It would be nice to blend in at least until I open my mouth! What to wear, hairstyle, shoes, things beside the obvious such as carrying a camera.
2007-11-24 16:00:15 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Packing & Preparation
They pretty much wear what we wear, at least the Europeans I knew did. I can tell you don't smile everywhere you go. Don't wave. We american's love to smile and wave when we meet new people, Europeans do not do this and that was something that was hard not to do.
Don't dress like a tourist. ( not like the Griswalds ), you can carry a camera, just not hanging around your neck.
they are pretty much like us, but they are Very open about sex, do NOT go into the Red Light District in Paris unless you want to see something.
Enjoy your trip ! I did. it was just too short and we were there 4 yrs.
2007-11-24 16:11:55 · answer #1 · answered by simpleminded 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well in Ireland the dead give away is always blue jeans or beige trousers with brilliant white trainers and socks, big give away, also wearing rain jackets and baseball caps.
Camera round your neck also very obvious most European tourists would keep it in a bag or smaller cameras in a pocket.
Hairstyles don't really matter. However, if you are with a tour group, your compatriots will give you away instantly.
The point about saying thank you in the local language is important, but more so is please. Europeans generally will only be polite and gracious if the customer is as well.
2007-11-27 05:34:57 · answer #2 · answered by eorpach_agus_eireannach 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am European and when I read some of the things people here write, I had to laugh.
Most people in Europe will wear jeans, sport shoes with socks and in summer, T-shirts with logos. A T-shirt with New York, or Chicago on it is even more likely than a local one for the country you are in.
Europeans do wear shorts too, but only in really warm weather.
The best way not to stand out is to bring older gear in subdued colours.
Not because Europeans do not use new gear or bright colours but those always stand out in a crowd.
Most tourists will bring cameras, but if you bring a big camera, keep it in a small backpack rather than round your neck.
If you are going to stay in one area it is worth it to bring little in the way of clothes and stock-up in the latest fashion in the local style, but if you travel around you would still stand out as a tourist doing that.
Jeans, T-shirt and sweater if it is colder, that is the uniform most young people wear.
Only if you are 50+ you need to dress more formal, but people in their 70's still wear jeans, a more formal shirt or casual jersey will do, with again a sweater.
Hairstyle is something you can change while here, but again, with so many people in Europe you can not really go wrong.
2007-11-25 08:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by Willeke 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Don't wear logo t-shirts. Dress up a little more formally than t-shirts & jeans (something like "business casual").
The other major thing that makes Americans stick out in any European crowd is that they talk much louder than anyone else, including loud laughter. I live in Europe now. I can't tell you the number of times that the loudest group, the one whose laughter rises above the rest of the room, bus, or subway car, is almost always a group of thoughtless Americans.
Finally, learning to say 'thank you' in the local language, even if you slaughter the pronunciation, is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself from most Americans on holiday.
2007-11-25 00:13:14 · answer #4 · answered by Penny 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
May not be a nice answer, but just be yourself, wear what you feel comfortable with, wear your hair how you want, dont be afraid of who you are. Europeans dont care if you are American, believe me.
2007-11-25 00:32:30 · answer #5 · answered by kris76 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Investigate before you go what kind of clothing is popular in the countries you are visiting. For ex., in general, Europeans don't wear socks with sneakers.
Don't speak loudly or complain in public.
Know where you are going before you leave your lodgings.
2007-11-25 00:15:14 · answer #6 · answered by deirdrezz 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You've answered your own question! You will be O.K. until you open your mouth, then they'll hate your guts. Best you get a Borat cd/dvd and practice speaking like him before you go! That should fool 'em!
2007-11-25 05:19:17 · answer #7 · answered by mad_mick001 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Don't worry about it. Who cares?
Just don't get into any political discussions in the bars, when you have had a few drinks.
I'm Canadian.
2007-11-25 00:11:51 · answer #8 · answered by robbie 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Have bad teeth and go tea crazy.
2007-11-25 00:05:50 · answer #9 · answered by MaDeInCaLi 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋