Social norms differ across countries-but they do change. Today is my first day in Berlin, Germany. In the past, I’ve never observed Europeans wearing sandals without socks, the way we Americans always do. Now it appears to be quite common, as the picture at right shows. Is this due to increased European good sense? High temperatures induced by global warming? Or perhaps a combination of this and the dissemination of foreign (in this case American) practice? Hard to say, but for me it means that I can wear my sandals to work tomorrow.
Are Americans adopting foreign social norms too? I blogged on the adoption of kissing/greeting in the U.S. (still only one-cheek, one or two cheeks below European norms), but now widespread. No doubt other American social norms will change, adopting foreign practices. Not all, however: I’d bet that it will be a long time before an American newspaper has the kind of photo (warning: not safe for work) that appeared in the culture section of today’s Tagespiegel, the leading Berlin newspaper.
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@ Eric (#6),
Hahaha. Touché.
Sandals should probably just be avoided all together.
Ever see those “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercials?
If you were to ask, “Is it OK for a man to wear sandals,” he’d just shake his head no.
Socks or no socks, sandals are for ancient peoples…and women. Don’t do it Professor!!!!
I notice more Americans using the word “brilliant” in the odd British way.
Eric (#6), great point, well made!
Daniel, I take offense at your “increased European good sense” statement. The one thing most Europeans will agree on regarding fashion is that Germans are second only to Americans in terms of awful fashion faux pas… socks with sandals, white socks with dark work shoes, trainers with khaki trousers and blazer, hawaiian shirts … TURTLENECKS!!!
The US has many things to boast about and even export, but please know your limits
I’d have to know someone extremely well to be willing to kiss a third cheek.
I hope that some day, the metric system becomes a social norm in the U.S.
Sandals with socks considered very naff in Ireland. Only for hippies and Germans. Kissing as a greeting is unheard of, outside of certain circles.
I think the error of this article is in assuming ‘Europe’ and ‘America’ and equivalent, culturally homogeneous zones. All we have in common in Europe is a currency and the Eurovision Song Contest.