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Challenging environmental norm in reverse

Scarlet

Veteran

Last week I was in Greece for a one week beach vacation. It was SO lovely. But I had a totally unexpected experience--I was underdressed! I don't remember the last time I felt that way! Obviously the beach was one story, but for dinner I have never seen so many ladies in frocks in one place in my life, aside from major life occasions (weddings, etc.). People were totally turned out even just to eat at the hotel buffet breakfast. We always talk on the forum about challenging the environmental norm, but in this case I felt like I was on the other end of the stick--embarrassed to show up in shorts or jeans. I noticed that a lot of the tourists were Dutch. I am wondering if Dutch could be especially formal? There were many British as well and they were in general a notch more relaxed.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Lynne

Veteran

!? how strange! I would have thought that Greece was where you chilled, rather than dressed up? I bet you still looked fab :). Any pics to share?

Scarlet

Veteran

Lynn, most of the pictures are gear shots (hubby must always be active) and I look like a doofus. I did bring a couple of dresses for going out to dinner but no shots of those. Here is the scenery and me very informal but happy.

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Lynne

Veteran

Scarlett, you look beautiful! It looks wonderful...

Kappy

Veteran

This is unusual! I've never been to Greece, but my normal experience with beach vacations is "casual is the rule". I hope it didn't ruin your vacay?

Scarlet

Veteran

Thanks Lynne

Kappy, no it certainly didn't ruin the vacation, but I was really taken by surprise. They asked specifically that men should wear long pants--no shorts for dinner. We didn't know that ahead of time. Fortunately I had taken my cue from Lisa's recent post about her vacation and brought a couple of dresses that I threw on after a shower before dinner. They got a lot of wear

rute

Veteran

We have a lot of tourists here in Portugal too and I've noticed that they dress well at dinner because after that they go out to dance. No shorts and t-shirts, ladies do their hair and make-up and wear dresses and heels!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Where is the picture!

In my experience, Dutch people generally dress well because they take fashion seriously. But I have not noticed their look to be particularly formal - just colourful and practical because of all the bike commuting. Lots of white shoes to bookend blonde hair

Older Dutch people are dressier. Generally no jeans. Lots of ties and blazers on the men and dresses for the ladies.

I feel like a week in Greece right now. I am envious.

nancylee

Veteran

Hmm. I was in Greece three years ago, traveling all over the mainland and to several islands and all I felt was a casual, relaxed vibe as far as dressing went. Maybe it was your hotel. Was it very high end?

SO envious. Greece is hands-down my absolute favorite country to visit. Glad you had a good time..even in your casual clothes!

Scarlet

Veteran

Angie - Hmm, many of the guests were Dutch and on the older side, like over 60. It is true the younger folks were put together but not so fancy. For more photos, I may have to do a reenactment. I have only gear or beach pictures. Actually we need to do an intervention on my gear outfits at some point

Rute - Ha ha, that makes sense, but I didn't want to go out and dance. I wanted to go to bed But I haven't had a vacation in a very long time. I was very tired.

Nancylee-the hotel was 5 stars in Greece, which is supposed to be the equivalent of 4 stars in Germany. It was very nice, but not super high-end. It was my first time in Greece. I loved it! I would love to go back and see more.

I recommend a week in Greece to everyone. Although longer would also be okay!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go! Older Dutch people are dressy

Scarlet

Veteran

So glad I have you to ask, Angie. I was really puzzling over this

bella

(website)

Veteran

I am just wondering if you happened to vacation with a particular group of people who all came together or through a common organization (retirees, business group, etc)?

Scarlet

Veteran

Bella, it was mostly couples and a few small families as opposed to a larger group traveling together on purpose. I imagine almost everyone booked through a travel agency that offered some kind of a package deal to this small island.

Jonesy

Veteran

How interesting, Scarlet. I'm sure you looked plenty fab in your relatively casual attire, but I know what you mean about feeling slightly self-conscious about your look. It sounds like an amazing vacation! You will have to avoid waiting so long for your next one :).

Steph

Veteran

I am Greek and lived there for every summer from age 11 through 17, and go back as often as I can. Half of my family still lives there. Scarlet, where in Greece did you stay? In my experience, formality definitely depends on the time of day and where you are. When people are going out, they do dress up--even in the small rural village where my family lives, everyone gets all done up to walk along the boardwalk at night (it seems like the entire village goes there). During the day, however, it is far more casual--my family basically lives on the beach, so everyone is in beachwear during the day and gets all done up at night. In Athens it is different--Athens is not on the beach, and since it's a major city people are generally dressed more nicely during the day.

Of course, I'm speaking about the locals, not the tourists.

Oh, and my profile photo was taken in Greece, in the village where my family lives.

suzanne

Mmm... Sounds to me that you have a perfectly good excuse to go back for another holiday: all your frocks want a parade lap!

Lisa

Veteran

I am lumping together countries, but in general I have found across Europe the dress is a step up from how we dress in the US. Jeans are seen less often, sneakers close to never especially not let's call them white running style sneakers. When I go to Europe if I am not staying on beaches, I bring what I call my dressier items: dresses and skirts, blazers, ballet flats or pumps (or boots depends on time of year) instead of lots of jeans and t-shirts. I basically end up dressing on vacation as I dress at my business casual job instead of a step down in casual as I sometimes do on the weekends at home. Sounds like a fun trip!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

This is what I found last year in Turkey on the Aegean coast, the hotel also had a shirt and no shorts evening policy and the look was glamorous.This particular hotel catered mostly for Russian tourists which I feel made a difference, although the Turks also dressed beautifully.

It is a holiday (vacation) tradition is our household to take a siesta before showering and dressing up for the evening. It is a tradition I hope not to change

Scarlet

Veteran

Steph, it was a rural area, small town on an island (Samos).

Lisa - I think you are right on in your perceptions about Euro-style. I just thought somewhere so beachy would be more laid back. I guess I haven't learned yet. Also Germans are probably one of the less dressy Europeans, so I think I am fooled by that.

RoseandJoan - that is a lovely tradition. I was just too pooped to party. I guess next time maybe I need to go into seclusion Interesting that you had the same experience in the same region.

Steph

Veteran

Scarlet, I haven't been to Samos, but it looks like it isn't too far from Andros, which is where my mom's family is from. My dad's family is on the Ionian (other side of Greece), and that's where we go when we visit (although I have been to Santorini in the Aegean).

I think that taking a siesta in the middle of the day is part of the reason everyone is so well turned-out at night. They go to the beach during the day, get tired, take a nap, then wake up, shower, and get dressed up for a night out on the town. The Greeks also stay out very, very late--even young children are out until well past midnight every night, and the adults are regularly out until 3 or 4 am, and often much later than that. That mid-day nap really helps!

Scarlet

Veteran

Steph, that makes sense what you are saying. I love swimming so I spend the whole afternoon swimming till my lips turn blue, warming up in the sun, repeat. Then I am ready for a good meal and rest I honestly think thought that my natural rhythm is more tuned into an early rise, afternoon nap, stay up late mode. Too bad it's not my culture.