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How to look less like an American when travelling

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How to look less like an American when travelling

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Old Jun 23, 2016, 9:15 am
  #91  
 
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Originally Posted by wendyg
I find it hilarious how many Americans think Europeans are always formally dressed. See this guy - https://www.janalbrecht.eu/ueber-jan/fotos.html - in the T-shirt and casual jacket? That's how he dresses to attend his job as a Member of the European Parliament.
...and yet somehow, he looks, I dunno, "stylishly European."
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 10:14 am
  #92  
 
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Originally Posted by gglave
...and yet somehow, he looks, I dunno, "stylishly European."
Yes, that look is nothing like whatever is the tip-off to "American tourist." The issue is not simply one of formality in dress compared to the most recent "political casual."
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 10:55 am
  #93  
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This is COMMON SENSE not to wear a lot of "bling" or jewelry. Not rocket science. No matter what you wear, if you walk around carrying a guidebook or holding a map, your wardrobe choices won't mask you from being outed as a tourist.

Blue jeans and white sneakers is the American stereotype but if you like to wear it, ignore the condescending advice of others telling you not to do so.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 11:24 am
  #94  
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Originally Posted by Analise
Blue jeans and white sneakers is the American stereotype but if you like to wear it, ignore the condescending advice of others telling you not to do so.
It's not condescending in a thread titled "How to look less like an American". @:-)
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 11:26 am
  #95  
 
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Originally Posted by gglave
...and yet somehow, he looks, I dunno, "stylishly European."
That is what hobos look like in America.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 1:05 pm
  #96  
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Seriously, when was the last time anybody bought white sneakers?

The current trend in athletic shoes is screamin' bright colors. My current running shoes look like the Las Vegas Strip vomited all over them. (I'll be happy when this trend passes, which it will.) I don't even know where I'd go to get white...maybe a serious tennis outfitter?

If I saw someone wearing white sneakers, I'd ask them how they kept them in such good condition since 1989.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 1:21 pm
  #97  
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Originally Posted by pinniped
Seriously, when was the last time anybody bought white sneakers?

The current trend in athletic shoes is screamin' bright colors. My current running shoes look like the Las Vegas Strip vomited all over them. (I'll be happy when this trend passes, which it will.) I don't even know where I'd go to get white...maybe a serious tennis outfitter?

If I saw someone wearing white sneakers, I'd ask them how they kept them in such good condition since 1989.
I hate to tell you that you wouldn't be allowed to play tennis at Wimbledon without white shoes, so there goes your plan for next week!
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 2:16 pm
  #98  
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Originally Posted by TObject
Actually this is not universal. In some countries "fanny" packs or man purses are popular with locals. Many Americans on the other hand despise both and would not be caught dead with ether.

Overstuffed pants could be a giveaway in those situations.
Many Americans wear "fanny" packs. It's where they carry their handguns during warm weather.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 3:45 pm
  #99  
 
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Handguns are for wusses. AK-47 all the way.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 5:24 pm
  #100  
 
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Originally Posted by pinniped
Seriously, when was the last time anybody bought white sneakers?
As I (think) I said upthread, it's cruise ship season here in Vancouver.

Walking back from lunch today I saw three different sets of American tourists.

All the men in all cases were wearing regulation white New Balance sneakers.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 6:34 pm
  #101  
 
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Cool

Originally Posted by Badenoch
Many Americans wear "fanny" packs. It's where they carry their handguns during warm weather.
Is this too obvious?

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Old Jun 24, 2016, 4:14 am
  #102  
 
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What would be the point of trying to look less like an American when traveling?
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Old Jun 24, 2016, 5:44 am
  #103  
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Originally Posted by 5khours
What would be the point of trying to look less like an American when traveling?
The misguided belief among some Americans that they are greater targets for terrorism while abroad.
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Old Jun 24, 2016, 6:02 am
  #104  
 
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Originally Posted by TObject
Is this too obvious?
Just counter-balance it with a T-shirt that reads "NOT AN ACTUAL AMERICAN" and you'll be fine.
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Old Jun 24, 2016, 6:19 am
  #105  
 
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For the OP there is one definitive answer. For men anyway. Where a Speedo swimsuit in inappropriate public places, on inappropriate body types and at inappropriate ages. No American man would be caught dead doing this. But oh the horrors I have seen in my travels around the world. It's the most definitively European/Russian/or South American trademark I can possibly think of. Guaranteed none of those guys will EVER be mistaken for an American.
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