Signs Someone Is American, According To Europeans

Want to know how to spot an American abroad? Ask a European.

“As someone who works closely with American clients through destination weddings and food tours, I’ve picked up on quite a few telltale signs,” Portuguese tour guide and food critic Carol Batista told HuffPost.

From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows.

“I try to avoid generalizations ― a Brooklyn creative won’t travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest,” said Stéphanie Pons, the founder of Lisbon Insiders. “But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence and curiosity.”

Below, find 23 signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons and other Europeans.

“You’ll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example.” ― Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography

“That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie and maybe ― just maybe ― sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.” ― Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist

“At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.” ― Iskra

“Americans love to spend ― and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel they’re getting great value in return. I would say that mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes don’t realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100 € (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.” ― Batista

“The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There’s a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.” ― Monteleone

“I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water, or iced coffee).” ― Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer