"Both consider shorts to be formal dress."

They're not?

MvK

He should wear a stetson and six-guns.
That way nobody will go near him.

Hello Carlatte:

Whether or not you are targeted by pickpockets may not have anything to do with your particular nationality. It simply has more to do with the fact that people on vacation are more likely to be carrying funds for your trip, and more likely be off guard. Theives look for the path of least resistance & easier targets. Some are sitting ducks, some are not.

In any case it's not really a matter of theives holding any particular grudge angainst Americans. On the contrary, I am sure the European pickpockets just loooove Americans!

BTW I would not dwell on the fact that BF looks "American" and you don't...
He sounds like he already has issues.
Anyway I think you will be surprised at what Spaniards look like in Europe...and some of us here in the USA as well.

My suggestions are: don't be paranoid, but do use a money belt. All kinds of people are tourists in Europe. I have a hard time believing your boyfriend is going to stand out so dramatically.

Carlatte: I won't even address your BFs issues.

But just to let you know -- even though you are "Hispanic-looking" most everyone will know immediately on first sight that you are American too. Honest. In general Americans do have a manner about them in the way they walk, stand, talk, dress, carry themselves. There is just an aura around many of us from the States.

A Japanese-American tourist couple will usually look and act very different from a couple from Japan.

Same w/ an Hispanic-American college student . . . .

(before I get flamed - of course this is a generality and there are MANY exceptions)

Amusing story along this thread. While in Italy, my daughter--blond hair, blue eyes, pink skin--was "almost robbed" of her backpack, which she had momentarily placed on top of her rolling suitcase. (Sorry, I can't remember exactly what town she was in; so much the better).

Anyway, she quickly noticed what had taken place, and without missing a beat, she started going after him and swearing at him in Italian, since she is fluent in the language. The young thief turned around, returned her bag to her, apolized profusely, and went on his way.

Lesson for your boyfriend: Don't ever turn your back on your bags, and--learn a few swear words in Italian!

i think all of this 'concern' harkens back to several decades ago when:

1. americans represented a large portion of the non-european foreigners travelling around any given city in western europe

2. americans were much more different than western europeans and therefore somewhat of a curiosity...and few were more different than the american tourists....few or no chinese were around, no indians, etc.

today, the world is converging. americans and western europeans are more alike in many ways. other nationalities that are less like western europeans are travelling much more (asians, eastern europeans/russians, etc). americans represent less of a proportion of the travelling public. so americans as tourists are a non-issue, except in a few places where they might still dominate the tourist scene (parts of ireland, etc). just my opinion of course.

don't worry about it...nobody will even notice you. many indians and arabs wear asian clothes...many russians have a very distinctive style. poles are usually easy to spot.

nobody sits around trying to spot the americans who blend in more than many others. but even today, many americans talk like they will be the only tourists in europe and everyone will be staring at them...weird.

I, too am amazed and amused at the concept of someone appearing "VERY American". BOTH of you will stand out. So what if you have olive skin and dark hair? Your hairstyle and clothing will give you away before you even open your mouth to confirm it.

Don't be intoxicated in public and do be alert to your surroundings, polite, open-minded, and wear shiny silver or gold trainers (okay, just kidding on the last one!)