On A Claire Day by Carla Ventresca and Henry Beckett for June 19, 2012

It’s so easy to tell wether a tourist is an American … just look at his hat and his nice white socks (with sandals, of course).

When I was traveling in Europe years ago, it was my Birkenstocks that gave it away!

nice clothes can be comfortable, more so then jeans and a sweatshirt. Some places will not let you in when wearing jeans.

My Russian wife of 5 years completely reformed my dressing habits, from footwear to headgear. It’s a miracle she ever went for me at all, in my loose jeans, down vest, ancient Swiss messenger bag man-purse, and ratty shoes. “Thank God there’s girls like you for guys like me!”

people who judge others by what they wear deserve each other.

The good point about not standing out as a tourist is you’re less likely to be a target for pickpockets (which abound in large European cities). I like wearing bright colors (especially purples and magentas), but tend to tone it down when I go abroad.

Take fewer clothes and more money.

I recommend Rick Steves’ (Travels in Europe, PBS) advice regarding denims in Europe in Summer: they are too restricting and warm: be more comfortable in chinos, for instance. Here on the Olympic peninsula denims is standard wear, but we haven’t seen summer weather yet – it rarely gets above 70 deg F.

What happened to the cat?

Iwa, that’s why all of Claire’s clothes won’t fit – they’re on top of the cat…

I agree! I went to Florida once- never mind Europe- my Dad told me I looked like a tourist and I replied " I AM a tourist!" DUH

Prof danglais: You still need to check for epicanthic folds – the SLR carrier is more likely Japanese.