The Send My Bag survey reveals that many U.S. travelers hide their nationality abroad to avoid politics and stereotypes.
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“Where are you from?”
This is a common question travelers get, but some Americans prefer not to be asked at all, as they want to keep their nationality a secret while abroad.
In a February 2026 survey by global shipping company Send My Bag, 44% of 1,000 U.S. adult respondents between the ages of 18 and 45 said they had lied about being American while abroad. Of those, 28% said they sometimes lie, and 16% admitted to lying regularly.
“Telling little lies to avoid awkward conversations is not uncommon. What we’re seeing here is that young Americans are choosing to blend in while traveling, choosing to focus on their own experiences rather than being consulted 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 come for the food, culture and history, not to discuss whether Greenland is about to be annexed.”
They are concerned about how they are viewed as Americans abroad and do not want to face hostility or unwanted attention from others with strong political views. He said, “To reduce tensions and avoid potential conflict, Americans may choose another nationality.”
Do American tourists misbehave?
Some try to avoid standing out as stereotypes of loud, obnoxious Americans. American tourists often get a bad reputation, but it’s not all bad reviews.
Gallup Iceland surveyed 427 tourism professionals from the travel platform Guide to Iceland between December 2025 and January 2026 about their experiences dealing with tourists, including those from the United States, Germany, China, and Canada.
Survey results show that Americans engage in a wide range of travel behaviors. Although they are rated the easiest to communicate with, they are also the second most likely to ignore safety and environmental guidelines and cause “service challenges” such as delays and complaints.
“As one of Iceland’s largest tourist groups,[Americans]have a very wide range of travel styles and expectations,” Guide to Iceland CEO Ingolfur Şahin told USA TODAY. “They have a high level of English proficiency, so communication is easy, but their large numbers and diverse travel habits mean more problems may be reported simply due to higher volume.”
It may be up to the individual traveler to break the stereotype. “Good travelers are curious, respectful and prepared,” he continued. “They follow local guidelines, respect nature and local communities, and take the time to understand the places they visit.”
