To believe that Brits stand out a mile when abroad?

[ChickenSkin]

And I don't know why!

When we were in Florida we were walking through a mall and people definitely look twice at us. Little kids especially stared at our kids like they KNEW they were different.

So what is it about Brits that make us stand out so much?

Funny thread, I can't believe how much thought people have put into this! The only nationality I wrongly get mistaken for overseas is Aussie. That's because of my uk regional accent though it can be similar.

And on tomorrow's Wright Stuff...can you tell a Brit abroad?

Italians of both sexes receive a navy Husky jacket on their 35th birthday.

That is hilarious! My DH has a good friend who is Italian but living in the UK. He dresses immaculately at all times, and does not seem to know the meaning of the word 'casual'. He is about 35 but we've known his since her was about 25, and he has always dressed the same, which is pretty much the way sytlish Italian men of 55 dress, also.

we've known his since her? What bollox. I'll try again.

we've known him since he.

There we are. I can speak English, honest.

Younger British men wear their sideburns longer than Aussie guys. Freshly ironed shirt, jeans, white trainers. Football shirts.
Sometimes the girls are a bit too orange.

I thought it was a teeth thing, aren't we by reputation supposed to have a less whiter, brighter, straighter version than our American counterparts. They do spend a lot of time and money on their teeth and oral hygiene. I lived with an American who as well as brushing scraped their tongue and flossed twice daily

OP - Is it possible that you was doing something that was attracting attention? I?m asking because Florida shopping malls are full of Brit tourists, German tourists, Japanese tourists. Foreigners don?t generally attract attention.

That aside, walking around London I can often tell which country my fellow pedestrians are from by their clothes. Having said that, I/we only spot those that fulfill our stereotype. I mean, a lot of foreigner's just blend it and look like 'us'.

My friend says yes, especially in restaurants when they ask for cheese on toast on square packeted bread not the posh bloomer stuff. Then get stroppy cos the owner doesn't understand what square bread in a packet is when he has all this lovely freshly baked loaves in his cafe/restaurant.

you get taken for a local in Europe if you don't look radically different in colouring from typical locals - and there is always a certain range - and you don't dress as if you are on holiday. If your clothes are casual city clothes in a city and casual country clothes in the countryside, I think most Europeans wouldn't stick out a mile. Depends a bit too on whether the colours you like are the colours locals tend to wear or not.

In France they always think we are dutch very confusing.

Oh God yes the teeth.

Makes mental note to keep gob shut in America

I think it's the general awkwardness which gives us away. I'm half Italian but was brought up here. I have a very olive complexion, dark eyes, am told I dress well and am usually tanned but would never be accused of being a local on holiday. I'm far too hesitant and polite in manner.

But football shirts and lobster faces. Yuck!

My Dutch DH spoke Dutch to a shop assistant in Holland recently, while visiting family. The assistant replied in English and he was so mortified he continued the transaction in English. He has clearly become very anglicised, much to his annoyance.

He says Dutch tourists are very easy to spot by their clothes and hairstyles and chunky hockey-playing legs on the women. And also because they comment loudly in Dutch about other people on the Tube "Look what she's wearing!" etc because they think nobody can understand them.

My DH and I have dark hair (he tans, i get bleached).
In Turkey, people chatted to DH is Turkish and laughed when he looked . They said I "looked like a Turkish woman" (I'm hoping this was complimentary).

I want to buy my very Essex DS some Union Flag swimshorts (Sainsburys) for our Spanish holiday.DH doesn't want me to.

Ime, Brits stand out when they are all crimson and/or peeling all over, because they suntan their lily-white skin with abandon and without sun cream.

actually this was not abroad but for that reason it is even wierder. I went to Hull once for work and had a pub lunch before going back to the hotel. I had a chat to an old man in the pub for quite a long time and then he asked me if I was Swedish!

I definitely do not have a Swedish accent

Americans stand out when they wear shorts and t-shirt in the dead of winter. Does anyone know why they do this?

I have never found Americans guilty of that one but I know if you are in New Zealand with an icily cold southerly blowing, you will still find many hardy men out and about in shorts. Perhaps not just with a tshirt though

Having lived in North America for five years, I totally agree, I can spot a Brit a mile away. DH and I used to play spot the Brit whilst waiting at airport arrivals for one of our many visitors.

We are home now, but I will say that I think British women are very well groomed right up into old age, obviously not all of them but then not all Italian or Spanish women are either.

Lots of Tunisian people thought I was Belgian when we were there. I have no idea what it was that made them think that . I don't have a Poirot moustache.

All our fellow Brit holidaymakers seemed to know we were British before we opened our mouths. We just look British; pale skin, uncertain of the foreign food on offer, but happy to knock back any of the foreign booze proffered without giving each other uneasy looks .

I spotted quite a few in Tivoli in Copenhagen one year. It was the first weekend of November so all those with poppies on their jackets.

Italians are always bundled up for Arctic condition in expensive parkas, scarves and sunglasses.

Spaniards are similar, the women are also ultra slim and wear skinny jeans, and always have done. They favour, brown, olive taupe etc. no primary colours on these people.

Americans, wear much baggier jeans than Europeans and are less fashionable than your average European, hoodies and sports wear seem to be the norm. And the men always wear New Balance trainers, they all must have shares in that company. Oh and big cameras of course.

Eastern European style is a bit 80?s. Blue eyeliner, gelled hair styles, embellished jeans, gold and silver fabrics.