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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this really flew over everyone's heads.

Oh, people get it but they are being kind enough to treat it as though it’s a real question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell them to gain 20 pounds.

+1
Except 40 pounds would really have you fitting in.

[Anonymous]

Most of the advice isn’t even right for NY or LA. You can carry a man purse there, or wear socks with sandals, or whatever. Freak flags fly freely there….no one is going to be judging their European shoes! And everyone in Vegas is too drunk to care.
Usually I can tell the European tourists because they cluster together in large tours and speak German loudly … or maybe those are just the Germans.

[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?

Most Americans never leave the country.

If this is a real question, if they just wear jeans / khaki pants and looser tshirts with logos and athletic shoes, they will fit right in.

[Anonymous]

I think they will be fine in NYC as is. For the rest of the country the men can wear dad sneakers, white crew socks, bad jeans, and omg do not forget the cap.
Women, leggings, flip flops, nail polish worn down to 3 mm, some top, but add on top of all of this earrings or other jewelry which in no way matches the outfit. And put on make up.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This couple is so obviously Australian.

[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. Have a colleague in our Canadian office (non-big city) and he came to DC area for work. He wanted to check DC out (his first time) but was really nervous to go because he's arab. I reassured him that there was nothing to worry about and explained how diverse DC is. I'm really surprised people STILL have that perception. Anyway, he went and realized how off base he was.

[Anonymous]

For men: Be loud, wear some sports t-shirt with khaki shorts. NO TUCKING IN THE SHIRT. Wear a baseball hat and sneakers (white if they want to be Midwestern Americans). No pouch or man purse of any kind.
For women: Be loud, t-shirt, khaki shorts. Dress is fine too.

[Anonymous]

Behavior is also important. Keep to the right! Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk gawking or looking at your phone for directions. TIP at restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

See, this insult doesn't land because you have nothing to base it on. You know nothing about me except that I'm fed up with the insularity of Americans. That's not a defining characteristic of a rube. A snob, perhaps.

[Anonymous]

No colorful jeans/pants. No scarves. Sneakers only.

[Anonymous]

If you're a man, don't be tall and slim in skinny jeans and leather shoes. Instead, wear athletic shorts (long) and running shoes.

[Anonymous]

Help them with pants and shoes. Have them lay out a couple of looks on camera, and help them adjust the pant/shoe look.

That’s it.

Same for when we go over there, I’m sure.

[Anonymous]

This thread is gold. And sad.