Shorts or not?
 

My husband and I will be in Spain in June (Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, Sevilla). Can men wear shorts while visiting churches or other public places? Not too concerned about me, haven't worn shorts in a long time!!!!!!

Absolutely NOT! It is forbidden under Article 345, instituted by Franco who was disgusted by a hairy, male ankle protruding from an Ecco sandal.

As a woman, however, feel free to wear a tank top. And don't bother to shave your pits. This is very arousing to matadors and Basque sheepherders.

Slimshady

No.
Do they wear shorts to the church you attend in the US? Just wondering as I have never seen it where I live.

Speaking of unshaven pits, what braid style is all the rage this year in Italy?

Although I do not regularly attend any church, let me assure that in the summertime, in Indiana (on those occasions when I have accompanied members of my wife's family) - - men and women, boys and girls wear shorts to Mass quite commonly.

This is not an answer to the original question.

Best wishes,

Rex

Shorts? Holy Mary, Joseph, NO!

Such an emphatic reaction surprises me. Aren't shorts what they wear to work everyday at Southwest Airlines, UPS, the US Postal Service, and both the men's and women's PGA?

While dress codes have some (limited) place in the rules of society, don't we Americans look down our noses at those cultures which dictate that "nothing less than a birka" is appropriate dress for half of its citizens in public - - or <<les lois>> (in France) which forbid the wearing of headscarves in public school?

As someone who grew up in the 60's and 70's I thought we threw out judging people by their clothes when we got rid of poll taxes, and telling women what kind of undergarments they had to wear, to be "ladylike".

shorts! Quel Horreur :)

This thread is bringing back one of my most painful childhood memories. I still have nightmares about my dad on vacation wearing knee-length, plaid, polyester Bermuda shorts!! Oh, how the heads would turn in a crowd....I still recall the horror of my dad being viewed as the ultimate dork!! :-O

But I love my dad anyway. :-)

LOL, cigale :)

Shorts? Feh!

Okay, this is a new low for Fodor's. Someone asks a serious question, one which I interpret as "Will my husband be permitted to enter a church to tour it--not to worship necessarily--in Spain this summer?" But all she gets is smart aleck remarks. Come on, guys, help her out.

While I haven't been to Spain, I make the touring of churches a central part of my visits to many countries, so I tend to wear long pants no matter how hot, just out of respect.

And while this is not in direct response to the OP's question, I do tend to agree with those who might be suggesting that, while in European towns and cities and away from beaches, grownup men should stick to long pants. Just my old-fashioned opinion.

Oh Guy, you have not been here long if you think this is a "new low" lol..
By answering this ( I did say No btw) we are also keeping it ToTheTop so it does not drop out of sight.

Scarlett,

LOL. But I think you misinterpret OP's question. Weren't you thinking they want to attend services? In that case, absolutely he should wear long pants. But I think they're just popping in for a look-see:)

I have been able to go inside many churches wearing shorts, but have been turned away at a few places. However, a few of the turn away places were ones I really wanted to go inside.

Men can wear shorts, and depending on where you are, you will not be turned away. In Barcelona, the cathedral is very high traffic and yes, there are men with shorts on and women in tanks (though many buy a pashmina and cover up). Tourism is so massive (particularly in the summer) that people are rarely turnd away unless they are being blatantly disrespectful. So, it is pretty much up to you. Instead of asking "Can we toe the line?" why not think how you would feel if someone went to your place of worship wearing something that you thought disrespectful. It isn't always just about the rules, but how inclined you are to enforce them when it comes to yourself.

I've only been to Madrid and Seville in your list, but I would say that men can wear shorts in "other public places". What would that be? I don't know of any dress codes in other public places, such as museums or public squares or stores, etc. I don't wear shorts when visiting cities, though, so maybe I don't remember all these things. But I don't remember any rules in Spain.

Maybe in Barcelona or Madrid if they got very crowded they will not say anything...but sure they will in Toledo or Sevilla Cathedrals !!!

Basil: if you are visiting churches, male capris would be appropriate (all the European males are sporting them). But as long as you're talking about long shorts (the ones that go to the knees), it should be ok. No guarantees, depending on the gatekeeper.

Oh, Degas, the braid of the moment: dreads!

I can't help you about Sevilla - I never travel to imaginary cities.

But here's a cautonary tale about Seville. And about believing the nonsense posters churn out on this board.

About a year ago, I drove into Seville on a swelteringly hot day. It had been years since I'd last been in urban Spain as a tourist. So, although I'd always worn shorts in the past, I foolishly trusted the endless assertions here about shorts not being tolerated in the major churches of Latin Europe. With hindsight, I can't understand why I trusted this idiocy: I always go to Mass in shorts on hot Sundays at home, and I wore shorts to church in Latin Europe in my teens. But lots of things change, so maybe - I thought - Spain has adopted church dress codes too.

Mrs CS points out that I'm being a prat as I spend time digging into the suitcase to find long trousers and change into them. We get to the Cathedral.

I've wasted my time changing my trousers. I'm boiling hot. And worst of all, Mrs CS is proved right.

Of course there's no dress code: this is a church, not a fashion competition. And where in the civilised world - outside some touristy bits of Italy - do churches have dress codes? Incidentally I've NEVER - not even in Italy - been turned away from a Catholic church I'm intending to go to Mass in.

What happens on this board - sadly - is that it gets over-run by people who really, really, lack the mental skills to tell the difference between what happens and what they'd like to see happen. Others seem unable to realise that tourist Italy isn't Spain. And sometimes, we suspend our critical faculties and fail to spot the answers are simply fantasising.

Usually, inventing non-existent cities like 'Sevilla' is a good indication of the fantasist posters. If they've never seen, listened to or read The Barber of Seville, or read the programme notes to Carmen, their cultural hinterland must be pretty limited, after all.