No shoes, no shirt, no service.
How many times have you heard or seen
that?
Now, a small town in Europe is taking it
to another level.
Tourists visiting Hvar, a popular
seaside escape in Croatia, are being warned not to wear swim attire in the town
center and to wear appropriate clothing when visiting landmarks and religious
sites - or they'll face a fine of close to $700. That’s a
lot of money out of your vacation budget for a bikini top or for going shirtless.
The word is sure to
spread to other countries.
I say, here here. This is a good thing. Admit
it: how many times have you cringed when someone gets on a plane or visits a
landmark in a pair of short shorts or flip-flops? Nobody is asking you to wear
a ballgown or a tuxedo; just be appropriate for the occasion.
There needs to be an element of education
here. This reminds me of the girl who took a selfie at Auschwitz. There’s a
time and a place for everything. This wasn’t it. Neither is going shirtless at one of Europe’s ancient cathedrals.
Travel advisor Laura Busby told the Daily Mail: “Visiting
Croatia, research any landmarks or local attractions and their dress codes
before you visit, so you are not caught off guard. … There's nothing worse
than being refused entry for incorrect attire when you've already travelled to
your destination. … Learn about the local customs, traditions and cultural
norms of the country you're visiting. Understanding the basics will help you
navigate your trip more smoothly, without risking any potential hiccups.”
Nobody needs to count your chest hairs or
see you in a bikini top unless there is a beach or pool in the background. Remember, there's a time and place. You don’t need to dress to impress, but you do need to dress
nicely. Think respectability. Don’t make yourself the focus of attention.
This is an idea that is overdue.
This is not to suppress individuality; this
is about awareness of surroundings. And you don’t want to ruin the experience
for everybody else..like the girl at Auschwitz.
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