Anecdotally speaking, that's because those are tourist trap cities. the person IS a tourist, is in the most touristic neighborhood possible, often in the center, and is behaving like a total tourist.

It's not a European thing, it's an "I'M OBVIOUS" thing.

I see your anecdote and raise you a "European Tourist gets off streetcar at 6th and Market St. in SF, because it's allegedly the city center and thus must be a great tourist location"...

*I'm originally American and I've lived all over Europe for over 15 years.