Are you the same in your SO country as you are here?

[Ta Ta 1]

I was myself as usual but of course did not blend in and had to hide at times when

my fiance was negotiating a price, because everything doubled and tripled as soon as taxies or market people saw me. Little children were afraid of me but gummi bears helped and after a long time one little girl carefully touched my white skin.

I only saw about 4 other white people on my entire trip there and that was in the

capital city. I definitely did not blend in !

[LovinLiberia 0]

I didn't try to hide the fact that I was American, but I didn't try to announce it, either. Everyone there was shocked and complimented me for adapting to the culture so well. I just followed their lead and didn't complain, even when it was something that I wasn't used to doing. I heard so much about the "typical rude American traveller" that I didn't want to offend anyone and just politely joined in.

It was hard for me to blend in physically because even though I was a black American in Africa they could still tell the difference just from looking at my facial features, skin color, and clothing. I was stared at all day long.

[Caladan 19]

No need to be different, personally or culturally.

I try hard not to stare at the money, though. Sorta fascinated by the colors and the fun hasn't really worn off of having $2 coins. (It's the fun of grabbing a handful of change out of the glove compartment and having enough for ice cream and poutine.)

[sereia 0]

one of my pet peeves is when i hear about people hiding the fact that they are american when they travel...... if you are one of the "non annoying/cultured/non-fanny pack and white tennis shoe wearing travelers" why not REPRESENT your people in a positive way instead of hiding it and letting people continue to think ALL americans are such way?

but to answer the OP's question... i change slightly in morocco because i'd end up in jail or in a fight if i didn't. lol

[Elphie 0]

When I went, I was still me but I did try to adapt to the local customs. I also found myself feeling more shy around people than I normally am as well.

[Mags 112]

When I first moved to the USA I was a bit more reserved when talking. Simply because there is only so many times you can have a conversation about where you are from. Now I've been here 5 months I am getting much more used to it and am not nearly as afraid to open my mouth as I was.

I also don't seem to get the "oh my god I just love your accent!" as much. Or perhaps I was just more aware of it when I first moved here. I'm not knocking people about liking my accent though, it is a compliment and is taken as one.

Personality wise I am exactly the same with my husband as I was before.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Well, for the most part, Canada isn't all that different from the United States, so I didn't have a difficult time "fitting in" there. Some of the words threw me a little, such as "washroom" instead of "bathroom" or "restroom" and other minor things, like "running shoes" instead of "sneakers," but overall, much of what was spoken was the same.

I've never changed myself in Canada. My fiancee can attest to this. I felt no need to do so or to "hide" the fact I am American. I'm very proud to be an American. My fiancee is proud to be a Canadian, and she hasn't very well hidden that in in the U.S., so why should I be expected to do so in her country? Besides, I'm there in Canada for one reason and one reason only -- to see my fiancee. I'm not there to please complete strangers, all of whom have little-to-no bearing on my life.

[JODO 2]

I found myself behaving the same,but also I let my fiance do most of the talking as prices tended to increase once I opened my American mouth. I always enjoyed myself though and the people I met were really nice.

[jundp 191]

Well, I didn't really ever change myself. But I was an Air Force baby and I had also travelled alone to Europe, Ireland, and South America before visiting my SO's family for the first time. The only thing I really did was talk less. This was because though my SO's family all speak English well, I do NOT speak German (the 20 phrases I know only go so far....and some aren't really appropriate for mixed company!). I found it odd and somewhat endearing that his friends or friends of my bff would apologize to me for not speaking English better. My thought was "Dude, I'm in YOUR country....I am the one who needs to apologize!" Anyway, I'm slowly picking up words and of course, am shamed by the fact that my son is nearly fluent and teases me mercilessly.

However, I do say "das ist sehr gut" more often in Germany than America. It will remain my favorite phrase (next to "ich bin in gefangenschaft" which can't really be yelled out in public, apparently).

[bora bora 1]

I'm basically the same in Brazil as I am in the U.S. My husband is from the Amazon so the people are shorter and darker than I am. I'm 5'9"/blonde/blue eyes so I don't look typically Amazonian.

For this reason I stand out more, yet sometimes people think I'm from the south of Brazil (large European influence there).

I talk a lot to everyone in Brazil just like I do here so not much changes for me when I'm there. I'm just as extrovertive and adventerous .

[Scott & Lai 12]

one of my pet peeves is when i hear about people hiding the fact that they are american when they travel...... if you are one of the "non annoying/cultured/non-fanny pack and white tennis shoe wearing travelers" why not REPRESENT your people in a positive way instead of hiding it and letting people continue to think ALL americans are such way?

Good advice for anyone visiting another country, regardless of where they are from. Btw, what is wrong with fanny packs?