40 Ways to Spot a Tourist from the US, according to European locals Pt. II

Whenever someone from the United States goes to Europe, they immediately stand out unless they know what to do to blend in. According to MSN.com writer Sarah Barber, here are 40 ways of how one from the United States stands out to European locals

I'm from the United States and I try very hard not to be like all the other people from the United States. When people hear me talk, yes, they will find out that I am from the United States. I have a bad habit of talking loud only because my late grandmother was hard of hearing in one ear and deaf in the other. My family had to talk loud for her to hear us. The loud talking is a habit I'm thankfully getting better at reducing.

Also, you might see me put my opinion in on each one. Especially if I have seen it or accidentally done it myself when traveling abroad. I already know I will stick out as a US tourist because of my accent. At least with these in mind, I'll stick out less

21. Give me food

-Smaller portions of food are the norm in many parts of the world. It is a rude shock to many from the US who travel abroad that the portions of food are smaller. That is because many countries do not think "more is better". The United States is most likely the only country where portions of food are quite large. Which leads to the idea of obesity being such a massive problem in the US. When those from the US travel abroad, they are expecting large portions of food. They will be in for a rude awakening when they find the portions are less than what they expected. Some countries put a high priority on small portions to focus on flavor and quality

-I have no problems with smaller portions. I actually enjoy smaller portions because I am trying to lose weight. And it does give me a chance to really enjoy the food

22. 'Sup?

-This is basically a lazy way of saying "what's up?" Instead of saying a more polite version of "How are you?", people in the United States say "sup?" This shows that there is a serious lack of formality in the United States and showcase a relaxed mood. Thankfully, not everyone from the US shows this lack of formality. Just remember, when you travel outside the US, you need to make your greetings and conversations a bit more formal, just to show respect and overall be respectful

-Thankfully, anytime I've ever gone on vacation with my family, I have not met or heard too many people from the US. If I do, they usually say greetings like "Hello", "How are you?" or they introduce themselves. Most of the time, when I am on vacation, I tend to hear / see more British tourists or other tourists from Europe than US tourists

23. Sharing opinions that were not asked for

-Outspoken and forthright, sharing unsolicited opinions are two things that people in the United States are known for. There's a fine line between sharing an opinion when asked for and sharing an unsolicited opinion. Without realizing it, some people share their opinions openly. It's important to be mindful of differences in culture when traveling outside the US. Not every country is going to follow the same rules and customs as the United States

-I only give my opinion if it is asked for. Other than that, I try to be nice and considerate of everyone. I try to empathize and / or be considerate of the fact that everyone believes different things

24. Comfort over style

-One thing that shocks a lot of people from the US when they travel abroad is the vast change in fashion. Comfort over style is a concept strongly adopted in the US. It's better to be comfortable than stylish. Some European countries place a higher value on being elegant or fashionable rather than comfortable. Some European locals can easily spot those from the US in their relaxed or informal comfortable clothes. Clothing is incredibly important in showcasing the differences in fashion trends all over the world. When traveling abroad, do some research into what the local fashion trends are to avoid standing out as a tourist from the US.

-I'm sure jeans are popular in terms of clothing abroad. If that's the case, then I am fine. I will have to do research into what constitutes fashion trends in the countries I would love to visit. I suspect I'll already stand out if I wear rock / metal band shirts

25. A side of fries

-Sometimes, it's common for people in the US to order just fries from a restaurant because they are so good. Whether they are seasoned, dipped in sauces or enjoyed plain, there's something good about a well-prepared batch of French fries. In some countries, fries are part of a larger meal. Or they are referred to as "chips" in England or Australia. There seems to be a widespread appreciation for this deep-fried potato stick

-While I do love fries, I don't eat them all the time. I'm trying to lose weight. I will admit to saying that certain restaurants have better fries than others. If I get the chance to go to England, I definitely will enjoy eating the food like the locals. That will only heighten and improve my memories of going to this historically rich and interesting country

26. Too much enthusiasm?

-Europeans can easily spot a tourist from the United States by their holding a camcorder or exclaiming in surprise. This enthusiastic behavior of holding a camcorder and showing overenthusiasm or a sense of wonder, is a stereotype of US tourists. Some countries tend to be reserved in their reactions and would not react so much. Tourists from the US tend to want to take pictures to create memories, but also make them humorous cultural markers in foreign destinations

-The only item you'll see me holding is a camera. A digital camera. So, I fully admit I would stick out. And yes, I would be mind boggled by the surroundings. I'm also trying to work on reducing the habit of wanting to say "amazing", "awesome", etc. Bad habit of mine. It's a hard habit to break that I am, thankfully, working on

27. Perfect teeth

-People from the US are known for having exceptionally perfect teeth, whether they be as white as snow or as perfect as ever. This shows a strong dedication to good oral hygiene. Dental health is a highly important aspect of good overall health. Regular dental checkups are a common occurrence. There seems to be a strong emphasis placed on having a white tooth smile in the US, leading to people buying teeth-whitening treatments and maintaining meticulous dental hygiene. While many cultures of the world value white teeth, the commitment to good dental health will create obvious differences elsewhere

-My teeth are not perfect. I had to have them fixed over the years. I used to have a rather large gap in my front teeth that was similar to the gap that model Georgia May Jagger has in her teeth. I've since had it fixed. Other than that, my teeth are not perfect. They are slightly crooked. And while I keep my dental hygiene in top condition because good dental health does play a part in good overall health, I can't have white teeth unless I use the teeth whitening treatments. I drink coffee every day for breakfast and take tea with me to work

28. Overenthusiasm about common animals

-It's a common sight that when people from the US go overseas, and they see common animals, they get overenthusiastic because they think of these animals as "exotic". This comes from the diversity of wildlife and animals and cultural differences all over the world. This leads to an excitement of seeing animals that are not native to the people witnessing them. Overseas, animals as common as sheep, pigs, cows or horses are considered "exotic" by some people from the US but are considered completely common to people of those countries, especially if those same people work on farms

-I will admit that I am guilty as charged if I ever saw cows in Europe. I do love cows, but I would not consider them "exotic". I love cows because they are my favorite animal. I would get excited by seeing cows because where I live, it's suburban. There are no farms nearby. When I go out into the country, anyone in the car starts laughing when I see cows and start saying "aww, I see cows". And anytime another person in a car with me sees cows, I quite literally hear them say "wait for it" and then I see the cows out and about and that other person says "there it is. She saw cows." And it's usually my sister uttering these phrases about "wait for it", "there it is. She saw cows."

29. A bit patriotic?

-It's no shock that most people from the US are incredibly patriotic. They'll be touting the Red, White and Blue stars and stripes. This also extends to using North American-made brands. This makes those from the US stand out. It's all too easy to spot a tourist from the US if they are sporting clothing from a North American company, like Nike, Under Armor, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Levi's, etc. This can make a tourist from the US stand out

-While I'm proud to be from the US, I don't tend to wear a lot of US-based brands. They're too expensive. The only time I can afford Levi's jeans is when they are on sale. Other than that, I'm not much of a name brand person. The off brands work just as well and are more affordable. And the only place I can actually find name brand stuff like Ralph Lauren, Gap or American Eagle Outfitters are places like TJ Maxx, where name brand stuff is usually on sale. For example, I found a black London Fog raincoat for only $80, when, according to the tag, it was normally $200.

-As for the red, white and blue, and stars and stripes, I tend to avoid wearing that. It's not that I am not patriotic, or not proud to be from the US; I just don't want to wear that because if I am in a foreign country, I'd rather blend in with the locals and not advertise the fact I am from the US. Let my accent when I am speaking do that. I sometimes wonder if we would better off with a Queen. Queen Elizabeth seems to have made things work. She got things done quite successfully, may she rest in peace.

30. "Oooh, old buildings"

-When traveling abroad, it's not surprising to find that tourists from the US are awed by the old, but unique architecture of buildings. They are awed by the impressive architecture or iconic landmarks. This fascination is directly linked to the short history of the US. It's less than 250 years old. When comparing the US to countries like China or Britain, whose history goes back further, the US is relatively young. It's often interesting to see old buildings. It fills one with a sense of awe that these buildings are still standing the test of time and reminds those of the rich, but ancient cultures that have left their mark on the world. Showcasing a unique point of view and enduring through time

-I find it incredibly amusing that some people from the US consider buildings from the 1800s in the US to be old. When you think about countries like England, China, Japan, etc., those countries have been around for longer. England has buildings from the medieval era, possibly further back, such as 8th or 9th centuries or even further. They have castles that are still standing the test of time. I would admit to being awed by the impressive architecture of buildings in England. I would not say "Oooo, old buildings." I would be awed by the fact they are still standing and going strong. Unique architecture of buildings has always interested me. I especially love hearing the history behind the building, what inspired its creation, its uses and more.

31. Non-weather appropriate

-One thing that certainly makes tourists from the US stand out is wearing clothing not appropriate for certain types of weather. In the US, there will always be that one person who is wearing summer weather clothing. In the middle of winter. There will be a foot of snow on the ground and that person will be wearing shorts, gym shoes and a winter coat. Climates and weather can vary vastly depending on the part of the world you're in. Who knows, maybe that person is used to cold weather. Cold weather usually prompts people to wear insulated clothing in other parts of the world. Outside the US, you can easily spot a US tourist if they are wearing shorts in cold weather

-I have witnessed the person in shorts in cold weather. I get cold just looking at those people. I already make sure to check the weather prior to going on vacation so I know what to pack. So, thankfully, I'm already taking steps in the right direction

32. Look me in the eye

-Direct eye contact is often a thing done in the US. It shows the other person that you are giving them your full attention. This practice can vary widely, depending on what part of the world you're in. In Japan, looking someone directly in the eye is seen as spiteful and rude. It's considered respectful to avoid long eye contact. It shows humility and deference. This helps show the importance of knowing nonverbal  communication when engaging with those from other countries

-Someone is going to have to instruct me how to communicate in Japan by avoiding full eye contact. I've read that in Japan it's considered spiteful and rude to look someone directly in the eye. I'm going to need to a lot of research or have someone instruct me how to communicate in Japan to avoid making the other person feel I am being rude or spiteful

33. Is all of that really necessary?

-In the US, you can usually spot a road trip car if they have tons of luggage strapped to the top of the car. Overpacking is a common habit that some in the US do every time they go away on vacation. The idea of having everything you need and being prepared in case of emergency is just something people in the US do. This can also lead to taking excess luggage. Just ask yourself when packing "Is this really necessary?" to avoid overpacking

-I am guilty of this only one time. The only time I ever overpacked is when I first went on vacation to the Dominican Republic. I was unsure what the weather was like, so I overpacked a bit. Luckily, I put most of my belongings in my carry on, which is a blue and green tie dyed backpack. I've since learned not to overpack. My stepdad, however, he continues to overpack each year we go on vacation. We, as in my mother, sister and I, tell him not to pack so many pairs of clothing And yet, he insists on packing so much clothing each year. He's usually the last one to be completed on packing while me, my mother and sister are already done, have our checklist completed and are ready to go

34. Too peppy happy cheerful

-There is nothing wrong with being cheerful or friendly. But there does seem to be a distinctly US-based habit of being overly friendly or cheerful. Other cultures might not know how to react when seeing someone so overly friendly. Other countries might see this as artificial or just insincere. Just remember to tone down the cheeriness when traveling overseas

-I'm definitely working on this. I tend to try and be cheerful, which is no problem. But I know sometimes I come across as a hyper person. I am working on toning down the hyper part of my personality. My sister jokingly says it's because I have too much caffeine in my system from coffee. I am working on toning down the overly peppy part of my personality

35. State pride

-When people from the US are on vacation, and they are asked where they are from, they will often name the state they call home. Responses could include "I'm from Western New York" or "I'm from Chicago". This can seem rather specific to those who may not be familiar with US geography. This kind of answer can confuse those from outside the US. Being too specific is a trait that is all too common in people from the US. It's often better to be straightforward and answer "I'm from the US". The US, with all of its 50 states, has unique regional identities unique to each and every state

-If someone from outside the US asks where I am from, I will state "The US" only because I am unsure if they are familiar with all 50 US states. I try to avoid being too specific. If they ask specifically where, I'll gladly answer. I don't want to say "America" because that makes it seem like those who are from South America don't get the same chance to call themselves American. It makes it seem like South America is not worthy of the title of being part of America. So I just use the more respectful title of "US" or "United States" if someone asks where I am from. Just to avoid confusing the person with whom I am speaking

36. No shoes

-When you are going through security at the airport, it's required to take off your shoes. This increase in security has heightened after the 9/11 attacks. This strong need for meticulous security ensures that nothing suspicious is going out / coming into the United States. The removal of shoes and inspection of them can detect hidden threats, such as narcotics being hidden in shoes. While it is used in some countries to various extents, it's firmly linked with the US. This is now a recognizable aspect of traveling, whether it be domestically or internationally

-I have no problem with this. It's all down to security. After watching enough of these To Catch a Smuggler shows where people are shown to be smuggling in narcotics through their shoes, it's understandable to check shoes. If anything, I can giggle when I look down to see what goofy socks I have on. I have no problem with this. If it makes the job of airport security easier, I am doing it

37. What's the holdup?

-Impatience is a character trait often exhibited by many people in the US. They want something right then, right there, right now. Waiting is not necessary. The fast-paced rhythm of life has led to people wanting efficiency and prompt service. It's a sort of "go go go" attitude. When confronted with long lines and long wait times, some people from the US seem to have issues processing this. In some cultures, patience and queuing etiquette will get you further and garner you more respect than being impatient, trying to rush things

-Patience is a virtue. A virtue which some need to learn as soon as possible. I have no problem waiting in line because I know that being patient will be better for my peace of mind and it will look better on me

38. Being prepared

-There's this idea that women always carry hair straighteners or curling irons or large cans of hairspray in their bags, which are usually large enough to knock someone unconscious. While this stereotype doesn't always hold water, it doesn't help that the media and other cultural influences showcase this idea. It's not exclusive to women from the US, but there is an idea that being well-groomed with styled hair is a common beauty standard in popular culture from the US. Women of various ethnic and diverse backgrounds put high priority on hair care and styling. The idea that women from the US are obsessed with hair styling and constantly carry their tools with them seems to come from the strong emphasis placed on personal grooming and appearance

-I do not carry hair styling tools with me. I put my hair into a ponytail and move on. I'm practical and I don't need my hair styled. When I'm at work, I need my hair be at least off my neck to keep from getting sweaty. That's why I ponytail my hair and move on. The only major things I do for my personal appearance is use acne medicine because I still get acne. And I use pore strips to get rid of blackheads on my cheeks. Sometimes I will even use a mud mask on my face. Other than that, I don't worry about styling my hair. I'm at work to work, not impress people. As long as my appearance is professional and keeping in with the dress code, I'm fine

39. Smiles all around

-While there is nothing at all wrong with smiling at strangers, it's seen as a uniquely US-based trait. It seems that strong emphasis is placed on being friendly and courteous in social situations. People from the US are encouraged to be sociable, to make eye contact and offer warm smiles and kind gestures. This can work out well when engaging with some cultures. But do some research into what the social norms and communication techniques are in other countries, so as to avoid offending that person

-I admit to smiling when I see someone. Sometimes it brightens a person's day to see a smile. I'll have to do research if I travel abroad to avoid sticking out like a tourist, which technically, I would be

40. Cargo shorts all around

-In Europe, it's definitely fashion over anything else. In the US, the commonly seen cargo shorts are common fashion. These shorts are practical, versatile, offer plenty of pockets for storage. This comes down to the US-based idea of wearing casual clothing, putting functionality over fashion. This type of short seems to be popular among men. And it's not just men from the US who opt for this type of short. This type of short can be seen on men from most parts of the world because it provides convenience and a laid-back appearance which works with their lifestyle

-I don't have to worry about this. I don't wear cargo shorts or cargo pants. I have a pair of cargo capris, but I cannot wear them to where I work. They're entirely work appropriate, but the reason I cannot wear them to where I work is because I have very large tattoos on my legs. I work in an ophthalmology practice here in Cincinnati, Ohio and it's quite conservative in terms of appearance. The doctors prefer that tattoos not be shown only to keep a professional appearance. Not only that, a lot of the patients are older and may not like seeing tattoos. They may be uncomfortable seeing them