Rant about "us" tourists

Old Aug 29th, 2005, 06:23 PM
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Rant about "us" tourists

I just finished reading probably the 20th reference to too touristy spots in Europe or dressing too touristy. I live in Kansas City. Okay, its ain't Paris, but thats besides the point. When I go to the grocery store, that is certainly not a "tourist" spot here, but this is where I live, where I clean my toilets and cook the meals. When I vacation, I AM a tourist. I don't have to do all the mundane things that Europeans have to do, like hang their laundry out to dry (for example). Now that would definitely be off the tourist track, but why would I want to do that? I also don't want to do all the mundane stuff I do at home where I am not a tourist. I don't get why being a tourist has such a negative connotation here. And about those white tennies and jeans. Give me a break! Do you honestly think anyone cares what you wear? The world is getting very small. Everyone, and I do mean everyone dresses just like you do at home. Suburban people dress casual, no matter where they live when they are out running errands and city people may dress a bit nicer, but very often its work clothes. Go anywhere in the world where people are vacationing. You can't tell a German or Englishman from some poor guy from Minnesota. They are dressed alike and they are touring the same places. I just had to get that off my chest! Thanks for the chance Fodors.
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 06:43 PM
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Feel better now?
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 06:46 PM
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Except for the sandals with socks and a couple of minor differences I agree completly.
Well said ZWHA
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 07:59 PM
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You're absolutely right. No one cares what other people wear. You're also, right that people dress pretty much the same where ever you go. You will always meet people dressed pretty much as you are dressed. It's the first level of social selectivity.

Personally, I'm much more comfortable if I'm appropriately turned out, although, no one would consider me a fashion plate. That's okay, I like to be comfortable both in my body and in my mind. It just makes sense to me to be dressed as though anything wonderful might happen to me at any moment.
Once, my hubby and I were lost in Prague. I had hurt my foot, we hadn't eaten and I was limping along on this noisy street that was undergoing some construction. In short, I was at the tip of my travel tether. DH spotted a group of well shod people going into a restaurant, he decided that was exactly what I needed. He was right, it was a slice of heaven. The truth is, I'm not so secure that I could have tromped in there wearing my dog walking shoes and been at ease. But if someone else can, more power to them.

I don't think anyone insists that other people wear certain clothes. When people ask about wearing white sneakers, they are just trying to be comfortable within their own standards. And isn't comfort the point of your post?
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 08:08 PM
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Hi zwho, everyone should dress the way that works for them. I do here in my city, I do in SF, I do in S Ca, I do in Italy. No need to get into a flap about it. Just do your thing. And don't worry about it. Happy travels to you.
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 08:57 PM
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< You can't tell a German or Englishman from some poor guy from Minnesota. >

Sure you can. The Englishman is wearing a Manchester United jersey and the Minnesotan is clad in Vikings purple and gold, leaving the German (possibly identifiable by a tiny Speedo). ;_)

- a Minnesotan, who knows of at least 1/3 of what she speaks.

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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 09:09 PM
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LOL, thanks zwho! That felt good, didn't it?
You are right, we are all tourists when we are out of our own town..But I DO NOT look like a German and Englishman or a Minnesotan...well, maybe I look like an Englishwoman
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 10:01 PM
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It does strike me as funny every time I read where someone wants to visit a place and meet the real people and not be taken for a tourist. Do they think the locals don't know you are a tourist? Do they think you suddenly appear in town and that you just live around the corner and don't get out much? Most of the locals have known each other most of their lives.

Most places who welcome tourists make their living on tourists, white sneakers and all, they don't care, just hand them the money.

If you want to look like a well-dressed tourist then that is another story, but it really doesn't matter to them. I would rather look well dressed and not sloppy. Afterall the most comfortable clothes would be sweats or a muu muu!
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 10:03 PM
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Ah, Scarlett but do you sound like an English woman?
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Old Aug 29th, 2005, 10:06 PM
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Seaurchin - that is so true!

My general thought is that since no-one knows me why would they bother to take any notice of me.

I guess I just don't think I'm that important
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 12:59 AM
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Some great points zwho. And I love this too "..someone wants to visit a place and meet the real people and not be taken for a tourist."

I really hate it when I read for example - "Does anyone know of any non touristy places in Paris". Like, that way no one is gonna notice you! And never mind the fact you can't speak French.

I'm not embarassed about being a tourist and doing all the cliche things tourists do. I do try not to behave as a tourist i.e I respect the host nation's culture and social etiquette and try to speak their language.
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 01:09 AM
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Though, it is nice to go somewhere, a restaurant perhaps, that locals frequent. I have the feeling that if the restaurant is full of Americans, the food will be much worse, than if it is full of Italians, for instance. Not trashing on my brethern but in general, us Americans can't distinquish good food from bad.
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 01:52 AM
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Your post makes sense, but I just wanted to mention that when I ask people about the customs of a country I'm planning to visit, it's not because I want to hide the fact that I'm a tourist (I don't think that's possible). It's because I feel more respectful of the place I'm visiting when I make an attempt to blend in rather than stand out.

I live in a city that attracts thousands of tourists (Washington, DC), and I'm always kind and helpful when I interact with them, but I definitely feel more grateful towards the ones who are considerate of the fact that they're visiting someone else's home. And so, that's the kind of tourist I try to be. I'm not thinking I'll pass for local, I'm just giving a nod to the fact that the locals might have customs that are different from mine.

Heidi
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 02:53 AM
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There's also the point that some sorts of 'touristy' places either only exist for or are run entirely around a manufactured 'experience' solely for visitors, that purports to be something 'genuine' when it isn't, often at a premium price and lower quality of experience (rush you through in a crowd and into the gift shop in twenty minutes) than you could get by making your own arrangements.
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 04:03 AM
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zwho: I don't know how to break it to you gently, but people in Paris or Rome do not dress the way you do in Kansas City. And the people in the suburbs of Paris and Rome do not dress the way people in the suburbs of Kansas City do.

If you want to stick out like a sore thumb in your jeans and white tennis shoes, by all means, do so. But be aware that the reception you receive in Paris or Rome would be quite different -- and very much more agreeable -- if you tried "when in Rome, to do as the Romans do."
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 04:11 AM
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Dressing as nicely as you can (luggage space limitations taken into account) on vacation is to my thinking a matter of respect for those around you. I also work in Washington DC, and frankly I'm appalled at "vacation wear." Sure it's hot, but most of these folks are going to be inside air conditioned museums most of the day. Just how much skin do we need to see, folks; this isn't the beach.
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 04:32 AM
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Actually, when I am on vacation, I DO enjoy doing some of the mundane stuff that locals do.
When I was back in the Lehigh Valley visiting people and places I hadn't seen for six years after moving to Europe, going to the local Wegman's and the Allentown food market with one of my best friends was as entertaining for me as strolling the rue Mouffetard would be for an American tourist in Europe.
And no, I don't like to hang out in touristy cafes, restaurants, etc. We prefer to go off the beaten track. If all I wanted on a vacation was to hang out with other tourists in spots totally dedicated to tourists, I'd go to Epcot.
When I'm in Italy, I don't pretend that I'm an Italian (it would be hard to since 90% of my wardrobe comes from Belgian and German shops). But that doesn't mean I have to dress like I'm hitting the boardwalk at Wildwood.
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 05:00 AM
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Ah yes. The boardwalk in Wildwood ...
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Old Aug 30th, 2005, 05:15 AM
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I don't think it's a question of whether your dress betrays you as a tourist -- as others have said, honestly, who cares? -- but whether you're dressed appropriately for the place and occassion.

Just as we accept dress codes when touring churches or courtrooms, we should be aware of the usually less-rigid, but nonetheless real rules that govern dress in restaurants, shops and neighborhoods. The penalty for violating these rules ranges from polite indifference through condescension to exclusion.

It's just the way things go. The way you dress sends strong signals about your socio-economic class, taste and manners, and probably some other qualities. The least of your problems may be identification as a "tourist."
 
Old Aug 30th, 2005, 05:24 AM
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Eloise -

You are absolutely correct. People - with the exception of teens - don;t dress the same all over the world.

Obviously everyone is entitled to dress any way they want. And if they feel more comfortable dressing as they do at home when running errands - that's fine. But in most of europe - people running errands don;t wear jeans and giant wite sneakers.

And people going out to dinner definitely don;t dress that way. (If you see people out to dinner in a nice restaurant in jeans and giant white sneakers they are most probably american tourists.)

Most adults in europe dress more formally - and often in more sophisticated clothing than you see in the average US mall. (Face it - most of us don;t have much style.)

Even most people in some cities in the US - NYC, San Francisco etc - don;t dress that way. (Running errands perhaps - but here giant white sneakers have been definitely out for at least a year - even for casuale people are wearing colored ones that are flat - and often in alterante styles - like mary janes etc - with their capris or knee hitting shorts in khaki or white.)

And most places in Manhattan you may see locals in jeans - but stylish, trendy ones - often with real shoes - and attractive tops - not Sam's Garage tee shirts.

Wear whatevrer you're comfortable with - but please don;t think it;s the same as the locals wear.
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