This has probably been done before, forgive me, if I am repeating something. But, how, or what, should Americans do, to blend? Some friends of mine, in Amsterdam, say, lose the basball caps, fanny packs, and Hawaiian shirts. Okay, that's done, what else? I am serious about this.

You forgot one very important thing -- do not wear tennis shoes. Living in Europe, the easiest way to pick out an American is by their shoes.

I have responded to a similar question before, see if I still remember what I wrote then. <BR>As a European (Dutch, but also travelled a lot in the rest of Europe), I can say that what makes Americans noticed here are: <BR>- LARGE WHITE SNEAKERS or tennis shoes, and white socks <BR>- brighly coloured backpacks ("fanny packs") <BR>- white T-shirts with logos <BR>- baseball caps <BR>- loud and confident talk. <BR>Europeans tend to dress somewhat more conservatively, in somewhat darker clothes. They usually wear "ordinary" shoes in a dark shade. Fanny packs are often seen here, esp. with people under 25, but in a darker colour (dark-green, grey, etc.). Baseball caps are only worn here by boys under 15. People tend to talk more softly in places such as restaurants (in Holland and England anyway). I've also noticed that Americans often wear shorts. This is only done here in the middle of summer. Generally the climate is too cold for this anyway, but even in Italy or Southern France you might prefer to wear trousers if you really want to "blend in". Hope this helps!

One small addition/correction to my previous mail: <BR>I realize that "fanny packs" and backpacks are two different things! BACKPACKS (in darkish shades, as said) are often worn here (by young people), fanny packs are not common. Just to clear up any confusion....

Don't wear sweatshirts, use a pullover sweater. If you are too warm to wear it, knot it around your shoulders. (My husband looked very Italian using that very trick this past Spring.) Wear skirts or comfortable dresses more than most of us do at home. Slacks rather than jeans (although some slender folk carry off the jeans look quite fashionably -- if you are one of these lucky people, you can probably wear just about anything and blend in.) 3/4 jackets or full length raincoats are more common than nylon baseball style, or hooded jackets (except on a boat.) Keep your eyes open when you arrive. If you really feel like you stick out, go shopping and buy something you like that will be one of your best souvenirs.

I have avoided this topic whenever it has raised its head on numerous previous occasions but can see that in the recent worrying times it is more than a question of passing curiosity and one than may be worrying a number of people. Melva asked for serious answers so here are my observations. <BR> <BR>It will not be as easy as you may imagine to "blend in". It's not just the type of clothes you wear that marks you as an American. It's the way you walk, (different - cant describe it - more bounce in your step) the type of fabric (synthetic - easy care rather than natural fibre wool, cotton, silk etc) your shoes (and not just the tennis type - also usually man made material and not leather). <BR> <BR>The ladies are often more obvious than the men, even from across the street - It's the hair - the cut and the colour also the brightly coloured fingernails and the application of too much makeup. <BR> <BR>I'm sorry I just re-read this and it sounds like criticism - it's not meant to be - Melva asked a question and everybody seems to be concentrating on clothing - that's not the whole story. <BR>

You weigh more than the average European - much more.

I really laugh at the images some of these dress "codes" bring up. Let's be honest here. Other people besides Americans wear all the items mentioned. The only difference is that Europeans do not wear athletic shoes for example to go to a nice restaurant. But they wear them everywhere else it seems. Same for sweatshits, tee shirts with logos and jeans (okay, they don't normally wear hats or caps). They also iron their clothes, tee shirts included so they have a much cleaner appearance. Shorts in the summer are fine in appropriate places. Rome no but here in Siena, all the Senese wear shorts so why not tourists. But you cannot enter a church with shorts so be prepared and don't go to a fancy restaurant like that either. <BR> <BR>The best way to blend in is to relax and enjoy your trip instead of worrying if you are blending in. I am one of the first who will notice an ugly American but I also notice the Americans who don't fit that model at all. <BR> <BR>If you are worried about pick pockets, well there are simple ways to avoid them. Do not stand around looking at huge maps. Instead, make a plan before you go out the door of your hotel. Write it down on a plain piece of paper and use that instead for directions. Don't wear fanny packs or back packs. Keep your money and essentials in a hidden money belt. Don't talk too loudly (this is a dead give away) and when you are walking, be aware of your surroundings and walk with a purpose. For your car. Keep nothing visable except a local (regional or at least national) newspaper on the passenger seat. An old trick that works very well. <BR> <BR>And again, relax and enjoy. <BR> <BR>Cristina

I'm going to put on my flameproof jacket here, but to a large extent it's a matter of social class. I was joking to an American friend, a professional person that American tourists are a bit like migratory birds. In the summer you get the loud type of bird with bright plumage and a loud raucus song. In the spring and autumn you get the more sober plumaged type with the low melodious coo. It's a bit like the difference between coldwater fish and the tropical variety. If you put a tropical fish in an aquarium of the coldwater variety it's bound to stand out.

Notasnob-That is funny and also right on the mark! you are right~While we travel in the fall because we try to avoid huge vacationing crowds and prefer cooler weather,we do occasionally see the travelers who stand out~and one thing I do notice, there is a touching tendency of Americans to be so gregarious and friendly, which often seems to "put off" the Europeans they are visiting..so I think one way to blend in is to be more reserved..as for what to wear-I live in a very big city in the US, and have found that most European city folk dress similarly, lots of black, good dark leather shoes, with some kind of heel,which is hard on a tourists feet! and they have the confidence of someone who knows their way around, as a tourist stopping in the middles of the sidewalk to consult a map doesn't..but no many times, I have stood with a map plotting my course and have had a gentleman or lady ask me if they could help~so maybe looking like a visitor sometimes isn't a bad thing.*exception-lose the fanny bag,and baseball caps

Americans are big - not just physically, but we've got big "vibes". Most of that comes from living where there's lots of room - it's a psychological and perception thing, because New York City is certainly more crowded than the Tuscan countryside. And all of us are that way. <BR> <BR>We tend to fill up a room, and that's hard to alter. Maybe the best way to compare it is to think about how you enter a room at a party or business meeting (head up, chest out, big stride, scanning the place) - and how you enter a church for a funeral (quiet steps, arms at your sides, focused on slipping into a pew rather than seeing who's there). <BR> <BR>And, lordie, do we stride...right up to the maitre d', right down museum galleries. <BR> <BR>It's not just white Americans that are like this, we ALL do it. Think about the African-Americans you know or are, then picture the recent immigrant from Nigeria or Ethiopia...whooole different body language. Or Japanese-Americans...that quiet, retiring Japanese thing goes right out the window. <BR> <BR>Think "smaller" - no plopping into chairs and throwing your shopping bags down next to you; keep the waving of your arms during a really good story to smaller gestures... <BR> <BR>It's really a test for me...I mean, I have to go from the Suzanne Sugarbaker demeanor to Princess Diana's. <BR> <BR>Even then, I get caught. Here I am in Paris, head to toe black, minimalist makeup, no fingernail polish, expensive black flats, hair in a neat twist...and the woman at the exchange bureau (I had ITALIAN LIRA to exchange for francs) greets me in English. I asked how did she know I spoke English? "ah, well, you look American"... <BR> <BR>And here I'd left my perfectly good Red Sox cap at home... <BR>

Elvira, that is Great! so well put! How is Paris today? Isn't it the best!? Have a wonderful time~and your description sounds tres chic!

Why are you so keen on looking European? I really do not understand you - if I go to the States I certainly do not want to blend in, why should I? I can wear white shoes, queer T-shirts, but I still will not think like you, and will not understand your way of looking at things. <BR>

Don't worry, Gaia, you wouldn't be allowed into the United States anyway. There are signs everywhere telling people to be aware of possible fraudula.

Thanks everyone, those are some good ones. I was afraid the weight thing is a major one. Americans are 'big' the first time I went to Europe, there was no one my size, Noone! But, I have since pared down considerably (100 pounds) but colors, I think we as a group dress in brighter colors. And the shoe thing, I realize we go more for comfort, and wear tenni-type shoes, everywhere, but as for the body language thing ....(I like the Sugarbaker, transition to Princess Di) <BR>I can do the color thing, I will be wearing darker clothes, although, I tend to gravitate to brighter ones, and hair color...I think I was the only woman with my shade of red hair (it is not that shade anymore) <BR>I used to find it amusing to be pegged as an American before speaking, but these days, it is no longer amusing, it is scary.

If the main reson for your vacationing in a foreign country is to blend in and look like everyone else than why go? You will be having such a hard time making sure your hair is done in just the right fashion, or your shoes are somber enough for everyone that you will entirely miss it. Go and have a good time. Does it really matter if a few people you will undoubtably never see again, think your shirt is too bright? NO! It doesn't. I think a sure fire way to tell an American from other ethnicities is how vain they are. The world does not revolve around you and your fashion statement. Get over yourself, and I promise you will enjoy your vacation more.

I just want to make myself clear,it is not a vanity issue, it is a safety issue. <BR>

Gaia, you sound like a very unhappy person. Let's face the reality, if you travel you know that no matter where you go the fashinardos all look the same, beautiful, thin, chic. And all the slobs look alike, and the rest of us look appropiate, that is not flashy, tacky. But than I remind myself, no one goes out and says to themselves, "I think I'll dress tacky today". An example: We were all having breakfast in the garden of a beautiful maison d'hote. We noticed everyone staring at a table. We glanced over to see a women in her twenties, we guessed wearing a sheer jacket trimmed in maribou feathers. A refuge from an old hollywood boudoir scene. Later we found out she was Belguim. We had guessed American.

Melva, <BR>There is no question that given proximity and time, it is difficult to conceal that you are an American. But I do not any reason to broadcast the fact so that someone a across the street can spot you easily. I presume that is where you are coming from. Sally and Elvira are right on. Let me explain more on things other than clothes. <BR> <BR>Even without looking at, the loud voice is a dead giveaway. In many places, the loud voices come mostly by Americans and followed by Italians. Even though I do not speak any foreign language fluently, while in Europe I do not get "I CAN HARDLY HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING" I often get from customer service reps in the US. It also seems that on board airline announcements are subdued as well. It was especially noticable flying British Air then Delta. It felt like Delta announcement blew my eardrums away. <BR> <BR>Also space usage concept is different. If there is a bench wide enough for 2 people, Americans would sit about third of the way and spread across the rest. A British or a French would sit at the end of the half and keep the other half available without being asked.

Usually I hate these questions, and the responses can be a little snobby. However, given the current world situation, this is definitely an issue of safety. I am not very convinced, however, that terrorists themselves will target individuals in Europe, but you never know. The odds are much greater that they will go for high-profile structures or large groups of people. I just have a feeling that they will target a place rather than just go around looking for a crowd of Americans to attack.