Americans? (college, minimum wage, living)

[PA2UK]

I think there are certain "American looks" in the way people dress. Like the "all-american boy/girl next door type", such as the Abercrombie and Fitch look (not necessarily wearing A&F but that style).

But naturally, it's a generalization.

As an American living in England, I've noticed that most British people can't tell any difference between Americans and Canadians. Some people have actually thought I'm Australian, even after hearing my accent. I've heard from other Americans living in England that they've been mistaken for being Irish (even after hearing the accent). Most people are taken by surprise when they hear my accent, meaning that they did not notice anything different about me just by looking at me.

And apparently there's a recent picture of me that everyone who knows me back in the US claims I "look very British" in - I'm not sure how because I have the same haircut I had when I lived in the US, wasn't wearing any makeup (same as when I lived in the US) and was just wearing a basic black sweater.

So I'm not entirely convinced that anyone can spot any nationality just by looking at them or even sometimes by hearing them.

[Neuling]

Of course there are Americans who don't appear American, still, I think those exceptions don't mean that it is usually not possible to spot Americans.

Irish English indeed does sound very American, they pronounce the r in pretty much the same way, unlike Brits. After all, that's partly where American English got its characteristic sound from.

[grmike]

the US is the most ethnically diverse country in the world the accent should be the only giveaway. even then canadians, australians, britons are developing more Americanized accents.

[Mr Floyd]

Originally Posted by rickmahorn

Oh, absolutely. Most people who meet me abroad think I'm Scandinavian. We're just going for the generalized 'American stereotype'.

One thing that is funny while abroad is calling a Canadian an American. They generally seem to despise getting confused for Americans (maybe not anymore with a president with a better worldview).

When you played for the Pistons, you always looked more Asian.

[Scotslass]

In Glasgow and Edinburgh the obvious ones are the well the ones with the big cameras over their shoulder, poor dress sense, socks and sandals. Of course not all dress like that but that is indeed the obvious ones that you can pick out a mile away or the loud accent. Just depends i guess.

[Repubocrat]

This thread is great! I just came from Montreal and I always had my Minnesota Twins baseball hat on LOL, often worn backwards like someone said and I did not know that was only an American thing I also had a Twins baseball shirt and wore some of my U of Minnesota t-shirts while I was there. I did not wear brand new Nike running shoes but some New Balance running shoes which are definitely an American thing. Now I am starting to understand why I got a few dirty looks

[memiek]

Hairstyles are a dead give-away mostly.

Americans tend to have a more conservative hairstyle than for instance Europeans or Aussies. Goes for both men and women.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by memiek

Hairstyles are a dead give-away mostly.

Americans tend to have a more conservative hairstyle than for instance Europeans or Aussies. Goes for both men and women.

That all depends on where abouts in the U.S these tourists are from and it also depends on the European country too as we're not all the same.

[XodoX]

I'from Germany and trust me... I can tell if I see Americans You all just look different. I am being told all the time that I "do not look American".

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by XodoX

I'from Germany and trust me... I can tell if I see Americans You all just look different. I am being told all the time that I "do not look American".

But you can only account for the ones you do notice. Don't you think it's possible that there are plenty of Americans you never noticed because not all of them look different?