Why is everyone so concerened w/ "blending in"????

I agree. I think how people act is far more important. I'm in Italy for my last of 18 nights and I saw plenty of Americans (and Germans and Japanese and others) who were dressed to fit in but acted completely disgustingly.

Not some much of an issue of blending in as not standing out. There is common belief that pickpockets and other petty thieves like to target tourists especially American tourists because we supposedly have the money. Therefore, I find it to my advantage to maintain a little lower profile so that the pickpocket thinks that someone else is a better target. One of my common remarks is, "You cannot avoid looking like a tourist. Just don't look like a stupid American tourist."

Yup, that rolling suitcase is a dead giveaway that she is not a local. Any sort of backpack on an adult, no matter how dressed, usually indicates a tourist, too. And, of course, when you open your mouth everyone will know you "aren't from around here."

Swan...Europeans roll suitcases. Europeans also wear backpacks. (Some of the top selling carry-on size rolling suitcases sold in Europe aren't even available in the U.S.)

Gina, besides what has already been said, I find dressing to "fit in" makes me more approachable when dealing with the locals. (And I don't mean the ones working in shops, restaurants or hotels.) Many of these locals see the "typical American tourist" as loud, obnoxious and demanding. Since I don't look like that, the people I meet have not pre-judged me.

Gina: "I live in NY and see Asian and Arabic men and women every day in their full gear, including burkas. Do we complain or say anything, no."

But surely you'll agree that NY is kind of exceptional. It's more of a melting pot than most of the world.

And of course, just because people don't complain or say something doesn't mean they're not thinking plenty.

I agree with Rick Steves' attitude, that you shouldn't show up in Italy looking like you're there to mow their lawn. I traveled to Italy last spring with some friends who dressed much like the caricatures in Steve's drawings above, and I have to say I was embarrassed to death. But they didn't think a thing about it, I didn't say anything, and neither did anybody else.

So, I say let those who care about "blending in" alone, and let those who "don't care" alone too. Like the New Yorkers, the Italians won't complain or say anything. They'll just avert their eyes and hope the tourists spend a little more money before moving on.

Yep, some people just go overboard with this stuff.

Tim: "Yep, some people just go overboard with this stuff."

...and some people just make no effort at all. As in most things, somewhere in the middle is probably better than either of the extremes.

Three considerations on why some people may want to "blend in": foreign tourists do seem to get specially targeted by pickpockets and scam artists--not only because we have nice goodies that are valuable on us but because we aren't likely to hang around for months and testify at trial in the unlikely event they get caught, so it's a risk free game. So looking like an obvious non-resident tourists may get you targeted by the bad guys.

Second, dressing in certain ways by women tourists--skimpy or tight clothing, for example--increases the odds of unpleasant and unwelcome male attention in some places, particularly in southern Europe. Unfair, I realize, but that is reality, too.

Third, I have found it easier to strike up conversations and interact with the locals when I am dressed like and act like they tend to expect people to act. Those interactions are for me a treasured part of travel. (For others, this in not a big deal--they travel to see sights or do activities rather than to meet people.)

Nobody is suggesting that you can't, as you say, wear what you want to wear. But posters here who realize that there are some real advantages in dressing to blend in and some disadvantages in sticking out as an obvious tourist often write in because they are looking for advice about precisely what kinds of clothing or shoes might be a giveaway in a particular place. And those with experience here are happy to chime in with information.

Patrick: It was a rhetorical question…no answer needed. : )

I like to blend-in as well, for many of the same reasons stated above. But if someone wants to travel like their about to mow the lawn or walk around as an advertising venue of Old Navy: go for it...it's your vacation...I don't loose any sleep over it. But for those of us who want to blend in a bit, why the hostility? It's our vacation as well...it's what make us feel most comfortable...get over it....cest la vie!

For me it's not much different than at home. I try to look appropriate rather than blend in. I wear appropriate clothes to work, barbeques, formal balls, etc. I can be as comfortable in a tux as jeans as long as I feel appropriately dressed.

When I travel to Europe, I have only a carry-on's worth of clothes to choose from so I go to great lengths to choose each item carefully.

Each item must travel well, which means it's lightwieght, doesn't show stains, launders easily, dries quickly and looks okay without ironing.

Every thing has to layer, mix and match with my other clothes and be able to dress up or down so I can look appropriate in the widest possible variety of situations.

It's a tall order to think ahead enough to pack the right things without bringing too much. I regularly shop for clothes that can travel rather than buying a bunch of things last minute.

What kind of person would “complain or say anything” (or even think negatively) about another’s cultural/traditional attire, regardless of where it may be worn? As for American tourists visiting Europe, wear whatever you want. If you wish to blend in a little, that’s great, and there are good reasons for doing so. If you don’t mind dressing like you would when visiting a tourist destination here in the U.S., that’s okay, too. Who cares? And, the urban myths always make me laugh…like the myth that nobody in Europe wears running shoes. Then, there’s the oft asked question about style. Frankly, you’re not going to find any difference among people (especially younger people) concerned about the latest style, fashion, and trends when comparing the major tourist/shopping areas like Union Square in SF, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, or the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. So, if you want to look like a younger local in Paris, go check out the major shopping/entertainment district of the nearest big city here. Otherwise, get your US flag tee-shirt back on and hit the road (I actually have seen this twice: once in London and once in Bavaria…not just a picture of the flag, but the entire tee was in the design of the flag…I’m going to go out on a limb and guess they were American tourists). I don’t think I’ve ever seen a NASCAR tee shirt in Europe, but Rick’s Berlin DVD has a guy walking through a building (believe it may have been the museum at Checkpoint Charlie) wearing a Sturgis tee shirt.

It makes me so happy to see the democratic forum at work right here on Ricks sight!!!! Everyone on this sight is so nice!

And I agree, you dont want to travel and look like a slob or "typical American tourist." I never get decked out to travel or dress inappropriately, but you can wear shorts with class!!!!

it really does not matter what you look like..it is all on how you present yourself to others.

if a thief sees a person dressed as a tourist, it doesn't automaticall assume they are going after the guy with the cabana hat and flowered print shirt. if they see thsi same person but notice their belongings seem secure and that the tourist seems aware of their surrondings they will move on to others. but people who are sloppy with their things or nose stuffed in a map because they dont prepare themselves will be much more appealing...remember thieves are smart but they are also lazy, which is why they are criminals...they simply try to make a living by doing the least... a thief isnt going to tail soemone they know they dont think they can rob

as for the non thieving locals...if you need to wear the latest and greatest to strike up a conversation thats fine but i find us forgeiners are treated and accepted with no problem as long as we are polite and friendly...i certainly can not pull off wearing an all white suit in the summer in rome but does'nt mean i can go up to a cute girl and butcher the language in attempting to talk to one

be yourself...you will enjoy the country more without worrying if they country is enjoying you

Michael: "What kind of person would “complain or say anything” (or even think negatively) about another’s cultural/traditional attire, regardless of where it may be worn?"

Well, obviously not a perfect person, but possibly not a horrible person either.

Perhaps it's less than realistic to expect that some generally good people don't occasionally make judgments or have preconceived notions or even negative thoughts based on other people's attire.

Certainly not the ideal we strive for, but people are human :-)

I have loved it when I've been mistaken for an Italian in Italy - by a real Italian! To me, it's quite the compliment. I mean, there's a reason I have chosen to vacation in Italy, after all. I love it there! Why wouldn't I want to blend in?

Thank you for bringing up the subject of "blending in". I live in Miami and work in the hospitality industry and see people from all over the world on a daily basis. They are not trying to blend in and are not even worried about blending in. People say that by blending in you will likely not be a target for pickpockets but I say if you are street smart you will not be a target your attire doesn't matter. When I travel to Italy, I wear what I want and I have never had a problem white sneakers and all!!!! Happy travels.

I'm walking around, camera in my hand or around my neck, satchel around my torso I am probably gawking at what ever tourist attraction I am at. I am obviously a tourist, no matter what I'm wearing. Blending in would not help me look any less touristy. Wear what you want, pay attention to who and what is going around you, learn a little of the local language and have a good time.

I post a lot about this subject, because I care what I wear anywhere, but really it's just about dressing appropriately.

And different people (Italians included, I'm sure) have different ideas of what is appropriate. Hence this discussion.

I find it interesting that the overwhelming number of responders to this post, all extolling the wonders of dressing as you wish without a care to what might be "appropriate" attire, are men.
Just another day at the ballgame....

I don’t know, BG. I do care about style regardless of whether I’m working, traveling, going to church, or simply enjoying some time off. I’m not sure gender has anything to do with it. And, I’m fairly confident that you’d have a difficult task pegging me as an American in the Russian Hill neighborhood, Paris, Munich, or anywhere else on the continent. Still, I think typical travelers should dress however they wish when on vacation in Europe. There are good reasons for blending in, and others may have good reasons for not caring too much about it. I don’t think anyone is advocating that all should dress like American toddlers with caps, tees, and shorts when visiting the Vatican, although I’m sure it happens.

Let me get my 2 cents in.You can be dressed from head to toe in Dolce&Cabana,unles you're willing to do the things that locals do,like walking fast by and not caring to raise their head to stare at the objects that you are there to explore,we always will look like tourists,because that's what we are there to do,the "touristy" thing,take our sweet time and see things we haven't seen before.That camera and backpack will give you up faster then any clothes you wear.And if you get pickpocketed(is that a word?),i think you only have yourself to blame.lol.Anyway that's my humbled opinion and i'm sticking to it.Happy travels.:-).

There are degrees of "looking like a tourist". It's not an either/or thing. I choose to look less like a tourist. If someone else wants to draw attention to themselves by standing out, it makes my approach easier for me. So wear whatever you want. Either way, it works for me.

I wasn't aware this website had been ruined.

Michael: "I wasn't aware this website had been ruined."

Don't know where that came from. Did somebody post that it has been ruined, then deleted it?

Yes....I'll back up Michael on that one. It was something about how competition ruined this website....competition?

Oh, I tried and tried to restrain myself but Gezim finally did it for me. I'll say it once again, but succinctly, that dressing appropriately is not supposed to be a disguise. Sigh.

Indeed, the (now deleted) reply made it sound as though this website had been deflowered.

So, Linda, I'm confused...do you mean because I wear Dockers and a button down shirt, I'm wearing a disguise...that I must wear "stereotypical tourist gear" or I'm a phony?

I guess I better go shopping for loud shorts, loud t-shirts, a big baseball hat, a big camera around my neck, sandals or sneakers and white socks. If I don't wear those, I'm in disguise. I'm glad I now know the rules.

Linda said, "dressing appropriately is not supposed to be a disguise".

I didn't take that to mean you should dress to look like a tourist.

I took it to mean that you SHOULD dress appropriately, not to blend in, but because it makes sense for the location and climate you're in.

But I'm sure she will do her own clarifying!

Hi Frank:

1. No, absolutely not. If this is a rule, it's not one I ever heard of or that makes sense to me. A curious interpretation to be sure.

2. Yes, you are confused. I was agreeing with your post, which was on the money.

3. Patrick from Arkansas channels me well. Thanks for translation. See above.

Thanks for the clarification.....one of the tough things about reading only is that at times, things can be misinterpreted.