To Wear Shorts or Not To Wear Shorts--That Is the Question

Well, then the obvious answer must be that grown adults are supposed to look goofy, especially in southern Europe!

Yep.

The same pic, of Our Master in shorts, is on same page of 2009 ETBD. And 2 more pics on pages 384 & 385 (2009 ed.)

And yet, the Master still says (p. 48, 2009):

"Especially in southern Europe, no matter how hot it is, grown adults look goofy in shorts."

Please, Master, don't confuse us. Just tell us what to do, and we will obey.

I wear travel shorts when traveling and have never felt out of place. Of course they should look nice on a person.

"Especially in southern Europe, no matter how hot it is, grown adults look goofy in shorts."

Jeez, you mean all those people in shorts that I saw in Spain were all tourists then???

I work at a major US airport and see nothing but men wearing shorts all summer long -- and even into fall and winter months, and I can count on one hand the number of times I actually thought a person looked presentable in them. I see young, middle aged and quite old men (what are they thinking, where are they going?) in them -- it's a clownish look fellas. These are not spiffy sorts, but baggy cargo shorts, or shiny athletic ones, or too short or too dorky and they are usually paired with run-down flip flops or running shoes, scruffy T-shirts and baseball caps. To be fair I see several women wearing short shorts that perhaps have better legs for them, but still think they look inappropriate. I don't care what Rick says or does I know what looks good, shorts on men in the city do not.

Some look so sloppy and unkept in shorts. I always try to dress neat and tidy.

I'm really surprised shorts is such a big issue here. I think guys -- in general -- look fine in shorts. They are cooler in summer, so why not wear them if you are comfortable in them. And if you don't have perfect legs, is that such a big deal? Unless you are auditioning for the cover of GQ, who cares?

Now as a female, I don't wear shorts anymore, except the really long ones, because I think my knees are ugly. But I wouldn't wish my hangups on anyone else. :)

I created a monster...I thought people would have a good laugh about Rick always talking against shorts yet on page 11 of the new ETBD, there he is in shorts.

Lighten up folks. No need to take is so seriously.

I feel sorry for men with their hairy legs wearing long pants. That would feel so hot! If I were a guy, I would wear shorts in hot weather.
Did you hear about people being upset at Michele Obama wearing shorts in Yellowstone Park? Gosh, it's a park!
Besides, Michele Obama has a great figure!!

Does wearing Lederhosen count as wearing shorts too?

Can we ban the word "shorts" from this website?

Too funny . . .

We just spent 11 days in Paris and CH,arriving home last Friday. We saw hundreds of men in all types of shorts. I wore long pants the day we left O'Hare,and long pants the day we left Zurich.In between,shorts the whole vacation. I'm not God's gift to beauty, but I was comfortable the whole trip!

Gosh, I thought the picture was Rick's way of proving that grown men look goofy in shorts. Worked for me...

Jo,

the propper way to wear Lederhosen is with knee-high socks. That doesn't leave much of any hairy leg uncovered.

I actually like capri pants on men if they aren't baggy. Don't see them much around here but definitely in Europe.

For the benefit of newer users of the forum, who may not be familiar with our rules and procedures:

Certain vital issues have been previously voted up or down, by prior generations of Helpline Users. When you registered on the board, you agreed to be bound by democratic procedures, including majority opinion in past votes.

There have been 804 opinions posted here on shorts*

don't believe it? click here & count em

The vote was close, but shorts were voted down:

against shorts in Europe 442

in favor of shorts in Europe 360

So, you can't wear shorts in Europe. Period. You can still wear shorts here.

Rick's people will be making spot checks in Europe. Rick has worked with European ATM providers to conduct these spot checks. When you insert your ATM card, the machine will scan you, if you're wearing shorts it will eat your card.

And have fun in Europe!

*This vote is entirely fictional; and no, I did not count posts. But trust me, we have had hundreds of posts on shorts in the last few years.

What scares me Kent......is that you're actually taking time to count!!!!

Someone need a vacation?

Ahem...that vote count was entirely a figment of my demented imagination.

Everybody we saw in shorts in Paris (July 2009) was either under 18 or German. If you're German, you have to wear your shorts with Birkenstocks and black socks. It's the law. (And you get extra points for carrying a walking stick and one of those cool high tech backpacks with all the zippers.)

Americans, to advertise your tourist status, all you need to do is carry your RS guidebook. That's what we did and it worked beautifully.

Rather than wear shorts - if it's a hot August day in Munich you can always sunbathe nude in the Englischer Gardens. I'd bet few will think you are a tourist. The tourists will be the ones taking pictures. LOL