How does somebody "look American"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cargo shorts and Teva sandals. Ugh.

Do people really wear this look? I thought we’d left it in the 90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Thailand with my inlaws last year.
Both DH and his sister were born and raised in the US and both speak not-great-Thai.
People generally assumed DH was American, but virtually everyone assumed SIL was Thai. She is beautiful and fashionable, and DH is more suburban-dad-style, so I guess that's what did it. (He wasn't dressed sloppily or anything, just not as fashion-forward as his sister)

Um I assume he’s white and she’s of Asian heritage?

^^ meaning even if biologically related do they look different?

[Anonymous]

Louder voices. Americans abroad are notorious for speaking voices which are too loud.

Clothing styles and brands, including shoes.

Wearing more casual or less clothes than locals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Louder voices. Americans abroad are notorious for speaking voices which are too loud.

Clothing styles and brands, including shoes.

Wearing more casual or less clothes than locals.

The only people who think Americans are loud are people who only know Americans. They are surely not the loudest bunch out there.

[Anonymous]

I have traveled throughout the world. Americans are very easy to spot, no matter the race or class. Americans like to brag, especially the men. Usually, they will tell you what they have, where they have been and what they can do for you or themselves back at home.

American women are overly friendly, talkative and overshare with perfect strangers.

American children are usually disrespectful of boundaries, climbing on things that they shouldn't, being rowdy around areas that are not a typical play space.

American families are often overweight. I notice thin couples. But the majority of big families have 1-3 overweight people.

Americans are also helpful. I notice if I see an American, I can ask for help. I usually feel safer when there are a group of Americans. I was once lost in Costa Rica and met an African American man from New York who was also Costa Rican, he was so willing to help us out because he spoke both Spanish and English. I am forever grateful to him for extending his kindness.

[Anonymous]

Live in Paris

American women wear tighter clothing. That’s usually the first giveaway. Some of it is just that American bodies are curvier, but as a general rule French women tend to wear clothing that hangs more than it clings, even with things like jeans.

Also blonde hair, highlights, and a blow out are usually signs of an American. Hair is more natural here.

But also there is just an American exuberance and excitement that shows in how Americans walk and talk to each other. French behavior and body language is more subdued.

[Anonymous]

The clothes and haircuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Live in Paris

American women wear tighter clothing. That’s usually the first giveaway. Some of it is just that American bodies are curvier, but as a general rule French women tend to wear clothing that hangs more than it clings, even with things like jeans.

Also blonde hair, highlights, and a blow out are usually signs of an American. Hair is more natural here.

But also there is just an American exuberance and excitement that shows in how Americans walk and talk to each other. French behavior and body language is more subdued.

So yes there are Americans that are fat and lound and you can spot them. But you can also spot American businessmen/bankers/lawyers. Start with the teeth. White, straight. Complexion better. In better shape than their euro counterparts because no one works out/runs like Americans. Dress in more expensive clothes but yet not with style. Much more confidence -- like they own the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Live in Paris

American women wear tighter clothing. That’s usually the first giveaway. Some of it is just that American bodies are curvier, but as a general rule French women tend to wear clothing that hangs more than it clings, even with things like jeans.

Also blonde hair, highlights, and a blow out are usually signs of an American. Hair is more natural here.

But also there is just an American exuberance and excitement that shows in how Americans walk and talk to each other. French behavior and body language is more subdued.

So yes there are Americans that are fat and lound and you can spot them. But you can also spot American businessmen/bankers/lawyers. Start with the teeth. White, straight. Complexion better. In better shape than their euro counterparts because no one works out/runs like Americans. Dress in more expensive clothes but yet not with style. Much more confidence -- like they own the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Americans have a lot more clothes, but probably not as nice or tailored. If you only have a few things because tiny house, no closet, you may spend more on the few things you own.

And definitely straight teeth. Usually better complexions, clearer skin, and clean hair.

very true about the closet, but the rest is really white people focused. Have you seen how Asian's take care of their skin? Much better complexion than Americans.

Asians are not the only other people out there. Americans of all races are very aesthetically pleasing. I think the mutt nature mixed genes of so many people really brings out the best.

More likely it's the addiction to Instagram and the Hollywood influence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Americans have a lot more clothes, but probably not as nice or tailored. If you only have a few things because tiny house, no closet, you may spend more on the few things you own.

And definitely straight teeth. Usually better complexions, clearer skin, and clean hair.

very true about the closet, but the rest is really white people focused. Have you seen how Asian's take care of their skin? Much better complexion than Americans.

Asians are not the only other people out there. Americans of all races are very aesthetically pleasing. I think the mutt nature mixed genes of so many people really brings out the best.

More likely it's the addiction to Instagram and the Hollywood influence.

For people travelling? I think not.

[Anonymous]

Better teeth
Better hair quality ( generally shinier)
Smile more
Make eye contact
Worse shoes generally
Ask for ice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry for bumping this thread but I've been working in London all week and today was the first day to do some touristy stuff, which prompted me to remember this thread.

There are two easily identifiable types of American tourists, among the hugely diverse pool of American travelers.

1) the freshly scrubbed, spotlessly clean, young American family. Mom and Dad are in mid to late 30s with the older kids already hitting 10/11. Family is impeccably behaved, friendly, cheerful, parents have amazing control of kids, dad is clearly involved and hands on, everyone is having a great time. Kids (2-3, sometimes even four) wear casual athletic clothes, parents are usually in linen shirts and shorts. They look like they probably live in a nice house in Western Howard or Loudoun. Might even be Mormon. Too clean to be believed! Eat a lot of ice cream.

2) the Midwestern family proudly wearing baseball jerseys of the hometown team. I find this intriguing. Sometimes it's just one family member, other times it's the entire family wearing Cardinals/Cubs/Tiger baseball jerseys. You get the impression most of their weekends are spent with big gatherings watching baseball in the basement bar/den. Possibly a variant of this family is the one wearing themed t-shirts. Saw a couple today wearing matching blue t-shirts. One said "London is not Boring!" the other said "St. Louis is Boring!"

Everyone I saw seemed to be having a good time. No judgment. Just interesting.

The MLB World Tour is in London right now and the Cubs are playing the Cardinals, so that might explain part of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry for bumping this thread but I've been working in London all week and today was the first day to do some touristy stuff, which prompted me to remember this thread.

There are two easily identifiable types of American tourists, among the hugely diverse pool of American travelers.

1) the freshly scrubbed, spotlessly clean, young American family. Mom and Dad are in mid to late 30s with the older kids already hitting 10/11. Family is impeccably behaved, friendly, cheerful, parents have amazing control of kids, dad is clearly involved and hands on, everyone is having a great time. Kids (2-3, sometimes even four) wear casual athletic clothes, parents are usually in linen shirts and shorts. They look like they probably live in a nice house in Western Howard or Loudoun. Might even be Mormon. Too clean to be believed! Eat a lot of ice cream.

2) the Midwestern family proudly wearing baseball jerseys of the hometown team. I find this intriguing. Sometimes it's just one family member, other times it's the entire family wearing Cardinals/Cubs/Tiger baseball jerseys. You get the impression most of their weekends are spent with big gatherings watching baseball in the basement bar/den. Possibly a variant of this family is the one wearing themed t-shirts. Saw a couple today wearing matching blue t-shirts. One said "London is not Boring!" the other said "St. Louis is Boring!"

Everyone I saw seemed to be having a good time. No judgment. Just interesting.

The MLB World Tour is in London right now and the Cubs are playing the Cardinals, so that might explain part of it.

Good catch. That's probably what PP is seeing. People who travel to bowl games, playoffs, or other big games always proudly wear their team gear in the cities they are visiting.

[Anonymous]

If I was in a crowded hotel lobby in the middle of Europe i would still be able to pick out the Americans even if they were similarly dressed to all the other patrons. There is something open faced about us Americans, we come across like kindergartners