How to Spot an America While in Europe

I was getting coffee at the local café in Trastevere (Rome) when the cashier asked me where in America I was from. I was totally confused. I went out of my way not to wear shorts, bright colors, fanny-packs, or obnoxious sneakers. I tried to wear dark colors as much as possible, I knew where I was going most of the time, and I ordered in Italian. There is no worse feeling then mustering up the courage to order in Italian, planing out every word and tense, only for the cashier to respond "that'll be seven twenty-five please" in perfect English. Talk about a hit to the ego. I tried so hard not to stand out for the 6 months I lived in Italy. So what gave me away? One day I asked one of my Italian teachers to see what made me stand out as an American. While I didn't stand out in the obvious way that the stereotypical tourist does, there were still some signs that gave me away. here's What I learned NOT to do:

1. Coffee To-Go

Apparently, coffee on-the-go is a totally American thing. While you might be able to get away with it in the UK and Ireland, forget about it in Italy and France. They prefer to drink their coffee sitting down, or standing up at the bar. If you order your coffee/espresso/cappuccino to-go, you're American.

2. Ask for WiFi

If you sit down at a restaurant, cafe, or bar and ask for the Wi-Fi password, it's a dead giveaway. Americans are extremely attached to their phones and go as far as putting their phones on the table in restaurants. Want people to roll their eyes at you? Obnoxiously ask for the wi-fi password. Then you're definitely American.

3. Requesting Ice and/or Tap Water

If you ask for ice in your soft drink, you're definitely American. It's just not something non-Americans worry about! Also, if you expect water to be free or order tap water, they know you're American. Many countries (like Italy) charge for water, and sometimes beer and wine is cheaper than water! Ask for tap water or ice? You're absolutely American.

4. Wearing Baseball Hats

There are a few pieces of clothing that are stereotypical American. Northface, Uggs, Under Armor, but especially baseball hate. It makes sense since baseball is an American pastime, but it's not a European past-time. Baseball hats are a dead giveaway that you're American.

5. Tipping

Tipping is polite in the U.S. If you don't tip, you're a jerk (in our culture). However, Europe is completely different. Each country is different, so make sure you look up the "tipping etiquette" before you go. If you tip, while you're trying to be friendly, it seems strange to some cultures (like Italy). If do decide to tip, and you tip more than 10%, you're totally American.

6. Discussing Football

American football is NOT, I repeat NOT the same as European football. European football is like American soccer, but on steroids. You think the U.S. has big football, baseball, and basketball fans? We've got nothing on the European football fans. If you ask what football is, or why Europeans are so into football, you obviously don't understand it and you're clearly American.

7. Rocking White Socks

If you're wearing sneakers, and you're wearing white socks, you're American. Typically Europeans wear darker socks if they're traveling. White socks stand out almost as much as fanny packs! You're obviously American.

8. Eating While Walking (besides Ice Cream)

Like coffee, we Americans enjoy eating/drinking as we stroll. Having a warm latte as we walk down the street, or eating a sandwich as we waltz to our next destination, it's totally practical and acceptable. However, in Europe it's just weird. Now, you could grab a pizza or a panini to go and then sit down somewhere to eat. If you're walking and eating lunch, you're definitely American.

9. Smiling

We Americans take care of our teeth. We get braces, whiten them, get tooth cleanings regularly, etc. Europeans don't quite have the . . . commitment that Americans have to dental hygiene. Our bright and shiny teeth can come off a bit like "Stepford Wives" to them. Have pearly whites? You're American.

Some of the aspects that made me stand out as an American I could totally control. But others, like my pearly whites or desperate need for Wi-Fi since I had no cell service, couldn't be controlled. While these are all hints that your American, it's not necessarily a bad thing! Most Europeans are extremely friendly to Americans and are more than happy to help. Embrace that you're a tourist and you can't hide it!