Five Ways to Spot an American in London
Americans seem to be the easy target for the butt of people’s jokes around the world. We are always stereotyped as the tourists who are loud, rude and lack common sense when travelling.
Although we may play into these stereotypes, I guarantee you that many if not all of us intend no harm by our actions. Coming from my own experience, I wasn’t used to seeing ancient buildings or historical landmarks at first since America is a fairly new country. I come from California where the object of interest is the ocean. Traveling abroad for me is like being a kid in a candy shop- dazed, giddy and oblivious to everything else that surrounds me.
London seems to be the hub for these annoying American tourists, as we seem to feel more comfortable here. I moved to London in March and I used to be one of these insufferable American tourists. Throughout my daunting transition from American tourist to a local Londoner, here are a few dead giveaways I noted when discovering one of us walking around in London:
TALKING LOUDLY ON THE TUBE…
Sorry, but I’m having this awesome conversation with my friend and I don’t really feel like wrapping it up. Now that I have “minded the gap” and stepped onto the tube I will continue this conversation but in a louder voice so I can be heard over the train sounds.
You can also probably hear me mimicking everyone's accent because “Oh my god, ACCENTS!” Apparently we don’t have those in America.
Americans Snapchatting our ride on the tube
NO SENSE OF WEATHER
What is this thing you call Centigrade? My phone told me ten degrees so it’s probably going to snow; I must dress like an Eskimo so I don’t get frostbite.
Oh look, the sun is shining in London, that never happens! I’m going to wear my Daisy Dukes and crop top.
Can we at least go snowboarding while it's this cold?
WE CAN’T SEEM TO READ SIGNS
Keep left? No thanks. I will walk on the right since that’s how we do it in the States. “Stand Right and Walk to the Left” on the escalators? No I’m good, I’d rather block everyone’s path so I can gossip with my friend that’s standing here to my right.
And definitely don't be this guy:
WE STRAY TOWARDS OUR OWN BRANDS
See that girl walking down the street with her Starbucks Iced Latte? She’s probably American. See that family with young children heading into McDonalds for a quick lunch? They’re probably American.
Don’t be fooled though, if you even bother to make fun of us for our “American ways” we will happily point out just how many McDonalds and Burger Kings you have at every corner compared to the actual amount that we have in our own neighborhoods.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ARE PRIORITY
Selfie Stick? Check. GoPro? Check. Wifi Connection? Check.
Okay now I can go check-in on Facebook, post my selfie in front of Big Ben on Instagram and Snapchat the awesome fish and chips I just ordered at the nearby pub.
Selfie with guard at Buckingham Palace
Yes, I am guilty of all of the above. However, after living in London the past three months I must say that I have turned it down a few notches. Once I started making these realizations and started feeling embarrassed for my "Yank" ways, I desperately try to blend in with the local Londoners.
I won't plead the fifth to all of these touristy giveaways though, I still highly value my Starbucks coffee and I refuse to miss my chance at a quality selfie that I will more than likely publish to my Instagram account as soon as possible.