Americans?
 

Two minutes ago I passed in the street outside my office, here in Glasgow, two lovely looking people in the early 50s, I guess. <BR> <BR>They are wearing white training shoes (tennis shoes) jeans which are wide in the seat and narrow in the ankle (ie an American cut); matching bright (and I mean bright!) yellow cagoules and they're holding hands. I liked them on first sight, I might add. <BR> <BR>1. Where do you think they are from? <BR> <BR>2. Does it matter that I can tell? (Not, in my opinion)

Must be nice to have so much excess time on your hands that you can spend it pondering such inane questions. Have you considered volunteer work to fill the void?

Oh, sorry; is it only Americans who are allowed to ask questions about how Americans dress in Europe? I didn't see that in the faq list. <BR> <BR>I see, however, at least three other threads on the topic in the current top 50

Funny also how when a "how Europeans dress" thread shows up, the responses are so indignant and scoffing. It seems that Europeans are the fashion barometer?

For the life of me, I can't understand the preoccupation on this forum with how people dress when travelling. Clean, comfortable, appropriate to the circumstances ... takes you anywhere.

I'll guess that they were NOT americans. I'll also take a wild guess that they were (no offense intended to any nationality) Germans. This is only based on a recent trip where my experience was that alot of Germans were vacationing, that is all.

Why would any tourists go to Glasgow?

Americans don't wear yellow cagoules (we don't even know what it is/are). <BR> <BR>Is it a shirt or a hat?

Dear xxx; Thanks for the pleasant sentiment (initial post). Some people will see the dark side of sunrise. Ignore the dopes.

I like the part that says they were holding hands. At least someone likes them.What is a cagoule? Would anyone wear one anywhere else but Glasgow? What is the fashion statement in Glasgow? Last I heard it was for the cameras on all the buildings that film the thugs mugging tourists at night.

I do believe it is what Americans refer to as a windbreaker, or lightweight jacket made out of that material.

Stop it!Both sides are idiots. No matter where you go fashion rears it's ugly or beautiful head. From Japan to smalltown, USA, you go to the fashionable sections of town you will find all the trendy or taste makers. In Paris and in New York you leave certain neighborhoods and the dress is like being in a foreign country.

I think the originator of the thread may be trying to make the point that what you wear is a lot less important that how you conduct yourself when you're in a foreign country. <BR> <BR>A regular on this board was "trapped" in a Parisian cafe one day by inclement weather. When a couple entered (the lady of the couple was wearing a windbreaker with the logo of a bar written in English on the back of it), our regular thought they might be Americans, until they were warmly welcomed by the owner, who greeted them in French and they spoke back to him in French, and to each other in Dutch. They were from the Netherlands, were not dressed elegantly, but knew the proper custom for conversing & behaving in the land they visited. <BR> <BR>Moral of both stories: substance wins over style any day. <BR> <BR>BC

There is nothing wrong with pondering and peoplewatching. It's fascinating to know how many types of people exist in the world ... I find it comforting.

Cagoules are rain jackets well used in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole. <BR> <BR>I'll take the bait 'yyy' has so finely cast. Folks may wish to come here because the city has been recognised as being worthy of hosting the European Garden Festival in 1988, plus winning (and beating Edinburgh!!!) the status of European City of Culture in 1990 and the UK City of Architecture in 1999. We are all very friendly here and the city looks great. It truly lives up to its slogan of "Glasgow's miles better." <BR> <BR>Oh and Glasgow also has it's own Doges Palace. Surprised? Amazed? Check it out at:- <BR> http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/gpages...dpalace1z.html <BR> <BR>Don’t forget too that the water in OUR canals is a lot damn fresher than in those in Venice. We’ve so much rain there isn’t a chance in hell of them becoming smelly. Now..pass me my cagoule. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Too XXX I was happy to hear about your stroll in Glasgow why not just stay on a positive note? Not sure what you were trying to do. The dress thing is silly. There are plenty of Americans who don't dress well so what? I lived in London and would not call it a fashion hub by NYC standards. But you see what you did? I am not sending you something complimentary back but feel the need to comment on all the women who go to work with no stockings in 30 degree weather. When people are poor of course they won’t have a fashion sense. BTW the first thing British tourist do when they come to NYC is buy a pair of American sneakers, come on now… you need only trot down to the empire state building, Rockefeller Ctr. or any other place where British tourist are and you will see them in their brand new Levi/Gap jeans and Nike sneakers sometimes taking them out of the bag right in front of you. They are happy, good for them! Who cares if it is not Donna Karan, Ralph Loren, Serile, Calvin Klein? …just had to use establish American designers but you know what I mean. <BR> <BR>I would much rather hear about what your street looked like and what maybe you had for lunch or dinner. I had Japanese Udon noodles here on Madison avenue in the 50’s if you know the area. Why not leave it that you saw a loving couple....you could have even been endearing about how they were dressed, not sure why you wanted to be negative. Please tell us about your next stroll just don't spoil it. Wouldn’t it be great if a bunch of us talked about where we were writing from and what the day is looking like? <BR>

Sarah: <BR> <BR>What was negative about describing what they were wearing? Something you read into it?

You need a rain jacket in Scotland. Who would have guessed that? <BR> <BR>I try to stay our of Europe because the sight of those guys in '70s-style tight pants while wearing socks and sandals is just too big a turn-on for me to handle.

I would prefer to look out my window and see a couple of men walking by in kilts, you should change offices there in Glasgow! At least they were holding hands, they like the way the other looks~I don't think it does matter-what matters is that they are having fun and people are being nice to them.Right?

&gt;You need a rain jacket in Scotland. Who would have guessed that?&lt; <BR> <BR>Sunny, perhaps sometimes it's best not to imagine that sarcasm is one of your talents. <BR> <BR>&gt;I try to stay our of Europe because the sight of those guys in '70s-style tight pants while wearing socks and sandals is just too big a turn-on for me to handle&lt; <BR> <BR>You won't be missed. <BR> <BR>Thanos <BR> <BR>

Did they smell as if they were American or did they smell oh so sweet as if they were from say- Afghanistani? Were they males, females or one of each? Were they conversing loudly in English, Spanish or German? Were they tourists or locals? Did it say Land's End, Cabela's, Harrod's or Nordstrom's? Foreign people are many times easy to recognize, but did you engage them in conversation or just judge them? And most of all, why did you like them?

Is the author of this post a pathetic troll??? Why did he deliberately use the title "Americans"??? And if he really liked these people, why would he make such a fuss about their attire??? I found nothing wrong with what the couple was wearing. And if I were telling this story, I would not focus on their clothing nor mention it. Unless I had a hidden agenda to provoke and antagonize people on this forum.

Has anyone been to Glasgow? I have, and can tell you that who ever this couple was, they sound like they were wearing appropriate modern clothing. Unlike the people of Glasgow who can barely afford such luxuries. Wearing the same black clothes everyday is so passe!

Well that caused a fuss I had not intended. I posted because there seems to be a concern with some (a lot?) of you, that Americans should seek not to look like Americans; and these people hit every stereotype ever produced. <BR> <BR>At no point did I suggest there was anything wrong with what they were wearing. I just described. Indeed, I actually SAID that in my opinion it matters not a stuff that you might have been able to tell where they were from. <BR> <BR>Your responses (and you know who you are) say more about you than me.. <BR> <BR> <BR>I used the title "Americans?" because I wondered if they were. <BR> <BR>I liked them, simply because they smiled. <BR> <BR>And I would point out here, especially to Sarah, that every negative you read was in your own head, not my words.I did not say they were dressed badly; you made that up.

Every time I read about what Americans wear in Europe I get a bad taste in my mouth. And you know what folks-right now I would *especially* love to see anyone *traveling* to Europe and wearing White tennis shoes and Pink (yes, I said Pink) jogging suits. Why? <BR> <BR>Because someone is TRAVELING!! <BR>Someone is having fun! <BR>Someone was not scared enough to go! <BR>Someone is experiencing all Europe has to offer! <BR>Someone is not in a nursing home/rocking chair! <BR>Someone is not in a hospital suffering! <BR>Someone's family in not planning their funeral right now! <BR> <BR>I am so sick of this-go ahead and flame me but I say "you in the pink jogging suit in Europe right now-good for you-YOU GO GIRL!!!!! <BR> <BR>Shadow <BR> <BR>

I can't help myself, American's are so insular.You do not live in the best country, you live in a very nice country and thus learn to respect and enjoy the difference of other countries. <BR>I was recently in Europe and of all nationalities, American's are the easiest to suss out. <BR>Some of your clothes sense is hysterical, but more importantly your loud and opinionated voices are dreadful. <BR>The US couple who asked for "ranch" dressing in an Italian restaurant, and then complained when it was not available. <BR>The US woman who wore a one piece costume (with cellulite)and very loud voice as she walked around Capri and unfortunately caught the ferry with us. <BR>The very loud American "church" group who travelled behind us between Florence and Venice on the train. <BR>The very loud and offensive family group of Americans who stayed on the Cinque Terre for too many nights. They spoilt many a "quiet" evening in Manarola while eating and swimming with their swearing. <BR>Maybe attempt to reduce your opinions and voices by a few decibels, no one is interested in hearing you other than the people you are talking to. <BR>

I think alot oy you are misreading this xxx comment. I think she is saying it did not matter what they were wearing, they. They were nice, neat smiling, happy. Lots of what they say about us is true although I happen to think the Germans are louder. I comment every time we are in Europe that if you see a married couple at another table that is not having a conversation, just sort of looking about, I'll bet they are Americans.

It does not matter where someone is from, there are always obnoxious, rude, pushy, flashy, poorly dressed people. Just be glad that Americans with their bright colored, mismatching and tight clothes showered, deodarized, and are deflead and deliced,while they go on their merry strolls through a foreign city. If they were otherwise, they would not have been able to afford the holiday they are enjoying and helping support the tourism of the country they are visiting.

Glasgow is wonderful.I met some of the nicest and most helpful people there.I was doing research on Whistler and there is so much to see and do.As far as the clothes thing is concerned.I agree that that white trainers and big bottoms encased in denim should be banned but there is a safety as well as an aesthetic concern here.Americans make great targets dressed like thatI agree that all the black one sees on everyone else is getting a bit tiresome but it sure beats the American look.

I had to answer the idiot who wonders why anyone would visit Glasgow. Having been there in June, I found it to be a friendly interesting city, great architecture, excellent museums, friendly people, some of the best beer in the world at the pubs, and one of the most fashion conscious cities I have been to. It also is close to Arran, Loch Lomond, Inverary, Sterling, Edinburgh, Loch Katrine and the Trossachs which are all pleasant and interesting places to visit. The whisky isn't bad either

It is amazing how many people are obsessed with what Americans wear when traveling. These boards are full of descriptions of colors and sizes of the clothing on American Tourists, you would think that this belonged to The Fashion Council rather than Fodors! And instead of taking up room in travel threads, maybe they should open a "Why I hate Americans" thread for some of you...

Perry:Had a bad day?

No xxx not a bad day,just tired of the theme in these threads, not about travel but about what the other person is wearing-so boring, but maybe that is the fault of the poster~there must be something else to talk about besides fashion, no? or is it the only thing that unites the ones who have nothing positive to say-get my drift?

What amazes me about Fodor's is how differently we see/read these posts. <BR>I thought the original poster merely pointed out a "lovely" couple, dressed casually, showing affection for one another. I thought it just typified our culture. We, Americans, are open, casual, and confident. <BR>I often smile when I see people from another country visiting our landmarks, museums, theatre. I smile because I am so glad to see/meet these visitors. I am pleased they have chosen to visit us, when they could just have easily gone elsewhere. It's wonderful to know people are interested in our people and our culture. <BR>I didn't derive anything negative about this person's post. Perhaps I missed something, but, I just don't see any hidden agenda. <BR>Peace to All, <BR>Gigi

Gigi, I think you are right on the head! The author wasn't being negative, quite the reverse; he/she was saying that no matter what the couple were wearing, it did not make any difference. They were welcome in the author's city because of their happiness.

I think Lulu said it all.

They are bombing Afghanistan now-wonder what they are wearing.

OK-you win :0) <BR>I will try to read these posts with a more open mind, maybe because I am reading so many people trashing Americans for being dressed like "Americans"-that they can be spotted a mile away-that I am feeling a tad sensitive...so I will try to see things in a more positive light, and in the light of what is happening now in the world, we need lots of positive thinking! Peace to all of you too~