silly Americans

squishycow7
squishycow7 Posts: 820 Member
edited December 22 in Chit-Chat
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?

It's not like I wear the flag like a toga. I don't wear any sports-team shirts/hats/etc, I don't wear clothes with writing on it (aside from maybe 1 or 2 sweatshirts that I probably won't pack anyway), I don't wear I <3 George Bush tee's...

?!??!
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Replies

  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    maybe hawaiian shirts and socks with sandals? I don't know all I can think of is my grandpas "bad tourist" vacation clothes! LOL I think europeans wear a lot of scarves.... maybe bring some scarves?? no idea. But have FUN!!!
  • skoshness
    skoshness Posts: 175
    don't wear tartan trousers, that's how we identify Americans in Scotland :laugh:
  • sunshinesonata
    sunshinesonata Posts: 241 Member
    What are 'tartan trousers' ?
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    What are you planning on packing?

    I'd say avoid very brightly patterned items.
  • skoshness
    skoshness Posts: 175
    What are 'tartan trousers' ?

    might be called plaid pants in USA :smile:
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Tartan is that coloured cross-striped woollen material that kilts are made from. Loud checked or plaid trousers (like what golfers wear).
  • teeley
    teeley Posts: 477 Member
    use the word "eh" between every other word and you will be loved...
  • karenjoy
    karenjoy Posts: 1,840 Member
    tartan is what you Americans call plaid, in Scotland they call it Tartan...

    I can usually spot American tourists from a distance, they dress very differently, they act differently and they eat differently, don't worry about it, nobody is going to trouble you for being American, unless you rub their faces in how fabulous you think America is or tell them something about how its the land of the free and its better, nobody will care where you come from, you are bringing money in, that is what they care about, they economy is in the toilet right now. Just be nice, not too loud and you will be fine.
  • Italian_Buju
    Italian_Buju Posts: 8,030 Member
    Wear a Canadian hat......
  • Prahasaurus
    Prahasaurus Posts: 1,381 Member
    Please God no sweatpants or tennis shoes.

    Don't talk so loudly. If you don't speak Italian, ask if they speak English first before blurting out your request.

    When you take a cab, get ready to get ripped off.

    Smile and have a great time. The food is fantastic. You'll walk it off, so don't worry.

    --Prahasaurus
  • jennadelane
    jennadelane Posts: 121 Member
    Why be ashamed to be an American? We're not perfect, but then again who is? Wear what you feel comfortable in, don't worry about it.
  • squishycow7
    squishycow7 Posts: 820 Member
    nobody is going to trouble you for being American, unless you rub their faces in how fabulous you think America is or tell them something about how its the land of the free and its better,


    Ha, not a problem there!!
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    What exactly should I be avoiding?

    ?!??!
    [/quote]

    When I lived overseas, I could HEAR the american's coming a mile away. On top of that they had a sense of entitlement... like EVERYONE should speak "american" (seriously, I heard it called american). Act like a good citizen of the world and you should be good.
  • ZumbaholicEmz
    ZumbaholicEmz Posts: 20 Member
    Try not to say things like:
    "Oh my god, look at that, that is so totally awesome!!" at the top of your voice whilst pointing at it! hehe x
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    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.
  • tonyacoursey
    tonyacoursey Posts: 404 Member
    If you are planning to visit any cathedrals be sure to pack a scarf to cover your head or to wrap around your waist as skirt over your pants or shorts.
  • MissTattoo
    MissTattoo Posts: 1,203 Member
    Avoid fanny packs! In fact, everyone should avoid them.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    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.
  • MissTattoo
    MissTattoo Posts: 1,203 Member
    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.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    We had some Americans in our local pub recently, they really stood out.....because they were wearing shorts, flip flops and t-shirts on a cold, rainy day. I guess they thought as it was summer it would be warm, something you really cannot assume for the UK lol!!
  • bazfitness
    bazfitness Posts: 275 Member
    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?

    It's not like I wear the flag like a toga. I don't wear any sports-team shirts/hats/etc, I don't wear clothes with writing on it (aside from maybe 1 or 2 sweatshirts that I probably won't pack anyway), I don't wear I <3 George Bush tee's...

    ?!??!

    Sounds like your family are over worrying alright. You shouldn't have any probs, especially as you don't wear the trademark sports-team shirts/hats which are a giveaway identifier for Americans, especially when the cap is worn backwards! That practically screams out 'Hey I'm American'. :wink:

    Not sure where the person got the idea all us Europeans wear scarves. You certainly won't be wearing a scarf in the middle of the Italian summer! Enjoy your holiday!
  • fj78
    fj78 Posts: 17
    I live in Italy - stars and stripes T-shirts are EVERYWHERE this summer so maybe you SHOULD wear the flag to fit in! If Italy didn't have tourism it would be in an even bigger economic mess than it is - have a great time, you'll love it!
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    As an American living overseas, yeah, Americans kind of stick out. The big thing that makes them stick out is that American dress extra casually on vacation (t-shirts with pictures, shorts, sneakers) and can be a little loud sometimes.

    Definitely seconding the idea that you should always travel everywhere with a shawl in the event of sudden need to cover up bare shoulders or legs.
  • Darlingir
    Darlingir Posts: 437
    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
  • sunshinesonata
    sunshinesonata Posts: 241 Member
    Tartan is that coloured cross-striped woollen material that kilts are made from. Loud checked or plaid trousers (like what golfers wear).

    Oh goodness. I don't think I've ever seen even a golfer wear those before!

    I've always thought that it was interesting all the different names things are called all over the world. =]

    Now, OP - I think that as long as you're respectful, and courteous, you should be fine. Enjoy yourself!
  • Kathrynha77
    Kathrynha77 Posts: 103 Member
    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!
  • PinkAndSparkle
    PinkAndSparkle Posts: 324
    We went to Italy a few years ago and these were the things we avoided:
    Sneakers
    Cargo shorts
    tall socks (but that should be universal!)
    backpacks

    Anything that makes you look like a tourist! I wore summer dresses and sandals the whole time. It was reallllllly hot in July, so be prepared for the heat!
  • lauralizzy829
    lauralizzy829 Posts: 215 Member
    To be honest, you can always pick out the tourists haha.

    And don't be so paranoid about "anti-Americanism". Traveled to Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Greece in the past couple years and never experienced that. You know what makes you stand out? A tourist trying to not be a tourist.
  • ellekay22
    ellekay22 Posts: 147 Member
    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.
  • squishycow7
    squishycow7 Posts: 820 Member
    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.
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