with the locals to save some cash!

PS. Love my work? You'll be doing me a solid by sharing my stuff!

Lakeisha