No one wants to admit they’re easy to read, but when Americans travel abroad, there are a handful of habits and behaviors that give us away: Our big American smiles. A general friendly air that can verge on “disconcerting” to some Europeans. Our love of yoga pants (and athleisure in general) and iced coffee (if ice is even on hand).
But apparently, our posture gives us away, too. Online, plenty of non-Americans say you can spot an American abroad just by the way we stand: It’s so ubiquitous among us, there’s even a name for it now: the “American lean.”
Say you’re in line at Disneyland Paris, waiting to get on “Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain.” Instead of standing upright like most adults, if you’re American, you’ll lean back on a wall or generally slouch your way through the whole 75-minute ordeal.
Why? We could posit a few reasons: It’s awkward to stand around; leaning is a great way to conserve energy you’d otherwise waste standing up; and if what your heart really desires is to sit, leaning is a wonderful in-between. (On that last note, though, may we introduce you to the Asian squat?)
Ronke Lawal, a PR and communications consultant in London, has noticed many Americans leaning in during her time. There’s specific body language that just screams “American!” to her, and the lean is one.
