what to wear in order not to stick out....
Jun 22nd 2003, 12:47 am
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
John Dierks wrote:
> I'm surprised... was my question so stupid to warrant replies of this
> caliber?
> I realize there isn't anything I can do to blend in, being that I only speak
> English, and some broken Spanish and French.
> All I want to do is not stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe it's unavoidable,
> but maybe everyone can humor me with some false security. How about that?
Well, the question itself is only somewhat silly; part of the
problem is that the _same_ question (with minor variations) is
asked over, and over, and _over_ again on this newsgroup.
And the answer is: unless your personal taste in clothing is
particularly strange, it is unlikely to be particularly strange
in Europe. Yes, there are various differences in style between
Europe and the US (and also between one part of Europe and
another), but there isn't much you can do about that, apart from
purchasing a whole new wardrobe on arrival (and even then you
are likely to miss the fashion nuances).
--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?
> I'm surprised... was my question so stupid to warrant replies of this
> caliber?
> I realize there isn't anything I can do to blend in, being that I only speak
> English, and some broken Spanish and French.
> All I want to do is not stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe it's unavoidable,
> but maybe everyone can humor me with some false security. How about that?
Well, the question itself is only somewhat silly; part of the
problem is that the _same_ question (with minor variations) is
asked over, and over, and _over_ again on this newsgroup.
And the answer is: unless your personal taste in clothing is
particularly strange, it is unlikely to be particularly strange
in Europe. Yes, there are various differences in style between
Europe and the US (and also between one part of Europe and
another), but there isn't much you can do about that, apart from
purchasing a whole new wardrobe on arrival (and even then you
are likely to miss the fashion nuances).
--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?
Jun 22nd 2003, 4:21 am
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
Which state haven't you visited?
Cheers
Gary Nichols
----------------
>Subject: Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
>From: [email protected] (Icono Clast)
>Date: 6/22/03 01:18 Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id:
>"John Dierks" wrote:
>> what can I wear to help not stick out?
>Are you an English-speaking North American? If so, there's absolutely
>nothing you can do to not be spotted. I can spot an American a mile
>away who's not in the home country. There's something unmistakeable
>about us and there's nothing you can do about it.
>Israelis and Australians are also quite easy to spot.
>Africans in the USA are also unmistakeable. They're always shocked
>when I acknowledge them.
>Gary Nichols
>> Why worry about sticking out? I can spot a European a mile away when he is
>> visiting the US. Apparently they don't worry about sticking out. Why
>should
>> you?
>He must be a strange dude. Maybe he fears Interpol.
>_________________________________________________ ____________
> A San Franciscan who's visited 49 of 50 US states
>http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
>ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
All countries are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
All people are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
Gary Nichols
Cheers
Gary Nichols
----------------
>Subject: Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
>From: [email protected] (Icono Clast)
>Date: 6/22/03 01:18 Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id:
>"John Dierks" wrote:
>> what can I wear to help not stick out?
>Are you an English-speaking North American? If so, there's absolutely
>nothing you can do to not be spotted. I can spot an American a mile
>away who's not in the home country. There's something unmistakeable
>about us and there's nothing you can do about it.
>Israelis and Australians are also quite easy to spot.
>Africans in the USA are also unmistakeable. They're always shocked
>when I acknowledge them.
>Gary Nichols
>> Why worry about sticking out? I can spot a European a mile away when he is
>> visiting the US. Apparently they don't worry about sticking out. Why
>should
>> you?
>He must be a strange dude. Maybe he fears Interpol.
>_________________________________________________ ____________
> A San Franciscan who's visited 49 of 50 US states
>http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
>ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
All countries are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
All people are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
Gary Nichols
Jun 22nd 2003, 4:38 am
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
Take plenty of money and only 1 days clothes. Buy clothes locally upon
arrival. FFM
John Dierks wrote:
> I spent last summer in Europe and I'm going back this summer. When I was
> there last I regretted bringing some of the clothes that I did because they
> made me feel as is I was sticking out. One example was a shirt I had that
> had lots of English text. While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> self-conscience.
> I know I'll never blend in with a huge back pack on, but what can I wear to
> help not stick out?
arrival. FFM
John Dierks wrote:
> I spent last summer in Europe and I'm going back this summer. When I was
> there last I regretted bringing some of the clothes that I did because they
> made me feel as is I was sticking out. One example was a shirt I had that
> had lots of English text. While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> self-conscience.
> I know I'll never blend in with a huge back pack on, but what can I wear to
> help not stick out?
Jun 22nd 2003, 4:49 am
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
On 22 Jun 2003 01:18:38 -0700, [email protected] (Icono Clast) wrote:
I can spot an American a mile away who's not in the home country.
There's something unmistakeable about us and there's nothing you can
do about it.
Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
sense... I have been approached in Germany, Italy, France and Croatia
and asked questions by locals, who apparently assume I am one of them.
Once in Germany I was sitting on a bench with a box of sandwiches
(waiting for my companions who had gone for drinks) and folks tried to
buy the sandwiches off me....thought I was a vendor! Fortunately, I
have a passing familiarity with several languages and can usually
respond to general questions. I always greet in the local langiage
and order in shops and restaurants that way, but I don't do anything
special otherwise. Perhaps I just have a universal face? OTOH, I do
dress in gray or black trousers, a simple shirt, black nubuck walkers.
so I don't particularly stand out perhaps.
I can spot an American a mile away who's not in the home country.
There's something unmistakeable about us and there's nothing you can
do about it.
Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
sense... I have been approached in Germany, Italy, France and Croatia
and asked questions by locals, who apparently assume I am one of them.
Once in Germany I was sitting on a bench with a box of sandwiches
(waiting for my companions who had gone for drinks) and folks tried to
buy the sandwiches off me....thought I was a vendor! Fortunately, I
have a passing familiarity with several languages and can usually
respond to general questions. I always greet in the local langiage
and order in shops and restaurants that way, but I don't do anything
special otherwise. Perhaps I just have a universal face? OTOH, I do
dress in gray or black trousers, a simple shirt, black nubuck walkers.
so I don't particularly stand out perhaps.
Jun 22nd 2003, 5:07 am
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
John Dierks wrote:
> I spent last summer in Europe and I'm going back this summer. When I was
> there last I regretted bringing some of the clothes that I did because they
> made me feel as is I was sticking out. One example was a shirt I had that
> had lots of English text. While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> self-conscience.
Just make sure the English text on your shirt makes no sense. Something like
"University of College All Football team USA Numbre One!"
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> I spent last summer in Europe and I'm going back this summer. When I was
> there last I regretted bringing some of the clothes that I did because they
> made me feel as is I was sticking out. One example was a shirt I had that
> had lots of English text. While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> self-conscience.
Just make sure the English text on your shirt makes no sense. Something like
"University of College All Football team USA Numbre One!"
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
Jun 22nd 2003, 5:10 am
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
Carole Allen wrote:
> Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
> sense...
There are people with just that weird sixth sense.
In a hostel in Singapore, the proprietor overheard one sentence spoken by my
traveling companion and from that was basically able to produce his life
story (where he was from, his level of education, why he was traveling, and
so on). This friend was from Colombia, which is not exactly a common sight
in Singapore.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
> sense...
There are people with just that weird sixth sense.
In a hostel in Singapore, the proprietor overheard one sentence spoken by my
traveling companion and from that was basically able to produce his life
story (where he was from, his level of education, why he was traveling, and
so on). This friend was from Colombia, which is not exactly a common sight
in Singapore.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
Jun 22nd 2003, 5:30 am
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
Marie Lewis wrote in message news:...
> In article , John Dierks
> writes
> >While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> >clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> >self-conscience.
> Why "other than GB of course?"
>
> There are millions of people in the UK wearing t shirts with English
> writing on them!
Wear a shirt with an English phrase that doesn't make sense--fellow
anglophones won't think you're one of them.
> In article , John Dierks
> writes
> >While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> >clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> >self-conscience.
> Why "other than GB of course?"
>
> There are millions of people in the UK wearing t shirts with English
> writing on them!
Wear a shirt with an English phrase that doesn't make sense--fellow
anglophones won't think you're one of them.
Jun 22nd 2003, 7:06 am
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 02:52:33 -0700, "John Dierks"
wrote:
>I'm surprised... was my question so stupid to warrant replies of this
>caliber?
No, it's just that the question gets asked a LOT and some of the
"regulars" have been having a bit of fun at your expense. Don't take
it personally.
>All I want to do is not stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe it's unavoidable,
>but maybe everyone can humor me with some false security. How about that?
As a rule anything that seems garish in the U.S. will seem garish in
Europe - flowered Hawaiian shirts with plaid shorts and a seed cap,
that sort of thing.
Less extreme, typical clothing in many parts of Europe would be
considered somewhat drab in the U.S.; there's a tendency toward gray
and black. Also from my experience men don't often wear shorts in
public but then I've never visited Europe when it was really hot.
Most any smart casual clothing would not attract stares in Europe
(Land's End, LL Bean, etc.). But most of all, don't worry about it.
--
I don't know why you people seem to think this is magic,
it's just this little chromium switch here... Ah you people
are SO superstitious...
wrote:
>I'm surprised... was my question so stupid to warrant replies of this
>caliber?
No, it's just that the question gets asked a LOT and some of the
"regulars" have been having a bit of fun at your expense. Don't take
it personally.
>All I want to do is not stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe it's unavoidable,
>but maybe everyone can humor me with some false security. How about that?
As a rule anything that seems garish in the U.S. will seem garish in
Europe - flowered Hawaiian shirts with plaid shorts and a seed cap,
that sort of thing.
Less extreme, typical clothing in many parts of Europe would be
considered somewhat drab in the U.S.; there's a tendency toward gray
and black. Also from my experience men don't often wear shorts in
public but then I've never visited Europe when it was really hot.
Most any smart casual clothing would not attract stares in Europe
(Land's End, LL Bean, etc.). But most of all, don't worry about it.
--
I don't know why you people seem to think this is magic,
it's just this little chromium switch here... Ah you people
are SO superstitious...
Jun 22nd 2003, 7:09 am
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 17:10:42 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
>Carole Allen wrote:
>> Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
>> sense...
>There are people with just that weird sixth sense.
>In a hostel in Singapore, the proprietor overheard one sentence spoken by my
>traveling companion and from that was basically able to produce his life
>story (where he was from, his level of education, why he was traveling, and
>so on). This friend was from Colombia, which is not exactly a common sight
>in Singapore.
Was it before or after this conversation that your friend noticed his
wallet was missing?
--
I don't know why you people seem to think this is magic,
it's just this little chromium switch here... Ah you people
are SO superstitious...
>Carole Allen wrote:
>> Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
>> sense...
>There are people with just that weird sixth sense.
>In a hostel in Singapore, the proprietor overheard one sentence spoken by my
>traveling companion and from that was basically able to produce his life
>story (where he was from, his level of education, why he was traveling, and
>so on). This friend was from Colombia, which is not exactly a common sight
>in Singapore.
Was it before or after this conversation that your friend noticed his
wallet was missing?
--
I don't know why you people seem to think this is magic,
it's just this little chromium switch here... Ah you people
are SO superstitious...
Jun 22nd 2003, 7:57 am
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
Miguel Cruz wrote:
>Just make sure the English text on your shirt makes no sense. Something like
>"University of College All Football team USA Numbre One!"
"The quick brown fox..."?
Jens
>Just make sure the English text on your shirt makes no sense. Something like
>"University of College All Football team USA Numbre One!"
"The quick brown fox..."?
Jens
Jun 22nd 2003, 9:58 am
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
Miguel Cruz wrote:
> Carole Allen wrote:
> > Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
> > sense...
> There are people with just that weird sixth sense.
It is not really a "sixth sense"; more a matter of particular
skill with observation -- which may not even be fully conscious
on the part of the observer.
That said, I tend to be extremely skeptical of claims such as
"I can always recognize an American" (or anyone else), because of
the problem of selection bias.
That is, I would alter the statement to: "I can _often_ recognize
an American, and when I do, I am always (or almost always) right."
There is a significant difference between being correct when
judging someone walking down the street as an American, and always
recognizing such. I submit that there are almost certainly some
(probably many) Americans that are _not_ recognized as such when
walking down the street -- and there is no way to determine this
other than by asking _everyone_ walking down the street whether
or not they are Americans of "natives".
--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?
> Carole Allen wrote:
> > Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
> > sense...
> There are people with just that weird sixth sense.
It is not really a "sixth sense"; more a matter of particular
skill with observation -- which may not even be fully conscious
on the part of the observer.
That said, I tend to be extremely skeptical of claims such as
"I can always recognize an American" (or anyone else), because of
the problem of selection bias.
That is, I would alter the statement to: "I can _often_ recognize
an American, and when I do, I am always (or almost always) right."
There is a significant difference between being correct when
judging someone walking down the street as an American, and always
recognizing such. I submit that there are almost certainly some
(probably many) Americans that are _not_ recognized as such when
walking down the street -- and there is no way to determine this
other than by asking _everyone_ walking down the street whether
or not they are Americans of "natives".
--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?
Jun 22nd 2003, 10:13 am
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
[email protected] (Carole Allen) wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>> On 22 Jun 2003 01:18:38 -0700, [email protected] (Icono Clast) wrote:
>> I can spot an American a mile away who's not in the home country.
>> There's something unmistakeable about us and there's nothing you can
>> do about it.
>
> Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
> sense...
No sixth sense needed. There are such things as national traits, and some
of them are about clothing styles, hair styles, habits, gestures etc.
> I have been approached in Germany, Italy, France and Croatia
> and asked questions by locals, who apparently assume I am one of them.
It doesn't mean that every person shows these traits. Those who don't,
can't be easily classified (Though even you probably wouldn't have passed
for a local in, say, an African country. Its a gradual thing) But some
people display those "typical" national traits very prominently, maybe even
unknown to them. That's the kind of people who can be easily spotted by
someone with enough experience.
Regards
--
Now is ze time on Sprockets ven ve dance
http://www.wschwanke.de/
news:[email protected]:
>> On 22 Jun 2003 01:18:38 -0700, [email protected] (Icono Clast) wrote:
>> I can spot an American a mile away who's not in the home country.
>> There's something unmistakeable about us and there's nothing you can
>> do about it.
>
> Interesting...I Iove people who say this; they must have weird sixth
> sense...
No sixth sense needed. There are such things as national traits, and some
of them are about clothing styles, hair styles, habits, gestures etc.
> I have been approached in Germany, Italy, France and Croatia
> and asked questions by locals, who apparently assume I am one of them.
It doesn't mean that every person shows these traits. Those who don't,
can't be easily classified (Though even you probably wouldn't have passed
for a local in, say, an African country. Its a gradual thing) But some
people display those "typical" national traits very prominently, maybe even
unknown to them. That's the kind of people who can be easily spotted by
someone with enough experience.
Regards
--
Now is ze time on Sprockets ven ve dance
http://www.wschwanke.de/
Jun 22nd 2003, 10:20 am
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
[email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Just make sure the English text on your shirt makes no sense.
> Something like "University of College All Football team USA Numbre
> One!"
Isn't that advice more suitable for Japan?
http://www.engrish.com/clothing/
--
Now is ze time on Sprockets ven ve dance
http://www.wschwanke.de/
news:[email protected]:
> Just make sure the English text on your shirt makes no sense.
> Something like "University of College All Football team USA Numbre
> One!"
Isn't that advice more suitable for Japan?
http://www.engrish.com/clothing/
--
Now is ze time on Sprockets ven ve dance
http://www.wschwanke.de/
Jun 22nd 2003, 10:34 am
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: what to wear in order not to stick out....
In article ,
"John Dierks" wrote:
> I spent last summer in Europe and I'm going back this summer. When I was
> there last I regretted bringing some of the clothes that I did because they
> made me feel as is I was sticking out. One example was a shirt I had that
> had lots of English text. While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> self-conscience.
>
> I know I'll never blend in with a huge back pack on, but what can I wear to
> help not stick out?
Wear what you want. Why in the world would you worry about sticking out
in Europe? Its not like being a tourist in Europe is frowned upon by the
locals. Just be polite and respectful of people and you'll be fine.
"John Dierks" wrote:
> I spent last summer in Europe and I'm going back this summer. When I was
> there last I regretted bringing some of the clothes that I did because they
> made me feel as is I was sticking out. One example was a shirt I had that
> had lots of English text. While I know lots of people in Europe wear
> clothing with English on it, (other than GB of course) I was still
> self-conscience.
>
> I know I'll never blend in with a huge back pack on, but what can I wear to
> help not stick out?
Wear what you want. Why in the world would you worry about sticking out
in Europe? Its not like being a tourist in Europe is frowned upon by the
locals. Just be polite and respectful of people and you'll be fine.
