Have you noticed people in foreign countries always treat you differently once you tell them you're American?

Question

I have. .

Answer 1

No, I haven't but, I see by your nick that you are sensitive.  Our daughter, an American, lives in London and is embarrassed at times.  When we visited, she admonished us to hush our voices, because "all Americans speak too loudly."  We laughed and respected her request, then tried to listen for it.

Then we joked about Americans identifying themselves as Canadians if they felt so bad.  I guess it's the shame of what our President has done recently, but I think most people in other countries understand that one person is not the same as the whole country and certainly not the same as the current administration.

Does that help you feel better?  Anyway, I think we are in for a change soon.

Answer 2

its understandable

Answer 3

No the locals in Mexico can spot you right off. - lol

Many Europeans that travel are multilingual.  Most Americans tend to be a bit more dependant upon the English language than the English.  There are also phases that are well understood in the UK that may need to be explained to a person new to the area.

In general though it is the same as finding out someone is a foreign tourist in the USA.  People in general are curios about other people from far off lands.  The farther and the fewer the more interested people seem to be.  But they also choose their words more carefully if they know that misunderstandings may occur.

Answer 4

When I'm in yahoo chat room most IM's are people from other countries looking for people from the USA. They think people from the USA are rich and they ask for money or help to get to the USA. I try to explain but most of the time they just don't get it. How you could live in the USA and be poor. I tell them most of us are living on credit and if someday we can longer pay for what we got we are going to be in trouble. Plus a lot of us are living where and with we don't want to just to survive.

Answer 5

Here in Australia we very rarely have to be told you are an American - it is pretty obvious. That said we are usually keen to learn more about you and hear where you are from but usually Americans over here are pretty loud and have fairly high self esteem if you know what I mean.

Answer 6

I've never told anyone that I am American. I must try it one day to see if I get the sort of reaction you mention.

Answer 7

nope not american

Answer 8

Nope, not really.  The only thing I've noticed is that they have been very interested in getting to know me.  For example, I was sitting on a bench in a square in Barcelona, and a older gentleman struck up a conversation in Spanish and invited me for coffee at El Corte Ingles cafeteria.  In Rome, a gorgeous guy at a bus stop started a conversation with me in English.  In Paris, the lady at the bakery was very informative and curious about me.