How to Blend in as an American Tourist in Europe and Avoid Scammers

North Americans are classified as wealthy and gullible by some of these scammer groups, and they know how to push your buttons. We Europeans constantly see it, and we want to warn you!

I'm not saying that they don't target Asians, Australians, South Americans, and Africans, it's just that they will use different tactics to do so.

Here are some tips to help you blend in on your next trip to Europe so that you don't turn into a target.

Related Topics: Expectations vs. Reality: An American Tourist’s Guide to Europe and The 8 most annoying Things American Tourists do in Europe and at last 24 Common Tourist Scams in Europe.

Your Attire & Looks

The biggest giveaway is the outfit. Europeans dress a bit differently, and they tend to be more fashion conscious, or they stick to a minimal look.

You guys care about comfortable, useful travel attire, and you tend to be overly prepared, with fanny packs etc., as if you are taking part in a safari.

North Americans wear trainers with all outfits all the time.

Elderly Americans wear a common combo that includes an ensemble of sports sneakers with a T-shirt, a pair of jeans, track pants or shorts, and a cap or hat.

Youngsters are also easy to spot with their mini shorts and sorority sweaters, and full make-up faces. European teenage girls wear similar sets, but they don't get theirs from Nordstrom but from Zara and H&M and the difference is the style. Besides, European make-up and hair is a natural look.

Straight perfectly aligned, super white teeth are another tell-tale sign or the nose job.

Your Loud Voice, Accent, and Vocabulary

Americans are notoriously loud, and we can hear your stories even when we don't want to hear them, which annoys Europeans and attracts scammers.

Take the volume of your voice down a notch because your accent is instantly noticeable. The way you say Italy, for example.

Other than that, Americans out themselves by using certain adjectives all the time, such as tremendous, great and awesome or words like soccer, honey, sweetie or bless your heart. Compare and touch up on your European Continental English.

This is just something to keep in mind. If you primarily just start lowering your vocal levels, you will be doing yourself a favor.

Overly Friendly

Americans are lovely and friendly people, and we love their company, but you will stick out like a sore thumb in Europe.

People from all over Europe don't tend to be that friendly, and Europeans don't talk to strangers, it scares us.

You also smile a lot more. We have that “leave me alone attitude” or we do the disinterested “cool” gloomy look.

Of course, it depends on the location in Europe because people in Spain will be more welcoming than Austrians, I can guarantee you that.

But one thing is certain, the polite, friendly, warm American way will get the attention of every thieve and scam artist in town.

Socializing

I hold Americans in high esteem for their charisma, self-assurance, and ease in interacting with others.

Europeans don't do that, they keep to themselves, and they are not that charismatic either.

Ultimately, this skill is just another indication that you are American.

I suggest blending in and watching how Europeans carry themselves because the regions across Europe are all extremely diverse.

Learn to not Engage and to say No

We have seen groups of scammers pretending to be NGO workers, encircling nice American folks because they didn't know how to clearly say no.

I know this is a general problem, and isn't limited to Americans, but if you don't learn to say no, you will be eaten alive by these fraudsters. They are aware that you don't want to be rude, and that's your weakness.

On the other hand, you don't have to say “No, thank you” when some dude throws a bracelet at you to engage. Just let the bracelet drop on the floor, and just give them a dead-boring stare, or ignore them, don't talk to them and just walk on.

Be like a cold mainland European.

Carrying a Water Bottle Everywhere

Technically, the joke is on us Europeans because we should drink more water.

Americans always seem to have a bottle of water in their hand, if it's not some fancy, colorful flask. And we see you guys drinking a lot of water.

This is a great way to spot an American!

The Tipping Problem

Avoid tipping large sums, like you would do in the US. The tipping culture isn't the same in Europe and waiters can take advantage of you.

We noticed a worrying trend in Europe, where waiters, mostly East Europeans and in East Europe, slyly ask for a 10-20% tip on the bill.

Europeans only leave tips when the service was outstanding and a waiter doesn't ask for tips, it's considered rude. Besides, Europeans will round up, and that's the tips.

For example, the bill is €8.90, and while you are paying you ask them to roundup to €10. The waiter automatically understands that the extras are his tips.

On our trips to Prague, Budapest, Bucharest and Bratislava, we witnessed American table neighbors turning into prey. The waiters only asked them for 20% tips.

Starbucks and Coffee to Go

We have everywhere coffee shops in Europe, but Americans go to Starbucks when they are in Europe. Europeans generally don't care that much about Starbucks.

Scammers hangout outside Starbucks because Starbucks are always located next to the biggest tourist areas in Europe (to target American customers). They look out for potential future victims.

I'm not saying that you can't go to Starbucks, just that you need to be aware of how the world functions around you.

If you leave Starbucks with a coffee to go, speaking loud with your American accent, dressed like you were in Miami in July, you could easily turn into a pickpocketing or fraudster victim within minutes. The vultures are everywhere!

Avoid Using U.S. Customary Units

Depending on the situation, if you don't want to be outed as an American, stick to the metric system when you are in Europe.

Instead of Fahrenheit, use Celsius, instead of miles it's meter and so on.

Everybody in the world knows that Americans avoid the metric system, and they will second guess themselves when you are talking meters and kilograms.