silly Americans

oneoddsock

I'm going to Italy in a few weeks... and my family is freaking out saying DONT PACK ANYTHING THAT MAKES YOU LOOK AMERICAN!!! Hoping I'm not curb-stomped for being American even if I clearly appear as one, but -

What exactly should I be avoiding?

I don't get it. You're going to Italy, not Somalia. Nobody will care where you come from. If you're that worried, wear lederhosen and hum Wagner music. That'll throw them off the scent.

No, seriously, why don't you want to "look American"? You won't be treated any differently than someone from any other country would be treated. Italy is a beautiful country and her people are friendly and welcoming (more so than in some other European countries). Tourists go to Italy from all over the world and you're unlikely to be the most American-looking American. Sure, take some nice clothes if you're the type of person that wants to feel stylish amongst trendy Italians, but there's nothing you should avoid. Just take care of your belongings and do all the stuff you'd normally do if you were in a busy tourist place in America.

nisijam5

Be polite: Let others go first. Chew with your mouth closed. Talk so that only the person you are talking to can hear you. Don't point. Don't chew gum like a cow chewing cud. Don't make references to "we have this a home" or "ours is better". Give up your seat on a bus. Smile and treat service staff as your equal, not your servant.

Shouldn't this just be the norm no matter where you are???

TabiNS

My brother and sister-in-law went to Italy two years ago. They dressed like they normally would here at home. The only thing that they made sure to do was dress up on the days they knew they'd be going to a cathedral. They also dressed up when they went to the Vatican. Other than that, I'd say just dress like you normally would. :-)

Also, and someone may have touched on this already, but the important thing when going to another country is to just be respectful of their culture. Don't comment, at least in public, that you find something weird, or that their sense of style is ugly. You are a guest in a place they live every day. Be respectful of their history, treasure it...be courteous. I assume that many of the places you might be going to are touristy places...chances are the citizens of those places are used to it, but that doesn't mean that they particularly enjoy it.

And, don't be afraid of "being" American there. You hear all the time how so many countries hate America, and they think we're all apparently silly, but chances are they're going off our politics or something they may have seen in the meda. If you have the chance to talk with an Italian citizen, do it. Learn things about one another.

Sorry, I'm an anthropology major, so sometimes I get a little ranty when talking about this kind of stuff. ha.

beachloe

I was in Rome a month ago and I just wore my regular clothes. No one gave us any problems, except one panhandler who said Americans are rich (yeah, right - LOL) so we shouldn't be stingy. Unless you speak Italian, they will know where you are from. Don't worry about it and enjoy because it is a beautiful country.

MichelleC2012

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

snowgrrl83

You don't need to "stop dressing" or "stop wearing" anything American. That's not why Americans are hated.
Just don't be ignorant. Don't be overly loud or obnoxious.
Be curteous, respect the traditions and culture.
Don't say... "Well, where I live, we eat/sleep/live/do things this way......" as if it is better.
Smile, be polite. Experience new things. Don't just order a burger and fries, be adventurous (but not stupid)!
Learn about where you are going before you go!!! - don't be totally uneducated about where you are heading!!!

skoshness

Avoid fanny packs! In fact, everyone should avoid them.

And if you must use one, DO NOT call it a fanny pack, unless you want everyone around you to laugh at you!

I was thinking the same thing, but I don't know what they are called in Italy :laugh:

emrys1976

Cheese and crackers SOME PEOPLE! READ! She didn't say she was ashamed! There are places in the world where being American can get you in trouble or do you not keep up with the news and travel warnings? Some places will try to rip you off because you are American. Some places you will get kidnapped because you are American.

I think what her mother was trying to say was don't look like a tourist.

thank you for this!!

I've heard time and again that sneakers are a huge giveaway. I have friends who were denied seating in a restaurant in France because they were wearing sneakers

Snowbird73

That makes sense to me. When I was in Europe I tried to avoid looking like a tourist, and it worked until I opened my mouth. Immediately, I was asked, "You are from southern United States?"

I love your ticker. How did you do that?

AquaFitQueen

To be honest it isn't as bad for Americans abroad now that G. W. Bush isn't president. I moved to the UK during his last term and people, strangers who overheard my accent, just HAD to know if I voted for him and what I thought, lol. Now, not so much

Relax. Have a good time. And if you are going to a main destination in Europe, in the summer, I highly doubt you will be the only yankee there ENJOY!

chezmama

Tartan is that coloured cross-striped woollen material that kilts are made from. Loud checked or plaid trousers (like what golfers wear).

I have yet to see anyone wear that in the States unless their like....90 years old maybe

LOL...My 20 year old son wears them all the time! However, he is the only one of his peers who does. It's kind of his trademark.

stephvaile

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

the bay city rollers did lmao and i had tartan socks as a girl with their faces on hahaha

emrys1976

Be polite: Let others go first. Chew with your mouth closed. Talk so that only the person you are talking to can hear you. Don't point. Don't chew gum like a cow chewing cud. Don't make references to "we have this a home" or "ours is better". Give up your seat on a bus. Smile and treat service staff as your equal, not your servant.

Shouldn't this just be the norm no matter where you are???

It should be. Isn't it sad, though, that people need to be reminded?

sdow

I have been to Europe. It really doesn't matter what you wear, the minute you talk they will know you are an American. I found that just being polite and respectful of their country is more important than what you look like. Have fun. Enjoy the sites and be experimental.

Sweet_Potato

The only thing I would avoid is shorts, especially for men. The Italians think that shorts are for little boys only, so it will be painfully obvious that you're American if you have them on. Also, you might not be allowed in churches if you're wearing shorts (and in Italy you never know when you might stumble across a beautiful one that you'll want to go in). I wear dresses and heels when I go to Italy, but that's only because it's what I normally wear at home. Anyone who wants to steal from you or scam you (gypsies, cab drivers) will know you're tourists regardless because you're not speaking fluent Italian. Everyone else simply won't care that you're American. Of course, it always helps to know a few words or phrases in the language wherever you travel-- it shows that you're interested in the culture and the locals always appreciate it.

wk9t

I'm American and I have traveled all over Europe. I don't dress any differently there than I do at home. They're going to peg you as an American as soon as you open your mouth anyway. I wouldn't sweat it. Just go and have fun!

spirit80

Have a great time. Dont worry about anything you will be fine. Believe me they need the tourism business.

skoshness

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

haha it's usually older male tourists that wear tartan trousers here, bit of a stupid stereotypical joke

and good advice, just be yourself and dress for hot weather in Italy, wish I was going there!

MichelleC2012

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

the bay city rollers did lmao and i had tartan socks as a girl with their faces on hahaha

Well, you got me....okay...other than rock stars who want to be noticed??? LOL...I know of the Bay City Rollers but they were before my time, musically anyway

wellbert

Well, if you're that ashamed of it:

1) Renounce citizenship.
2) Move to Mexico
3) Wear sombrero to Italy
4) Enjoy new life in beautiful Ciudad Juárez.

haha, I'm not ashamed. I didn't think anything of it until my family started "warning" me.

Perhaps I should move to Mexico anyhow, it would be a lot warmer than New Hampshire.. all I know how to say is "where is the bathroom/library/fire/pants" though. My vocab is lacking.

donde esta el bano. Most important phrase to know in any language.

I really wouldn't worry about it overly outside of places where you have to cover your face.

kristen6022

I'm gonna say avoid fanny packs, brightly colored clothing and bold patterns, and obsessively reading maps. Attempt to learn enough Italian to get you by without looking "american". Just be respectful.

skoshness

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

the bay city rollers did lmao and i had tartan socks as a girl with their faces on hahaha

ohno you didn't did you? :laugh:

TylerJ76

I think that is kinda lame... You should be proud of where you are from, and not try to disguise it. Maybe if you own it and just act like a normal person you will change some minds about Americans. I think that would be the better end result.

This...all the way

stephvaile

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

the bay city rollers did lmao and i had tartan socks as a girl with their faces on hahaha

Well, you got me....okay...other than rock stars who want to be noticed??? LOL...I know of the Bay City Rollers but they were before my time, musically anyway

billy connelly he wore em

MichelleC2012

Cheese and crackers SOME PEOPLE! READ! She didn't say she was ashamed! There are places in the world where being American can get you in trouble or do you not keep up with the news and travel warnings? Some places will try to rip you off because you are American. Some places you will get kidnapped because you are American.

I think what her mother was trying to say was don't look like a tourist.

thank you for this!!

I've heard time and again that sneakers are a huge giveaway. I have friends who were denied seating in a restaurant in France because they were wearing sneakers

Wow, that would be unfair to someone like me who is only able to wear sneakers due to a problem with one of my feet. Seems a little ridiculous but maybe it was a restaurant I wouldn't go to anyway if it was so fancy that they wouldn't allow you in if you're wearing sneakers

CrazyMidget611

My husband and I went to Italy last year for our honeymoon, and even though I'm sure we stuck out (they dress so much better than I do!), we were respectful, tried to speak the language as best we could (hubby's dad grew up in Italy, so we knew a few basics, but we also picked up quite a bit while being over there), and were polite. No one seemed to have a problem with us. And in fact, when we visited Cortona, people came up to us specifically because they had seen walking through the town and wanted to introduce themselves (Small town + winter = NO tourists except us!). We found everyone to be extremely friendly and helpful!

MichelleC2012

Ok, the "tartan" trousers....who in their right minds wear those??? Yikes! Anyway, if I go anywhere...within or outside of the states...I will be myself COMPLETELY. I dress the same at home, on vacation (which I never go on because that takes money that I don't have lol) or wherever. Just be yourself.

the bay city rollers did lmao and i had tartan socks as a girl with their faces on hahaha

Well, you got me....okay...other than rock stars who want to be noticed??? LOL...I know of the Bay City Rollers but they were before my time, musically anyway

billy connelly he wore em

Ah...Billy Connelly....never heard of him LOL

ironanimal

Avoid fanny packs! In fact, everyone should avoid them.

And if you must use one, DO NOT call it a fanny pack, unless you want everyone around you to laugh at you!

Just to clear this up, in Europe, fanny in English means a vajayjay. We call them bumbags. But honestly, nothing says tourist like wearing one so avoid, avoid, avoid.

Tartan is that coloured cross-striped woollen material that kilts are made from. Loud checked or plaid trousers (like what golfers wear).

This is the equivelant of every tourist, ever, coming to London and making a beeline for an I London t-shirt.

shander7

Honestly, don't worry about it!! I studied there for a semester and fashion was pretty similar! Just pack what you would for a vacation around here. Short, jeans, dresses, etc.. Everyone I met was really nice and if you at least tried to speak some Italian (and don't yell at them like they're deaf, they just speak another language :P ) you'll be fine! Enjoy the food there, I've never had more delicious meals than I did in the 3 1/2 months I was there!! Also, a purse that goes across the body is best. There are gypsys there, so you want to make sure you carry the purse towards your front, and guys should keep their wallets in their front pockets. Where are you going while you're there?? If you're going to Florence, let me know and I'll suggest some restaurants for you to try!! Have a blast and embrace the beautiful culture there!

Capt_Apollo

my family is from spain, i speak spanish perfectly, and have spent many summers in spain... and when i get to barcelona and sit at a restaurant, they still hand me a menu in english. they can see it, no matter what.

like others said, just be courteous, and don't assume everyone speaks english. pick up a english-italian phrase book. learn the phrase "Dove si trova il tratorria dove si mangia?" it means, "where is a restaurant where you eat?" use the word 'tratorria' because it implies smaller venue, and homecooked style. 'ristorant' means fancy restaurant. you don't want that.

if you are going to italy, i'm going to assume you might hit rome, and if you go to rome, you'll probably go to the Vatican and some churches. they won't let you in if your knees and shoulders are exposed. Same goes for guys. Bring a skirt that goes past your knees, and something to cover your shoulders. i recommend wearing one of those thin 'hippie' skirts and a cardigan to throw on top of you. the worst thing is being turned away, and being directed to one of the nearby shops to buy paper pants and jacket.