A lot goes in to planning a three-week trip. Especially when that trip requires Rotary pins and badges and multi-cultural attire. At my last Rotary convention, I made the unfortunate mistake of wearing a halter sundress to the opening ceremonies.
People of many nations were offended.
People of other nations asked me to pose for photos.
Causing the lone person of my household to agonize over what I will wear this time around. (MTM. Not me. I just want to be comfortable.)
But, if Rotary International Conventions are one thing, they are a showcase of cultural attire. The African nations wear tribal headpieces and colorful robes. The Indians swoosh around in their saris. Last time, I got behind a group of Japanese women and swooned over their matching kimonos.
Whatever I pack, I will be no match for the dizzying display of outfits.
Maybe I’ll dress up like a zombie……and REALLY stand out.
If you could wear the clothing of another culture in everyday life, which one would you choose? And, PLEASE, tell MTM not to wear this relic from the convention in Bangkok.
61 Comments
But I like that relic….. so that says he should not wear it. I am fashion and direction challenged.
I’m sure MTM will wear all black, his standard wardrobe for everything. 🙂 Maybe I can get him to take a Rotary blue shirt………or a Rotary blue tie………but NOT a Rotary tie…….those things are never wearable.
Black is my favorite color! Especially with my silver highlights. Does MTM have silver or grey highlights? Oh well, either looks great with black. 😉
MTM has distinguished hair. That’s all I’ll say. 🙂
Distinguished hair on a man is the BEST kind of hair on a man. My husband’s hair is VERY distinguished. 😉
Of course, he should wear the relic (minus the black t) It looks fabulous! No better culture for you than something genre bending…say antebellum southern girl dressed YA goth…?
Someone on G+ suggested I wear a bone hoop skirt. I asked him if he’d ever donned a bone hoop skirt, because I have, and let me tell you, that device was invented to embarrass women when they tried to sit down.
I recognise that line! But I never knew that’s what it said!
I didn’t know a whole host of the lines in this song, but I’m enjoying finding lines that fit the theme. 🙂
MTM, leave the relic at home. It may have had it’s day.
Joan, I am firmly in your camp.
So, you and MTM are going to wear matching seersucker suits? That would be perfect. With plantation hats of course.
And as you might guess, I really like that Bangkok shirt. I would definitely wear that.
I found a seersucker dress I actually like, but I can’t get it in time for the convention. I’ll probably take one of my Rotary blue or Rotary gold ones. I’m wearing one of those today.
Love the title — I could never figure out what they were singing in that line. I missed a chance to see Colin Hay while I was in California. I saw posters for a free concert in Santa Cruz, and his name was on the bill. I disregarded it, and then later realized who it was — I had no idea he was still making music.
MTM looks like he’s going hunting. Be vewwy vewwy quiet….
I sometimes think they throw lines like that in just to mess with people’s heads……..
I love “where the women blow and the men chunder.”
No Michael, just NO! Somehow, I thought it was, gasp, camouflage. I think you should both wear western themed outfits since the rest of the world thinks we are a bunch of cowboys over here. Maybe even with matching stick horses. Ha!
I think the Southern Belle look would be more authentic, though. I’ve only ridden a horse once in my life, and it was a fail. Of course, I’ve only worn a hoop skirt twice, and once was a BIG FAIL.
Not from another culture but from my own, I’d wear a kilt!
You gain a certain swagger in your step automatically when wearing seven yards of tartan.
I have a friend here who’s of Scottish descent. He wears a kilt all the time, and he does swagger. 🙂
It’s impossible not to! 🙂
I would stay away from bare arms and legs. Of course my bare arms and legs need to be hidden at all costs. I’m thinking your should be seen, but culturally others may have a problem.
If I cover up my shoulders and chest, they’ll be lucky, John. 🙂
Oh, they should calm themselves and be glad there was no cootchie action.
It was some of the men from those very places who lined up for pictures with me in Thailand………..
I’d like to experiment with wearing Indian salwar kameez
That would be really pretty on you, Cheryl.
TY.
Glad he’s not in Bangkok now, they just had a military coup.
Is there anything more interesting than learning about other cultures and countries’ ways of life? I’m jealous of your trips. See what no kids can get you?
Yeah, and when we’re 90, we’ll be all alone and completely forgotten. We probably won’t even be able to remember our trips. Ha.
One of the people who comments here sometimes lives outside Bangkok. She says things there aren’t nearly as bad as they’re being portrayed. Still, I wouldn’t want to be there right now.
Not from another culture, but from another time . . . early 1900’s, maybe.
As for MTM’s shirt, consider the alternatives: http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/hawaiian_shirt_vintage_00033back.jpg 🙂 🙂
It’s even Rotary colors, Karen!! Good work.
Rotarians have conventions? International ones? Who knew. I thought that the Rotary was a lunch get together for ppl who worked in offices and wanted to eat a meal with non-workmates. Huh.
Rotary is an international service club composed of business people who want to do good in the world. Rotary has taken the lead on eradicating polio from the face of the earth, and also works heavily with other international organizations to provide clean water. My club sponsors Rotary Gift of Life, which brings children from third world countries to provide life-saving surgeries, and we operate an annual Happy Feet program, which gives disadvantaged kids new shoes for school. We also run a Christmas bike drive and give away hundreds of bikes to kids every year.
Part of Rotary’s mission is to foster cultural understanding. We’ve been lucky to host Rotarian exchange teams from around the world. We usually keep one of them in our home for up to a week. I also started our district’s Friendship Exchange program and spent almost three weeks in England in 2010, staying with Rotary families and seeing the country like a local. I still keep in touch with many of the friends I made. Our most recent team went to the Eastern Cape of South Africa in March, and we also sent a team to Thailand.
I get more personal satisfaction out of what I give to Rotary than any other extracurricular I do. We still fight the stigma of being a lunch club for people of a certain age, and it isn’t that at all today. My club’s average age is around 40, and we’re an energetic group of people who come together to try to make a difference, both in our community and in the world beyond.
Fascinating. The last time I heard of Rotary was in the 1970s when my grandpa went there once a month for lunch. You’re the first person of my generation who has mentioned it. Sounds like a good group to be involved with. Yeah you!
I’ve gotten several readers interested in joining Rotary as a result of my preaching, um, mentioning it from time to time. 🙂 You might be next. 🙂
Laughing here. Well, you just never know. I can, at least, boast that when I was a little girl I went to one Rotary meeting with my Grandpa. So there’s a start.
A perfect snapshot.
I, like you, would want to be comfortable, so I’d wear something that looked like…. a halter sundress!
I’ll probably be carrying my over shirt again……….in Thailand, I kept one in my bag, because if we wanted to go into a temple, I had to cover my shoulders. It was eleventy-billion degrees there, and I wanted to walk around naked. I settled for those breathable Patagonia dresses.
Tank top and swim trunks. No, wait. That’s MY culture.
I wish I could get away with wearing that. But thanks for reminding me to pack a swimsuit. I always forget and then wish I had one.
I’d go with Native American attire. That sounds so comfortable right now. And you know that MTM looks good in anything…just as you do. Looking forward to pictures. 😀 I have the shirt that you got me all ready for my bike trip. I think I have someone that will go with me…not sure yet. It’s a pretty remote place, no cell phone so if my bike peters out on me – or I get another blow out like last time – I’ll at least have someone there that can help me keep the wolves and other critters at bay. 😀 Who had the bright idea to introduce Canadian Timber Wolves into our area????
I’m really looking forward to hearing about this bike trip, Lori, and to seeing pictures of you wearing your L’Eroica shirt. MTM got in again this year, but I’m not sure if we can swing it.
Can you carry spray or something to keep the animals at bay? Can you fix a blowout?
I do carry my .45 with me at all times, but yes, I’m going to get some bear spray before I leave – I’d rather spray them rather than shoot them. I just hope the spray goes far enough ahead of me…also, got to worry about wind, hate to spray into the wind and then I’d be bear fodder, wolf fodder, or whatever…Also wasp spray works on some critters. 🙂 I’m going to ROCK that shirt. 😀
Eskimo
Ooh!! Good one!! With a chin strap!!!!
Naturally!
First of all, MTM, I’m with Andra on the above mentioned outfit. Leave it at home. Pulllease!
Actually, Andra, I would be very tempted to wear a sari. I love the colors and patterns and the graceful glide women wearing them seem to attain, and they look so comfortable and, if truth be told, for me they would hide all my eating sins.
Your halter dress, or whatever you choose, will be PERFECT, dear one, for it will reflect who you are and encompass all that Rotary does.
If there’s an outfit to hide eating sins, I need it, Penny. 🙂 I was very bad at lunch today.
I’m really enjoying seeing your garden grow. I haven’t gotten any peonies this year, and with us headed out of town in a couple of days, I probably will miss them at the florist altogether.
My favourite part of that pic is the dude photobombing over MTM’s shoulder. 🙂
The shirt is a Don’t.
Wear what you like, Andra, and just carry a cute pashmina in your bag to throw over your shoulders should the situation call for more coverage. 😉
He was measuring MTM for a suit. That was one of the best things about the Rotary convention in Bangkok. MTM got all these custom clothes made. Then, he came back and lost 20 pounds…………
Nancy’s suggestion is a great one – I’m all for an excuse to get another pashmina or scarf. 🙂 Thanks for continuing to spread the word about Rotary, I have a friend who has been involved for 30 years and absolutely loves it. John and I have talked about looking into our local group too, I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
The Seattle area has a HUGE number of Rotary clubs. I’ve been researching it as part of a book tour. If that comes together, I’ll definitely let you know. It’s early days right now.
I’d love to know if either or both of you join, Lisa. Like your friend, I get so much out of it. MTM even joined my club this year, because he was tired of being a Rotary Andy. 🙂
We’ll definitely look into the local clubs, Andra. I hope your book tour comes together!
I’ll let you know. Early days.
the rhett butler and scarlett o’hara look is my vote for the two of you. and mtm, keep the relic for a party at home )
I would love to see MTM try to pass for Rhett. 🙂 (I’ve already played Scarlett in a twisted take on Taming of the Shrew………)
I tried posting a comment, but I think the spam filter ate it. Oh well…
I never thought about how important your attire would be in this trip, Andra. I didn’t take other cultural sensibilities into consideration. I think to many Southern California dress does actually represent another country, so I’ll stick with that. I dress comfortably ALL the time! 🙂
Steampunk. Leather, canvas, and lace. Aviator helmet with the goggles pushed up; a high-powered rifle on my back and a lightning gun on my hip.
Steampunk’s a culture, right?
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