Dweeb

The best socks are the ones left by a un tan line.

xxx

Can anyone tell me what is the best country to get medications to control my drooling? over the un tan lines of ms. binoche? er, i mean doctor camargue? er whoever...

Dweebe

Woops..must have been a Freudian slip. I meant sun tan, not un tan. I'm sure you've seen them. Golfers frequently wear them off the course. And by the way, get a hanky to control the drooling, we're into alternative medicine these days.

hey

I live in Germany and travel all over Europe and I always wear jeans and tennies and have had no problems. I'm 35. Don't worry about it, just be comfortable. There's nothing worse than breaking in a new pair of shoes on a trip. Besides, most people will know you're American no matter what you wear. If you realllllly want to blend in, wear all black and cop an attitude.

Henry

What is so horrible about "dressing up" occassionaly. I think it is nice to dress for special events e.g theatre or better resturants. There seems to be an obsession with being as comfortable as possible. As far as I know noone has choked to death putting on a necktie.

mark

Hi Virginia .... <BR> <BR>I'm from England/live in England etc etc .... <BR> <BR>I'm very confused by this topic ... <BR> <BR>My friends/wife to be/her family/my family normally wear jeans/trainers as casual gear all the time ... <BR> <BR>When I was in Dublin, most people seemed to be wearing jeans etc ... <BR> <BR>Just wear what you are comfortable ... from what I remember of the USA, some people wear what I would call VERY outlandish things ... but the same can said of the UK ... <BR> <BR>Just be aware of your surroundings ... ie don't make it to obvious that you are a tourist .... ie. camera, mapbooks, guide etc ... of course if your somewhere like the centre of London, then everyone else will be taking photos etc etc etc ...... <BR> <BR>Mark

carol

Hi Everyone, <BR> <BR>Let's face it. There are folks in this world who really just want to be comfortable and who believe that "good taste" is a high falutin affectation and I say, God Bless em, they can wear whatever they want to, whereever they go, and when they come to visit my city in their suburban jogging suits and sneakers and baseball caps, I welcome them. Others like myself don't feel that way. We're kinda more formal and maybe even citified, and can often be found in neutral colors with occasional bright accents! So what! My point is that there's no one way to skin a cat. So if someone asks for advice on what to wear, I assume they're like me and I'm glad to give that advice. Why in the world should they be criticized for not being like someone else? I'm sick and tired of seeing someone scolded for simply asking for advice. Knock it off folks.

B. Fordor

By no means "knock it off." This is just another form of people watching with a sub text. Imagine we're all sitting around a cafe in Dublin, Paris or wherever, having this conversation. In fact, since this is such a frequent topic with a variety of opinions, let's see if we can keep it the longest running thread pertaining to tourist threads. <BR> <BR>God Bless, <BR>Betty

Ron

I agree with those of you who espouse feeling comfortable with relaxed wear especially on the road, buses, hiking, etc. No matter what nationality you are you will be judged by your attitude and the way you act in a foreign country. As a Canadian, I am proud to show my flag on my hat or backpack and yes, it says I am a tourist. As soon as you pull out your camera or crane your neck at a historical sight or landmark, you are recognized. For our good American neighbours to the south, walk comfortably and carry a low voice and a pleasant smile!!!!

Janice

I wonder...when I travel I always wish that I was the only tourist somewhere. Like I've stumbled onto some wonderful, undiscovered place that no tourist has ever seen before. (yea, right Maybe we hate to see other tourists dressed like tourists because it cuts into our dream of being someplace undiscovered. Anybody else ever feel this way?

Rex

Virgina's question is fair, and easy to take any side. Dare I ask a harder question (more rhetorical, than an actual literal question)? <BR> <BR>I leave in 12 days with a group of SEVENTEEN adults. I'm working on final details of dinner plans today, and what's going through my head is the sight of all of us showing up at any place, small army that we are. What do you say we should do to accomplish "Blending in"? - - what a concept! All the black clothers in the world won't help us - - unless we want to be mistaken for a funeral dirge! <BR> <BR>I'll be looking to escape to a small sidewalk cafe to "have a cuppa Joe" with some Fodorites on more than one occasion, no doubt! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

SST

I won't be seen dead wearing jeans and sneakers at the same time. Some of us have our high standards to keep, folks! I wear designer outfits and hand made Italian shoes wherever I go. I am comfortable in them, to hell with what other people might think.

Cindy

OK, Betty, here's my contribution. <BR> <BR>Do you suppose European tourists are gnashing their teeth wondering what to wear on their visit to the United States, and how to act? Are they as self-conscious as Americans are? Do they also think the world revolves around them? <BR> <BR>I have wondered about this from time to time. Do you suppose French tourists are trying to figure out how to be really loud and pushy so no one will know they are French, and are they frantically enrolling in smoking cessation clinics? Are Brits searching the internet to order oversized bright white tennis shoes? Are Italians trying to put on 25 pounds so they can stuff themselves into too-tight, too-bright exercise clothes? Are Greek people teaching their normally well-behaved kids some disrespect in preparation for their visit? Are the Irish learning to use a washcloth? And above all, can the Germans get any sleep at all while wondering whether there will be anyplace in the entire United States to get a really good sausage? <BR> <BR>There. Was that provocative enough?

Carol

Cindy, <BR> <BR>I'm going to take your question literally and answer it. Many many of the European tourists who visit New York want to blend in as badly as we do when we visit Europe. What do they wear? Blue jeans (always brand new and pressed) and bright white sneakers. Even before they open their mouths I know they're European. Why do they wear these silly looking outfits they wouldn't be caught dead in in a world-class city in their own country--BECAUSE THEY'RE CONVINCED THAT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE AMERICANS! Europeans, except for those enlightened souls on this website, believe that all Americans wear jeans all the time. <BR> <BR>What can I say--it's human nature I guess.

Thyra

Just and interesting foot note. Did anyone happen to notice the thread about American Culture and how American's are viewed by people from other countries. It makes an interesting side comment that so many Europeans commented on American's Unusual dress sense! Now before anyone jumps on me for commenting, there is nothing wrong with being 1) American 2)Unusual 3) Casual/comfortable 4)A tourist! <BR>And frankly, I don't think wanting to look Urban upscale is a pretense, just a preference. Keep the comments rolling.

AmericanWoman

Wouldn't it be nice if there were a Mao around to issue us nice blue suits all around the world? You wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a trailer court hot dogs and boxed wine type and a n urbane gourmet world traveller. Everyone would be so happy...until they were beamed up to the mothership. In the mean time, I'll be the first one in my trailer court to see Paris and just try to pry these shiny lime green pants off my bad self!!!

Calvin

Just a thought: how do Asians "blend in" in Europe? Plastic surgery? Skin dyes? Bag over the head? Or do they just not travel to Europe? <BR>This is the most overblown topic on the entire Fodor's website. Go, be polite, and have fun.

mark

Wow ... I love this topic, keep it up ... <BR> <BR>Cindy ... All the UK people I know who go to the US, make NO attempt to dress like the natives .... I've been to the US a few times & it has NEVER occured to me before now that I should be dressing like the natives ... <BR> <BR>As to all Europeans wearing new jeans in New York ... well that could be because they bought them ... to buy a pair of levis in England will about $100, yet the same pair could be bought in NY for $20-$40 (??). A lot of UK people will travel light & buy out in the US. <BR> <BR>As I've send before .... just wear what you want .... whatever is comfortable ... <BR> <BR>Mark

mark

Yikes ... Sorry Cindy ... should have been Carol ..... <BR> <BR>Cindy ... most Europeans don't worry about what they wear when they go abroad .... at least all the ones I know don't .... <BR> <BR>I can't believe that all these seasoned travelers are so worried about fitting in ... <BR> <BR>I mean if I go to the US, there is NO way I can fit in ... I dress differently, but more importantly I speak differently .... <BR> <BR>Just don't worry about it ... life's too short !!!! <BR> <BR>Mark

B. Fordor

To Cindy: <BR> <BR>That was a good try at being provocative, but it wasn't quite provocative enough. On the provocation scale of 1 to 5, I'd give it a 5. Try again, but don't be too provocative, otherwise no one will answer and be too embarassed look. <BR> <BR>God Bless, <BR>Betty