gooselee

This. I'm an American, no use trying to hide it. I do of course respect local custom - often more of a concern for Mrs. Lee when it comes to clothing. I feel like it's quite disrespectful to think others' are so dumb that wearing different clothes will mask where you're from in any substantial way when it actually matters.

Plus, I've found that as soon as I start actually interacting with people, it makes no difference other than some of the fun questions I sometimes get. So many people around the world are fascinated by the theatrics and (lack of) substance of US politics/elections.

Being genuinely kind, respectful, and interested in the place and people you are visiting says a hell of a lot more than whatever clothes you're wearing.

jrl767

I am far from experienced at international travel -- Mexico (1978, 1980); Japan (1986); misc Canada (1980-1990); France/Switzerland/UK (2004); Netherlands/Germany (2008), UK and Spain later this year -- but these are certainly wise words

darthbimmer

My outlook is similar. In many places I travel around the world there's no hiding the fact that I'm a foreigner at least. My size and skin color are giveaways. I don't parade around the fact that I'm an American. A person who sees me on the street might wonder if I'm American, or Canadian, or British, or Australian.... Although I have been mistaken for many of these on occasion (including being thought Canadian in Canada and English in England!) the default assumption in other parts of the world for a person who looks like me seems to be "American".

I generally dress at least a half notch better than whatever I think the norm is. That's been true since I was a teen and is not a function of travel. In terms of travel, though, my appearance aside from my clothes still invites some odd reactions. On the negative side, I've been written off as a rube while wearing a business suit by people who equate "American" with "hayseed bumpkin". On the positive side, several times I've experienced complete strangers making earnest conversation with me because they wish to learn more about my country and to practice the language.

Through this all I see myself as an ambassador when I travel. To people in the cities I visit, I represent not only myself and my company (if on business) but also my country. I might as well show them that Americans can be intelligent, educated, thoughtful, considerate people!

Bear4Asian

I agree. This advice goes a long way.

And I recall the concern (hysteria?) about travel abroad by Americans after 9/11. The advice given then was to "look Canadian". I remember wearing my Roots sweatshirt a lot in Asia and my Asian friends telling me how transparently American it made me look. They had read the same advice. So...

Badenoch

I wish people wouldn't work to look Canadian. Few people look sillier than a Canadian (or an American trying to pass) festooned in red maple leafs looking like an autumn tree in Muskoka. Don't try saying "eh" either. I've yet to meet an American who could pull it off successfully.

darthbimmer

The trick to looking less like a stereotypical American is in understanding that it's about doing less, not more. Americans can be spotted by their clothing adorned with US flags, US slogans, and/or the logos of their favorite (US) sports team, beer, automobile, motorcycle, tractor, etc. Figuring, "Well, I'll try looking Canadian!" does not mean replacing these logos with Canadian brands and stitching a maple leaf onto one's shoulder bag. Looking less American means not looking like a walking billboard.

tjl

On an individual basis, using BMI to measure body fat is inaccurate for those who are heavy with muscle.

On a population basis, BMI is an acceptable way to estimate the fatness of the population over the years, since the number of athletes and other highly muscular people is relatively small. However, different genetic backgrounds can mean that some populations are fatter on average for a given BMI than other populations, so caution must be used if comparing BMI between populations of different genetic backgrounds.

tjl

What age in particular?

MaxBuck

Great post.

deniah

No belief required. Just an observation from spending 300 days a year in this continent. It just hit 30*c (summer came late this year) and shorts are now in full swing

84fiero

But I've seen Strange Brew like, 17 times, eh!

Ber2dca

Shorts (especially short shorts) on girls/women however are far more common in America than in any other country I've ever been to. It's like a summertime uniform it seems for American females..whereas in Europe you may see it occasionally but it's by no means the norm.

moondog

My travel circuit is mostly limited to Shanghai, Beijing, Nanning, Hk, Shenzhen, and Macau.

Using Los Angeles as a reference marker, in my observation, only HK and Macau feature a smaller percentage of short shorts on ladies.

Ber2dca

I avoid the orient so I cannot comment on the customs of those places.

bibbju

I disagree, at least for the examples you've given. These are formal occasions so we will absolutely be judging you on what you're wearing. Especially at weddings. But for more casual occasions no one will care what you wear unless it's totally heinous (I'm including basketball attire in the heinous category).

But you shouldn't let it bother you. I agree that it's about confidence. As long as you're not causing offence. I wore a hat to a friend's wedding in Brooklyn. It was an expensive large hat (taking it on the plane was a nightmare) but that's what we do at weddings in England, especially for weddings of close friends/family. It was the talking point of the wedding and I think there are photos of every single guest wearing the hat at some point during the wedding. I was the only Brit (so only hat wearer) so it was certainly a way of breaking the ice with other guests. 15 years later and the bride still talks about the hat (she loved it). I knew what I was wearing would be different to other guests but my outfit wasn't going to cause offence nor be inappropriate. But maybe this is an example of the rule about dressing up rather than down? If in doubt, dress up. Definitely in Europe!