9 Innocent American Phrases That Backfire Abroad

What Sounds Polite in the U.S. Can Trigger Confusion, Suspicion, Or Offense Overseas

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Image Created by the Author and Dall-E

Have you ever opened your mouth abroad and instantly wished you could hit rewind?

I have.

In Dieppe, France, I asked a friendly barman “How are you?” expecting the usual “Fine, thanks.”

Instead, he launched into a 12-minute confession about his boss, his neighbor’s poodle, and his crumbling faith in Macron.

By the time he was done, my beer was warm and I had become his accidental therapist.

It wasn’t my first time blundering into a cultural minefield.

Years earlier in Kyiv, I thought I was breaking the ice at a dinner party when I asked a guest what he did for a living.

He glared at me, leaned in, and said “None of your business” in a tone that made it clear the conversation was over.

I’d assumed small talk was universal.

Turns out, it’s not even small… it can be a very big deal.