Sneakers in Ireland???
Jun 20th, 2007, 07:19 AM
#25
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Author: wojazz3
Date: 06/20/2007, 10:33 am
I presume, while going barefoot, Padraig wears a bright green "Kiss me I'm Irish" t-shirt.
....And thats only the men folk, the women wear a black shawl at all times, and most are barefoot & pregnant!
Only joking irishgreen, you go right ahead and wear whatever you want, we dont mind anyone over here, just wear whatever you feel comfy in. We wont "mark" you, we actually like the Americans here
, your safe as a house, Just a word of warning, be careful of the Leprechauns, they are a very light fingered lot
Date: 06/20/2007, 10:33 am
I presume, while going barefoot, Padraig wears a bright green "Kiss me I'm Irish" t-shirt.
....And thats only the men folk, the women wear a black shawl at all times, and most are barefoot & pregnant!
Only joking irishgreen, you go right ahead and wear whatever you want, we dont mind anyone over here, just wear whatever you feel comfy in. We wont "mark" you, we actually like the Americans here
, your safe as a house, Just a word of warning, be careful of the Leprechauns, they are a very light fingered lot
Jun 20th, 2007, 07:35 AM
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really don't get this whole "I don't want to look like an American" thing! I read a lot of those kind of posts on this forum and it simply baffles me. I am an American, have travelled lots of places in Europe, and never really gave my nationality a second thought (even right after 9/11). I certainly don't see European tourists in the US trying to "hide" the fact that they are from Europe!
What has happened to Americans that we feel we must hide our identity abroad? Certainly, current world events may make some of us cringe at times at the behavior of some of our elected officials, but that does not have to reflect on the spirit of our entire country!
It's been my experience that Europeans go out of their way to accomodate tourists of all nationalities. I have never been treated badly or "singled out" anywhere! In fact, I've found quite a bit of admiration for the American way of life.
I guess one thing about Americans that is obvious from these kids of posts is that some of us are incredibly self absorbed. That is pretty disgusting.
People: Get over yourselves. It's not all about you and what kind of shoes you are wearing!
I feel better now! Thanks!
What has happened to Americans that we feel we must hide our identity abroad? Certainly, current world events may make some of us cringe at times at the behavior of some of our elected officials, but that does not have to reflect on the spirit of our entire country!
It's been my experience that Europeans go out of their way to accomodate tourists of all nationalities. I have never been treated badly or "singled out" anywhere! In fact, I've found quite a bit of admiration for the American way of life.
I guess one thing about Americans that is obvious from these kids of posts is that some of us are incredibly self absorbed. That is pretty disgusting.
People: Get over yourselves. It's not all about you and what kind of shoes you are wearing!
I feel better now! Thanks!
Jun 20th, 2007, 07:38 AM
#27
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Just a word of warning, be careful of the Leprechauns, they are a very light fingered lot"
Lucie, I'm very distressed to hear that. DD's Irish boyfriend told her all the leprechauns had emigrated to New Zealand and become Hobbits!
Lucie, I'm very distressed to hear that. DD's Irish boyfriend told her all the leprechauns had emigrated to New Zealand and become Hobbits!
Jun 20th, 2007, 08:13 AM
#29
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How to identify American tourists:
water bottles
shorts, especially on middle-aged men
baseball caps no longer so reliable
teenage girls in flipflops, also not quite so reliable
By the way, we were in Italy during and after 9/11. We received nothing but sympathy. We were touring the cathedral in Orvieto when they observed 2 minutes of silence for the 9/11 dead.
water bottles
shorts, especially on middle-aged men
baseball caps no longer so reliable
teenage girls in flipflops, also not quite so reliable
By the way, we were in Italy during and after 9/11. We received nothing but sympathy. We were touring the cathedral in Orvieto when they observed 2 minutes of silence for the 9/11 dead.
Jun 20th, 2007, 08:43 AM
#30
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why hide the fact that you are American? Why do you think that being an American makes you any more of a prime target than a tourist of any other nationality? A good friend of mine from Northern Ireland asked me why it was that Americans were so reluctant to admit that was where they were from when asked. I had no good answer.
If you think that shoes and clothes "Mark" you as an American, you might consider this tidbit. I travel to Ireland yearly. We get more strange looks in Dallas as we wait to board our plane than we do in all of Ireland. Throughout our trips, from boarding in Dallas to our return flight, we are definitely marked as Americans. That is because we wear Cowboy hats, boots and period 1800's garb or jeans and western shirts. No other tourist shouts American as loudly as we do. Yet, we have found that our very manner of dress opens up avenues that we wouldn't have otherwise found.
Ireland is, indeed, a tourist friendly country. It wouldn't be in their best interest to be otherwise.
As I said in another thread it is not what you wear that makes you stand out, it is your attitude. Wear what you want be it white keds or stilettos. The key to enjoying yourself in any foreign country is an open mind and a pleasant demeanor not what you drape yourself in.
Padraig, now I have a vision of you, barefoot, in an oversized t-shirt & loin cloth, holding hands and singing Kimbaya. I shant be able to sleep for months, LOL.
Slan Beo,
Bit Devine
If you think that shoes and clothes "Mark" you as an American, you might consider this tidbit. I travel to Ireland yearly. We get more strange looks in Dallas as we wait to board our plane than we do in all of Ireland. Throughout our trips, from boarding in Dallas to our return flight, we are definitely marked as Americans. That is because we wear Cowboy hats, boots and period 1800's garb or jeans and western shirts. No other tourist shouts American as loudly as we do. Yet, we have found that our very manner of dress opens up avenues that we wouldn't have otherwise found.
Ireland is, indeed, a tourist friendly country. It wouldn't be in their best interest to be otherwise.
As I said in another thread it is not what you wear that makes you stand out, it is your attitude. Wear what you want be it white keds or stilettos. The key to enjoying yourself in any foreign country is an open mind and a pleasant demeanor not what you drape yourself in.
Padraig, now I have a vision of you, barefoot, in an oversized t-shirt & loin cloth, holding hands and singing Kimbaya. I shant be able to sleep for months, LOL.
Slan Beo,
Bit Devine
Jun 20th, 2007, 09:08 AM
#31
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only reason I would not wear sneakers is because your shoes will get very wet. My husband wore non-water proofed white sneakers and he wished they had been water proof because they got so wet. So, water proof your shoes before you go!
Jun 20th, 2007, 11:41 AM
#34
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well when we were in Ireland everyone, even the little children, were always dressed in their best formal clothes. All the men had jackets and ties and all the ladies had nice dresses on. Why even the dogs had on nice Irish woolen sweaters when being taken out for their walks. There were no sneakers/trainers/runners in sight. Nothing but the finest hand crafted leather shoes in the shiniest of black. In fact, black was the color of everything. The locals were dressed in all black from head to toe. Very formal all black.
So my advice is leave the white shoes at home and bring all black things. You will then be able to blend in and not be targeted as a tourist!
So my advice is leave the white shoes at home and bring all black things. You will then be able to blend in and not be targeted as a tourist!
Jun 20th, 2007, 08:30 PM
#35
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trainers: British English
Runners: Irish English
Sneakers: Old-Fashioned East Coast American English
Tennis Shoes: "Real" American English ;-)
So, if anything, your Sneakers will peg you as an older American, most likely from (or with roots on) the East Coast.
Actually, they weren't white, but I wore 2 pairs of New Balance while in Ireland.
Speaking of, at the Post Office in Wicklow, I asked a gentleman for some stamps for postcards.
He said "To the States, yeah?"
I said "Hey, how can you see my shoes from behind the counter!?!?!?"
Ok, so I made up that last part.
When I'm travelling, I'm pretty sure that my accent and my camera, more than my shoes, give me away as a tourist
But I think I might try Reisender's all black motif next time!
Runners: Irish English
Sneakers: Old-Fashioned East Coast American English
Tennis Shoes: "Real" American English ;-)
So, if anything, your Sneakers will peg you as an older American, most likely from (or with roots on) the East Coast.
Actually, they weren't white, but I wore 2 pairs of New Balance while in Ireland.
Speaking of, at the Post Office in Wicklow, I asked a gentleman for some stamps for postcards.
He said "To the States, yeah?"
I said "Hey, how can you see my shoes from behind the counter!?!?!?"
Ok, so I made up that last part.
When I'm travelling, I'm pretty sure that my accent and my camera, more than my shoes, give me away as a tourist
But I think I might try Reisender's all black motif next time!
Jun 21st, 2007, 12:12 AM
#36
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jedivader, What styles not6 to wear so you do not look like a dork:
Mc Hammer Pants (Just out of fashion)
Flock of seagulls Hair do
Anything Orange (just kidding see other thread)
Fashion is pretty much the same globally these days. trendy kids in Mumbai wear wehat the trendy kids in Shanghai and NY wear with slight variations. We are all becoming replicas of each other and there is less difference between countries its more subtle. For example i think American women dress more conservatively than european women but similar styles exist.
Mc Hammer Pants (Just out of fashion)
Flock of seagulls Hair do
Anything Orange (just kidding see other thread)
Fashion is pretty much the same globally these days. trendy kids in Mumbai wear wehat the trendy kids in Shanghai and NY wear with slight variations. We are all becoming replicas of each other and there is less difference between countries its more subtle. For example i think American women dress more conservatively than european women but similar styles exist.
Jun 21st, 2007, 03:02 AM
#37
Hi Jefe,
Thanks for clearing up the "sneaker" question for me.
After living so many years away from Washington State and using so many English books that state "trainers (GB) and sneakers (US)", I'm so glad someone confirmed that my use of the term "tennis shoes" is indeed accurate.
Thanks for clearing up the "sneaker" question for me.
After living so many years away from Washington State and using so many English books that state "trainers (GB) and sneakers (US)", I'm so glad someone confirmed that my use of the term "tennis shoes" is indeed accurate.
