When assessing a pub or café, I first determine if they are more into food or drinks. Lately it’s clear that drinks are more profitable than food, and many places do food lazily on the side and stop serving it early to make way for their drinking crowds. Any backpacker interested in getting a cheap buzz while hanging out with friends knows a bottle of good wine in a store costs less than a single glass of wine in a restaurant or bar. Benches and the explosion of life on parade that comes with each evening paseo seem designed for exactly this activity: cheap outside drinking. I’ll never forget sitting on a concrete bench gazing peacefully past the crowds up at the floodlit Notre Dame in Paris, when the hobo on the next bench bent creakily over to me with an outstretched hand. Holding out a crumpled plastic bottle, he was offering me a swig of his wine to better enjoy one of Europe’s finest Gothic views.

Posted by: Rick (Jackie's Dad) - Jul 15, 2009 12:26 PM

I could be wrong, but I think what gives Zoe away is that she is with you. That's not a bad thing, you are both are very attractive, but your appearance is very non-spanish. I would have said very American, but Scandinavian also comes to mind.

Posted by: Pat - Jul 15, 2009 1:30 PM

I am with Pat. It may be that you don't look Spanish. Both of you are very attractive though so don't take that the wrong way. If I were younger and single, I would be hitting on you like a well dressed Italian man living with his momma. :) Here are my observations as I like to observe cultures, have talked to some Europeans about our differences, and have tried to look and dress like Europeans. 1) shorts - Europeans don't typically wear shorts, no matter how hot it is, unless they are on vacation. Pants, slacks, dresses, skirts, the whole skirts and pants thing but no shorts. Americans stick out like a sore thumb when they wear shorts. Also, Americans tend to wear looser clothing and pants. Europeans wear tighter. Not always though. 2) shirts - Most Europeans don't wear shirts with a lot of writing on it. Sure a logo here and a t shirt here and there. Hard to describe but you can almost alays observe an America (esp male) by his shirt. Europeans, in my opinion, tend to wear more solid colors. 3) Shoes - Europeans don't wear sneakers. They tend to wear more dark colored and stylish shoes, even comfy walking shoes, but not sneakers. 4) body language - Jackie, this may be your dead give away. Americans tend to swing their arms more and are just more active and flamboyant when they walk. Whether arms swing more, or bouncing more when we walk, more free and loose. Europeans walk a bit more controlled with arms closer to their bodies and less arm swing, more upright, and not as free or animated. Again, just my observations. Try watching people and see if you observe any of this as well. I actually tried dressing and walking more like Europeans and have been mistaken for locals on the street. It's awkward but a good feeling. :)

Posted by: Jeremy B - Jul 15, 2009 3:02 PM

Jeremy B...great post, my man. I absolutely concur about the style of dress; my basic wardrobe traveling abroad are khaki/or casual pants(2 pair), solid long sleeve shirt (3 of them). at least one or two nice "nightlife" longsleeve for going out, and just one pair of casual walking shoes (good ol' Propets!). Because I study the locals map intensely before just setting out, my tendency is looking around without my head wildly swiveling so I always look like I "walk with a purpose". Just as Jeremy has described, people assume sometimes I'm something other than American. That never stops feeling weird. Frankly, I don't get the flip-flop thing...I mean if it comfortable, ok (though in the cobblestoned "Old World", i fail to see it). Another dead giveaway you're an American might be the vocal volume. Something tells me Zoe is the louder of the two..... heh, my security word is "shirts"

Posted by: Alfran - Jul 15, 2009 5:33 PM

Jackie, Zoe: I believe that your teeth are what distinguish you as being American. Both of you have Hollywood perfect, straight, evenly spaced, bright white teeth. Also, your teeth show no tobacco stains. Look at your travel acquaintances and see how many at your age already have dark stains from years of smoking. Last, I am confident that you flash a wide smile when you meet someone. Most people smile when greeted warmly. But, observe the smiles on people you know to be locals. My observations have been that their lips often rise less than half way up their teeth. Only within your lifetime has Europe accumulated enough wealth to care for its teeth. The US is the only country that has had enough middle class wealth for long enough time to have produced three generations of Hollywood perfect teeth in vast quantity. Your dad blogged about a year ago that he was very proud to live in a country where he could accumulate enough wealth to afford braces for your teeth for what has become a rite of passage, not always a necessity. I believe the somewhat limited smiles, even today, hide less than perfect teeth. I believe you will never fully blend in -- but for a very good reason.

Posted by: Charles in Plano - Jul 15, 2009 10:58 PM

I really admire capable people. Doesn't matter if they are smooth or clever or good schmoozers - just that they do a great job consistently. Sometimes it's the former who first get the job but, unless they are professional politicians, they rarely last. And sometimes the best people look like they are striving - at least at first. In the U.S. that overt effort is sometimes considered uncool because it's considered cool never to let them see you sweat. So when I compliment these two young travelers on their written communications, I mean it. Those skills also probably extend to their verbal ability to interface with others and that translates to a better image for Americans abroad (giggling is allowed). I have only had significant contacts with two actual employees of RS ETBD. Both make the company look very good. One is Ms Inside (Deanna Woodruff). The other Ms outside (Helen Inman). Reading the blogs posted by extended "family" members leads me to believe there are some great examples being set. Our country can use some really good people in the business world. bill kester, pendleton, south carolina

Posted by: Bill Kester - Jul 16, 2009 6:29 AM

i dont think they now you necercerly are american (allthough we sport them easily =) ) they will see that you are foreign then they will talk english. they do it to us scandinavians as well

Posted by: alexander - Jul 27, 2009 11:34 AM

I haven't quite figured out the criteria for being spotted as an American, either. My husband and I will both walk into the same store and a salesclerk will speak their own language to me (which I usually don't understand) and speak English to him. Don't think age has anything to do with it as we are in out late 60's & early 70's.

Posted by: Ellen - Jul 30, 2009 8:53 AM

It is interesting how Europeans spot tourist and often their nationality. I traveled with my brother in Paris. We were at a parade and the security was checking bags. The guard gave me a nice "Merci", but my brother who was right after me got "Thank You". But then I favor dark clothes, no sneakers, and am more introverted than a typical American.

Posted by: Emily - Aug 05, 2009 10:40 AM