International Travel Mistakes American Tourists Make

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a day ago

Quite a while back, I rounded up some American tourist travel faux pas that non-Americans called out. In the comments, people from all across the globe shared even more examples of what American tourists really need to stop doing.
Here are 27 of their top responses:
"When in Japan, please, for the love of God, bring some white socks to wear when touring the inside of temples and shrines. No one wants your sweaty gaijin feet all over the tatami."
—fishegg
"Stop going to Africa and posing with citizens who have less than you! It's a HUGE continent with so many luxuries. You're not helping anyone with your narcissistic ass!"
—jdnice
"'Slum tours' in India are also very cringe."
—kanelflixka
"As an Australian, please, for the love of Gaga, stop screeching out, 'The dingo took my baby!' at every opportunity. That was a thing that actually happened, and it was literally that — a baby girl was eaten by a wild dog, and the mother unjustly served time for murder before she was acquitted. It's not funny. It was a tragedy."
—perenti
"American college-age men generally have a bad reputation in almost every city in Japan because of the way they treat local women and men — especially women. It's basically a paradise for misogynistic tourists. Such as talking shit to them, openly making fun of them, groping, spitting at their faces, slapping them around, or, as in many cases, sexually assaulting or raping them. Those tourists don't seem to understand that most people — male and female — were raised to 'protect' Japan by not reacting negatively to what a tourist says or does. Just because a local doesn't react negatively still doesn't mean they're 'letting' you treat them like shit. Here's a tip: The more polite and reserved they are to you, the more they're telling you to stop what you're doing to them."
—superkay
"In the Caribbean, please stop assuming everyone with locs has weed to sell you. This goes to everyone, not just Americans."
—isola
"Please don't ask for an Irish car bomb cocktail in Ireland. Some people have a sense of humour about it, but most people don't. This also applies to any predominantly English-speaking country. Just don't do it."
—yukioaqualinekirko
"I used to live in Paris, and I got called out by multiple people because I didn't dress to their standards (chipped nail polish, ripped hose), and I am not a t-shirt and jeans or sweats dressing person, haha. I dress nicely and present myself nicely. It actually helped me notice minor things like that, and I applaud them for that. So 1) they do care and notice 2) maybe listen...simple yet elegant."
—lillemexa
"A big one for me that I've noticed with tourists of multiple nationalities is when you're in a busy museum, etc., don't get right up against the glass/display. When you do that, it means nobody else can see or read any of the information. Step back one or two feet so other people can also look. It keeps people flowing through a lot more easily. Whenever I've been to the British Museum, the crowds sticking their faces as close to the Rosetta Stone as they possibly can are ridiculous. You can't see anything else by getting right up to it (unless you need to get glasses) as opposed to standing a few steps back. It creates a huge backlog of people waiting to see it and an all-around more stressful visit."
—kerryb4e7ff4e7a
"I'm an Indonesian, and the one thing that makes me feel weird is when Americans think Bali is the only island or city in Indonesia. Dude, Jakarta is our capital city, and that's where we get our insight and view of the outside world; there are more sweet places in Indonesia besides Bali."
—ditowidarto
"When you ask an American abroad where they're from, they almost always say the city or state, as if the rest of the world should know where that is. Everyone else starts out by saying the country they're from, and then maybe narrows it if the conversation progresses."
—eemlly
"My American colleagues are often the loudest on the U-Bahn. They're lovely, but the loud conversation makes me want to get off at the next stop. The Germans don't give the stink eye, but you can feel the judgment."
—eemlly
"If you travel to any working city, remember that, whilst you're standing around gawking at skyscrapers and taking selfies, some of us are in a rush, stressed, and won't take kindly to you blocking our way whilst you get excited. Enjoy the city, of course, but avoid rush hour for doing touristy stuff!"
—acc41121031
"If you're going to do touristy stuff during rush hour, pay attention to what you're doing, where you're going, and, for God's sake, have your ticket/Oyster card/etc. ready to go when you're getting on/off public transport. Personally, I don't know why anyone would want to travel during rush hour if they didn't have to. In London, if you wait half an hour and get a train that will get in at 9:30 instead of 9, there's a massive difference in how busy it is. Just wait a little and have a more relaxed journey."
—kerryb4e7ff4e7a
"A Brit here. Please, could Americans (serial offenders) keep their voices down on the tube? Also, when visiting museums, don't be so shocked at history and how far it stretches. I once heard an American say he didn't know about ancient Egypt while visiting the British Museum. Thanks in advance."
—cosmicv1bes
"Canadians do not say 'aboot.' Not even close. Stop saying we say it."
—kimr4ac3db893
"Here's also another one — stop thinking Canada is just snow 24/7, because news flash, it's not!"
—havaneseperson
"I live in Edinburgh, Scotland, which attracts a LOT of international tourists, particularly during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. Sorry to say it, but American tourists are always, ALWAYS the loudest people around. Distractingly so. You lot have voices that could penetrate steel! If you're out and about, it isn't so bad, but pleeeaaase stop speaking so loudly in enclosed public spaces. Pay attention to the volume of the locals and adjust yours accordingly! Trust me, the entire pub/restaurant/train carriage, etc., does not want to hear about your Aunt June's hip replacement back in Omaha."
—clothildedauphin
"Stop comparing everything in our country unfavourably with the USA. If everything is bigger, better, brighter, cheaper, etc., back home, why did you travel in the first place?"
—philipn4226793a2
"Don't go to American fast food chains when you're hungry. You can eat the Big Mac back home in Arizona. Try something local. Even if you don't like it, take it as a 'once in your lifetime' meal."
—munze707
People from America need to stop pretending London is the only good place and Ireland is part of England."
—17ajacob
"Americans think all Swedes are tall, blonde, blue-eyed models, and a lot of times they assume we're all a bunch of idiots..."
—em_bexelle
"Stop assuming all Asian cultures are the same! Asia is a large continent made up of many different countries. Don't assume that just because you 'had a Chinese friend in high school,' you know everything about Korea, Vietnam, India, or anywhere else. (I'm an American expat living in Asia, by the way, and am always embarrassed and annoyed when tourists/foreigners of any nationality do this)."
—marcieg4f525f4ad
"Not only Americans, but all native English-speaking people: don't try to talk shit about people in a foreign country. You can't understand us, but [many people] speak English nowadays, seriously."
—addictaed
"Announcing that you're American in a voice that implies we're jealous of you. We're not."
—kathew2
And finally, these last two places are part of the US, but many tourists from the mainland vacation there:
"As a Puerto Rican I also have a petition for the tourist. PLEASE stop fighting and treating the workers like crap. Don't go to restaurants, cafes, etc., and complain about the food [or leave] without paying. Don't be so rude with locals, please. We love to have all of you on our beautiful island, but be a good tourist. Oh, and also, please don't shit or pee on our streets. It's disgusting and pretty rude!"
—himemoonpie
"If you are visiting Hawaii, one, do not joke about the missile scare a few years back. It was quite traumatic, and the islands believed that we were going to lose our lives. Two, please do not steal lava matter. It is a crime, and we believe you will have very bad luck should you do that."
—mikaelajswanson
What other American tourist travel mistakes would you add to this list? Or, if you're American, what's something you wish tourists knew before visiting your city or state from abroad? Let us know in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length/clarity.