silly Americans

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 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'.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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?