People from across the globe reveal the 'obvious signs that someone is an American'

Release time：2024-05-21 08:57:38 Source：Cultural Caravan news portal

People from across the globe are sharing how they spot Americans in a matter of seconds - based on everything from their body language to the way they smile. 

An unnamed social media user took to Reddit to ask people on the web to dish out the obvious signs that someone is from the United States. 

In the Ask Reddit subreddit, people flooded the comments section and shared that the way Americans greeted each other, tipped, and even stood were telltale indications that they were from the States. 

In addition to being too 'friendly' and leaving gratuity, foreigners noted that they could always spot an American because they wanted 'ice in their water.'

People from across the globe are sharing how they can spot Americans in a matter of seconds based on everything from their body language to the way they smile (stock image)

The anonymous user's post read: 'What's an obvious sign someone's American?' 

People on the web - both from the U.S. and outside of it -  took to the comments section to lift the lid on the many behaviors that they spotted. 

Many users pointed out that the friendly greetings of Americans was what gave their nationality away. 

One user said: 'In Salzburg I went to grab something from the drug store. As I was checking out I said hello to the cashier (thinking there was very little difference between how I said it and how Austrians say it). She immediately started speaking to me in English and I asked her how she knew I spoke English.

'She deadpan stared me in the eye and goes "hellloooo". I just about died laughing since I'm a very stereotypical friendly American that says hello exactly like that. One of my favorite memories from that trip.'

Someone else wrote: 'The gentle grins you give to strangers if you make eye contact with them as you pass by, at least in the Midwest. [It] was not well received in Germany.' 

One user added: 'I dated a European man here in the US. When we walked together, every time I made eye contact with someone on our path I would smile at them, and they would always smile back.

'Boyfriend was so confused at all these strangers smiling at me. Kept asking if I knew all these people. It was hilarious.' 

'They smile at strangers,' someone else agreed. 

People on the web flooded the comments section and shared their thoughts 

One user added: 'Very amenable to socializing with strangers in settings like bars. Assertive, fair, curious, will get your back without knowing you too well. I've had positive experiences.' 

Other people on the web pointed to Americans pattern of leaving gratuity - which wasn't a practice done in many other countries. 

Someone else added: I worked as a cashier in a touristic place in Paris, I always recognized Americans because they were kind of friendly to me and they always left tips.' 

'They leave a tip,' one user said. 

Others shared random behaviors they had noticed from Americans. 

One person said: 'An Italian told me that Americans walk confidently in the wrong direction.'

Another user shared: 'If someone asks how far away something is, an American will tell how you long it takes to get there as opposed to a physical distance.'

'From what I've been told by European friends and travelers, our complete and utter lack of an indoor voice,' a third wrote. 

'They want ice in their water,' someone else commented. 

One comment read: 'According to the CIA - when training to be a spy - you have to unlearn how to lean. Americans tend to lean on things when standing still.' 

Related articles