Evening footwear for men in Italy
May 20th, 2010, 05:20 PM
#64
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Peter!!! * claps *
(Arizonaa....it's sad to see how low the level of discourse has fallen in Fodors. It *used* to be a fun, informative, congenial, and sometimes witty place to get info about wherever it is that you're going. Now it's sounding like a chat room.
BTW...just tell MrAZ to include a nice pair of loafers...and have a wonderful time. Italy is a joy.)
(Arizonaa....it's sad to see how low the level of discourse has fallen in Fodors. It *used* to be a fun, informative, congenial, and sometimes witty place to get info about wherever it is that you're going. Now it's sounding like a chat room.
BTW...just tell MrAZ to include a nice pair of loafers...and have a wonderful time. Italy is a joy.)
May 20th, 2010, 06:05 PM
#65
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I've enjoyed this discourse so much that I think I'll add a Californian's perspective: I've traveled quite a bit as well over the past 30+ years, and I can't recall anyone at a restaurant ever spending any time inspecting my feet. I used to bring a pair of nicer loafers, but I've mostly given up on that in the past 10 years, and worn walking shoes if, in fact, I've been out walking all day. In less expensive places the locals aren't especially fashionable themselves, and in more expensive places other customers are either engaged in conversation or eating, and the restaurant staff are generally just glad that I can afford to eat there. Now, I haven't been back to Italy in the past few years, but I find it hard to imagine that everyone is so much MORE fashion conscious than they were the last few times I was there. Or that they will embarass themselves and me with fits of laughter because of my shoes.
I think some of my fellow Americans are far too self-conscious and self-deprecatory when they travel. Seriously, when's the last time anyone here had their appetite threatened when a European traveler entered an American restuarant and was dressed differently? Or took such offense that they lost sleep that night? Of course, some of the posters here do seem just a tad sensitive....
So my vote is for the sandals, unless our Arizona friend plans on putting his feet up on the table -- then I'd say a nice pair of Gucci loafers.
I think some of my fellow Americans are far too self-conscious and self-deprecatory when they travel. Seriously, when's the last time anyone here had their appetite threatened when a European traveler entered an American restuarant and was dressed differently? Or took such offense that they lost sleep that night? Of course, some of the posters here do seem just a tad sensitive....
So my vote is for the sandals, unless our Arizona friend plans on putting his feet up on the table -- then I'd say a nice pair of Gucci loafers.
May 21st, 2010, 06:47 AM
#66
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>This has gotten silly.<
No, coming here and asking complete strangers how your ADULT husband should dress is silly.
Please don't take an attitude with me, Miss Thing. It it is extremely rude of you to come here and throw shade on posters who have been handing out travel advice for 10+ years.
You should be thrilled that posters like St. Cirq or Snobby even acknowledged your thread.
Thin
No, coming here and asking complete strangers how your ADULT husband should dress is silly.
Please don't take an attitude with me, Miss Thing. It it is extremely rude of you to come here and throw shade on posters who have been handing out travel advice for 10+ years.
You should be thrilled that posters like St. Cirq or Snobby even acknowledged your thread.
Thin
May 21st, 2010, 10:43 AM
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I live in Florida where wearing sandals is an everyday occurrence for men and women. Worn to the beach, to a casual restaurant, shopping...doesn't matter in Central and South Florida.
It's very hot here and we live near Orlando, tourism capital of Florida! Native Floridians wear them as well as Italian, German, French, Spanish...you name the country..tourists! Never once have I heard anyone disparage or condemn anyone for wearing sandals.
It's my hope that when we visit other countries as tourists, that the natives would not disparage or condemn us either.
It's very hot here and we live near Orlando, tourism capital of Florida! Native Floridians wear them as well as Italian, German, French, Spanish...you name the country..tourists! Never once have I heard anyone disparage or condemn anyone for wearing sandals.
It's my hope that when we visit other countries as tourists, that the natives would not disparage or condemn us either.
May 21st, 2010, 11:06 AM
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While you're thinking about your clothes and how to act, make sure the Italians don't serve you stale bread or try to pass off tap water as bottled water (always order "with gas") at 7 Euro a bottle.
Their most famous trick...padding the bill. The restaurant experience in the major cities of Italy isn't what it used to be, and it's getting worse.
Their most famous trick...padding the bill. The restaurant experience in the major cities of Italy isn't what it used to be, and it's getting worse.
May 21st, 2010, 11:38 AM
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<i>It's my hope that when we visit other countries as tourists, that the natives would not disparage or condemn us either.</i>
That's not really the point. It's not like you are going to be tossed out of a restaurant. When people ask "can I" they aren't really asking whether they will be tossed out on the street, but whether it is custom.
How one dresses for Orlando is not how one dresses for NYC. It's not the custom. Sure it can be done and people aren't going to faint on the sidewalks, but it isn't the custom in NYC or Rome to dress like you would in the backyard or at a restaurant in Orlando.
That's what people are asking. So you can wear your fannypack and Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops all over Europe and people aren't going to shout at you, but that doesn't mean it is the "custom" or that you won't stick out like a sort thumb.
That's not really the point. It's not like you are going to be tossed out of a restaurant. When people ask "can I" they aren't really asking whether they will be tossed out on the street, but whether it is custom.
How one dresses for Orlando is not how one dresses for NYC. It's not the custom. Sure it can be done and people aren't going to faint on the sidewalks, but it isn't the custom in NYC or Rome to dress like you would in the backyard or at a restaurant in Orlando.
That's what people are asking. So you can wear your fannypack and Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops all over Europe and people aren't going to shout at you, but that doesn't mean it is the "custom" or that you won't stick out like a sort thumb.
May 21st, 2010, 12:22 PM
#73
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"How one dresses for Orlando is not how one dresses for NYC. It's not the custom. Sure it can be done and people aren't going to faint on the sidewalks, but it isn't the custom in NYC or Rome to dress like you would in the backyard or at a restaurant in Orlando."
I agree. We live on the coast near Orlando and this area cannot be compared with Rome (or NYC) except for the fact that both attract a multitude of tourists.
However, even though it is 90 degrees here already, we don't wear shorts to nice restaurants nor does my husband wear sandals when we go out for dinner. Others choose to dress very casually no matter the venue.
When we travel, we choose attire in keeping with the city or country we are visiting. Shorts are not on the packing list when we are traveling to cities like Rome or Paris, no matter what the temps or what other tourists deem to be acceptable attire.
It is more about the individual IMO and how we each choose to present ourselves, both in our day to day lives and when we travel.
I agree. We live on the coast near Orlando and this area cannot be compared with Rome (or NYC) except for the fact that both attract a multitude of tourists.
However, even though it is 90 degrees here already, we don't wear shorts to nice restaurants nor does my husband wear sandals when we go out for dinner. Others choose to dress very casually no matter the venue.
When we travel, we choose attire in keeping with the city or country we are visiting. Shorts are not on the packing list when we are traveling to cities like Rome or Paris, no matter what the temps or what other tourists deem to be acceptable attire.
It is more about the individual IMO and how we each choose to present ourselves, both in our day to day lives and when we travel.
May 21st, 2010, 01:01 PM
#75
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Kfusto, I agree with you that shorts and sandals to nice restaurants are not a good idea. As I mentioned previously, I don't see a problem wearing them to a casual restaurant.
And of course, one should always try to dress appropriately and according to the customs to the country where one is visiting. However, there is no way that a tourist can ever pretend to be something other than a tourist. Cameras and maps are a dead giveaway. And when walking for miles on end in another country, enjoying the beauty and history of said country, foot comfort should be a priority. Comfort sandals for sight seeing and nicer shoes for nicer venues.
And of course, one should always try to dress appropriately and according to the customs to the country where one is visiting. However, there is no way that a tourist can ever pretend to be something other than a tourist. Cameras and maps are a dead giveaway. And when walking for miles on end in another country, enjoying the beauty and history of said country, foot comfort should be a priority. Comfort sandals for sight seeing and nicer shoes for nicer venues.
May 21st, 2010, 01:20 PM
#76
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"However, there is no way that a tourist can ever pretend to be something other than a tourist. "
I did not suggest that a tourist pretend to be anything other than what they are as there is certainly no shame in being a tourist in another country. However, I have seen many tourists who dress quite inappropriately for the cities/towns they visit and simply being a tourist does not make it acceptable to do so. And of course comfort is a priority when one is walking miles a day however appropriateness and comfort are not mutually exclusive.
It is especially offensive to me when tourists who choose to dress as if they are headed to the beach and then are denied entrance to venues like St. Peter's Basilica become rude, loud and argumentative with the guards, making it anyone's responsibility but their own that they are not allowed to enter. It is all about them dressing exactly as they want to on their vacation after all.
I did not suggest that a tourist pretend to be anything other than what they are as there is certainly no shame in being a tourist in another country. However, I have seen many tourists who dress quite inappropriately for the cities/towns they visit and simply being a tourist does not make it acceptable to do so. And of course comfort is a priority when one is walking miles a day however appropriateness and comfort are not mutually exclusive.
It is especially offensive to me when tourists who choose to dress as if they are headed to the beach and then are denied entrance to venues like St. Peter's Basilica become rude, loud and argumentative with the guards, making it anyone's responsibility but their own that they are not allowed to enter. It is all about them dressing exactly as they want to on their vacation after all.
May 21st, 2010, 01:37 PM
#77
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I can't even begin to imagine the "show" those type of tourists are putting on! I'll be heading to Rome this August and I've been researching everything I can to make sure that I am not one of those "ugly" foreign tourists!
Although I've been overseas quite a few times, I've never seen such behavior. But then again, maybe my eyes have been trained on the beauty of the location and not on the dress or behavior of those around me!
Although I've been overseas quite a few times, I've never seen such behavior. But then again, maybe my eyes have been trained on the beauty of the location and not on the dress or behavior of those around me!
May 21st, 2010, 02:02 PM
#78
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How about a 72 year old friend of a friend who met us one day wearing short shorts to a planned dinner in a nice restaurant in Perugia. She is from London and said she wears what she wants when she is on holiday. I suggested we find another casual restaurant that evening. I think she was wearing sneakers but I didn't look that far down her legs to check.
May 21st, 2010, 04:45 PM
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Look, keep in mind that people will treat you according to how your dressed. That goes for any country in Europe or any state in the US.
If you're over 30, it's time to look like a grown up. Who cares what a waiter thinks of you. What do you think of you?
I was looking at vacation pics of some friends, the husband was in all the shots with this guy in a crew neck T and ball cap. Finally, I said, "who's that guy? I didn't know you took someone with you." Turns out it was the wife. She looks great at home and on vacation she wore this?
This is a time when lots of pictures will be taken, isn't it better to look your best? My friends took pictures of themselves in front of everything. I couldn't even see the landscape behind them because there was the stupid baseball cap.
If you're over 30, it's time to look like a grown up. Who cares what a waiter thinks of you. What do you think of you?
I was looking at vacation pics of some friends, the husband was in all the shots with this guy in a crew neck T and ball cap. Finally, I said, "who's that guy? I didn't know you took someone with you." Turns out it was the wife. She looks great at home and on vacation she wore this?
This is a time when lots of pictures will be taken, isn't it better to look your best? My friends took pictures of themselves in front of everything. I couldn't even see the landscape behind them because there was the stupid baseball cap.
