30+ Questionable Things Americans Have Done While Visiting Other Countries

Melissa Sartore
August 3, 2021 46.9k votes 4.3k voters 102.2k views
Voting Rules
Vote up the most offensive things Americans have done while visiting other countries.

Not all American tourists are bad. Repeat: not all American tourists are bad.

Many times, what's seen as insulting or questionable behavior is the result of culture shock or simple ignorance. Exploring new areas, meeting new people, and taking in new experiences can be overwhelming, and Americans, like tourists from around the world, may react poorly. 

Americans traveling abroad do have a bit of a reputation, however. Redditors offered up examples of why that might be the case. Americans not only say some weird things to non-Americans, but they also behave in some questionable ways.

Are these things problematic? Sometimes. Insensitive? Often. Offensive? Unfortunately. On the whole, the behaviors of Americans overseas may make you laugh, sigh, or want to cry. Vote up the ones that are shocking enough they might just force you to do all three.

  • 1
    2,527 VOTES

    Kilts Are Not An Invitation To Try To Catch A Peek

    From u/Carl_Clegg:

    I got stopped by an American tourist as I was on my way to a wedding in my kilt. That prick straight up lifted the back of my kilt to prove I was a true Scotsman.

    My mate intercepted the perfect diving headbutt.

    2,527 votes
  • 2
    2,297 VOTES

    This Is All Really Complicated

    From u/Tytonidae7:

    From my job at a youth hostel:

    Explained that Euros are way too complicated and they refused to pay with anything but dollars. Another one complained that they couldn’t read street signs and there should be an English version... in a small town without a lot of tourists.

    Another thing I have seen way too often [in Germany]: they do the Nazi greeting, which is illegal, and they often find it hilarious.

    2,297 votes
  • 3
    2,640 VOTES

    What Did The Koala Ever Do To You?

    From u/Istealpotatoes:

    In Australia, [they] shook a koala out of a tree at a wildlife park.

    2,640 votes
  • 4
    2,160 VOTES

    Stop Asking Questions, Please

    From u/frankiestree:

    I was in a tour group in Tajikistan and we were inside a local's house who had invited us in for tea. He was telling us about his family and how many children they have, etc. The only American in the group piped up and asked, "What contraception does your wife use? Does she use herbs or something?"

    Everyone was just aghast and he politely avoided the question, then there was a long awkward silence. And so the[n] she asked AGAIN! At that point, another tour member interjected and said, "Okay, I think it’s time for us to leave. Thanks for having us."

    2,160 votes
  • 5
    2,162 VOTES

    Everything's A Souvenir-In-The-Making

    From u/Quack_Candle:

    When I was in France, a couple American tourists tried to sneak out of the Paris Catacombs with a bone they had stolen.

    2,162 votes
  • 6
    2,518 VOTES

    Parents Are Bad Influences

    From u/misterkittybutt:

    I'm an American, but I was visiting England and touring the Tower of London. There was a cannon behind a rope with a "Do not touch or climb" sign.

    This American woman lifted the rope and told her kid (maybe seven years old) to go sit on the cannon so she could take a picture. The KID protested and said the sign said no... The woman said she didn't care, and ordered her kid to do it or she'd ground them.

    2,518 votes