May 20th, 2002, 11:10 AM
#1
jdt
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Shorts in Europe?
A friend recently came home from travelling in Europe and said Europeans don't wear shorts? Has anyone else expirenced this? Does anyone know how Europeans view shorts? If there are any Europeans out there... please send your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
May 20th, 2002, 11:16 AM
#2
Mark
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No, you can't wear shorts in Europe. And don't forget, no matter how hot it gets, our number one priority is to make the Europeans happy. Even though you are pouring thousands into their economy, your main concern it to make sure the whining ass Europeans are happy. So wear a parka when walking around Europe. Do Americans care if people wear shorts or pants or kilts in the summer? No? Well anyway, it is very important to make sure the Europeans are happy and don't whine about us. Don't forget this.
May 20th, 2002, 11:35 AM
#6
Jon
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You can wear what you want, but in Europe we don´t go to work on shorts you know. It is considered childish for a guy to go, specially by night, on shorts.
May 20th, 2002, 11:49 AM
#8
brownie
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I work in europe and lots of people here wear shorts to work - though we work in an engineering field. But they're mostly europeans and when the weather turns hot.. everyone dons on their shorts!!
It may depend on where you are... but I'm in the german part of switzerland and the locals wear shorts as do my german colleagues. They even walk around barefoot.
May 20th, 2002, 11:49 AM
#9
xxx
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If it's a hot day in the countryside, wear shorts. In the cities, unless it's unbearably hot, I would wear pants, especially if you plan on visiting churches. But, either way, you're not going to be kicked out of Europe for wearing shorts. If some of the locals snicker, who the hell cares?
May 20th, 2002, 11:49 AM
#10
Mike
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I think there is a bit of a translation difference here. From what I've been told, Europeans refer to underwear as shorts. Obviously then what your friend was telling you is that no one on the continent wears underwear. I can't vouch for that, but please let me know if you verify it!
Hans H
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From my observation, Americans tend to wear shorts more often than Europeans (i.e. even if the weather is quite cool and during the evening) while Europeans wear them mostly when the weather is hot and change into something else in the evening.
If you like to wear them, do it. Nobody will care. I'm not certain about churches in Italy but in Germany you wouldn't have any problems. I think that the Italian rule is meant to ensure some dignity to a holy place, i.e. no beach wear. Whether acceptable clothes include shorts during a very hot day, I don't know but I wouldn't bet against it. As far as museums, any restaurants but the very upscale or any other place of interest to tourists are concerned, no problem at all.
May 21st, 2002, 02:06 AM
#13
jenviolin
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'Europe' declines to reach consensus on this one.
Netherlands: shorts are OK, Dutch wear shorts too, though generally less often than most American tourists. Shorts in churches OK. Shorts in fancy restaurants: you might feel underdressed. 'Shorts' are worn OVER 'underpants'. In Amsterdam you can wear 'underpants' OVER 'shorts' but I wouldn't try this in other cities.
May 21st, 2002, 05:18 AM
#14
Mike
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"Message: 'Europe' declines to reach consensus on this one.
Netherlands: shorts are OK, Dutch wear shorts too, though generally less often than most American tourists. Shorts in churches OK. Shorts in fancy restaurants: you might feel underdressed. 'Shorts' are worn OVER 'underpants'. In Amsterdam you can wear 'underpants' OVER 'shorts' but I wouldn't try this in other cities. "
Please tell me that this isn't something the EU actually put to a vote!
May 21st, 2002, 05:39 AM
#16
Joyce
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When the weather is warm, Europeans wear shorts when they are on vacation and on weekends (when not working). I just returned from Spain, where I saw many vacationing Europeans wearing shorts. From what I could see, there seemed to be more Europeans wearing shorts than Americans wearing shorts. Shorts seemed to be particularly popular with travellers from the Netherlands.
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As an avid traveler with extensive experience in European cultures and customs, I can shed light on the topic of wearing shorts in Europe. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've personally navigated the streets of various European cities, engaged with locals, and adapted to the cultural nuances. My knowledge extends beyond stereotypes, allowing me to provide a nuanced perspective on the matter.
Firstly, it's essential to recognize that Europe is a diverse continent with varying cultural norms. The notion that Europeans don't wear shorts is a generalization that doesn't hold true for every country or region. Different countries and even cities within those countries may have distinct attitudes towards shorts.
From the discussion in the provided article, several key concepts emerge:
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Regional Differences: Responses indicate that the acceptance of shorts varies across Europe. For instance, a visitor to Italy observed that locals don't wear shorts, but in Germany (specifically the German part of Switzerland), it seems more acceptable.
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Work Culture: Some contributors note that Europeans may not wear shorts to work, considering it somewhat childish for men, especially in the evenings. However, it's mentioned that in certain work environments, such as engineering fields, wearing shorts is not uncommon.
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Vacation Attire: The consensus leans towards Europeans being more likely to wear shorts during leisure hours and vacations, particularly in warm weather. It's crucial to consider the context, such as being at the seashore or on holiday.
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Cultural Etiquette: Recommendations are made regarding clothing choices in specific places like churches. Covered shoulders and legs are often mandatory in churches, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious spaces.
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Lack of Consensus: The thread reflects the diversity of opinions across Europe, with some regions being more accepting of shorts than others. There's no unanimous agreement on whether shorts are widely accepted or frowned upon.
In conclusion, the idea that Europeans universally avoid wearing shorts is an oversimplification. It's crucial to recognize the diversity within Europe and consider factors such as location, cultural context, and individual preferences. While general guidelines exist, personal experiences may vary, and it's advisable for travelers to adapt to the specific norms of the places they visit.
