LOL, thanks.

DH is responsible for the top picture on the left. I am in the middle with my back turned, and another Fodor's friend is on the left with her back turned. Neither of us is in the blue hat, although we are all tourists:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09153/974258-37.stm

(Ignore the dumb picture in the middle of the page; we had nothing to do with it)

It isn't all that different from DC in the height of tourist season, which is now - a gazillion overweight folks with fannypacks and white trainers and massive packs and bags. I could probably venture forth tomorrow and take the equivalent pictures, and maybe I will!

But my question is, do these people (and I am talking about the majority of the folks in the photos, most of whom are actually probably European) dress this way normally? If so, that's fairly appalling. There are for sure some nicely dressed folks, some even wearing jeans and sneakers, and some NICE jeans and sneakers, but jeez, some of those folks look like they just...I don't even know just what, because I wouldn't be seen like that anywhere, anytime.

I just have a slightly (and only slightly) higher level of comfort with dressing for anywhere - a nice sundress, a flouncy skirt and nice top, some capris with a linen top...ballet slippers or cool flats....it's SO not hard to be a bit more fashionable than these folks seems to be. And really, I'm hardly a fashion model. Being comfortable and looking good at the same time is really so easy.

I'm really amazed at how many incredibly sloppy people you shot. Yes, there were some nice-looking ones, too. It's so easy to spot the people who take the time to put themselves together, even if it's with a good pair of jeans and nice sneakers.

I hate that I could be just about ANY of hose people. I come to work early to get stuff done before teh phone starts, and what do I do? Spend 20 minutes ;ooking for eveil doer's in orange shirts.

Did I tell you about the time my husband and I and two friends were getting off the train at Pont d'Alma, heading for a pre-wedding supper party on a boat? Two tourists approached the guys and asked the way to the Eiffel Tower, and we told them. Do you think there was a reason they picked eth obvious local? The two guys in kilts?

Well I'm in Paris right now (waiting for DD to finish her last final exam of her year here and then to help her pack up her apartment. Geez, even when they're in school as far away as Paris, parental sherpa duties are required at the end of the school year!)

To tell the truth, I was surprised at how un-bad many of the people in your pictures were. I mean they were obviously tourists, but quite a few were neatly and appropriately dressed. And many were Europeans, as I'm sure you know. After living in Amsterdam this year, which reportedly has 7.5 million tourists a year in a city of only 750,000 people, I have become more adept at identifying nation-of-origin from clothing and other clues. ;->

It's warm here in Paris today and as is true in the States, warm weather brings out the most fashion faux pas. It's been quite warm the past week in Amsterdam too. The Dutch are some of my favorite people on earth, but the clothes worn in warm weather - especially by the young male component of the population - has amused my US sensibilities. Quite creative blends of patterns, colors, and bare legs. And I'm NOT talking about the tourists.

(I realize it's all culturally-mediated of course, so am not implying any sort of superiority. Just admitting that some of it is amusing for someone more used to US styles.)

There are two guys in solo pics wearing orange polo shirts!

Is it the one with the sweatshirt wrapped around his waist, wearing white clown shoes?

(There is another guy, long-haired, back to camera, also wearing orange polo shirt and carrying messenger bag). About halfway down the thread.

ekscrunchy: I think it can only be the blackhaired, darkish skin man looking away from the camera. He has a beige/cream fleece jacket( guessing now) tied around his waist (what waist? Err... I mean pornch) and has a thin black strap across his chest.
I notice when looking closely his shirt is in the style of what we down south call a Golf Shirt usually with the brand name 'Polo' - plently of knock-off's around from China etc.

I don't see anyone else close to the 'orange shirt' description but that guy.

Sorry when I am on vacation I am indeed a tourist, and nothing I do could change that. Then again when the French, the Germans, British, etc. come to the US they also stick out as tourists, and guess what? They carry cameras too. Amazing isn't it?

I make every effort not to offend those in the country I am visiting,and will read up on what is expected there, however I pay a lot of money for my vacations and will dress comfortably, affordably and easily (I only take a carryon). If others are offended by my dress there's nothing I can do about it, and I am not going to lose sleep over it. I am a tourist, and glad to be one.

Barnum, I got a giggle out of your statement because when on holiday my husband dresses exactly the same way he does everyday to go our place of business!
Denim jeans - short or longsleeved checked cotton shirt - smartish round neck jersey(sweater?)if weather is cool - socks & lace-up leather shoes.
The only difference is the camera slung over one shoulder when on holiday.

I loved the photos. My wife and I have only been to Europe a few times and try not to look like tourists. In Italy last fall, we were approached by Gypsy's in English, German, and French, so I guess at least we don't look like American tourists!

Bob T

It's the one with the sweatshirt wrapped around his waist, tod.

http://tinyurl.com/qew2gz

From the New York Times.

Thin

Thanks for the link, Cries.

That's pretty much how I do it, and if I ever did it seriously, I might be able to do something artistically interesting. But I am a sloppy photographer always in a hurry, which at least has the advantage of preventing me from looking for perfect poses and looks, so I hope that my photos have a certain amount of non artistic authenticity.

'If others are offended by my dress there's nothing I can do about it, and I am not going to lose sleep over it. I am a tourist, and glad to be one."

I am sure no one is offended by the way many tourists look. No one cares..

"Being comfortable and looking good at the same time is really so easy."

could not agree more!

I dress like a slob in NYC and never worry about it, as the dazzlingly well dressed office workers rush past. That is less of a problem in Los Angeles where just about everybody looks like a slob except in certain micro districts.

Hello! I'm on vacation! I don't have to look like I'm going to work during the day.

"Hello! I'm on vacation! I don't have to look like I'm going to work during the day".

Yes, Kerouac, that is it exactly.

My problem in Paris is also exacerbated by the fact that I live in California. It's so hard to give up my flip-flops in the summer...(heck, even in the winter). But Paris is worth it.

Thanks again for the fashion help. I gave my long denim skirt to Goodwill yesterday.

Flip flips are very popular in Paris during the summer, and not just on tourists.

Cries - thanks for the link about the photos that will be displayed in Amsterdam tomorrow. Sounds like an interesting concept. I'm returning home there this afternoon and will look forward to seeing it.

As far as I can tell, I've so far evidently escaped Kerouac's camera in Paris (thank heavens). So now I just have to worry about whether I've escaped Peter Funch's camera in Amsterdam. He says he puts people in "categories" and puts all the people in one category in one photograph. Will be interesting to see what the "categories" are. Being displayed in a photo on Fodor's is one thing, but being displayed in giant photos on Museumplein in a "category" of supposedly similar people is ... oh well, who needs dignity?

Looking like a tourist = ok.

Looking like a stereotypical "Ugly American" = not ok.

That was always my theory, anyway. But I find in any large city (esp Las Vegas) MANY tourists from all over the earth look "sloppy". Kerouac's photo essay could have been taken in any city if focusing only on the people & ignoring the obvious Parisian backdrops.

Once again, a great look thru his lens!

~Jay