(I penned this a couple days ago as I was sitting by my gate at the airport.)

I’m sitting at a corner table, my computer plugged into one of the only outlets in this part of the airport so I can pen a number of pending articles and blog entries. As I spaced out and started looking around at the people surrounding me I was struck by how easy it was to pick out the American men from the international men. Can you pick out the American from the descriptions below?

Gentleman #1: He’s a middle-aged man, sporting a dark olive colored suit with a purple button-up shirt. There is no tie in sight. He’s got his top button un-buttoned. His brown slip-ons look worn but freshly polished. He’d got no socks on. He’s sitting at a table scrolling through his Blackberry. His black rolling suitcase is next to his seat.

Gentleman #2: He’s probably in his early 40s, sitting at a table with his laptop case sitting on the table next to him. He’s talking on his cell phone and simultaneously flipping through his iPhone. He sports a blue button-down shirt and a navy and yellow striped tie. His hair is completely buzzed off, although he does have a goatee. His extra large Styrofoam coffee cup is sitting on the table in front of him.

Gentleman #3: He’s also middle aged. His hair is messy but tailored around his ears and the back of his neck. He is wearing a white linen shirt with several of the top buttons unfastened. He’s wearing brown denim-styled pants and a cross between a gym shoe and a loafer with perfectly coordinating socks. His watch is a bold leather strap. His bag is a brown leather backpack.

If you picked #2, you’re correct. Of course just to confirm I listened to their accents and true enough. #1 and #3 have accents and are about to board international flights. The other is a typical American businessman. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that there is anything wrong with the way gentleman #2 is dressed. It is perfect for is profession, no doubt. But there is something about the natural style and flair that European men have that American men, usually, lack. (Women are basically the same, although I think there are more women in this country that try.)

Don’t get me wrong. There are some American-born men who do have style. George Clooney, Marc Jacobs, even Zac Efron. But those are the celebrity types and not the average man.

(picture from esquire.com)