What will happen to me if I don't follow the European Dress Code?
May 10th, 2006, 11:08 AM
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Europeans will ignore you since they really don’t care what you’re wearing.
But all the Americans trying to “Pass themselves off as continentals” will glare at you for your unforgivable sin of being not only a tourist but an American Tourist. They'll insult you very loudly insisting that they would never dress, speak, behave,like those tacky American tourists, forgetting all the while that they themselves are nothing more than the dreaded American tourist as well.
But all the Americans trying to “Pass themselves off as continentals” will glare at you for your unforgivable sin of being not only a tourist but an American Tourist. They'll insult you very loudly insisting that they would never dress, speak, behave,like those tacky American tourists, forgetting all the while that they themselves are nothing more than the dreaded American tourist as well.
May 10th, 2006, 11:09 AM
#24
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Poohgirl- it will be way faster than that, for in Europe the "fashion police" are the "force to reckon with" and they will hurt you. I saw some German wearing sandals and socks get killed on the beach in Barcelona. This really cute undercover agent took off one of her gorgeous (and lethal) stilettos and gave him a wack in the temple. But he deserved it. Oh, and the body bag used totally had rhinestones on it.
May 10th, 2006, 11:16 AM
#26
Since Switzerland is not in the EU, we have our own punishment for bright green polyester pant suits. We give these tourists free one-way tickets up to the Jungfraujoch where they are never seen again.
May 10th, 2006, 11:23 AM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And don't forget -- if you should be dressed in bad taste near the Vatican, the Swiss Guard will run up to you, surround you, and induct you into their ranks without your consent. You will be assimilated!!! (check out the Swiss Guard outfits)
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/sw.../divisa_en.htm
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/sw.../divisa_en.htm
May 10th, 2006, 11:25 AM
#28
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here is "behavior guide" for Americans abroad. Note the tip titled "dress up":
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/05/10...eut/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/05/10...eut/index.html
May 10th, 2006, 11:35 AM
#30
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>> if you should be dressed in bad taste near the Vatican, the Swiss Guard will run up to you, surround you, and induct you into their ranks without your consent. You will be assimilated!!! <<
Now if there's anything that's a fashion faux pas, it's the Swiss Guards...
I can't imagine anything that I laugh so hard at being remotely dangerous or capable of causing harm to anyone or anythign... sheesh...
Now if there's anything that's a fashion faux pas, it's the Swiss Guards...
I can't imagine anything that I laugh so hard at being remotely dangerous or capable of causing harm to anyone or anythign... sheesh...
May 10th, 2006, 11:39 AM
#31
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wouldn't a Swiss Trekkie be named Spoch? 
Yes, they are hard to take seriously in those outfits. But hey, it's 'tradition' and therefore must be good, right? Right???
"Tradition!" - Tevya
Yes, they are hard to take seriously in those outfits. But hey, it's 'tradition' and therefore must be good, right? Right???
"Tradition!" - Tevya
May 10th, 2006, 11:45 AM
#32
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Peeky, you don't want to do this...
You'll not be allowed to eat in their restaurants. Instead, you'll be allowed to eat *only* at McDonalds and other American fast food places that have infiltrated the European countries. And even then, you'll only be allowed to eat Big Macs or some kind of mystery meat served on a bun. No ketchup.
It gets uglier from here. They charge you 10€ per shot glass of soda and laugh at you when you try to order still water.
There's no telling what happens when you wear white sneakers!
You'll not be allowed to eat in their restaurants. Instead, you'll be allowed to eat *only* at McDonalds and other American fast food places that have infiltrated the European countries. And even then, you'll only be allowed to eat Big Macs or some kind of mystery meat served on a bun. No ketchup.
It gets uglier from here. They charge you 10€ per shot glass of soda and laugh at you when you try to order still water.
There's no telling what happens when you wear white sneakers!
May 10th, 2006, 11:51 AM
#34
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder where this odd sort of American inferiority complex comes about dress.
While you're worrying whether some European will laugh at you for dressing like an American their kids are busy copying American fashions and American music.
Last month in Paris I saw a lot of young people wearing blue jeans and sweatshirts, smoking Marlboros and listening to jazz or rock and roll. They were all French.
(Those who weren't copying American clothing styles, the BCBG crowd, were dressed like Englishmen)
If your dress is really outré, shorts with sandals worn over black socks, they'll just figure you're German. Try to be particularly rude and they'll be sure of it.
While you're worrying whether some European will laugh at you for dressing like an American their kids are busy copying American fashions and American music.
Last month in Paris I saw a lot of young people wearing blue jeans and sweatshirts, smoking Marlboros and listening to jazz or rock and roll. They were all French.
(Those who weren't copying American clothing styles, the BCBG crowd, were dressed like Englishmen)
If your dress is really outré, shorts with sandals worn over black socks, they'll just figure you're German. Try to be particularly rude and they'll be sure of it.
May 10th, 2006, 12:02 PM
#36
No problem. And don't buy those lederhosen. They aren't Swiss. Get a Schwingershirt instead. Available at the Ballenberg Open Air Museum.
Rothlisberger was just in Switzerland. He said that if he had grown up in Switzerland, he would have been a Swiss wrestler. (wrestler=schwinger). I agree.
P.S. On Mother's Day, we are having the big kantonal Swiss Wrestling championship right here in our town. Now this is a big deal for a lot of people, though I find it a bit boring myself.
Rothlisberger was just in Switzerland. He said that if he had grown up in Switzerland, he would have been a Swiss wrestler. (wrestler=schwinger). I agree.
P.S. On Mother's Day, we are having the big kantonal Swiss Wrestling championship right here in our town. Now this is a big deal for a lot of people, though I find it a bit boring myself.
May 10th, 2006, 12:16 PM
#37
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last year or so there was a man who walked the length of England and Scotland or some such, wearing only a backpack, socks, and hiking boots. He was detained a few times, but otherwise allowed to express his sense of fashion. The newspaper stories didn't mention sharp sticks.
