It's OK not to blend in.

The Tartan Army has been awesome! Loud in every respect including in their thanks to the city of Providence, RI. They donated $30,000 to Providence charities, including $10,000 to the Hasbro children’s hospital. Now that’s the way to stand out! https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25441241-scotland-fans-donate-nearly-30k-providence-charities-amid-world-cup-group-stage

and I understand that they literally drank the city dry.

Great Hollywood lines: "Oh, yeah, you blend."

Tartans are great camouflage are they not? Like zebra strips? Invisible to the naked eye or so they say!

A tartan hunter once wore a bright plaid,
And claimed it was stealthy and glad.

“Like a zebra," he'd say,
"I'll blend in today!"

But the Yankee only laughed at the lad.

Happy travels

I doubt many Americans worry about dressing to blend in, nor should they. I have it on good authority that the pope wears baggy blue shorts, long white socks and old man sandals underneath his cassock.

I once wore camouflage in Batsford Arboretum and people kept bumping into me. Never again.

Context is everything.

They donated $30,000 to Providence charities, including $10,000 to the Hasbro children’s hospital.

A fantastic act of generosity although to be fair they have had plenty of time to save up 🤣

Context is everything.

I agree, a large sporting event is going to create pride and uniqueness. However It seems to me a lesson can be learned that Americans are being open armed and welcoming (especially the brewers) and the tourists don't seem to have a problem embracing the US. So does this change the narrative of Americans being nervous of how they'll be perceived overseas and less likely to worry about blending in?

I just posted this on a different thread but think it fits here too. —-I have been seeing all the posts from international travelers having a great time going to Walmart, Buc-ees, Waffle House and Chick Fil A and wondering if that would increase international US travel in the future.

Sounds like the ranch dressing has been a hit with more than one tourist, too.

I think two folks just outted themselves.

and I understand that they literally drank the city dry.

Not the whole city, but Dave, mom, and I did that in a guest house in Lisbon in 2019. So much cheap wine! Such a headache the next day, lolol

sciencegirl, I always try and do the same.

I noticed many good stories about the FIFA tourists enjoying the US but the majority were on two news networks if you count the coverage of the Scotch. The others didn’t seem to buy into it. I don’t do much social network stuff so didn’t have access to what was there. But this morning my son sent me almost a dozen Instagram links. It was nice to see the reactions. Positive in such a negative world is a blessing. I wonder if any will end up with reverse culture shock when they get home?

We were out and about yesterday among the hoards of visitors here from Ecuador (yellow jerseys) in for the game. Talked to a few and they were absolutely enjoying themselves. Restaurants were crowded and positive atmosphere among locals and visitors.

Of course, to the reverse, the English team (based here) had some of their equipment stolen on arrival. Turned out it was the truck drivers. And only two multiple-victim shootings in the city so far.

And it's true that TSA is warning visitors not to take home bottles of ranch dressing in their carryons.

And it's true that TSA is warning visitors not to take home bottles of ranch dressing in their carryons.

Kraft is releasing a special edition TSA compliant quart sized bag filled with packets of ranch dressing. Supposedly equivalent of a bottle of dressing.

Sounds like the ranch dressing has been a hit with more than one tourist, too.

...

Kraft is releasing a special edition TSA compliant quart sized bag filled with packets of ranch dressing. Supposedly equivalent of a bottle of dressing.

Sadly (not surprisingly?), the "ranch" thing seems like very calculated hype as indicated by the news story from well BEFORE (May 29, 2026) the start of the World Cup indicating ranch dressing brands are actively turning to social media to drum up some stories and open new markets. I'm not saying ranch dressing isn't a tasty condiment, but rather the interest is not necessarily "organic" and is strongly boosted by social media influencers giving a nudge (or shove) to boost on-line interest.

The Hottest Job This Summer Is European Ambassador for Ranch Dressing
Hidden Valley’s posting sparked a frenzy, with applicants dousing themselves in the creamy condiment or guzzling bottles of it to show their love.

WSJ free link

And a big positive from the World Cup games in the US (probably Canada and Mexico too) is that it shows how the US is truly a nation created and grown through immigration.

Pick a team in the WC - any team - and there is a large immigrant population from that country in the US and they're out representing their teams - at the games or locally with friends, neighbors, and family. The visitors from the various countries are often just a piece of the mix, and it's a blast seeing all of us mix it up in the spirit of a great few weeks of competition.

The "hydration break" during games is a particularly American invention. Definitely more about advertising than staying hydrated, taking a leaf out of American sports' book that stop to run ads every five minutes. Rubbish.

the US is truly a nation created and grown through immigration.

Tom R exactly. I love it.

You can tell the average fan's opinion of the 'hydration break' by the booing of the crowd every time they have one.
They really break up the flow of the game but are more popular with some team managers because it gives them time to talk a few tactics. Thankfully they have already said they won't be happening in the Euros.

It is great that the crowds show the diversity of the US population but it is a pity that many foreign supporters can't be there because of the restrictions and costs of visas. The mother of the Cape Verde goalkeeper was just one of many but she got lucky after strings were pulled after their first match.
Cape Verde are definitely worth a watch. Holding there own against other 'better' teams, having the time of their lives and a lot less prone to just shoving the opposition (looking at you USA and Australia...). I love the story of the Irish/Cape Verdian defender. He was playing in Ireland and working part time as a mortgage broker. When they were looking for players they approached him via LinkedIn but he ignored it because he doesn't speak Portuguese! They tried a year later in English and here he is on the world stage!

'hydration break'!!!

What's next? Nourishment sessions? Nap times?

Ah, Cape Verde! Wow! Holding Spain at bay. You can't blend in with that! You have to dance! (Even if you root for Spain-- respect! Way to go Cape Verde!)

Happy travels

What's next? Nourishment secessions? Nap times?

Orange slices. Who's mom is in charge of bringing orange slices for half time?

We never try to blend in. We work on polite. Saying "please" and "thank you" and "good morning" in the language. Knowing the customs. Not being loud or obnoxious.

Are Americans too hung up on trying to blend in when they travel to Europe?

Paul is right. Trying to fit in by appearance is silly. But trying to fit in by respecting local behavioral norms and interpersonal manners is essential. Bonjour à tous!

American sports' book that stop to run ads every five minutes.

Brutal truth is the the ad breaks in a NFL game are the most exciting and entertaining bits.

You missed the most important point!

The Scotish fans, like the other Celtic nations (Ireland + Wales), have a long tradition of being well behaved and welcomed where ever they go. And their governments take great pains to protect that reputation through supervision - dozens of plain clothes police are pepperd throughout the crowd and now trouble makers are required to surrender their passport for the weeks around a match period to ensure they won't be travelling!

There is a famous occassion in Paris in 2016 where Irish fans are seen singing "Who is the sexy garda" (Garda = Irish police). Later the police woman and her commander said they took it in good spirit because they knew there was over 100 plain clothes Irish police deployed among the crowd.

So when the Celts travel, it's not an accident that they are well received - there is a very deliberate effort made to build and protect that reputation and the fans understand it the value of it.

I think its great when trusted and loving governments monitor the travels of their citizens and infiltrate their ranks with .... really? So their are plain clothes Scottish cops on American streets and in Texas Barbecue restaurants and Buc-ee's across the nation? That is frightening.

I really don’t think there are many undercover officers in amongst the travelling supporters. If there was there would be ALOT of volunteers!
There are banning orders which mean convicted football hooligans are banned from travelling. A lot of intelligence will have been shared with other law enforcement agencies as well.

It’s fun to see the Scottish supporters when they travel but their ‘good’ behaviour abroad isn’t necessarily representative of the behaviour of some at home. Celtic and Rangers matches are particularly infamous.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8ze15wq06o

So their are plain clothes Scottish cops on American streets and in Texas Barbecue restaurants and Buc-ee's across the nation? That is frightening.

Yes, alongside plain clothed British police officers who are monitoring the English fans and providing intelligence and advice to their American/Canadian/Mexican counterparts. This has been a long standing procedure particularly within Europe since the 90's in an effort to combat football hooliganism and it has been effective.

I once went undercover dressed as Ringo Starr in a Beatles Tribute Band in order to observe and report the drinking habits of Irish football fans and in order to "blend- in" I was forced to drink multiple pints of Guinness and I must report that the experience was quite lovely.

Happy travels

It’s fun to see the Scottish supporters when they travel but their ‘good’ behaviour abroad isn’t necessarily representative of the behaviour of some at home. Celtic and Rangers matches are particularly infamous.

The folk who are causing bother at Old Firm games are unlikely to be travelling to support Scotland though. The Celtic mob support Ireland and Rangers support England. Too busy with the serious business of religious sectarianism. Different set of people for the most part.

dozens of plain clothes police are pepperd throughout the crowd and now trouble makers are required to surrender their passport for the weeks around a match period to ensure they won't be travelling!

I think you're confusing what you've heard about England with Scotland Jim. Scotland don't have any recent history of violent disorder to speak of in their travelling support. I think "dozens" is much more likely to apply to English police following England. Same goes for the travel bans on known hooligans. An English thing.

That said, I haven't seen any reports of English support causing trouble at this World Cup. The hooligan element following European national teams has really reduced in numbers in the last decade or two. England is definitely a spent force in that respect compared to a few years ago. I'd imagine the number of coppers travelling with them will be greatly reduced compared to previous competitions if it's an intelligence led decision.

JC that's what I suspected.