Why some Americans lie about being American when traveling
"Where are you from?"
It's a common question travelers get, one that some Americans prefer wouldn't be asked at all, as they'd like to keep their nationality a secret when abroad.
In a Feb. 2026 survey by the worldwide shipping company Send My Bag, 44% of the 1,000 U.S. adult respondents aged 18 to 45 said they have lied about being American while outside the country. Of those, 28% said they do it occasionally, while 16% admit to lying regularly.
"It's not uncommon to tell small lies to avoid awkward conversations, and what we're seeing here is young Americans choosing to blend in while traveling, opting to focus on their experience rather than being asked for their opinion on the administration's policies," Adam Ewart, founder and CEO of Send My Bag, told USA TODAY in an email. "Europe is a top destination for Americans. They go for the food, culture, and history, not to have a conversation about whether Greenland is about to be annexed."
People stand next to fence barriers near the Louvre Pyramid in Paris.
They're concerned about how they're perceived abroad as Americans and don't want to face hostility or unwanted attention from others with strong political opinions. "To reduce tension and deflect any potential confrontations, Americans may make the choice to pass for another nationality," he said.
Do American tourists behave badly?
Others try to avoid standing out as the stereotype of the noisy, obnoxious American. American tourists often get a bad reputation, but it's not only negative reviews.
From Dec. 2025 to Jan. 2026, Gallup Iceland surveyed 427 tourism professionals for the travel platform Guide to Iceland to learn their experiences working with tourists, including those from the United States, Germany, China, and Canada.
The survey results found Americans to have a wide range of travel behaviors. They're voted the easiest to communicate with, but also the second-most likely to ignore safety and environmental guidelines and to create "challenges in service," such as delays or complaints.
"As one of the largest visitor groups in Iceland, (Americans) represent a very wide range of travel styles and expectations," Ingólfur Shahin, CEO of Guide to Iceland, told USA TODAY. "Their strong English proficiency makes communication easy, but their large numbers and diverse travel habits naturally mean that more issues may be reported simply due to volume."
It may be up to the individual traveler to break any stereotypes. "A good traveler is curious, respectful, and prepared," he continued. "They follow local guidelines, respect nature and local communities, and take the time to understand the place they are visiting."
