How to avoid being a ‘stupid American’ while traveling

Americans do speak more loudly and clearly in general. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing but it’s maybe something to be aware of if you don’t want to stand out.

Americans are also more used to asking directly for what they want. Brits rarely state exactly what they think and it comes across as rude if somebody says an outright no to another person’s suggestion.

Europeans generally dress up more than Americans in restaurants.

Yeah, you are supposed to do all those things. But, when it comes to tipping and respect for that custom, no tipping, only round up, only 10%, the same people who concur with the list above often will solidly throw the local custom out the window.

"Avoid stereotypical tourist attire" ??

Much of this goes for here at home too. Just be respectful and have some self awareness.

I'm with you, Carlos. Hasn't this topic been beaten to death? Honestly, I've witnessed plenty of individuals from other countries behaving badly, and as many of my own countrymen minding their manners. As well, isn't applying the word "stupid" to ANY nationality promoting the sort preconception/stereotype we as travelers are supposed to dispel?

Personally, I do not want or need to purposely sit and watch my fellow Americans enjoying their holidays just to keep a scorecard of preconceived faux pas. Don't we have better things to do on our trips?

I am pretty sure that this list would work for visitors from any country.

"I thought this stereotype is a bit worn out by now, especially since Americans I have met in Europe tend to be some of the more respectful/culturally aware tourists." Agree with the poster's quote and it matches my many experiences as well.

I will mention that in our travel media in Spain we don't have any articles like "How to avoid being a ‘stupid Spanish’ while traveling".

The closest I could find in Spanish media is a Q&A article from El Pais called (translated) “You can travel the world and come back being just as stupid”, which is a very Spanish point of view haha. The main point is that travel can be transformative, but it ultimately depends on the traveler's mindset. This involves being open and willing to let travel experiences change you. Traveling doesn't automatically make someone more enlightened or tolerant, it requires a conscious decision to allow these experiences to impact you. Some other tips from the Spanish travel article are:

• Avoid treating travel as a competition based on the number of countries visited. Instead, focus on the quality of your experiences and how they impact you personally.

• Be mindful of the excessive use of social media and devices while traveling. Strive to experience moments fully without being overly distracted by documenting them.

• Consider traveling alone at least once to understand yourself better and to see how you handle solitude and self-reliance.

• Focus on the current moment and avoid constant comparisons with other experiences or places. Enjoying where you are without constantly thinking about other destinations helps maintain a sense of wonder.

Here's the full article from El Pais, it's in Spanish but I think you can use Google translate:

https://elpais.com/elviajero/viajes-paco-nadal/2024-03-05/alan-estrada-influencer-de-viajes-uno-puede-recorrer-el-mundo-y-regresar-siendo-igual-de-imbecil.html

"I thought this stereotype is a bit worn out by now, especially since Americans I have met in Europe tend to be some of the more respectful/culturally aware tourists." Agree with the poster's quote and it matches my many experiences as well.

Yeah, I get a little tired of this sort of rubbish too. Clickbait indeed - one designed to provoke a reaction apparently.

I read this on CNN today and knew there would be a post about it on this forum! Overall, it had some good general advice. I liked the part about reading social cues and learning about the customs of the places you’re visiting. I believe some people overthink their fashion choices to avoid looking like an American tourist. As long as you’re decently and respectfully dressed, it’s fine. Thinking of yourself as an ambassador is a great idea and a good reminder for all of us. I was a bit taken aback, though, by the recommendation to call oneself a “stupid American” in order to disarm others. Maybe I’m being a little too sensitive, but I and a lot of other people struggle with negative self-talk. I think greeting someone first in their language and then asking for their help politely works just as well.

These days perhaps avoiding looking like an American tourist is more desirable, as I've been hearing more and more stories of Americans being harassed for extra generous tips in Europe by unscrupulous restaurateurs or tour operators. They wouldn't pull those shinagangs with the average European tourist or they'll get an earful let me tell you lol!

Represent Your Country Well

German saying: „Ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt es sich ganz ungeniert.“ (Once your reputation is ruined, you can live a carefree life.).

Based on this saying, US vistors can behave carefree in Berlin because US embassy destroyed every reputation for them already. Former embassy leader acted so ... that he was called the "Undiplomat" (source). And the article is only the peak of the iceberg.

Furthermore people of US embassy driving diplomate vehicles act worse than the ones from Saudi-Arabia or Iraque. With 1,055 traffic violations in 2023 they are leading the statistics (source) - these are nearly three traffic violatons a day. So far the facts.

That said I like to add that I personally had no real negative experience with US visitors.

Oh you can definitely find articles in the British press about what not to do when travelling abroad. It basically boils down to dressing better and not getting sunburnt and/or drunk.

Preaching to the choir here. The underlying assumption behind such guidance, is that people do in fact, want to avoid being a stereotype. Many, if not most, Americans I've traveled with don't care. There's that mentality of "I'm on vacation, nobody here knows me". I have traveled with others who made a point of saying a good time is measured by how loud you get.

Realistically isn't every tourist in a sense "dumb," as in being different and not clued it? Otherwise they would be locals.

Also as commenters noted on that CNN article, the author admits that she is a loud and proud New Yorker so ... perhaps not the best example of a thoughtful tourist. Like the old Texas stereotype.

Most Americans are quite annoyed at others who talk loudly, which is rude and inconsiderate of others.

Also, pertaining to dress, enough with wearing tights if you're 200 plus pounds. It's something you can't unsee.

The CNN article is addressed to the Americans themselves in the first place, not Europeans. Just to make aware doing some self reflection visiting other countries, I see that as positive. Every nation has something “stupid” in their behavour so it would be a good idea that every country would have the same kind of self reflection to improve behaviour travelling abroad.

Reading the last two posts: so stitching a Maple Leaf Flag on your backpack is not a good idea anymore? :-)

Presumably there is some tongue in cheek in that list of "C" countries.
I've not seen a Canadian climbing up on marble statues in Florence to snap a picture. Nor a Czech. Not yet.
I have seen some properly cringeworthy Ami behavior in my travels, but until you have experienced a wild pack of Brits or a hoard of out-of-control inebriated Aussies, you've only scratched the surface. We all have an obligation to behave with some modicum of dignity wherever we may be.... Mostly Americans offend through our loud voices and presumptuous nature.
On my list of most poorly behaved crowds, number one is Expo 2012 in Shanghai. Americans were not there in significand numbers.

I am so over the whole "ugly American" "Stupid American" "Stupid Tourist". I could construct a similar list for visitors to the U.S. Our family travels to a lot of national parks and encounters many large groups of foreign tourists. Often they walk in their large groups totally oblivious to anyone else. So, if I wanted to make a list similar to the tips for Stupid Americans, I'd start with, If you are a group of 30, or 5, don't stop in the middle of a walkway or path or in front of a popular viewpoint and talk, loudly about nothing related to the surroundings, for an extended time. Realize that in the U.S. people take turns and form queues. Don't monopolize a viewpoint blocking access to everyone else, taking multiple pictures with differing combinations of people and checking the photo for instagram worthiness all still blocking access to everyone else. Don't complain that the included breakfast at your lodging does not include the types of foods and drinks you eat in your own country. Don't use hiking trails in your high heels or flip flops slowing the rest of us down. Don't park your huge buses in parking intended for cars. Etc.

Instead, we aim to be friendly, helpful and we realize that part of the habits of the tourists are because they are so excited to see our beautiful country.

ADDENDUM: Any large or largish group of folks speaking a language different from the host country's language is going to seem loud because it stands out.

Isn't the major takeaway "Don't be a jerk?"

Aside from the nonsense about not looking like an American rube on their first visit to "them places overseas," which I couldn't care less about, it seems like we should all strive to respect our hosts, avoid offending them both intentionally and unintentionally (which requires some awareness of their social mores), and generally be nice and thankful. And probably spend enough money in the local economy to pay for cleaning up after us with profit left over.

Or so it seems to me.

I do not know of any example where the label of a stereotype is rightly placed on the same drawer as the label of only one single nationality. Also people from other nations have the right to be recognized as stupid.

I found myself stuck behind a family of six Americans (or Canadians, I struggle to differentiate the generic US accent and a Canadian one) at the security check at Heathrow T5 this morning who suddenly found themselves faced with the 100ml liquid rule that they hadn't adhered to. Cue a panicked meltdown as bottles of expensive toiletries were confiscated. One man turned to me and apologised to which my response was, "it's been the same rule for almost twenty years". His response was, "well, we don't have it where we're from". My advice to him was to check the rules of the country you're in.

douglas, well I don't know where you're getting the information but most of us do make an effort to respect American customs when we're visiting the US. We try to tip generously, smile often, and play up our hellos, thank yous, and pleases, even if it feels quite uncomfortable to be so overly friendly lol!

Besides, American culture is the most well known culture in the world, your customs aren't a total mystery to the rest of us you know ;-)

Besides, American culture is the most well known culture in the world, your customs aren't a total mystery to the rest of us you know ;-)

Carlos has hit the nail on the head. American culture is embedded in the psyche of much of the rest of the world due to music, film, television and the internet. I recall an occasion when my family and I were in Miami, my youngest child who was around 8 years old was desperate to visit a 7-Eleven because he'd heard so much reference to them, when we came upon one his excitement rapidly turned to disappointment with the words, "It's just like a One Stop".

No other country has such a wide influence as the US and the culture is known and understood across the globe, so much more so than any other country. I've been visiting the US for over two decades and as soon as I arrive I feel that I can slip right into daily life and feel perfectly comfortable and at ease (despite some irksome behaviours and customs), only Spain comes anywhere near that level of comfort and I've been visiting the country for just as long as I have the US although on a greater number of occasions.

But, likewise, Carlos, many of us make a concerted effort to learn about the cultures and customs and a bit of the language before we travel to another country. That's why the Ugly American, Stupid American, Stupid Tourist stuff is well past old.

I once made a comment about this really rude tour group we encountered at Schilthorn in Switzerland. They had pushed themselves ahead and onto the gondola in front of those that had been waiting. I named the ethnic group and people commented that was inappropriate. Perhaps, and now I'm more careful. Why is it ok to lump folks from the U.S. altogether as "Stupid Americans"? Besides, the U.S. is a very diverse country, much like the E.U. is comprised of diverse countries. Minnesotans are not like Texans are not like New Yorkers are not like Oregonians, you get the picture.

If you are worried about being considered a stupid American, stick on a sweatshirt with a bold maple leaf on it - make sure the maple leaf is the right way up, though, or else you'll give yourself away.

What are people doing so badly where they live that they have to change their behaviour when they travel?

Besides, the U.S. is a very diverse country, much like the E.U. is
comprised of diverse countries. Minnesotans are not like Texans are
not like New Yorkers are not like Oregonians, you get the picture.

Yes, North America is no more a monolith than Europe is. It is a patchwork of many distinct cultures.

I agree that the universal rule, no matter where you are from, is “Don’t be a jerk.”

What are people doing so badly where they live that they have to
change their behaviour when they travel?

Gundersen, I think you nalled it.

What are people doing so badly where they live that they have to
change their behaviour when they travel?

My favourite comment of the day, I can ignore the rest of the Forum today.