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alex .

Sep 8, 2005, 7:53 AM

Post #1 of 46 (2731 views)

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but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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I'm so sick of business casual Dockers I can't hardly stand it. And those doofy Hawaiian print shirts, naah, can't do it. Time for a wardrobe change.
Alex

Gringal

Sep 8, 2005, 8:26 AM

Post #2 of 46 (2719 views)

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Re: [alex .] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Alex, I pronounce you FREE. Get yourself some tight jeans, some lizard skin boots, a startling white shirt and go forth proudly. Those dockers are in the same class of super-unflattering mens wear as khaki knee-length shorts for women. I will not speak of the Hawaiian shirts. They are unspeakable.

Ed and Fran

Sep 8, 2005, 8:38 AM

Post #3 of 46 (2706 views)

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Re: [Gringal] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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I will not speak of the Hawaiian shirts. They are unspeakable.

They're the mainstay of my wardrobe. Of course it's warmer and more humid here than in Hawaii.

Ed

Gringal

Sep 8, 2005, 8:44 AM

Post #4 of 46 (2698 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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O.K., O.K. - if it's hot and humid like Hawaii, you can wear them with blessings. Here in SMA, it's a tourist badge.

Ed and Fran

Sep 8, 2005, 10:07 AM

Post #5 of 46 (2672 views)

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Re: [Gringal] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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I suppose I should avoid mentioning that I haven't worn slacks here in town since, oh, about early April. That is, if you don't count the times I've put on jeans to go work at the naranjal.

Ed

Marlene

Sep 8, 2005, 10:10 AM

Post #6 of 46 (2668 views)

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Re: [Gringal] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Quote

Here in SMA, it's a tourist badge

Here in Mazatlan those shirts makes you look like a waiter!

Gringal

Sep 8, 2005, 10:18 AM

Post #7 of 46 (2665 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Well, Ed - here's what my esposo says: "If you can pass that full length mirror without flinching before you head out the door to be seen in public, then go. Otherwise, head back in and change. Around the house is free territory where comfort rules. " But then, he's a vain one, bless him.

Now, back to dressing like a gringo. Here's what I say: If you stand out in the crowd for reasons other than your skin tone and eye color, check your outfit.

Oscar2

Sep 8, 2005, 10:51 AM

Post #8 of 46 (2652 views)

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Re: [alex .] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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For the sake of sanity, conservatism, and going mainstream, Cargo Shorts, a couple of different T-Shirts embossed with graphics saying: “Shit Happens!” or “Gringo’s Rule!” You’ll immediately notice a difference and all other apparel will immediately seem tame and possibly appealing or who knows ……………………………

julietl

Sep 8, 2005, 5:02 PM

Post #9 of 46 (2583 views)

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Re: [alex .] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Two words: wear black.

A bit off the subject, but we were talking a couple weeks ago about how to spot at tourist, at least in Mexico City:

- Light colored clothing
- Shorts on men or women
- Hat
- Sun glasses
- Bottle of water, they always have one - like they are going hiking in the Sahara or something

Fanny packs go without saying
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Esteban

Sep 8, 2005, 5:15 PM

Post #10 of 46 (2577 views)

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Re: [julietm] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Black/dark is pretty standard city wear except if you are on the ocean. At the office over here on the coast, you see lots of khaki but the shirts are tucked in with a nice belt and nice leather shoes. No Hawaiian prints just regular short sleeved and long sleeved dress shirts. Certain folks, like banks etc the guys are wearing dress pants and shirts sometimes ties. Always with the shirt tucked in. Never shorts. No fanny packs...briefcase yes.

bournemouth

Sep 8, 2005, 6:37 PM

Post #11 of 46 (2554 views)

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Re: [julietm] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Is it possible that we worry too much about what other people are thinking of us and our appearance? As long as one is clean, tidy, and not actually culturally offending others, we should be free to wear floral shirts, Dockers, use a fanny pack if it works for you, and wear whatever suits. I'm more disconcerted by the obligatory midriff exposed by young and not so young people, overly tight pants and overly short skirts, baggy shorts on young males with their underwear exposed - you can get the drift.

As tourists, people need to be comfortable if they are to be able to walk around a lot, especially at altitude, where one dehydrates rapidly - hence the bottle of water and very sensible it is. The altitude of DF also produces the need for hats, especially if you ever had any form of skin cancer. But perhaps the pollution reduces the effects of the sun's rays?

Let's stop worrying about the thoughts of people who don't know us anyway and just be comfortable! If they want to think "tourist", then so be it. There's not actually anything wrong with being a tourist.

Alex - you just go out there and wear what suits you - bearing in mind the clean and tidy criteria. I don't think we're on the cutting edge of fashion here on these fora and you'll have to find your own way.

sfmacaws

Sep 8, 2005, 6:48 PM

Post #12 of 46 (2545 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Bravo! Really well said and much politer than I would have been able to.

I'm pretty sick of people trying so hard to avoid the dreaded 'tourist' label that they make themselves uncomfortable, dehydrated or even just plain inconvenienced. You cannot be a 'local' everywhere and often it is not something to be desired anyway. Not to mention that no matter how you dress there are clues beyond clothes that will give you away anyway. So, dress comfortably and wear what works for you and to hell with the fashion police.

Locals have their own problems with what they wear, someone could call their mother and complain about their clothes or they could be the topic of conversation at the church. One of the great things about being a traveler is that you don't owe allegiance to anyone but yourself and your own standards. If you are over 25, stop worrying about it and dress to your own taste.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Esteban

Sep 8, 2005, 7:05 PM

Post #13 of 46 (2539 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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My concern about dress was directed to the professionals, the working crowd. Plus, there are a few times it pays to dress for success. If you want to be taken seriously at a bank, at immigration and a few other places, I believe it in your best interest to be dressed according to the culture's standards.

I used to tell my kids that their occasional use of profanity didn't bother me but it may bother others. They may subject themselves to being beat in the head by an irate big burly man or never be invited to their friends' house for dinner. No shirt, no shoes, no service....why fight it? Just wear the damn stuff and get the service.

Nancy4

Sep 8, 2005, 7:13 PM

Post #14 of 46 (2532 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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There! Just why I have moved into a small Mexican local town, pretty void of gringo residents. To ESCAPE that rudeness. And,can you understand why MX always just smile and say "si" to everything we say to them? I would love to know what they really think of such careless behavior. Those that have the need to be so condescending to people that have done nothing wrong really gripe me. Sorry for such a quick, nasty response. I just don't like bullies.

Thank you very much for putting things right for Alex. We all hope he has a great start!

MG Rabon

Sep 8, 2005, 7:41 PM

Post #15 of 46 (2521 views)

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How to have a Heat Stroke

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Quote

- Light colored clothing
- Shorts on men or women
- Hat
- Sun glasses
- Bottle of water, they always have one - like they are going hiking in the Sahara or something

In Acapulco, if you see a Norteamericano sans any of the above, or wearing black, likely he's laying flat on his back in the ER with an IV running, trying to recover from the heat stroke he just had.

Mexico is a big place with a variety of climates. Maybe you CAN wear black in DF before 9pm, other places aluminum foil might be more appropriate. ;-)

Compórtate bien, y si no puedes, invítame!
MG Rabon

Bubba

Sep 8, 2005, 8:01 PM

Post #16 of 46 (2511 views)

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Re: [Nancy4] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Now, just a minute Nancy4:

I see you are from Rhode Island and you have come here and moved to a place you call a small "local" Mexican town with no "gringos" and full of Mexicans who always smile and say "Si." to everything and you would love to know what they really think.

Well, here is my opinion of your observational skills regarding smiling Mexicans.

"De Camptowm Ladies Sing Dis Song, Doo Dah, Doo Dah,
Camptown Racetrack Five Miles Long, Oh De Doo Dah Day.
Gwine a Run All Night,
Gwine a Run All Day,
Bet My Money on de Bobtail Nag,
Somebody bet on de Bay."

Please, return to Rhode Island.

bournemouth

Sep 8, 2005, 8:43 PM

Post #17 of 46 (2492 views)

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Re: [Nancy4] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Nancy: I'm not sure which of us has upset you or you consider "bullies" - I don't see anything in this thread that could be deemed bullying - just the usual exchange of viewpoints.

Steve - I certainly agree with you that there are times that we need to look business like but I sincerely hope there aren't too many occasions. Clean and tidy is the best I can manage these days.

johanson

Sep 8, 2005, 9:45 PM

Post #18 of 46 (2481 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Estaban wrote: "I believe it in your best interest to be dressed according to the culture's standards". I couldn't agree more. Luckily in Ajijic a pair of docker slacks and a dress shirt is all that is needed. Oh, and of course a cell phone. None of my NoB friends seem to have them. All of my Mexican business friends always have them with them.

kirkswig

Sep 9, 2005, 12:22 AM

Post #19 of 46 (2465 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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They're the mainstay of my wardrobe.

Yeah, me too.

Well, I'm not sure they're Hawaiian exactly, but they're like Hawaiian shirts, only Mexican. What I mean is that they are very loud.

My biggest concern frankly is when I wear the Corona shirt. It's a shirt that has pictures of Corona beer bottles on it. The local brewery of course is Pacifico.

I need to get a Pacifico shirt. I want everybody to know that I hold no grudges when it comes to beer. I'm happy drinking all of it.

To boldly go where no wig has gone before.

sfmacaws

Sep 9, 2005, 12:30 AM

Post #20 of 46 (2464 views)

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Re: [johanson] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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I don't know who your friends are Pete but everyone I know has a cell phone on them all the time and everyone I see here NOB has one on them or glued to their ear. I don't think half the US would know what time it was without their cell phone. Have you noticed that watches have become much more scarce?

I agree Esteban that there are times when dressing to blend in and keep the focus on something besides your clothes makes sense. I just think that there is too much focus here and in Mexico on your clothes. I shudder at yet another 'should gringas be allowed to wear shorts in Mexico' thread. It's a fact that much of the population of Mexico is very hung up on what they are wearing and what others are wearing. All I'm saying is that I don't have to join them in this futile endeaver, and neither does anyone else. No one is going to call your mother on you and if you don't care to join in the game, the score doesn't matter.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Esteban

Sep 9, 2005, 5:57 AM

Post #21 of 46 (2437 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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There are many oddballs in this world that get away with murder when it comes to dress. The pope runs around wearing a huge pointy hat, the Dali Lama can wear an orange sheet, Jerry Garcia can wear 60's paisley and bell bottom pants and the average joe can wear about anything if he has the personality to override any outrageous combination of colors and style. If you walk into the room looking rediculous you better be prepared to do your comedy routine. You can always chug a few tequilas to loosen up and talk about how your real clothes got lost at the airport. Clothing is a mere extension of your own personality. It's a costume designed for the farce in front of you. What I'm trying to say is that no one is forcing you wear anything but but if you are going with me, to a Mexican wedding, please don't wear your bullfighters outfit.

julian3345

Sep 9, 2005, 7:05 AM

Post #22 of 46 (2420 views)

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Re: [Esteban] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Finally someone mentions SHOES...probably the most important item in the Mexican wardrobe. Last winter, my local friends gathered up all my leather boots and took them down to the Plaza for a real shoeshine...special soap and wax, whole nine yards, but to tell you the truth, which I did not mention to them, my French shoe polish works better! I'm crazy 'bout shoes and get a lot of envious looks, admiring comments and sometimes shock from folks on the street. My red rainboots with pink polka dots cause the most commotion.
Next most important item in the closet would be the iron and I find that fresh pressed look - even Tee shirts - very charming. Joan

alex .

Sep 9, 2005, 7:14 AM

Post #23 of 46 (2416 views)

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Re: [Esteban] business environment

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yes, thats the look I'm after: what a Mexican businessman/executive might wear. Though the lizard boots have potential. I know of guys from small pueblos in the hills whose wardrobes exceed the value of their hand-built homes, what with the hat, boots, cinto, etc. And boy do they have the sweethearts clinging on their arms. I already have my sweetheart so I guess I'll stick with the business look, and I like black. I had to wear the pointy hat on occasion in grade school, the Pope can keep it.
Alex

(This post was edited by alex . on Sep 9, 2005, 7:18 AM)

MG Rabon

Sep 9, 2005, 7:34 AM

Post #24 of 46 (2401 views)

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Re: [Bubba] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Bubba, in all fairness, you know there have been many threads on this forum about the inability of norteamericanos to distinguish between "Si = yes" and "Si = NO", or even "Si = No idea". Many Mexicans seem to feel it's impolite to tell you NO even if it is what they really mean, so they tell you YES. Just invite them all over to your house for a fiesta and compare the number of NO answers you got to the number of people who didn't show up.

Compórtate bien, y si no puedes, invítame!
MG Rabon

Esteban

Sep 9, 2005, 7:37 AM

Post #25 of 46 (2399 views)

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Re: [kirkswig] but I don't want to dress like a gringo

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Corona is made by Pacifico.

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