How to look less like an American when travelling
#17
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#18
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US Americans are mainly talking very loud and conducting these silly small-talks with other passenger.
Moreover, a lot of older guys wear these pants (kakies?), having a belt with some small bags in it. (like the bags in the belt of a police officer).
Moreover, a lot of older guys wear these pants (kakies?), having a belt with some small bags in it. (like the bags in the belt of a police officer).
#21
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What a stupid article. If you're afraid of a terrorist attack don't dress like American?
There have been terror attacks or plots of one sort of another in France, Spain, UK, Canada, USA, Mumbai, Kenya, Australia, Bali, Belgium, Egypt, the Philippines, Tunisia and a bunch more that I can't remember. Don't dress like any of them either.
Helpful note to Americans: Parading around with a Maple Leaf is not a good idea in the Basque regions of Spain. They have long memories there and still haven't forgiven us for shooting at their fishing trawlers.
There have been terror attacks or plots of one sort of another in France, Spain, UK, Canada, USA, Mumbai, Kenya, Australia, Bali, Belgium, Egypt, the Philippines, Tunisia and a bunch more that I can't remember. Don't dress like any of them either.
Helpful note to Americans: Parading around with a Maple Leaf is not a good idea in the Basque regions of Spain. They have long memories there and still haven't forgiven us for shooting at their fishing trawlers.
#22
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Honestly, as a foreigner in a country often visited by Americans (Italy), just be yourself, polite and don't raise the volume of you voice in English when speaking to the natives (and yes, I have seen Italians do the same in the US - no, speaking Italian slower and louder will not help the lady in Macys understand you).
The bits about white sneakers or crocs are just basic style. Be comfortable but decent. Again, be polite and don't draw unwanted attention to yourself. It will be fine - Americans are usually liked - they are nice, good tippers and appreciative.
The bits about white sneakers or crocs are just basic style. Be comfortable but decent. Again, be polite and don't draw unwanted attention to yourself. It will be fine - Americans are usually liked - they are nice, good tippers and appreciative.
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The premise of the article is that it materially changes the probability that you're a victim of a terrorist attack. IMHO, the entire article is based on a faulty premise for almost anywhere in the world a normal tourist would travel.
On the 0.0001% chance you happen to be in the exact spot of a terrorist attack, whether or not you are wearing a bum bag, a Hawaiian shirt, and a Yankees lid isn't going to change the outcome.
On the 0.0001% chance you happen to be in the exact spot of a terrorist attack, whether or not you are wearing a bum bag, a Hawaiian shirt, and a Yankees lid isn't going to change the outcome.
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http://www.seattletimes.com/life/tra...as-you-travel/
Interesting article this morning. It tells me all of the things I SHOULDN'T wear, not a lot of advice on what I SHOULD wear. It also doesn't mention jeans, which I thought was also a dead giveaway of an American.
Any suggestions beyond what's in this article? Or should we all just go with Birkenstocks with knee high socks & nothing else?
Interesting article this morning. It tells me all of the things I SHOULDN'T wear, not a lot of advice on what I SHOULD wear. It also doesn't mention jeans, which I thought was also a dead giveaway of an American.
Any suggestions beyond what's in this article? Or should we all just go with Birkenstocks with knee high socks & nothing else?
Best is not to be one of those uber tribalistic types who thinks everyone cares where they are from and wears a shirt with the US Flag on it...hell, even in the US there is usually a middle aged guy at the airport who HAS to wear a shirt indicating what state he is from when he travels.
But it comes down to place. In the western world, I don't care if I seem clearly foreign. But in some places it is better to not be so easily marked, like in Brazil where you stand a better than average chance of being mugged.
It's not just that an American would wear dockers and a golf shirt while walking past a Favela, its that the clothes are clean and new.
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Best is not to be one of those uber tribalistic types who thinks everyone cares where they are from and wears a shirt with the US Flag on it...hell, even in the US there is usually a middle aged guy at the airport who HAS to wear a shirt indicating what state he is from when he travels.
#29
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Seriously though, I don't think the trick is to look less American but rather to look less like a tourist. I don't wear Bermuda shorts, sandals, Hawaiian shirts, camera on a strap around my neck or anything else typically "tourist" and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.
#30
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You're probably okay if you don't look like you just came off a basketball court.
They play basketball in Europe - a lot. But adults there don't seem to wear the uni on the street the way you see it around here.
They play basketball in Europe - a lot. But adults there don't seem to wear the uni on the street the way you see it around here.
Last edited by rickg523; Jun 20, 2016 at 10:57 am Reason: Typo