Americans Abroad: A Study in Enthusiastic Insecurity

Want to spot an American abroad? Look for someone who’s overly enthusiastic about proving they are somebody, something, and they belong somewhere.

When I first moved to the UK from Chicago, I’d done my homework. I’d devoured countless “Americans are…” threads on Reddit, learning what not to do. I knew to keep quiet about certain things, to be polite, to resist the urge to trace my ancestry back to my great-great-great-great-great grandparents for perfect strangers. I learned that complaining isn’t considered conversation. But my new expat friends? They missed the memo.

The New School Patrick Batemanism

Watch how quickly banter and chat dissolve into resume recitation. Americans, especially those from the coasts, have mastered the art of establishing their net worth and social rank through hobbies without actually revealing anything about themselves. It’s behavioral science 101: association equals power. It’s why people root for sports teams in games they’ve never played — the association with winning.

The irony? Being associated with all things American isn’t exactly trending right now. Sure, we’ve got great music, entertainment, the saltiest food ever, and we’re leagues ahead in software and business. But there’s this overwhelming sense from the…