Reddit Users Reveal How They Spot American Tourists From a Mile Away — And the List Is Brutally Accurate

A Reddit thread asking how people spot American tourists from a mile away collected dozens of responses, and the answers cover everything from loud museum voices to college apparel to tipping everyone in sight. BuzzFeed writer Hannah Loewentheil compiled the best ones, and the list reads like a mirror for anyone who’s ever traveled abroad.

The popular giveaways are pure American quirks: asking for extra ice, ketchup with every meal, to-go coffee cups, and white socks. Some respondents noted that Americans wear shorts in cold weather and expect every car to stop at a crosswalk. Others pointed out our habit of asking for the bathroom instead of the restroom or the loo, which apparently reads as very American.

But the thread isn’t all roasting. Several people said the biggest giveaway is how friendly Americans are, smiling at strangers, asking how people’s day is going, and making conversation with servers and retail workers. One commenter noted their country doesn’t have that kind of friendly culture. So read the full list, find yourself in it, and maybe leave an extra tip on your next trip. Which American tourist habit do you recognize in yourself? Tell us in the comments.