Comments on: Put some damn clothes on!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:03:00 +0000

haha. I love this post and have often thought the same things. Thailand is not known as a conservative country, but she and her neighbor to the North, Laos, are very conservative. Married couples don’t hold hands in public and even TV shows don’t actually show guys and gals kissing. They get close but don’t actually make contact. So, yes, tone it down a bit when you visit!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:44:22 +0000

How do you hide money from a hippy?
Put it under the soap!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 17 May 2010 23:48:26 +0000

I agree completely with the article. It is not the place of the tourist or traveler to shake up local norms. Privileged residents of developed countries often travel with an attitude that because they are bringing in money, then they have the right to do what they want. I traveled in the Middle East recently and was shocked at the behavior of many Westerners. One woman I met traveling resented the stares she received walking through the streets of Cairo in a halter top and knee-length skirt. She said that she felt like a hooker. Well DUH!
And all over the country there were Russian women wearing provocative clothing – everything from micro-mini skirts to mesh blouses! One woman I saw was wearing a t-shirt with two big cherries on it, one right on each breast.
Because the locals rely on foreign dollars, they accept this behavior sometimes, but it builds resentment and distrust of foreigners.

By: Heather Carreiro

Heather Carreiro — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:59:10 +0000

I experienced culture shock when I visited Bangkok. Not from the Thais, but from how the foreigners dressed. I saw white girls wearing bikinis in the mall…in the mall! I honestly couldn’t stop staring cause I hadn’t seen so much skin in public in a long time (no beaches or bikinis in Lahore). I just hoped those tourists would have the sense not to visit an even more conservative country.

By: Sana

Sana — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:01:47 +0000

here! here to matt from india’s comment above.

and i quite agree with the point of your article (if not always the delivery
i’m a 29 year old american woman who has been traveling whenever i could for the past 10 years from mali to ecuador to greece. im hitting india in two weeks and
i firmly believe in showing a little respect and a clean presentation no matter how cheaply you are traveling.
it does always depend on where you are.
but.
the point is to be -mindful- of it.

and please. wherever you are.
EVERYONE use a little soap

By: Naya Henderson

Naya Henderson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:30:56 +0000

When will people stop using the word “eskimo”?
Please get with the times.

By: traveldesigned

traveldesigned — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:40:10 +0000

Can I get an AMEN, Brother?! Put some clothes on!!

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:26:51 +0000

I believe a lot of those who respond to this article in anger do not have the cultural bandwidth required to understand how other cultures think.

Let me explain. I am male, Christian (catholic) from South India. I speak English, read and write in English and watch English and local movies. My friends are both Indian and from other lands.

All cultures do not have the same level of live-and-let-live. Forget what the brochures tell you. Some places are ultra conservative, and some others are not.

Unlike most of the West, large parts of the world are not exposed to the sight of female skin. It is understandable. A swimsuit is what a little boy grows up seeing on the beaches in the West. Here, swimsuits are worn by vamps, or sultra sexy actresses who are sex objects above all.

It does not end there. In the more feudal parts of the country, the idea that a woman is a man’s property persists. Something to be capured and enjoyed. Not respected.

This means that even in India’s metros, our girls watch what they wear. When they go to a pub, they travel in cars and will probably wear a sexy mini. No problems at all. While walking on the streets, they would prefer local attire or jeans.

Its about playing it safe in cultural quicksand, and balancing what you are with what is appropriate. There are times when taking a stand is appropriate, and times when it is prudent to stay with acceptable norms.

By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Sat, 09 May 2009 12:42:48 +0000

Thanks Caitlin! I think the feminist counter-argument has some merit, but respect and consideration are paramount in my mind.

By: Ylenia

Ylenia — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:50:03 +0000

I completely AGREE, every single word…
He’s not making any sexist comments against women and our freedom to wear whatever we want, actually what he’s saying is really important to our own safety.

As much as it shouldn’t be that way, the fact is that in those countries where men are not accustomed to see that much skin, with our mini skirts and halters we are teasing and tempting them. Why risk ourselves?

Plus I think the example of foreign people wearing only body painting in your city explains the situation perfectly! Remember you are the one visiting their territory!!! just like when people visit your house you expect them not to put their feet on your table or anything that you may find disrespectful… the locals of the place you are visiting expect the same from you!