How does somebody "look American"?

[Anonymous]

Big smile with decent teeth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sightseeing / peoplewatching vs walking purposefully to a destination.

YES Americans, especially American women, walk in this extremely purposeful way that is such a giveaway. It's this grim sort of march with arms swinging stiffly by the side...sort of looks like hurrying through a dark parking garage at night, but it's the middle of the afternoon in a buzzy plaza.

Slow down and walk more fluidly folks! Take in the sights, stroll, move only you lower body when you walk. You will look less American.

Look, Chiara, I only have 10 days of vacation and I am going to see as much of Europe as I can, even if it kills me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sightseeing / peoplewatching vs walking purposefully to a destination.

YES Americans, especially American women, walk in this extremely purposeful way that is such a giveaway. It's this grim sort of march with arms swinging stiffly by the side...sort of looks like hurrying through a dark parking garage at night, but it's the middle of the afternoon in a buzzy plaza.

Slow down and walk more fluidly folks! Take in the sights, stroll, move only you lower body when you walk. You will look less American.

You can't take the New Yorker out of me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loud slobs who think they own the place and are oblivious to those around them.

That's working class Brits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Backpack on one shoulder.

What? Lol

[Anonymous]

Part of my family has been here forever and part of my family immigrated here. I've been told the biggest giveaway is my teeth--I've had braces plus (and this might be the giveaway) cosmetic bonding done on my teeth.

[Anonymous]

+1 on smiling, laughter, nice teeth
We are more expressive, infectious energy. Europeans are more self contained.

Regarding being overweight, lots of people abroad are also overweight and dress poorly so that’s not an obvious marker. I agree our clothes are more bland.

When I was recently in UK, I noted there was a lot of diversity just like in the US. For white British people, there were so many chubby pale people, flushed with rosy cheeks. White Americans are much more varied, with more dark haired, brown-eyed people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sightseeing / peoplewatching vs walking purposefully to a destination.

YES Americans, especially American women, walk in this extremely purposeful way that is such a giveaway. It's this grim sort of march with arms swinging stiffly by the side...sort of looks like hurrying through a dark parking garage at night, but it's the middle of the afternoon in a buzzy plaza.

Slow down and walk more fluidly folks! Take in the sights, stroll, move only you lower body when you walk. You will look less American.

Why would I want to look less American? That’s dumb. I love traveling, but I am not out to pretend I’m of a different origin. With my white teeth, it won’t work anyway.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sightseeing / peoplewatching vs walking purposefully to a destination.

? all tourists sightsee

A group of Japanese tourists instantly becomes American as soon as they slow down to take in a sight. Yu might not know that. It's an immigration loophole actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

didn't say Asians were the only ones out there. The ^PP made it seem like Americans were the only tourists out there.

I think people are getting confused thinking everyone saying American means white. And that's not true at all. But in general when I travel abroad I come home and think how good everyone looks comparatively. Across the spectrum. And maybe its the more friendly open nature that makes people look better. But you also don't see a lot of bumps, moles, disfigurations, and other things. Americans tend to look well cared for and despite all the complaints about our healthcare system people seem healthier.

you live in a bubble.

Americans are definitely NOT healthier. Are you kidding? And they are not more better looking. Please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

didn't say Asians were the only ones out there. The ^PP made it seem like Americans were the only tourists out there.

I think people are getting confused thinking everyone saying American means white. And that's not true at all. But in general when I travel abroad I come home and think how good everyone looks comparatively. Across the spectrum. And maybe its the more friendly open nature that makes people look better. But you also don't see a lot of bumps, moles, disfigurations, and other things. Americans tend to look well cared for and despite all the complaints about our healthcare system people seem healthier.

you live in a bubble.

Americans are definitely NOT healthier. Are you kidding? And they are not more better looking. Please.

DP but to me it's more of a cosmetic polish that americans have versus overall healthier body/mind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dc who is at an overseas university says straight, white teeth are a giveaway, big smiles, greeting or smiling at strangers as they walk by, American men don't dress as well/clothes not as good quality or as tailored as European men wear.

Oh I can't even tell you all the cheap suits I've seen "businessmen" wear in London and Paris.

[Anonymous]

Is this a thread on looking American or on bashing Americans? Some of these comments are downright offensive and wouldn’t be tolerated if referring to other groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

didn't say Asians were the only ones out there. The ^PP made it seem like Americans were the only tourists out there.

I think people are getting confused thinking everyone saying American means white. And that's not true at all. But in general when I travel abroad I come home and think how good everyone looks comparatively. Across the spectrum. And maybe its the more friendly open nature that makes people look better. But you also don't see a lot of bumps, moles, disfigurations, and other things. Americans tend to look well cared for and despite all the complaints about our healthcare system people seem healthier.

you live in a bubble.

Americans are definitely NOT healthier. Are you kidding? And they are not more better looking. Please.

DP but to me it's more of a cosmetic polish that americans have versus overall healthier body/mind

Yes, that's what I'm talking about. You can just tell an American because of it.