How to Spot an American in the UK: 5 Quirks Instantly Recognizable

How to spot an American in the UK: 5 quirks instantly recognizable. Would you be able to spot any of these quirks? Can you recognize these quirks in yourself as an American? As a Brit, are these quirks instantly recognizable?

Moving to the UK has been a truly heartwarming experience. The warm welcome from my husband’s family and British friends has helped ease the homesickness for the people and places I miss back in the States.

But living abroad as an American comes with some unexpected realizations—especially about how obvious it is that I’m not from around here!

Here are five instantly recognizable signs that someone is an American abroad—and yes, I’ve been guilty of every single one! How do you spot an American in the UK?

😄 1. The Half-Smile Greeting

In the U.S., it’s second nature to make eye contact with strangers on the street and flash a friendly half-smile. It’s our non-verbal way of saying: “Hey! I hope you’re having a nice day!”

Try that in the UK, and you’ll likely be met with a confused glance—or completely avoided. I’ve turned it into a game: how many Brits can I get to return the smile?! 😊

🏛️ 2. We’re Enthralled by Old Stuff

Americans tend to be amazed by anything more than 300 years old. In places like Stonehenge or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, we’re the ones taking pictures pretending to hold the monument in our hands.

It’s charming, maybe a little cliché—but totally us!

How to spot an American in the UK?
Stonehenge in the palm of your hands
@amschotel

📍 3. How We Answer “Where Are You From?”

This is a big one. When Brits ask me where I’m from, I used to say “Central Massachusetts.” But unless someone knows Boston well, that means very little.

Now I’ve adapted:

“I’m from the Northeast Coast, U.S.—near Boston.”
Most people recognize that, and if they don’t, I go bit further with my geography. “East coast, south of Canada, north of Florida” 😂

🗺️ 4. We Forget How Big the U.S. Is (And Assume Everyone Else Knows It)

It’s funny how often we assume people around the world will know the geography of the U.S. The reality? The UK is smaller than several U.S. states. A Brit saying they’re from “Lymington” is like us saying I’m from “Millbury”—most people have no clue where that is!

Even our sense of travel distances is different. Flying across the U.S. can take longer than flying from Boston to London.

Compare the size of the U.S. to England!

Map of U.K.

Map if the U.S.

And a flight from Boston, Massachusetts can take longer than a flight from Boston to Heathrow Airport in London England!

American Travel across the pond

💱 5. Expecting Everyone to Speak English & Take Dollars

Another classic American abroad move: assuming everyone speaks English or accepts U.S. dollars. In a country as large as the U.S., you can travel thousands of miles without ever changing languages or currency. Not so in Europe, where hopping across a border means a new language, culture, and sometimes currency.

🌍 The Takeaway? Embrace the Differences!

Travel teaches us humility, curiosity, and the beauty of other cultures. Being “the obvious American” isn’t a bad thing—it just means we have the chance to learn, laugh, and grow through our experiences.

So keep smiling, keep exploring, and keep learning. That’s what makes travel so rewarding.