s/o How not to look like a tourist in the US?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Really? My French family would never dream of trying to look like Americans!!

W
W
I
I

That’s really mean. A massive eye roll emoji would be kinder.

Why would you admit to being a nazi sympathizer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

Also- how many Americans know the language your relatives speak? Unless they are from Spain I wouldn't worry.

Pickpocketing is worse in Europe but it’s not common here. I’m curious why would it be worse if the family is from Spain?

PP's point is that Americans are hopelessly monolingual, so unless they are from Spain (ie Spanish-speakers), ain't no one in the US gonna bust out speaking their language.

Europeans can enter 5 different countries that speak 5 different languages within hours. I can see why most Europeans speak many different languages. In the US we have Canada (English and some French/Quebecois) and Mexico. So yes, 'hopelessly' monolingual but what do you expect? It's a truth that can't be avoided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

Also- how many Americans know the language your relatives speak? Unless they are from Spain I wouldn't worry.

Pickpocketing is worse in Europe but it’s not common here. I’m curious why would it be worse if the family is from Spain?

PP's point is that Americans are hopelessly monolingual, so unless they are from Spain (ie Spanish-speakers), ain't no one in the US gonna bust out speaking their language.

I completely misunderstood that part! That’s why I was confused.

[Anonymous]

You can get overcharged in Lyfts, it shows you the price before you get in.

Honestly, we get so many tourists here (in DC or NYC) that no one cares AT ALL. If there's one thing traveling has taught me, blending in isn't usually possible and that's ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Really? My French family would never dream of trying to look like Americans!!

W
W
I
I

That’s really mean. A massive eye roll emoji would be kinder.

Why would you admit to being a nazi sympathizer?

So many people misunderstanding things on this thread. Not sure if people are reading in a hurry or just have poor context and reading comprehension. Think PP is just saying the French shouldn’t feel so superior since we bailed them out in WWII. Nothing to do with nazi sympathizers.

[Anonymous]

This A Fish Called Wanda scene is what I think of when I think of British and French people looking down on Americans:

https://youtu.be/PoaOwSPJPHw

“Oh you English are soooo superior, aren’t you? Well you know where you’d be without us Americans? The smallest f’ing province in the Russian empire!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

Also- how many Americans know the language your relatives speak? Unless they are from Spain I wouldn't worry.

Pickpocketing is worse in Europe but it’s not common here. I’m curious why would it be worse if the family is from Spain?

PP's point is that Americans are hopelessly monolingual, so unless they are from Spain (ie Spanish-speakers), ain't no one in the US gonna bust out speaking their language.

Europeans can enter 5 different countries that speak 5 different languages within hours. I can see why most Europeans speak many different languages. In the US we have Canada (English and some French/Quebecois) and Mexico. So yes, 'hopelessly' monolingual but what do you expect? It's a truth that can't be avoided.

And people who live in areas with a higher portion of Spanish speakers tend to speak more Spanish. There is no reason for the average Nebraskan to learn French or German. Depending on their job, they may need some Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Really? My French family would never dream of trying to look like Americans!!

W
W
I
I

That’s really mean. A massive eye roll emoji would be kinder.

Why would you admit to being a nazi sympathizer?

So many people misunderstanding things on this thread. Not sure if people are reading in a hurry or just have poor context and reading comprehension. Think PP is just saying the French shouldn’t feel so superior since we bailed them out in WWII. Nothing to do with nazi sympathizers.

There is no other way to take it unless they agree with the nazis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

I was trying to think of a non-snarky way to say this, but the US doesn’t have the “target the tourists” mentality that they have in many other countries with lots of tourists. Generally, Americans won’t care that you’re from abroad (NY, Las Vegas) or be interested and intrigued & want to be helpful (smaller towns). I mean, you could definitely get mugged in NY, but it’s not going to be any more likely if you’re from another country. I think they must not understand what a diverse melting pot the US is, in every way. There isn’t one American “look.”

+2

[Anonymous]

Shorts and sneakers! Also, backpacks.

But really, just wear what's comfortable. In the big cities, no one cares. Pick pocketing isn't really an issue because no one carries cash.

Also, plenty of Europeans come here and don't blend. They will get asked about their accents, even if they speak perfect English. It's ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

I was trying to think of a non-snarky way to say this, but the US doesn’t have the “target the tourists” mentality that they have in many other countries with lots of tourists. Generally, Americans won’t care that you’re from abroad (NY, Las Vegas) or be interested and intrigued & want to be helpful (smaller towns). I mean, you could definitely get mugged in NY, but it’s not going to be any more likely if you’re from another country. I think they must not understand what a diverse melting pot the US is, in every way. There isn’t one American “look.”

This is pretty spot on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

Also- how many Americans know the language your relatives speak? Unless they are from Spain I wouldn't worry.

Pickpocketing is worse in Europe but it’s not common here. I’m curious why would it be worse if the family is from Spain?

PP's point is that Americans are hopelessly monolingual, so unless they are from Spain (ie Spanish-speakers), ain't no one in the US gonna bust out speaking their language.

Europeans can enter 5 different countries that speak 5 different languages within hours. I can see why most Europeans speak many different languages. In the US we have Canada (English and some French/Quebecois) and Mexico. So yes, 'hopelessly' monolingual but what do you expect? It's a truth that can't be avoided.

And people who live in areas with a higher portion of Spanish speakers tend to speak more Spanish. There is no reason for the average Nebraskan to learn French or German. Depending on their job, they may need some Spanish.

So you don't look like a rube when you leave the country, perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

I was trying to think of a non-snarky way to say this, but the US doesn’t have the “target the tourists” mentality that they have in many other countries with lots of tourists. Generally, Americans won’t care that you’re from abroad (NY, Las Vegas) or be interested and intrigued & want to be helpful (smaller towns). I mean, you could definitely get mugged in NY, but it’s not going to be any more likely if you’re from another country. I think they must not understand what a diverse melting pot the US is, in every way. There isn’t one American “look.”

This is pretty spot on.

I agree unless they go somewhere with large crowds. My DD went to Coachella music festival a few weeks ago and five of her friends all had their phones pick-pocketed. So thieves were there targeting festival-goers who were probably under the influence and not paying attention!

Events like this attract thieves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is a travel question or a fashion question...

My European family is coming to the US on vacation this summer. They are really worried about "fitting in" style-wise.
I have explained to them that it really, truly doesn't matter what they wear in the States. But they are convinced if they look like foreign tourists, they will get pickpocketed, overcharged in lyfts, etc. Also they are quite proud of their English skills and think if they look "foreign" everyone will try to speak to them in their native language. They don't mind looking like tourists but they want to look like American tourists, if that makes sense.

Any advice for how foreign tourists can "blend in" to American fashion?

Tell them pickpocketing is much worse In Europe than it is here.

Also- how many Americans know the language your relatives speak? Unless they are from Spain I wouldn't worry.

Pickpocketing is worse in Europe but it’s not common here. I’m curious why would it be worse if the family is from Spain?

PP's point is that Americans are hopelessly monolingual, so unless they are from Spain (ie Spanish-speakers), ain't no one in the US gonna bust out speaking their language.

Europeans can enter 5 different countries that speak 5 different languages within hours. I can see why most Europeans speak many different languages. In the US we have Canada (English and some French/Quebecois) and Mexico. So yes, 'hopelessly' monolingual but what do you expect? It's a truth that can't be avoided.

And people who live in areas with a higher portion of Spanish speakers tend to speak more Spanish. There is no reason for the average Nebraskan to learn French or German. Depending on their job, they may need some Spanish.

So you don't look like a rube when you leave the country, perhaps?

Not unlike yourself, perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeans, tshirt, leather jacket, Converse.

Looking like Danny from Greece in the summer at the Grand Canyon is not the way to fit in.