During my stay in Australia, I've encountered rather mixed feedback upon discovering I hail from the US. Many seem hesitant to explicitly ask whether I'm American. Often, Australians will catch the accent and inquire if you're from Canada. This happens because Canadians become upset if mistaken for Americans, or so I'm informed (I understand, mate. I've witnessed Justin Trudeau). And since I genuinely relish having a laugh at myself and my country, I reckoned I'd make it simpler for everyone by listing ways to identify an American travelling internationally.
1. Baseball Cap
Fair dinkum, this one's not quite as prevalent as when I first arrived in Melbourne, though it's still a pretty solid tell that someone hails from the States. We're keen on our athletic clubs, uni squads, and a classic snapback cap.
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| Extra brownie points if the baseball cap's got a bit of glitter on it |
Spot someone in a baseball cap and mention the squad on it. If they fire back with team-specific chat, they're definitely American.
2. Eating on the Move
Americans have a reputation for perpetually being on the clock. There's never quite enough time because we're all attempting to do it all—be the perfect partner, nail the job, maintain friendships, eat well, stay fit, see the world, and change everything for the better. No surprises then that restaurants hustle you out the door once you've finished, making way for the next diner. This often means grabbing food whilst walking or munching in the motor.
The habit of grabbing food whilst travelling shows no signs of slowing down. Many Americans find it unusual when servers don't present the bill straight away after finishing, or the puzzled reactions they receive when ordering takeaway coffee and pastries. There's so much to explore and so little time to spare! Why squander it lingering over a meal?! I still catch myself eating in the car or whilst strolling through the street. Some habits stick around, and I've got a hectic schedule.
3. Activewear or Oversized Jumpers
Venture into Melbourne's CBD and you'll spot sharp businessmen and impeccably dressed businesswomen dashing about the pavement. You'll see university students in contemporary outfits with rucksacks full of course materials heading to campus or the state library. Then there are the visitors decked out in oversized jumpers (typically bearing a sports or uni logo) and activewear. Those visitors are typically American.
To be frank, I can't fathom why others don't simply live in activewear all year. Getting into regular trousers each day is quite the undertaking, and I'm definitely a fan of staying relaxed and ready to bolt if needed. Did I genuinely think I'd exercise whilst travelling? Fat chance. But why opt for jeans when you can feel brilliant in activewear.
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| Melbourne's Genuine Dog Mothers |
4. Celebrating Everything
Ever noticed people clapping when a plane touches down safely? I'd wager the person who started that tradition was American. My mum's an enthusiastic clapper herself. Server gets her order correct, clapping ensues. Someone pronounces her name right, loud applause erupts (honestly, it's quite tricky). Favourite song comes on at the club, clapping and cheering follows with dancing.
Basically, Americans are cheerful folk, and they show it... so they clap their palms *clap* *clap*
5. Speaking Only English
I'm reluctant to confess, but I've fallen guilty of this whilst travelling overseas. It rendered travelling in Vietnam and Cambodia somewhat more difficult. Certainly, most people I encountered did speak some English, though genuinely, I could have picked up a few essential expressions to make things a bit easier.
In Vietnam, I regularly came across fellow Americans growing more and more annoyed because they couldn't communicate with local people. To such an extent that they were becoming angry the locals didn't speak English. Regrettably, Vietnam wasn't the sole place I've observed this behaviour. We're remarkably good at ensuring everyone in our nation speaks English. Apparently, these expectations don't diminish when travelling.
6. Unfamiliar with the Metric System
If someone comes up to you and asks, "Can you tell me how many feet to the train station?", You're talking to an American. We, as Americans, prefer to stand apart from the rest of the world. We're the only nation to land a person on the moon. We possess the most atomic weapons. Obviously, we'd have our own measurements (that we borrowed from the British and a Dutch-German-Polish researcher).
After relocating to Australia, I've thoroughly adopted the metric system. It's straightforward, readily divisible, and converts without difficulty. It quietly brings me pleasure when Americans request directions from me, and I respond using the metric system. It amuses me greatly.
7. Volume
Whether stemming from our unusually spacious personal boundaries, sound levels in countless of our venues, or our passionate enthusiasm for sports teams, Americans have earned a reputation for being particularly vocal. The reality might be that we struggle to regulate how loudly we speak.
Uncertain whether you're American or Canadian? No worries mate, we can sort that out (see #10).
8. Sports Team Merchandise
Much like our athletic wear, we love displaying our favourite professional or university team affiliation. We wear them with pride wherever we go. I pack my Datsyuk Red Wings jumper on every holiday. We're boisterous. We're enthusiastic. And you'd better not support our team's opposition.
9. The Accent
This one's definitely a given, particularly if the American hails from the South. Americans possess a distinctly recognisable accent. I'm uncertain why it's so often mistaken for Canadian, but I suppose it's comparable to how Americans sometimes confuse New Zealand accents with Australian ones. They're related yet distinctly different.
10. We're Basically Vegans or Crossfitters
Much like vegans and crossfitters, you needn't ask whether someone's American—they'll bloody tell you. When uncertain, simply shout "America". If the reply is "f*ck yea!", you've found an American.
Naturally, this doesn't represent all Americans. Though it's always good fun to have a laugh at ourselves. Are you from the US and travelled abroad? Did you fall into any of these stereotypes? Have you encountered an American travelling overseas? What was your take on it?
Until the next time...
Keep exploring!
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