The Subtle Behaviors That Reveal You’re American Abroad

A quick smile on a crowded train can be intended as nothing more than a pleasant acknowledgment. In parts of the United States, making brief eye contact and offering a friendly expression is a normal way to show that one is approachable. On the Paris Métro, a Berlin tram, or a busy London commuter train, passengers may follow a quieter custom. They read, look at their phones, stare through the window, and allow the people around them to remain anonymous.