Baseball style cap

When you arrive in Italy, head to the first souvenir shop you see and purchase a cap for one of the big time club teams like AC Milan, Juventus, or the Italian national team. If you want to purchase from here in the US checkout www.soccer.com.

Rick, whatever you wear most people in Italy will be able to peg you as an American tourist and they don't care. Wear what you want and what makes you comfortable. Just remember that unlike over in the US, most people in Europe appreciate it if you take your hat off when you are indoors, no matter what kind of hat it is.

Sorry, that's one of my pet peeves.

Since you like wearing baseball style caps, I like the idea of buying one there. When you get home it becomes a souvenir from your trip. I'd probably stick to the national team. Regional teams can stir passions as you travel from one area to the next. You may get bad treatment that has more to do with the team logo of an arch rival than whether you are an American.

Yeah, the hat issue is a tough one in Italy for those of us who don't want to advertise that we're American and yet don't want the sun beating down on our heads. (They've become so common in the US that most Americans don't even notice them.)

Unfortunately, Italians generally don't wear hats. Some Italian men (younger) do wear baseball caps, but I don't remember seeing any on Italian women, so yes, the Italians will chalk it up in your "American tourist" column, but that's not the end of the world.

The more important question is whether you are a polite American tourist or a rude American tourist. To show that you're one of the polite ones, do be sure to take off that hat when indoors, ESPECIALLY when in a church, no matter how small or how large a church.

It's true that the locals will eventually be able to spot virtually every American tourist, but I like to make it harder for them (and the pickpocketers) rather than easier. I really enjoyed the many times I was mistaken for an Italian - by an Italian!

I've been to Italy twice within the last two years and have worn an Adidas (German) ball cap that I purchased in the US before my first trip. ( It covered up my follicle challenged head to prevent sun damage) I had Americans walk up to me and ask me for directions, trying to speak their best Italian. Bottom line: no one really cares, but remember to take it off indoors.

This may come as a news flash, but one CAN buy baseball hats with no logo at all.

I'm just sayin'.

I like to confuse them. I wear a wide brim Tilly hat. Maybe I can pass for Canadian?

Frank...first you have to learn to end every sentence with, "eh?"

I will work on it. And you do make great hats !!!

Men (especially younger men)can and do wear baseball hats in Italy, but a woman wearing one will be immediately "tagged". (If blending in is your goal.)

Hi Rick-My dad and I took a trip to Australia in 2006 and he got a red baseball hat with a Koala bear that says "Australia" and I got a kangaroo patch for my travel backpack. We've worn both to Europe these last two years and had people mistake us for Australians more than once-LOL.

Don't sweat it, wear what you like. I suggest a cap of your favorite baseball team. If no one liked "Americans" overseas, why was the line for McDonalds's at the Spanish Steps so long when I last visited? Why "American" clothing brands so popular (Nike, Levi's, The North Face)?

Hey China

I would like to point out that its a "Koala" and not a "Koala Bear" - BIG difference!!

If you called it a koala bear over here you would probably be laughed at! :) You might even be told to watch out for Drop Bears :)

hahahhaha :)

As an Aussie I have been told that when I am in France to make it known that I am and Aussie and not a Pom :) Be interesting to see how true that is...

anyway, back to topic, I have been thinking of taking a cap with me, but will probably just pick one up over there if I want one :)

Answering Juan's question - Europeans have a love-hate relationship with American culture that's way too complicated to go into here. But back to the behavior of American tourists, the Italians that I've met have been extremely warm toward those Americans who don't charge in like bulls in a china shop, constantly trumpeting how things are better in the US.

See what a simple question can start? :-)

The long lines at McDonalds was mostly American tourists wanting something familiar rather than a lot of locals.

Baseball caps are now universal. You will not stand out.

Good point, Mike.

Frank, why were most of them speaking Italian?

As others have stated on here, as well, I don't believe we should get caught up in trying to dress a certain way to get approval from the countries we visit. We'll still stand out no matter how much we try; it's usually the digi cams and looks of awe that give us away.