How Europeans Spot Americans Abroad: 23 Telltale Signs from Fashion to Coffee
Want to know how to identify 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 explained. From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, numerous signals can indicate someone hails from the United States.
"I try to avoid generalizations — a Brooklyn creative won't travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest," said Stéphanie Pons, founder of Lisbon Insiders. "But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence and curiosity." Below, discover 23 distinctive signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons and other European observers.
Comfort-First Fashion Choices
"You'll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps or hoodies, even when traveling," noted Jane Iskra, an Iceland-based elopement photographer. "This often contrasts with more polished local fashion in European destinations like Italy."
Luli Monteleone, a Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist, added: "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."
Big Spending Habits and Value Seeking
"At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily," observed Iskra.
Batista elaborated: "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. 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."
The Iced Coffee Obsession
"The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter — and ideally in a 500ml cup," said Monteleone. "There's a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire."
U.K.-based blogger Steffi Crivellaro confirmed: "I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water, or iced coffee)."
Loud Confidence and Expressive Communication
London PR consultant Ronke Lawal noted: "One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident which means they tend to take up space wherever they are."
Pons added: "Americans tend to find everything 'amazing,' and they're not shy about saying so — out loud and often. They speak with a volume that's just slightly above local norms, even when whispering."
Stanley Cups and Large Water Bottles
"Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway — they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!" said Iskra. Crivellaro similarly pointed out Americans "carrying a Stanley or huge water bottle."
Large Engagement Rings
"The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American," Iskra explained. "In some countries, engagement rings aren't as flashy or aren't even a thing sometimes."
Jumping Straight Into English
Monteleone observed: "It's not the accent — it's the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple 'ciao' or 'bonjour' tends to unlock a different kind of experience."
Seeking Air Conditioning
Rome-based blogger Diana De Lorenzi noted: "In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority."
Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy Edit, added: "Americans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that aren't so easy to come by in Italy!"
Warmth and Friendliness
Parisian digital creator Kenza Sadoun-El Glaoui shared: "I've traveled extensively in the U.S., and if there's one thing I've consistently noticed, it's their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But I've always defended it."
Irish blogger Tara Povey said: "In Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we don't have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions and it's lovely to see."
Genuine Enthusiasm
"Americans are often very expressive — big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy," said Batista. "And when they feel they've been well taken care of, they're incredibly grateful."
De Lorenzi shared a gelato-related observation: "Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always — without fail — say the same phrase: 'Oh my God!' For us, it's a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy."
Generous Tipping Culture
"One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers," said Hengel. "Even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm."
Povey added: "America has a very generous tipping culture unlike any other country I've ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from."
Paying By Credit Card for Everything
De Lorenzi noted: "Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day."
Wide Smiles and Perfect Teeth
"Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles," said Iskra. "Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways."
Full of Compliments
Blogger Kelsey Heinrichs shared: "I've always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because she'll go out of her way to give me a compliment, and it's usually thoughtful and specific."
Wanting to Customize Everything
Pons observed: "There's a kind of customization instinct — asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency."
Saying 'Like' All the Time
"The overuse of the word 'like' — especially with people from LA," said Batista. "Sometimes you'll hear 'like' eight times in a single sentence!"
Iskra added: "Saying things like 'awesome,' 'you guys' or the ever-present filler word 'like' always catches my ear with a 99% probability I hear it from an American."
Limited Geographic Knowledge
Povey explained: "A general lack of geographical knowledge is a sure sign. Americans tend to refer to any country in Europe as 'Europe,' as if we are all the same. There is a huge difference between Norway and France."
Cappuccino With Dinner
"If someone asks for a cappuccino with pasta or pizza and also at dinner, you can be sure: They are an American tourist," said De Lorenzi. "For us Italians, cappuccino is a morning ritual, part of breakfast."
Different Portion Size Expectations
Batista noted: "I notice this a lot during food tours — Americans are frequently surprised by how small European portions can be. I've heard more than once 'Wait, this is for one person?' and it's always funny."
Fast-Moving Itineraries
Monteleone observed: "'I've been to Europe' often means a whirlwind through Paris, London and Rome in under two weeks. Honestly, impressive cardio — but also, you just missed the good bakery next door."
Quick to Talk About Heritage
"Rushing to include their ancestry in an opening conversation," said Povey. "Don't get me wrong, I love that Americans are so enthusiastic about their heritage. However, they are the only country that does it. Never have I met anyone from outside the U.S. who has launched into their grandparents' origin story when we have just been introduced."
Love of Rick Steves Guidebooks
Iceland-based marketing professional Auður Ösp Ólafsdóttir said: "In Reykjavík, I immediately pick out Americans because they explore the country using Rick Steves Iceland as their compass. Americans carry Rick with pride. Not tucked away in their backpack, but loud and proud. Out in the open."
That Intangible American Vibe
"As someone who works across lifestyle and hospitality in Europe, I often find myself noticing subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that someone is American," said Pons. "The most obvious is the accent, but beyond that, there's a specific energy that's easy to spot."
Ólafsdóttir added: "I somehow pick Americans out of a crowd, but I can't put my finger on how. It's something about how they're built and how they're dressed. They're just so essentially American that their Americanness shines."
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
