What to wear when you're a tourist

^it's the same in Spanish.. in Icelandic, and probably in most non-english languages too.. I guess it can be viewed as eccentricity by English native-speakers, they certainly haven't witnessed their mother language get gradually replaced by foreign words as they're the ones in charge of the replacement task :innocent:.. not blaming you guys, just saying so you get an idea of where those frenchies stand.. not to mention the fact that being a highly touristic place, they must be really sick of some people directly or undirectly demanding them to speak english in their french-speaking land, which inevitably leads them to generalise (like anyone would after several cloned encounters) and think everyone expects more or less the same from them.. I live in a spanish-speaking place for instance and no kidding, every single American I've encountered hasn't spoken a single word in Spanish and have actually approached me in high-speed english and almost roll their eyes when I tell them to repeat themselves or at least slow down until I switch my head from spanish to english mode.. which is fine, whatever.. but one thing that fired things up once for sure was this time when I met a man who entered this office where I used to work at, yelling that he needed some planes for his house (in english), I was pretty puzzled about his yelling, since we were standing like 20 cms away from him :lol:.. someone immediately replied, offering help in english and he said, 'I have this amazing english course at home, I want to bring it for you guys, you really need to learn english, it's important', I hardly got over his little phrase and sometimes I look at tourists demanding english and in my tiny view, I know they're thinking what that man said, that their language and maybe their traditions too to make the ride even more comfortable, should be almost an obligation for everybody.. I can't even express how disrespectful I found his attitude and how sad and unfortunate it was to see him having the opportunity to travel, see the world and LIVE diversity and see him waste it like that blinded by his bigotry and arrogance. sorry about the rant.. it's way off topic but I figured a slightly opposite point of view might come handy to decode the 'craziness' behind certain attitudes that are usually no more than a self-defense response to very common characters.
 
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If you ever go to Egypt, not the touristy bits like Sharm El Sheikh, but Luxor, Aswan etc try and cover your self as much as possible.
I went (with my family of course) in the middle of summer (46/47 degrees centigrade) and it was difficult. But it's worth it because the hagglers are so sleazy and i was terrified! I wore a long dress that went to my calves and a shawl over my shoulders and elbows. I was sweaty like a pig and it still wasn't covered up enough!
We only went into Luxor once because I really didn't like it! Organised tours it's okayto wear shorter things but not mini skirts and strappy tops because whatever age you are you will get disgusting unwanted attention. :flower:
 
^ Thanks for sharing that, Mullet :flower:

Well, English is absolutely chockfull of foreign words too, including plenty of French ones (like everything that ends -tion, like conversation) :wink:

But I do understand how distasteful the arrogance you mention is. I had taught myself to read in English by the time I was 2 or so, I don't even remember the process, and I've been inhaling it ever since. I've studied several other languages, but for some reason I just didn't take to it at all, so I totally appreciate that there are a lot of people all over the world who've been able to learn my language so that we can communicate with each other. Because God knows I am terrible at learning theirs :doh:
 
i always tell my friends when they are in paris and want to take a stroll on the rue du faubourg st-honore, to necessarily wear white tennis shoes, a plain white shirt, acid washed jeans, a funny bag and to top it all off, a hat with a huge american flag on it
 
people are lame.

It bugs me when people change their personal style to fit in with whatever place they're visiting. I don't, and wont, change how I dress just because I visit somewhere. A person's style reflects them and I'm not going to compromise that?
 
When I'm on vacation, the last thing I'm thinking is to blend in. If anything, I like to step it up a notch. Be bold, maybe even a little excentric? Nobody knows me, and sometimes it's nice to stand out.
 
unless i'm in bali or phuket where i'm just lolling in my flip flops, sunnies and bikinis, i usually look like crap when i'm on holiday. i usually pack clothes that i don't mind dirtying, spoiling and bags/shoes that i don't mind getting rid if i have to (means more luggage space for my shopping anyway) i don't want to miss out on a nice hike to somewhere just because i don't want to ruin my shoes.
 
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i just wear what i usually wear. high heels are usually out of question but why change your style only because youre in a different country?
 
Well i just came back from paris and i fitted in there perfectly hahaha. it was so nice to wear the high waist skirts with nice tops and sandals and high high heels.
I loved it!
 
You wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a random bar, wouldn't you?
You wouldn't wear sweatpants and a t-shirt to a wedding, wouldn't you?

You must dress accordingly to every country you visit!

First, I take it this topic only caters to 1st world countries? Because anyone who travels enough knows that you must always dress according to your surroundings and dress like a native. I can guarantee you that if you go to South America or Africa and you walk around debating if you wanna wear heels with matching chanel glasses, then that is a first class ticket to getting robbed.

As for those traveling to europe:

At least make an effort to speak the native language. I live in Paris, which is losing culture due to tourism as is. Yes, nowadays most can and are willing to speak english once they hear your accent and/or struggle with the language. But nothing is more annoying to a European (I'm speaking on my behalf from living in Paris) than someone coming up to them speaking English, and looking at them dumb like "why don't you know english?"

As far as what to wear when traveling in Europe:
Try your best to dress like a native (trust me), it will make your traveling experience much more easier/enjoyable.
 
Does anyone know what I should avoid wearing in Zambia or Botswana?
I've been told not to have bra straps showing. In some places I've been told I have to wear traditional skirts.
 
i think when you're a tourist is the best time to experiment with fashion :smile:
because you know you will never see those people again... or the next time you go back they probably won't remember you

when i went to canada i wore this black devore striped velvet buttoned up to the collar.. very austere and it was also sheer. another day on the greyhound bus to montreal i wore a blue shirt with mandarin collar.. you get stares, but i felt more like people were interested in talking with me than me looking weird.
when i came back home i wore the same blue shirt and i felt surprisingly comfortable in it though i wouldn't have thought to wear it here...
 
^ I have fond memories of a whole group of people turning and pointing and staring at me at a mall in Denver :lol: I guess if you're not wearing Birkinstocks you are craaaazy :innocent:
 
As far as what to wear when traveling in Europe:
Try your best to dress like a native (trust me), it will make your traveling experience much more easier/enjoyable.

i can sign that :wink:

if you're immediately recognised as a tourist, people (especially in cities where there are lots and lots of tourists; like Venice or Florence) are much more unfriendly. and tourists usually have to pay more in restaurants ... of course it's not working in every country. as a European in China for example you would be recognised immediately.

i've been living in Italy for quite some time and i made the experience that first of all knowing the language and being friendly to people is the key to getting to know a foreign culture. and thank god i'm not blond :D it makes it easier, cause nearly all the women here are dark haired. two blond-haired friends of mine had pretty bad experiences ...

regarding dressing: i can only speak for italy. it's the best to wear something fashionable and not to reveal too much (that's something most of the italians don't appreciate :wink: at least i can speak for those i know ... they're always making fun of tourist who wear almost nothing)
 
I wear the things I can´t wear in my hometown because there the people look too when you wear "FASHION" like 12cm heels


As tourist I wear all everyday the highest Heels the craziest dresses all what I can´t wear in my hometown :lol:
 
hey acid..

oh, ok.. alright
what about my mini-skirt question? would they seem inappropriate for their taste?

it is inappropriate to try to be appropriate...

be who you are! just wear what you like to wear!
just don't say "OH MY GGGOOOOOD" and "THAT IS SOOOOO CUTE" and "LIKE .. LIKE .. LIKE .. LIKE .."
so much and you'll be fine! How you behave is much more valued than how you dress.

But it is in fact a good idea not to wear your juicy couture tracksuit or typical outdoor clothes.. :innocent:
 

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