Barbara wrote me an email. She traveled to Germany in July and do not want to attract attention as a tourist. She is 50 years old and asks if she can wear jeans, or whether they should wear a skirt. I think it's great that she thinks about something like that thought! So I'm going to talk about clothes in this episode. In colloquial language, you can call it clothing apparel.

Previously there was a big difference between East and West Germany in terms of clothing. Today this distinction has become much smaller. In general, the differences are getting smaller, because there are in every city the same shops. The reason is globalization - many shops are chain stores. So there are in every city a C & A, H & M, Benetton and Esprit. Because many German order their clothing over the Internet, most Germans see also similar.

Generally, there are few rules when it comes to clothes. School uniforms are not in Germany, children can wear what they want. Teenagers wear very fashionable clothes, of course - the guys who like baggy pants, currently wear Chucks all again on their feet. That these are basketball shoes from Converse. Also, leggings are back in fashion. It should now look like anything like this in the 80s.

Young adults dress differently, depending on whether they live in the countryside or in town. It also plays a role, what they do for a living. Who works in the office wears, of course, very formal clothes. Men wear a suit, women are either a trouser suit or a costume (ie a jacket and a skirt). Jacket to the way one can also say a blazer or jacket. In major cities, many people are dressed fashionably. In Berlin, you see very many "weird" outfits, the women there have often a very individual, creative style. Otherwise, many people simply jeans and T-shirts to that is always in order in everyday life.

But I can tell you what is rather unusual, and what the Germans, for example, differs from Americans. Let's start with the elderly. In the U.S., many older people wear jeans and baseball caps. That does no one in Germany. Old German women - and I mean women bear approximately 75, in most cases skirts. Young women are less likely. Pants are more practical, so many young women wearing trousers.

American tourists often come to mind on the fact that they wear white socks. Tennis socks. And this white sneakers. That's hardly a German. Here are more wears dark shoes. Many tourists are also on their bags, or by their cameras. And they like to buy sweatshirts, where large 'of Harvard University, "it says, or" Hofbräuhaus in Munich. " But all is not bad. What bothers me: tourists often behave very loud - this is true but also on German nationals abroad. My advice therefore: Jeans and T-shirt is fine during the day, in summer when it is hot and like a dress or a skirt. But may also help to wear comfortable shoes, because as a tourist in Germany you have to go far on foot.

The summer can be very changeable, and in Germany. Sometimes it's cold and it rains, the sun shines again and it's hot. Therefore, I recommend all visitors to the so-called onion look. A T-shirt, a sweater, light jacket, while possibly still have a rain cape. This is the perfect tourist outfit. So you can also go to museums or churches, and there is no problem. And remember: In Germany there are not so many buildings with air conditioning as in the USA! So it can be really warm inside.

However, there still is a difference between U.S. and Germany: while in America, no one bothers you is that in Bermuda shorts in a five-star hotel, that would be unthinkable in Germany. Who here goes to an expensive hotel or an expensive restaurant, should dress appropriately elegant and expensive.

I think it's important that you feel comfortable in his clothes. Then you have a confident aura and other people will find such a determined tourist friendly. And if you go shopping like, dear Barbara, then go shopping in Germany and look for you but typically European clothing! I wish you much fun on your trip!

I have music again with this, this time by Simon Saiz, the song "True love - when the moon laughs" from the Podsafe Music Network.

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Barbara wrote me an email. She traveled to Germany in July and do not want to attract attention as a tourist. She is 50 years old and asks if she can wear jeans, or whether they should wear a skirt. I think it's great that she does think about something! So I'm in this ...