Our French instructor has told us every day just how badly Americans stick out in Belgium and Europe as a whole. We are big and abrupt and pushy. We even walk pushy she says, a swagger or something like that.
The most obvious difference that I've noticed is our clothing. Americans, especially men, wear baggier clothing than European men. Not sagging, though there is that difference, but the cut of the pants is different. Their jeans are tight, often leaving little to the imagination. The shirts are tighter, more form fitting and in colors that American men are only beginning to wear, lots of pinks and purples, light turquoise blue, etc. Then the shoes are different. I haven't seen a European man yet wearing his running shoes when he's out in town. If they do wear casual shoes, they're thinner and sleeker, or a soccer shoe. Clothing, as a whole, is tighter. There is only one known pool or water park that the men are allowed to wear baggy, American style trunks. As our instructor said, they like to see if you're circumcised or not. (this said on the day that the minor wasn't present) And if you are, then you must be American.
I am anxious to get to Germany after all this talk of Americans being big and swagger. I think my husband looks quite German, shoulders, nose, chin and all. And I have a hard time thinking that those large German men don't swagger.
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