People often say that traveling and exploring new cultures is a sure-shot way to enrich our mundane lives. After all, every corner of the world is vastly different. And I believe that it is this very difference that makes traveling such an adventurous and eye-opening experience.
But that is subjective for every traveler. Unfortunately, some folks blatantly disregard the tourism etiquette and end up aggravating the locals. Sometimes, though, their shenanigans are so bizarre that all anyone can do is laugh.
Not to generalize or anything, but tourists from the US are notoriously famous for pulling off something totally wild and unexpected. And non-Americans have a lot to say about them. We have compiled a list of locals sharing hilarious, weird, and even shocking stories of American tourists just being themselves. Scroll down and see for yourself!
#21
A guy from Atlanta had never heard of England, when I told him where I was from he thought I meant New England.
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15points
Despite what locals might believe, reports show that Americans are nervous about traveling abroad. They are afraid of being judged overseas, and 80% blame recent politics, such as the tariffs, for skewing what Europeans think of the U.S. However, only 27% of people hold a negative opinion of Americans, viewing them as loud and arrogant.
#22
I once worked behind the bar of a comedy club in Manchester, and convinced some American tourists that a line on the floor was the border between Manchester and Liverpool. They spent about half a minute jumping from one side of the line to the other, shouting "Manchester!" "Liverpool!" "Manchester!".
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15points
#23
I remember being told by a friend about her trip to Disney Land (or is it world?) in Florida. They were in a queue and the tanoy announced something in Spanish. A teenage American girl in front of them said "they should speak American!" at which point my friend's dad corrects her and tells her there's no such language as American and she speaks a version of English. She looked very confused apparently..
There were so many problems with what she said: 1) There's a large Spanish speaking population in Florida so of course a private company that wants their money as much as everyone else's is going to have things in Spanish 2) Tourist destinations almost always have things in a range of languages to cater for foreign tourists 3) America doesn't actually have an official language so English is no more valid than Spanish.
There were so many problems with what she said: 1) There's a large Spanish speaking population in Florida so of course a private company that wants their money as much as everyone else's is going to have things in Spanish 2) Tourist destinations almost always have things in a range of languages to cater for foreign tourists 3) America doesn't actually have an official language so English is no more valid than Spanish.
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15points
#24
I recall sitting in a café near an American airbase. You would recognise the sneakers, the always a little to casual style, and the noise.
Most memorable quote: "Oh look honey, they have their own money." when referring to paying in EUR instead of USD.
Most memorable quote: "Oh look honey, they have their own money." when referring to paying in EUR instead of USD.
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14points
To get a kind of extraordinary travel experience, Rick Steves says there’s a cure for battling the ugly tourist stereotype. He advises Americans to change their attitudes, become a temporary local, and turn into a cultural chameleon.
“Find ways to really be in the place you came to see. If you can think positively, travel smartly, adapt well, and connect with the culture, you'll banish the ugly and have a truly beautiful trip,” he suggests.
#25
I met two marines on holiday and they asked if Scotland was near London, and if I'd met the queen. They also were shocked that the word biscuits meant something different in England and announced that I was wrong because they were speaking English.
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14points
#26
A friend from Glasgow told me about a taxi driver friend of his who'd picked a up a fairly drunk American oil executive in Glasgow town centre one night who'd demanded.. *'Take me to see Loch Lomond'*.
...Since it was dark and cold -the taxi driver thought '*No way am I driving 35 miles (or whatever) to sit in the dark by Loch Lomond, the guy won't see anything'*.
...So instead he drove the American out to the edge of Glasgow for a while, then doubled back and parked overlooking a large pond in a park, which was lit up by nearby sodium streetlights. *'There ye go!"* said the Glaswegian taxi driver, '...*There's bonnie Loch Lomond'.*
*"Darn most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life!"* said the inebriated American!
...Since it was dark and cold -the taxi driver thought '*No way am I driving 35 miles (or whatever) to sit in the dark by Loch Lomond, the guy won't see anything'*.
...So instead he drove the American out to the edge of Glasgow for a while, then doubled back and parked overlooking a large pond in a park, which was lit up by nearby sodium streetlights. *'There ye go!"* said the Glaswegian taxi driver, '...*There's bonnie Loch Lomond'.*
*"Darn most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life!"* said the inebriated American!
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13points
#27
I was in Amsterdam a few years back for the run up to New Year and it was packed solid full of all people from all over the world. Including a lot of Americans.
You could tell they were American because they would be in big groups, all wearing one of those Paddy's Day type hats but for "I love Amsterdam" and they would chant "USA USA" over and over at 1am, drunk and with a bag of chips each from a street vendor.
It made me laugh more than anything because they reminded me of when Joey from Friends goes to London and buys the same style hat and thinks its the business.
You could tell they were American because they would be in big groups, all wearing one of those Paddy's Day type hats but for "I love Amsterdam" and they would chant "USA USA" over and over at 1am, drunk and with a bag of chips each from a street vendor.
It made me laugh more than anything because they reminded me of when Joey from Friends goes to London and buys the same style hat and thinks its the business.
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12points
Well, dear Pandas, that’s it from our end, as we leave you to go through the rest of the list. To our American readers, what do you think about these stereotypes that follow you globally? And for our non-American readers, what instances involving US tourists have stood out to you? We would like to hear from you, so feel free to drop us a line in the comments!
#28
When I first moved to Glasgow, on my first time on the underground, I heard one American ask another which stop they were getting off at. They responded, "the last one, its going to be a long ride". Glasgow has a circle line, they just had to go one stop in the other direction.....
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12points
#29
I work in a pub, an American once ordered an ale. His face when I explained to him that the beer was SUPPOSED to be flat and room temperature was hilarious.
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12points
#30
I took a relative from the USA around London just before the 2012 Olympics and she insisted in taking a selfie with every police officer we saw. There was a one every about 25m down one stretch, it took about five pairs of officers before they told her to move along and stop bothering them at which point she got very upset about how rude everyone is here.
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12points
#31
The first thing to say is that nearly everyone exemplifies the worst of their countries when on holiday. It’s a mix of anonymity and diffusion of responsibility.
Secondly... oh my god, I have so many!!! I’m British but live and work in a very popular German tourist town. There is the usual. Highschool/college jocks come rampaging into the bar screaming, “SMELLS LIKE FREEDOM IN HERE!!” And very sweet but well meaning Americans telling me, a British bartender, that IPAs are “coming to Europe soon” because they hadn’t conceived of the idea of something originating *outside* of the US.
But my favourite had to be this exchange:
——————————-
*I am sat outside of a cafe with a friend, it’s a market square lined with bars and cafes. We have coffees in our hands. An older gentleman approaches us. We are loudly speaking English.*
Gentleman: Do you people speak English?
*my friend and I look at each other*
Us: Yes.
Gentleman: *over enunciated* Do you know anywhere in this city where I can get a coffee?
*my friend and I look at our coffees and then the surrounding cafes*
Me: Anywhere here is good, you’ll find a lot of options.
*pause*
Gentleman: Right and do I have to pay with them euros or can I use real money?
*long pause and a lot of tongue-biting*
My friend: Euros, I’m afraid.
Gentleman: Do you know what credit cards are?
Me: Yes, but most prefer cash payments.
Gentleman: Never mind then.
Friend: We can help you, if you’d like.
Gentleman: Oh no, I’ve seen this! You’re not getting your hands on my money. I know a scam when I see it.
*begins backing off* I know how much a dollar is worth here, I’m not letting you use my money to buy a house.
Friend: A dollar is worth less than a Euro but okay.
*gentleman scuttles away probably excited to tell some over embellished story about how he narrowly avoided getting scammed by European thugs*
I’ve had worse but this was the most brain numbing one I can think of.
Secondly... oh my god, I have so many!!! I’m British but live and work in a very popular German tourist town. There is the usual. Highschool/college jocks come rampaging into the bar screaming, “SMELLS LIKE FREEDOM IN HERE!!” And very sweet but well meaning Americans telling me, a British bartender, that IPAs are “coming to Europe soon” because they hadn’t conceived of the idea of something originating *outside* of the US.
But my favourite had to be this exchange:
——————————-
*I am sat outside of a cafe with a friend, it’s a market square lined with bars and cafes. We have coffees in our hands. An older gentleman approaches us. We are loudly speaking English.*
Gentleman: Do you people speak English?
*my friend and I look at each other*
Us: Yes.
Gentleman: *over enunciated* Do you know anywhere in this city where I can get a coffee?
*my friend and I look at our coffees and then the surrounding cafes*
Me: Anywhere here is good, you’ll find a lot of options.
*pause*
Gentleman: Right and do I have to pay with them euros or can I use real money?
*long pause and a lot of tongue-biting*
My friend: Euros, I’m afraid.
Gentleman: Do you know what credit cards are?
Me: Yes, but most prefer cash payments.
Gentleman: Never mind then.
Friend: We can help you, if you’d like.
Gentleman: Oh no, I’ve seen this! You’re not getting your hands on my money. I know a scam when I see it.
*begins backing off* I know how much a dollar is worth here, I’m not letting you use my money to buy a house.
Friend: A dollar is worth less than a Euro but okay.
*gentleman scuttles away probably excited to tell some over embellished story about how he narrowly avoided getting scammed by European thugs*
I’ve had worse but this was the most brain numbing one I can think of.
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11points
#32
2 arguing whether it was London Bridge or Westminster bridge.
It was Tower bridge as stated on a sign next to them they hadn’t noticed.
It was Tower bridge as stated on a sign next to them they hadn’t noticed.
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11points
#33
Two of my favourites:
First one,
I was walking up at Loch Lomond when I heard an American exclaim "Boy, this orange juice is strong!" To my horror and amusement the poor guy was drink orange squash without diluting it. Got to explain that one and probably saved the guy a sore stomach.
Second one,
I was showing a American friend around Munich and she sneezed so someone said "gesundheit" and she turns to me excitedly and says "they say that here too?" Nearly spat my beer out.
First one,
I was walking up at Loch Lomond when I heard an American exclaim "Boy, this orange juice is strong!" To my horror and amusement the poor guy was drink orange squash without diluting it. Got to explain that one and probably saved the guy a sore stomach.
Second one,
I was showing a American friend around Munich and she sneezed so someone said "gesundheit" and she turns to me excitedly and says "they say that here too?" Nearly spat my beer out.
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11points
#34
One that sticks out is a guy we met at an airport once. He was from New York, and was very interested in the fact that we were British. When I mentioned I was welsh, he asked me whereabouts in London Wales is. He also asked us if we knew the queen, and told us he’d love to visit ‘Stone Hedge’. He also expressed surprise that we had nice teeth, which was apparently meant to be a compliment.
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11points
#35
Two completely perplexed women staring through a shop window like it was a museum. “It seems to be some form of food-stuffs store!” One said to the other.
I looked up... it was a supermarket. An ordinary everyday supermarket. I still wonder where they thought we bought food from.
I looked up... it was a supermarket. An ordinary everyday supermarket. I still wonder where they thought we bought food from.
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10points
#36
Start chatting and get the usual where are you from. As soon as I say I'm from Wales they almost always make some claim to being Irish, Scottish or Welsh (no matter how distantly).
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10points
#37
Once when I was flying home to London and in Heathrow an older American woman asked me where to find the taxi rank. I can't remember exactly how we got to this point, but she let me know she intended to use dollars. I explained that we use pounds and she could change her dollars to pounds at the bureau de change opposite.
"Green's green, honey".
"Green's green, honey".
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9points
#38
They are loud. Even when you're speaking to them privately.
They are always soooo surprised by everything and assume they are the first to figure this out. "It tastes so different than at home!". "Wow. You drive stick?!?! Icredible!" "Did you know you have building over 500 yrs old in your town". Yes. I live here. I know.
But in general they are very friendly and nice people!
They are always soooo surprised by everything and assume they are the first to figure this out. "It tastes so different than at home!". "Wow. You drive stick?!?! Icredible!" "Did you know you have building over 500 yrs old in your town". Yes. I live here. I know.
But in general they are very friendly and nice people!
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8points
#39
So, I was in a cafe in Dublin when an American woman was telling another lady (extremely loudly!) about her further plans to see Europe.
She was in Dublin for the MORNING only. Then she was flying to Paris, and then London, and then back home. I know it’s not major or especially funny but it really confused me as to how she thought this constituted as seeing all of the massively diverse entire continent of Europe. How the heck you can say you’ve seen Ireland when you popped to the capital for half a day?
From what i have read this is quite common because obviously The US is huge so Americans assume Europe is one place too. Like i’ve seen three parts of ‘one place’ so like...i guess that’s done?
The difference in culture, food, history is vast just between cities in one country in Europe (eg Madrid vs Seville, or Biarritz vs Paris, or Leeds vs brimingham) let alone all the way from iceland to Greece. I once had an Italian mad at me because I ate fruitti de mari in Como rather than Naples because como is not for fruitti di mari, Naples is. You gotta treat them as entirely different countries because...they are.
Also Paris is filthy and pretty [bad] if you don’t know where you’re going so she probably had a terrible view of ‘Europe’. So yeah that’s something that i think Americans are known for, viewing Europe as one place. Europe is not even remotely one place.
She was in Dublin for the MORNING only. Then she was flying to Paris, and then London, and then back home. I know it’s not major or especially funny but it really confused me as to how she thought this constituted as seeing all of the massively diverse entire continent of Europe. How the heck you can say you’ve seen Ireland when you popped to the capital for half a day?
From what i have read this is quite common because obviously The US is huge so Americans assume Europe is one place too. Like i’ve seen three parts of ‘one place’ so like...i guess that’s done?
The difference in culture, food, history is vast just between cities in one country in Europe (eg Madrid vs Seville, or Biarritz vs Paris, or Leeds vs brimingham) let alone all the way from iceland to Greece. I once had an Italian mad at me because I ate fruitti de mari in Como rather than Naples because como is not for fruitti di mari, Naples is. You gotta treat them as entirely different countries because...they are.
Also Paris is filthy and pretty [bad] if you don’t know where you’re going so she probably had a terrible view of ‘Europe’. So yeah that’s something that i think Americans are known for, viewing Europe as one place. Europe is not even remotely one place.
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7points
#40
I live in a picturesque town on an old street with lots of cute houses. One of my favourite exchanges with an American tourist happened on the road outside our house - they asked where they could find the 'gift shop' to buy postcards of our houses/the houses on our road.
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7points