People from around the world reveal the ‘telltale signs that someone is an American’ – as they describe traditional American behavior that is ‘NOT well received’ elsewhere
- A Reddit user has wondered what the telltale signs are that someone is American
- People on the internet flooded the comments section with their answers
- Many said Americans always wanted ice cream and were “too friendly.”
People from around the world share how they recognize Americans in 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 internet to show the telltale signs that someone is from the United States.
In the Ask Reddit subreddit, people flooded the comments section, sharing that the way Americans greeted, tipped, and even stood with each other were telltale clues that they were from the United States.
In addition to being too “friendly” and leaving tips, foreigners noted that they could always spot an American because they wanted “ice in their water.”
People from around the world share how to spot Americans in seconds based on everything from their body language to the way they smile (stock image)
The anonymous user’s post read: “What’s a telltale sign that someone is American?”
People across the Internet – both from the US and abroad – took to the comments section to highlight the many behaviors they encountered.
Many users pointed out that Americans’ friendly greetings betray their nationality.
One user said: ‘In Salzburg I went to the drugstore to get something. While I was paying, I said hello to the cashier (I thought there was very little difference between how I said it and how Austrians say it). She immediately started talking to me in English and I asked her how she knew I spoke English.
‘She looked me in the eye with a straight face and said ‘hellloooo’. I almost died laughing as I am a very stereotypical friendly American who says hello exactly like that. One of my favorite memories of that trip.”
Someone else wrote, “The friendly grin you give to strangers when 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, I smiled every time I made eye contact with someone in our path, and they always smiled back.
‘My friend was so confused by all these strangers smiling at me. I kept asking if I knew all these people. It was hilarious.’
“They smile at strangers,” someone else agreed.
People on the internet flooded the comments section sharing their thoughts
One user added: ‘Very receptive to socializing with strangers in environments like bars. Assertive, honest, curious, will get you back without knowing you too well. I have positive experiences.’
Other people on the Internet pointed out the American pattern of leaving tips – which was not common in many other countries.
Someone else added: I worked as a cashier in a tourist place in Paris, I always recognized Americans because they were quite friendly to me and they always gave tips.’
“They leave a tip,” one user said.
Others shared random behavior they noticed from Americans.
One person said: ‘An Italian told me that Americans are confidently walking in the wrong direction.’
Another user shared: ‘If someone asks how far away something is, an American will tell them how long it will take to get there, rather than a physical distance.’
“From what I’ve been told by European friends and travelers, our complete lack of an inner voice,” wrote a third.
“They want ice in their water,” someone else commented.
One comment read: ‘According to the CIA, training to become a spy requires you to unlearn how to lean. Americans tend to lean on things when they are standing still.”