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To All The Americans: <BR> <BR>I like what you wear. I like your accents. I appreciate your friendliness. I like to hear about your beautiful country and your travels.
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In spite of some of the nasty comments here and there, this is an interesting thread. I've been an expat for many years, and I've seen a lot of tourists, and done a lot of touring myself. <BR> <BR>The article in the NY Times and the dos/don'ts page in the Washington Post are both well-intentioned, but in my experience for the vast majority of us Americans it's utterly hopeless to try to conceal our origins, for security or whatever other reasons -- most of which seem to be based on self-deprecation tending toward outright shame at being who we are, which I find both pathetic and silly. <BR> <BR>First off, even if most Americans dressed in head-to-toe haute couteur and had their hair styled in Paris, they'd still be indentifiable as American with little more than a sidelong glance. There's something about the openness of Americans' facial expressions, and the frequency (almost constant for some) of our smiles, not to mention the space issues the Times article rightly points out. As someone above said, it's the whole package, not just the clothes or the backpacks. <BR> <BR>IMHO, why bother even trying to conceal who you are? Any travel involves at least a modicum of risk, and for the vast majority of places to visit, even these dark days, the risk of being singled out and terrorized is still infinitesimal. And the only American more embarrassing than the stereotyped 'Ugly American' is the one who's desperately trying to 'blend into' a culture he doesn't really understand -- and, as a tourist, of course isn't expected to -- and who thereby stands out by being a silly fraud who's *still* obviously American. <BR> <BR>
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Well said ,Tourist!
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Tourist - that explains why I'm mistaken for French! My facial expression is rarely 'open' and I dont smile very often at strangers, unless they smile first. I will have to work on this. However, I find I have less to smile about these days. <BR> <BR>I also agree it's insane to try to fit into a place if it makes you uncomfy. The only adjustment I make for Europe is no jeans or sneakers. I'm mistaken for a local all the time. In today's climate, it only makes sense for personal safety to not advertise that you're American.
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Katrina, for your info, tencel is not considered a synthetic since it is made from wood pulp (natural, biodegradable, breatable, etc.) It is nothing like polyester.
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John, is your friend Eddy a male who originally hails from Ireland by chance??<BR><BR>"My friend, Eddy, who is tour guide in Italy says he can always spot the Americans. He says we have the most beautiful teeth in all the world." <BR>
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Pauley, email me directly (yes, this is my REAL email address) and we can discuss it at length. :)
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The biggest load of BS I've read in a long time.<BR><BR>To anyone who says they can spot Americans a mile off - you're generalising. You (and I) can spot some but not all. What drivel.
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My husband & I both have white, straight teeth, my hair is chemically lightened, we dress well & smile frequently. We carry expensive cameras & I only recently started leaving my nice jewelry at home. The only problems that we have ever experienced on our frequent trips to Europe have been due to our own mistakes. We failed to take seriously the fact that things weren't as easily available there as in the US. In other words, we have become spoiled. In England, I accidentally tapped the door of the the car next to us when I opened our car door. The man sitting in the car nearly had heart failure & I couldn't understand what the fuss was all about but thankfully, I wasn't impolite. In another English village, I tried to open the door of a car that wasn't ours. The owner of the car went ballistic & I was rather alarmed as I tried to explain that I was from Texas & all of those little cars looked the same to me. I know that she is still talking about the "stupid & rude American" whom she thought was trying to take her automobile. On the whole, I have found people friendly & willing to accept our differences anywhere we have ever travelled - unless we made an error in judgement. The only exception was in France when we were called "gauche" by a waiter when we rejected a single bottle of water because the price was $8 american. I don't think the problem is "looking American" but simply our lack of adjustment to inconvenience. We want what we want & when we want it. I'm just as guilty as all the others but have learned to either accept it or stay home. They don't have many of our blessings but by the same token they have many blessings that we don't have, as well. Most folks respond to basic kindness, consideration & sincerity, wherever they live. By the way, I'm 62 years old & have only eaten in a McDonald's twice in my life. Once in London & once in Munich. Both times we were lost, confused & exhausted - another traveller's mistake.
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I haven't read this entire thread yet, so please forgive me if I am redundant. You can tell a LOT about Americans by their shoes. Is this true for non-Americans too? For me, shoes are the hardest part of a woman's wardrobe. I have a tough time with which type go with what. No one can ever tell me even a remote rule of thumb! If you have one and know your stuff, please share!
A colleague of my DH asked if his clothes were custom made. He had an eye for them because his brother is a tailor. What a nice compliment, but they are not. However, most of his work clothes are Italian and bought at a men's specialty store. They are beautiful and are an investment that we don't mind as they seem to hold up forever and never seem to go out of style. Another kudo to Italiano menswear. BTW, they are the the classic styles vs. trendy styles. However, what I call trendy Italian may not be trendy, just cutting edge. I'm no expert. I'll leave those to, of all people, my preacher. Yes, he wears the coolest Italian clothes and casual. He is the coolest too! |
When I am in Prague, people always speak Czech to me. They assume I'm a native, because I dress "European" when I'm there, and my heritage is 100% Slovak, so I tend to fit the bill quite well. I actually got free bread at one restaurant, because I was able to speak enough Czech to order, but when the owner realized I was American, he was so impressed with my "bad Czech", he gave me free nibbles!
In Italy, the street vendors were quite confused... one was asking me - "Where you from? Germany?" The Italian guys were confused, too. They tried speaking every language under the sun to get my attention. Finally, I started babbling in my bad Czech, and they left me alone!! Worked every time! |
My nail girl is Vietnamese. She says when she went back for a visit, the natives can instantly single her out as an expat (even though she is Vietnamese too). She says she dressed in whatever was unique to the locals at the time, and they still singled her out without even opening her mouth. I think she said it has something to do with how you carry your body as well - stance, posture...
I can usually spot a native Texan versus a non-native without hearing them speak just by the same type of nuances and sometimes by the speed they walk! Just kidding - LOL. I have been asked when traveling within the U.S. what country I was from - referring to my accent. Just Texas! Come to thin of it, isn't that a tourism ad for TX - "Texas, it's a whole nother country." For insight and entertainment, read Yankee's Survival Guide to Texas. It's a hoot! I never realized how quirky we are because I spent my first 23 years in deep TX far from any metropolitan area. I also never had so much fun laughing at myself and some exaggerated versions of myself. Oops, back to Americans. Sorry. |
Just thought I would add my two cents worth -
I am a Canadian who has been mistaken for an American while travelling in Europe. When I say "well actually, I am Canadian", the response is amusing: "Well, isn't that the same thing? :-)" Even in Canada we can often spot Americans - I agree with a couple of the other replies - I think it has to do with the way you carry yourselves - very self-confident (very comfortable, and proud - that's meant in a good way - with who you are). Personally, I don't think that it has to do with shoes!! |
RLA, how did you find this thread? I was given my computer back then and still learning how to use it.
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I was told by an English guy I know (I'm American) that he can tell an American by their walk. He couldn't put it into words, but said we have more of a "strut" (this was not meant as a slam). Of course, he can't go up and ask everyone if they are American or not, so I don't know how often he is correct in his guesses.
Also, when on vacation why wouldn't people of any nationality wear shoes that are the most comfortable for them, even if they aren't the most attractive ones? I know that when I'm walking around all day, there is no way I'm going to wear my three-inch heels that look so nice. Same thing with backpacks and bumbags. It's not like I want to make a trip back to my hotel every two hours to drop off my purchases. Also, doesn't it make more sense to have a place to keep the maps, guidebooks, etc.? Or would holding them in my hands/arms all day look more chic and sophisticated? What's so horrible about looking like a tourist? Don't people want to BE tourists and have the opportunity to see different places? While all people should be clean and decently groomed, it doesn't always make a lot of sense to wear our "best" clothes on vacation because they are not necessarily the most comfortable. Since I don't care to bring along 2-3 suitcases, I will have to remain less well-dressed on vacation than I am when at home. Christina, thank you for the kind words below: Message: To All The Americans: I like what you wear. I like your accents. I appreciate your friendliness. I like to hear about your beautiful country and your travels. |
cigelechanta - Now that you mentioned it, I am wondering that myself. When I posted, I hadn't noticed how old it's origin was. I guess by now the article is outdated, but the issue is a timeless one!
About the shoes - I should have clarified my shoe comment as applying to the every day and not so much to tourist. With all the walking in Europe and adjustments to shoewear, I can see that shoes would often not tell you much about the person. I also agree with comfortable and practical being the priority in shoes while touring. However, comfort and style can go together. This would take some work for me to figure out. I will spend plenty of time just trying to streamline the rest of the wardrobe. |
I could tell this thread was old just by the title. Theads like this were very prevelant in 2000-2001 when I first started reading this forum. I felt back then somewhat an oddball because I do not buy into the "white tennis shoes=ugly American" propaganda. So, I just stopped coming to this site for awhile.
I said then, and still say, just go on your trip, wear what you feel comfortable in (God only knows Europeans who come to my town sure do!), see what you want (you've worked hard to be there!), eat what you want (yeah, you may feel like a hamburger after 3 weeks!), and just have a wonderful time!! Please, lets not worry about the small stuff. Many happy travels to us all! Shadow |
What's funny is how many people say tey are spoken to in French, Italian, etc. so they must be taken as a local. See, the thing is, whether you think someone is a tourist or not, you will probably ask them a question in your own language first. And I would definitely ask for directions from a tourist--they have all the maps!
But again, the whole "they can tell you;re American" thing...the teeth. I think if you have really good teeth, there's not much you can do about being thought American. Also, very few Americans smoke (in comparison to Europeans). I find that I felt more "accepted" when I smoked. |
I like the point one of the previous posters makes about the teeth - he/she is so right. My husband is always jealous of American teeth and hair - "look at those shining, white healthy teeth! You can tell they're American!" Seriously, I believe dental care in the US is vastly superior to anywhere in Europe, with the possible exception of Germany.
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It is possible to spot a lot of Americans by looking at the way they dress. But at the same time it is easy to spot a lot of British people.
Often one can spot Italians, Russians, Japanese, Aussies, French and Germans before they open their mouths. But often one can't. Clothes give a lot away in some cases but often the way in which some acts gives their nationality away. To say that you can spot Americans by their white sneakers is absurd. In Australia, Brits have a reputation for only ever wearing white trainers (sneakers). I don't wear white sneakers and always dress to make me not appear a tourist although this is difficult in some countries. I really don't think it matters how you want to dress but when I see tourists (American, Brits, Germans or whatever) walking around in dress down Friday casual clothes or shorts and a polo shirt that are obviously from their own country along with ruck sacks, bum bags, a bottle of water and a cam corder and camera I do think that they would be the first person I would do over if I was really hard up. |
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