fietsbob

Only recently.. I rode on tour thru CZ before the Slovak divorce.
I think the wine drinking eastern end and the beer drinking western end
was part of the schism ..
now the Slovaks are in the Eurozone, Czechs are not.

Austro-Hungarian Hapsburg empire went thru a more violent end ..

ollyisk

As has been stated, why would you want to? I've always found flying flags (literally and metaphorically speaking) to be off-putting unless you manage to cross paths with someone else flying the same flag.

Also, people saying that he'd immediately be recognized as an American...what? Why? Where do you get that from? I'm a fairly plain looking guy from the US, and, to be fair, I've never been to the Czech Republic, but in France, Germany, Belgium and Sweden, no one ever walked up to me speaking English under the assumption that I was an American. In fact, after asking if they speak English, several folks have asked me if I'm from the UK (which is absolutely hilarious to me, as an accent-free American). I don't know the OP's heritage (and I'm assuming the rest of you don't either), but I think it's ludicrous to assume that he'll stick out like a sore thumb in a country like the Czech Republic.

Granted I've never toured in Africa, the Middle East, or other "less-than-safe areas," but I also don't understand the lying about your origins thing, especially in a European country like the Czech Republic. If someone asks me where I'm from, I always tell them I'm from the US. I think, as people who greatly rely on other peoples' good will, most of us are keenly aware of a person's intentions based on their approach--anyone who comes up to you to say hello or ask what you're up to (and doesn't look stabby) is generally friendly.

I've never told someone I was an American and had them dismiss or attack me. In fact, I've never wound up in a sketchy situation because of where I'm from (again, I've only been in "safe" countries). As someone else has stated, I find people are more interested once when they find out I'm American. Everyone wants to rap about politics, their family members in the US, or tell me stories about traveling to the US. As long as you're not an ass, or offend some cultural sensibilities, only truly depraved and simple-minded individuals care where you were born. I'm not a patriotic person by any means (in fact, quite the opposite if we're being candid here), but I just don't see any reason to lie about where I'm from. I've traveled with a very-proud-to-be-an-American type (when in America), and whenever people ask him where he's from, he says he's from Canada. It's embarrassing. Fremdscham!

Carbonfiberboy 

Why would I want to do that? Because tandeming is a team sport and matching jerseys emphasizes that aspect of it. And because I'm proud of my country and feel lucky to be an American. We did, after all, liberate the vast majority of Europeans, including those in the Czech Republic, and put in place the Marshall Plan which was of significant assistance in rebuilding the place. We been a good friend to them ever since. Also not forgetting the little Serbian problem where they were totally ineffective. So we have a lot of goodwill over there, which we do blow from time to time with our military adventurism, in VN then, and a couple of other countries more recently. So I was a little curious to see if anyone had recent experience of how Europeans see us now, not how some Americans see us now, which is if little interest to my touring plans. Sounds to me like it would be no problem, but I take Machka's point about being more comfortable in a hospudka in something more like a shirt. We do intend to do this as a drinking tour, after all.

The Czech Republic is, BTW, not an Eastern European country, it is a Central European country and they quite take exception to the incorrect appellation. I think bob's remark about the different drinking habits to be in a way right on the mark. The two ends of the country never saw a lot of things the same way.

Pedaleur

I'm sorry, but this whole thread is a little silly.

It's Europe. Wear what you want. Have fun.

Shimagnolo

When my ex-USAF friend was stationed in Germany, (and later Italy), he took every precaution to *not* to look like a furriner. This included buying clothes from local shops to wear when he was off-base and off-duty. He also took advantage of the locations to learn German and Italian.

mikhalit

Actually, if time allows, OP could do it in a somewhat "scientific" way, tryin jerseys with and without the banners to estimate the effect they produce. Could even be a small article for a bicycle touring magazine, given the country is safe for such sorts of experiments. CR definitely is.

Have to try this idea myself one day.

alhedges

Most people can tell because of the clothes, even though they may not come up to you announcing that fact. After I lived in Germany for a few months, I could usually tell, too. And it was always kind of shocking when some of my American friends would go to German shops and dress as Germans - it made such a huge difference that it was kind of weird.

As for touring, I'd skip the jersey (and bike shorts, if possible). It will make you less approachable.

djyak

I did have to laugh at this. Being stationed here in Germany, and travled extensively throughout Europe, it is not hard to pick out the Americans. We do stick out like sore thumbs, and it's not a bad thing. No, I haven't worn an American Flag jersey or anything, but before I even open my mouth on my cycle tours, they know I'm an American. Most enjoy that we travel and want to learn about other places.

znomit

Rowan

The loud American was a description coined decades ago, and there are certainly pitfalls in terms of the cultural sensibilities.

However, unfortunately from my point of view, the mantle of crass and loud behaviour has been taken over by Australians, especially the young ones who just don't seem to know when to shut up and stop drinking, and want to solve everything with their fists. It's got to a point where tourism officials in one Central European city said they didn't need Australians as tourists because of their loutish behaviour. Sadly, the official was dismissed after pressure from Australian foreign affairs dicks who complained rather than took on board the criticism.

azesty

Why?

It is just where you were born....

z

ollyisk

Ah, I wasn't trying to imply that because he's an American, he's an ass. In fact, I've never really understand the "Americans abroad are jerks" sentiment. There are definitely bad seeds, but I think by-and-large, Americans are pretty generous and well-mannered tourists. The Americans I've run into "in the wild" (i.e. not at work) have been pleasant, if not clueless...I think ignorant and culturally-resistant would be a more appropriate descriptions for most American tourists. In my experience, a lot of peoples' negative American experiences stem from young, idiotic soldiers stationed in their cities/villages...the quality soldiers (and younger American society in general) seem to have really deteriorated, socially, in the last 20 years. My generation, and subsequent generations are full of degenerates.

I've found Australian travelers to be some of the most pleasant people I've run into during my travels, but I understand that a lot of you guys take a year or two vacation after high school/immediately after college, yeah? I could see how they've developed that kind of reputation...young kids fresh out of high school free of parental rule for the first time lashing out with their new-found freedom and college kids finally free from school looking to have a good time.

Anyway...this is veering way off topic, hah.

Lasse

As a native European, I'd say wear what you like. That American flag jersey might make you look a bit too patriotic to some, but they wouldn't shoot you for it, it's not Texas after all. (Just kidding!) In fact, you might find some Europeans wearing American flag branded clothing as well, most don't care that much about nationalities.

Generally Central and West Europeans are very peaceful these days and try to make it work for everyone in a friendly, negotiated way. But they do frown upon people who want to wear guns, are religious fanatics or are fanatical in anything else, including patriotism. Try not to be like the Americans that reach European media all the time (they are usually considered crazy). The credit earned during and after the World Wars is long gone. Recent activities in the Middle East and regarding the environment, however, are not forgotten and a lot of Europeans don't like those. But if you behave well and don't act like a supporter of violations of human rights, violations of international treaties, oil wars or the Tea Party, most people will just be curious to know where you're from, what you've done and where you're heading to. Your nationality won't be a problem, it's the way you behave that will make people love or hate you.

Just be friendly enjoy your stay!
Also, it's a good idea to try and speak the local language, even if it's only a few sentences. People will appreciate it a lot!

Machka 

And also ... don't shout at people. They're not deaf or stupid, they just speak a different language.

From my experience, when I've attempted to speak French to people in France, they often try to speak English to me so they can practice their English. Between the two of us and our two languages, we work together to accomplish the goal (i.e. purchasing tickets for the train).

But there's no need for me to shout.

Jonathandavid

+1

Sorry for the 'me too', but I really don't understand the angst that seems to behind this thread.

Doug64

Some of my observations while cycling for 3 months in Europe:

-A lot of native European bike tourist wear bike cloths, including lycra shorts.
-We were asked if we were English more than if we were U.S.
-We greeted people in the language of the country we were in at the time. They may or may not have known what our country of origin was, but may have thought we just had a speech impediment.
-The only Europeans who wore logo jerseys were the club "roadies".
-Most bike tourists did not wear logo jerseys, if they wore one at all.
-European bike tourists wear helmets.
-Because of our Ortlieb panniers many people asked if we were German when they approached us.
- Most people really did not care what country we were from, but were curious about our route and where we were headed.

Personally, my wife and I would not wear matching jerseys of any kind, even in the U.S. I don't like purple, and she is too independent. It is the same reason we don't ride a tandem.

We tried a tandem once but couldn't get the hang of it.

Carbonfiberboy 

Tak dekuji. To jsem presne hledal. Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for.

escii_35

Less USA more tourist but it gets the point across in Texas.



In the UK no one thought I was from the US for some odd reason. I could have been the S. Africa flag jersey I picked up in Randburg. :-)

Carbonfiberboy 

On the bike, we prize safety above all else. So I think we'll buy a couple of visible solid color jerseys that don't look too hard to keep looking decent, like these:

and change into our low-key tops for socializing.

We always run lights front and back, but I understand blinkies are illegal in Europe so we'll have to run continuous.

CaptainHaddock

Personally I say go for it.

Lasse

Blinking lights being legal or not depends on the country. For example in Belgium they're allowed, in the Netherlands and Germany they're not.

Jonathandavid

I strongly approve. In fact, it would be a good idea if you wore that jersey as often as possible the next couple of weeks, just to get used to it. Do you have a matching hat?

zoltani

Hahaha, this thread is full of the LULZ

Very rarely do you see hi-viz gear, or matching team jerseys (unless actual racers) in Europe. It's not the american theme that will make you look ridiculous, it's the fact that you will be dressed like an outsider, weirdos even. Amost every single bike tourist i had the pleasure of meeting in Europe was wearing plain shorts/normal clothes.

Jonathandavid

Certainly not with that last suggestion:

mikhalit

Though from my experience noone cares (prefer continuous myself).