silly Americans

I am English and I think that the one thing I have noticed about my Canadian Husband, and yes I know this is about Americans, but the thing i notice is he has no idea how to dress appropriately, his idea of smart casual is jeans and a tshirt and he wears trainers, sneakers to you guys, all the bloody time...I don't know a single other man of his age who does, unless they are running, he also wears caps...NOBODY of his age wears caps, its just not done, he is loud and noisy, just being alive makes him stand out, he dresses terribly, his sense of style is totally absent, totally. he wears slogan tshirts for goodness sake.

Does that apply to all British men or just to English ones? I wonder if I'm married to the only Scottish man who dresses like an American. :laugh: Or maybe it's because he's from Glasgow... Now granted, when he wants to be all snazzy, he knows how to dress up, but jeans or shorts, slogan shirts, baseball caps and sneakers are everyday clothing for him. Granted I've only spent a few months in Scotland, but I don't remember him looking very different from his friends.

Edit: Oh and to the OP, if you go to Rome, I highly recommend the restaurant The Old Bear. Favorite restaurant ever. http://www.oldbear.it

Only thing I can think of as "touristy" is a fanny pack! lol....

Also, I wouldn't dress up for the pope...who is he? No one, just a man. I wear jeans and a t shirt to my own church home because that's what I have. What will they do, throw you out of the country because a MAN who thinks he's a god doesn't like your clothes?? I don't think so. And, if they do, I wouldn't want to go there anyway. That's just me.
The only reason to take a a shawl or whatever to a cathedral is to have it in case it's chilly....not to cover your head or attempt to make it look like a silly skirt because you've got boobs and a vagina. Do the men have to take a shawl to wrap around their jeans like a skirt???? NO, they don't so why should we women have to. Here's a revelation ppl....GOD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CLOTHES....HE CARES ABOUT YOUR HEART!!!

I feel the feminist movement at work here.

Seriously...it's about respect and being an adult. Just because you walk into a cathedral dressed appropriately does not mean the church is going to go all stepford and try to assimilate you. It is a different house of worship than yours with guidelines and requirements that should be respected if you so choose to visit.

OP...you've gotten good advice. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Just be polite, and don't get too loud.
And yes, I'd avoid wearing anything too wild.

When I went to Italy, apparently I fit in so well that the rest of the locals thought I was Italian.

I was speaking to a group of them who were actually telling me about how some Americans are treated better if they have Canadian flags on their luggage. I wouldn't get all crazy and deck yourself out in head to toe red and white maple leafs, but a button on your purse wouldn't hurt

Also, I wouldn't dress up for the pope...who is he? No one, just a man. I wear jeans and a t shirt to my own church home because that's what I have. What will they do, throw you out of the country because a MAN who thinks he's a god doesn't like your clothes?? I don't think so. And, if they do, I wouldn't want to go there anyway. That's just me.
The only reason to take a a shawl or whatever to a cathedral is to have it in case it's chilly....not to cover your head or attempt to make it look like a silly skirt because you've got boobs and a vagina. Do the men have to take a shawl to wrap around their jeans like a skirt???? NO, they don't so why should we women have to. Here's a revelation ppl....GOD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CLOTHES....HE CARES ABOUT YOUR HEART!!!

so funny. Italian's are generally catholic, the pope doesn't care what you wear. However if you want to enter the Vatican to view the Sistine Chapel (and I highly recommend it, it is stunningly beautiful, as is much of the walk to it), you have to be appropriately dressed. That means you have to have your legs covered. No covering of the head required. Just not allowed to wear shorts or short skirts. skirts still allowed so long as they generously cover the knee.

Don't cover up, don't get in. As they so often say here in the UK, simples!

Also, I wouldn't dress up for the pope...who is he? No one, just a man. I wear jeans and a t shirt to my own church home because that's what I have. What will they do, throw you out of the country because a MAN who thinks he's a god doesn't like your clothes?? I don't think so. And, if they do, I wouldn't want to go there anyway. That's just me.
The only reason to take a a shawl or whatever to a cathedral is to have it in case it's chilly....not to cover your head or attempt to make it look like a silly skirt because you've got boobs and a vagina. Do the men have to take a shawl to wrap around their jeans like a skirt???? NO, they don't so why should we women have to. Here's a revelation ppl....GOD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CLOTHES....HE CARES ABOUT YOUR HEART!!!

so funny. Italian's are generally catholic, the pope doesn't care what you wear. However if you want to enter the Vatican to view the Sistine Chapel (and I highly recommend it, it is stunningly beautiful, as is much of the walk to it), you have to be appropriately dressed. That means you have to have your legs covered. No covering of the head required. Just not allowed to wear shorts or short skirts. skirts still allowed so long as they generously cover the knee.

Don't cover up, don't get in. As they so often say here in the UK, simples!

cover your shoulders and cleavage too!!

Lol. Y'all have a funny opinion of Americans. I don't know of anyone who wears plaid pants or wears their hat backwards. Lol wouldn't associate with them if they did. Pretty funny though.

I think an important thing to remember is NOT to stereotype no matter where you are
From or where you go.

People are rarely who they appear to be.

And as everyone else said be respectful and willing to learn.

Have fun!

I lived a year in Scotland (on exchange) and have traveled a good portion of Europe and I have to say that she is BANG on with her commentary. As a Canadian, I would like to say we are excluded from this type of behaviour for the most part, but it seems the younger generation is being heavily influenced by the media they consume and typically act the same way now.

Also for those who think "Well those people don't do that when they come to our country", there is such a things as:

1) Taking the higher road
2) Leading by example

Being polite, respectful, understanding and the willing to learn goes a long way.

For the OP, whatever you do, don't compare their country with yours or say things "X is better in my country" and "Y is kind of like what we have back home" after someone has shown you something special to them.

You are also BANG on! Being mature and leading by example are huge. Just because other tourists are jerks (in your country or in another) doesn't mean you have to be. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from the program was this: "It's not good, it's not bad, it's just different." That simple reminder really helped me a lot when times got hard and I felt down and homesick, and got annoyed by all the weird foreign ways. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad or that your way is better.

You mentioned Canada - there was a Canadian boy in the program with me in Italy, and he would really attack me for no reason I could see other than I was American and he had a chip on his shoulder. He'd say things like "I'm American too, it's all North America so don't call yourself American", and then say really aggressive attacking things about the US. I've never met another Canadian like that, it was so strange. My father is Canadian and I still have family in Alberta, I felt his attack on me was totally unjustified.

In the entire year I lived there, I really only had 1 problem with being American. There was a shop near my home where you could pick up various toiletries, household items, bus tickets, etc. and the shop owners clearly didn't like me. I never did anything to them, was never disrespectful, and they never refused to sell to me, but their attitude towards me was terrible. They'd be very nice to my family, but not to me. Simple solution - I didn't shop there anymore.

For the people here who say pretend to be Canadian - you can do that and it can work, but why are you denying your country? I'd rather be an American trying hard to be polite and respectful and make a good impression than a fake Canadian embarassed or ashamed of my home. The US is not perfect and we certainly have our problems, but it's also a country I'm proud to be a part of and it's my home.

Oh, and absolutely do NOT get drawn into any political discussions with locals. It's just not worth it, no matter what your political views are.

Someone else on here mentioned "bella figura" - that's very important. There's no direct translation but it's presenting a good image both with your outward appearance and your attitude and mannerisms. It's a core philosophy of Italian life. You do not want to be labeled with "brutta figura".

What's wrong with Sneakers and backpacks? I will be visiting both London and Paris in November. Are sneakers and backpacks really a problem?

lol Its OK, you are an American, you will fit in with all the other American tourists in London, you might not be allowed in nice restaurants in sneakers, they are not considered to be acceptable in some places, but to shleep round the tourist sites that is just fine..oh and fanny...means vagina in England, just so you know x

What's wrong with Sneakers and backpacks? I will be visiting both London and Paris in November. Are sneakers and backpacks really a problem?

lol Its OK, you are an American, you will fit in with all the other American tourists in London, you might not be allowed in nice restaurants in sneakers, they are not considered to be acceptable in some places, but to shleep round the tourist sites that is just fine..oh and fanny...means vagina in England, just so you know x

LOL...Not that I will have a fanny pack (I hate them), but thanks. It's good to know what words I shouldn't use.

England is also our 51 st state, they just dont want to admit it.

People in other nations are butt-hurt that America is so rich, powerful and fabulous.
SCREW THEM!
I go abroad and make no allowances for anything, because I am American and proud of it.
Once you start groveling and pandering to people's sniveling, it never ends.
Do as you please.

There's a couple of reasons why I haven't traveled out of the US. 1) I can't afford it. 2) I'm too scared of anti-american people kidnapping, mugging or murdering me for being American. Based on what I see on the news on online, most of the world seems to hate Americans and I don't blame them, we are quite obnoxious. Do try to have fun though. My bf wants to go to Italy for our honeymoon if we get married and I'm too scared that I won't make it out alive.

It's Italy, ferchrissakes, not Somalia or Afghanistan.

The news is not the best place to form such opinions... I've been to 6 or so Euro countries, and even lived in Germany for a bit. People are *much* friendlier than you think.

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.

I can't believe I am saying this, but SPNLuver83 is right. Be American and proud! Have you ever met someone who wasn't proud of their heritage? The USA has protected THE WORLD from several regimes intent on global domination or genocide of entire races.

You know, we have people from all over the world here in the USA and we don't look down on them based on where they are from. (Well, maybe Canada, lol) If someone over there has a problem with me being an American... F 'EM! They are probably wearing Nike's, Wrangler Jeans, and an Abercrombie shirt which will make it very ironic.