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3 Reasons Why Americans Aren’t as Bad as Every European Thinks They Are



I’m a firm believer in staying hydrated. So when the security at the airport makes me dump out the contents from my 40 ounce water bottle, the first thing I do when I get through the gate is find water! It still baffles me that there are no water fountains in the London, Stansted Airport (or hardly anywhere in the UK for that matter) so I decided to start asking random overpriced airport restaurants if they would fill my bottle. I particularly enjoyed one conversation while on my search:

“Sir, do you know if there is anywhere I could fill my water bottle?” (Meaning, you should fill this for me…please).

“Well, darling! Anything for a girl with that American accent! I’ll fill it here,” said the middle-aged man behind the counter. Somehow I didn’t mind that a guy that was the same age as my dad was calling me darling. I suppose his accent was pretty good too. 
While filling my bottle he asked, “Now where in America are you from?”

I answered, “I’m from Canada originally, but I currently live in Utah.”

He stumbled over his words and tried spewing apologies as fast as he could. “I’m so sorry! What an insult to call you an American! I beg your pardon! No offense, darling!…”

This wasn’t the first time someone had apologized for mistaking me for American. This occurrence was probably the fourth time that day. But, it was no use trying to console this man about the seemingly egregious error he made. I couldn’t convince him that being mistaken for an American was not a bad thing - In fact, many of the best people I know are American. I don’t mind at all being mistaken for one. But I wanted to share just a few reasons why I love Americans, which oddly enough are the reasons many Europeans dislike them. 
  1. Americans are too loud. While wandering through Europe, it’s hard to lose when playing the game ‘Spot-the-American.’ Americans are unusually loud in restaurants, on public transportation, and while waiting in queues, to the point that everyone else is embarrassed for them. This loudness can be perceived as attention-starved or obnoxious to the European. This loudness is a sign that Americans think they are the center of the universe. But I love this loudness (Usually). I really believe this loudness is a symbol of the American’s love of life, love to laugh, and love adventure. Yes, on a quiet train after a long day of work, hearing an overly excited group of Americans strike up their conversation next you is the last thing that you want, but the loudness is still a symbol of excitement for life (…and doesn’t the world need a little more of that?).
  1. Americans complain too much. Americans will let you know when they’ve been overcharged for their lunch. They’ll passive aggressively shout it in the rooftops when someone cuts the queue. They have an opinion on just about everything. They will break all sorts of social norms just to prove a point. That’s annoying. Can’t Americans just give it a rest sometimes and let things go? No one likes to hear the American complaining, but I would say that perhaps Americans have a particularly developed sense of justice. When we hear them complaining, they are usually complaining about the absence of justice, fairness, or what they perceive to be right. Because of this willingness to speak up when something isn’t right, Americans will be some of the first to give up their seat to the elderly, to help someone who dropped their drink, or any other time when an underdog needs defending.
  1. Americans are way too happy. When Americans say hello or tell you to have a good day, the rest of the world is annoyed. Who are these Americans to tell them what kind of day to have? Their smiles and warm greetings are over the top and completely necessary. To this view point, I would say that if American’s bid to ‘have a good day’ was completely fake or ridiculously plastic, yes, that would be annoying. But the most miraculous thing is that Americans actually mean it. They wish you well even if you are a total stranger.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very proud of my Canadian heritage. But when you mistake me for an American, I’ll take it as a compliment.

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