June 14, 2007

The naked truth about local dress

Not only do rules for acceptable dress vary from country to country, they can also vary within a country depending on the city and circumstance. For example, major cities in Muslim countries tolerate Western dress styles, while surrounding areas tend to be stricter. Many countries in Europe favour conservative dress for women.

Pre-trip research and cultural awareness are key, but when in doubt, watch the locals for cues on how to dress and try to blend in.

This habit could have saved an American tourist a lot of trouble when it comes to local practices. According to an article in the Mail and Guardian, a visitor to Berlin shocked locals by not wearing anything at all. The man mistakenly thought this practice was acceptable in Germany, where nude sun bathing in public parks is permitted. His error cost him a sizable fine and resulted in an investigation for indecent behaviour.

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