30+ Things American Tourists Do That Confuse the Rest of the World

Whether you're an American tourist or someone who's a master at spotting them while traveling — we've compiled a list of 40+ things people have shared that American tourists do when they travel that confuse the rest of the world. From always wearing the American flag to saying what town or city they're from. We've gathered every telltale sign of American tourists.

Smile!

It seems a bit strange to question why this would make the list; after all, a smile is supposed to be a good thing, right? However, in many cultures outside of the USA, it's pretty weird to be smiled at across the street by a stranger. Do they smile as a sign of friendliness or just joy to be traveling around?

The real reason may never be known. However, the question lies in whether these strangers return the smile. While some probably find it to be very strange, there must be at least some people who smile in return.

Ooh! Aah!

From ruins to paintings, many tourists find ancient history fascinating. All forms of artifacts are appreciated. However, it's as if American tourists are in absolute shock that the places they see on the internet are actually real.

After the shock has begun to wear off, the cameras are pulled out to document the moment. They're sure to get every possible angle with either a selfie or those cliché poses in pictures. At least with all those photos, they'll never forget the experience.

Shorts Chic

It's true that shorts are a smaller item of clothing, which means they take up less space in the bag. However, that's most likely not the reason American tourists are almost always spotted wearing them. Shorts do allow for more movement and allow your legs to catch a tan while touring around.

But when it comes to the colder temperature destinations, things look a little different. Come rain, snow, or shine, you'd be able to easily spot the American tourist because (you guessed it) they'd be wearing shorts.

Hometown Pride

Most of the time, while we're traveling and meeting locals or other tourists, it's common to share a few personal details, including our country of origin. However, when it comes to American tourists, they will hardly ever just say "the United State of America."

Instead, they share the exact state they come from and even their small hometown that no one has ever heard of outside of the state. Maybe this is because each state has unique features, and people's personalities vary depending on where they're from. Or, maybe, they just think everyone has perfect knowledge of American geography.