How does somebody "look American"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Also no smoking or vaping. Which a lot of Europeans and Brits still do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I visit family in India, even if I’m dressed like everyone else and haven’t even opened my mouth (fluent but slight accent), they know I’m American. I think it’s the eye contact and random smiling.

I read that people smile more in heterogeneous communities, to show someone they’re welcoming even if they look different or can’t talk to each other. Makes sense for the US.

When we travel to other countries, we don’t wear US branded items or even school/local gear, try to stay away from big brand names. I don’t hide that we are American, but I don’t want to advertise it. Seems to work fine.

It’s probably also the way you walk and carry yourself. I remember my cousins pointing this out to me when I was 12. They said I moved like an American, and once I saw it, it became obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Also no smoking or vaping. Which a lot of Europeans and Brits still do.

I’ve just come back from Las Vegas and a lot of Americans still do this too, just maybe not here in DC. I couldn’t believe the amount of smoking - some may not have been Americans but the vast majority were. It was gross.

[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.

This made me laugh. It reminds me of every social media post from someone in Italy. "We ate gelato daily (sometimes twice!)"

[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.

Gosh, I don’t think so. I went to high school in Germany in the 90s, and the kids in my school were all so good looking, I assumed due to their very un-mutt like blood lines. And I say this as a Jew.

I think it's the opposite -- people with "mixed blood" are better looking, I think this has been studied? Have you seen pictures of royals from a long time ago? Lots of derformities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Louder than North Europeans, but not louder than Italians
Baggy clothes on men, too tight on women
Wear exercise or sports clothes
Bright colored clothes and floral patterns
Bright teeth
Don’t seek out shade
Women wear a lot of make up

I think you can tell most nationalities, it’s not just Americans who have “a look”.

Interesting! My experience in East Asia and Eastern Europe/Russia is that the American women are the ones who don’t wear as much makeup! And I posted earlier that I think American clothes tend to be dull (mentally comparing to African and Asian friends). I guess it all depends who you’re comparing to.

Compared to western Europeans.
Compared to Latin Americans, Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Russia, we wear none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When in European countries by myself ( middle aged white female), locals always speak to me in tHeir native language. When with the family they always speak English. And when together we do try for no leggings, college stuff or camera bags.

I agree on the first two, but camera bags seems 1980s? or do you mean big cameras

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all in the countenance and carriage.

There's a set of really interesting Wire interviews with a woman who used to run -- disguises? -- for the CIA and one talks about how Americans smoke, stand, etc. a certain way v Europeans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fat, sloppy, loud, obnoxious, ignorant.

That's just you.

Many of us are know for kindness, cleanliness, and politeness.

Yes, also known to be overly friendly and very confident, which to an insecure person (like you) might be considered loud.

Fat - not the rich that travel. I'm thin so is my whole family.
Sloppy - definitely not on any account
Ignorant - nope. We're well traveled and cosmopolitan as are most of our friends, including all our non-American friends, so maybe this is also your social circle.

Well I am well-off and travel a ton. I am also American. I knwo people like to think this about Americans who are UMC but I don't know that it's actually true.

[Anonymous]

I think a big part of it is the smiling.

[Anonymous]

The accent and speaking volume. In my home country, you could hear the American accents, which carried some distance across the square. Americans stress Rs and have a more nasal accent, while people in my country swallow their Rs.