I am going to France in July. My boss, who went there last summer, insists that I should wear black all the time. I am getting so annoyed I’m about to smack him.
This is a subject that has become tedious to me. He just can’t let it go. And I don’t really care if they wear black or not. What if I successfully wear black and look like a French person? So what? As soon as I open my mouth it will be clear that I’m not French. Even if I could speak French, what would be the point? I’m not trying to do some kind of spying or anything that would require me to blend in with the French. I just don’t want to be an “ugly American tourist.” But I am obviously American.
:dubious:
It’s not going to matter. French people can spot an American from a mile away. It’s the way we act, walk, talk, etc. I doubt that the color you wear will make that huge of a difference.
Just keep your head down and try not to look cocky!
Goodness, does he think you are Henry Ford? OK - maybe pack one nice little black dress or whatever, but…I echo - wear what you like and know you feel good and comfortable and presentable in.
Just out of curiousity, why? Is that akin to wearing the wrong colors in a gang area?
I don’t recall large masses of black moving through NYC or Paris. A quick look at my photo album confirmed these memories. Then again I was in the touristy areas.
Lillith Fair, have fun! May I recommend Versailles, l’Musee d’Orsay (I butchered the spelling. Its on the Seine and it used to be a train station.), and Napeleon’s Tomb (a huge coffin for such a small guy). Also, learn a few French phrases. “Hello,” “goodbye,” “thank you,” “excuse me.” They’ll go a long way. Also learn “Do you speak English?” A good deal of the people in the touristy areas do, but its just polite to ask first.
If the point is not to stand out too much because of your clothing, you don’t need to wear black. You should, however, be careful with more colorful clothes. There have been other threads on this or related subjects. As I recall, U.S. choice of color in clothing is brighter than customary in Europe. which makes it seem more gaudy or flashy.
There was also the issue of sneakers. Although these are worn also by (younger) Europeans, it seems like they are a different kind.
I dunno about the NY=Black thing, I was there to see the Blue Man Group last weekend, toured most of Broadway and the surrounding area, and did not notice black outfits more than any other.
exactly, Barbarian.
French people don’t wear more black than others.
Wear whatever you want.
It’d actually be pretty stupid to wera black clothes in the middle of summer, so summery, colourful clothes would actually be better.
Try to stay away from white runners (sneakers), but apart from that, just wear whatever you’re comfortable in.
ummm, I am French and I have no clue what your boss is talking about…
Black… well maybe going out at night, girls wear more black outfits, but so it is in Boston…
In summer during the day, I actually doubt there is a lot of black being worn at all… (if it is warm).
I wear a lot of black everywhere because I tend to spill coffee on myself, and I also somehow sit on seats where someone left cigarette ashes. I also like the color for clothes, so it’s not a problem. I have seen a lot of black in Europe during the winter. You could always placate your boss and say you will wear black, but just wear what you like.
