Who said you shouldn't wear shorts in SE Asia???

[shaq]

I recently asked whether one could or shouldn't wear shorts (not the very short ones but rather the formal type) when visiting SE Asia and in particular Bangkok Thailand, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) Cambodia, Langkawi Malaysia and Singapore. Obviously visiting temples, etc. required the dress code usual respect and these situations were complied with.

 

The majority of responders advised that westerners wearing shorts would make themselves an obvious tourist target and they did not recommend wearing shorts. We accepted these recommendations and packed only 2 pairs of shorts and about 7 pairs of casual pants each for a 16 day trip.

 

Well, we just got back! Much to our surprise we found absolutely no objection to wearing shorts. In fact, many Asians are wearing them too. We stayed only at 5 star hotels and saw many people who were wearing shorts. Our problem ended up being we had too few shorts and too many pants. We constantly used our shorts while the majority of the pants were never used.

 

It is our opinion that wearing shorts in SA Asia is actually recommended. It is not objected to by the Asians. One does not stand out as a tourist because you are wearing shorts but rather because you are a westerner. So pack all the shorts you want and be comfortable in the SE Asian climate.

[Spikesgirl]

I was one of the 'shorts are okay' people, so I say 'here, here!' to your comments. Aside for being short shorts, did you have a good cruise?

 

Charlie

[Bestbubba]

Have to add a word of caution here. Last year we were turned away from entering Raffles Hotel in Singapore as one of our group was wearing capris and one of the men were wearing (long, formal) shorts. We were OK to visit the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling, but not the hotel itself.

 

Glad you had a great time, we are off on the 21 October, Beijing - Bangkok, hopefully things will have settled down in Thailand by then, they are such sweet, friendly people.

 

Sue

[Spikesgirl]

My husband didn't have any trouble with his shorts in Raffles. He walked into the main lobby to take pictures and discuss with the desk clerk regarding appointments. I think it depends upon who manning the door.

 

Charlie

[shaq]

The cruise was terrific!

[Spikesgirl]

We also gave this cruise high marks. Gotta say the worst part was coming home and trying to get back onto our time. Took me a full week to get sleeping patterns reestablished and I'm still waking up at odd times - however, I would do parts of it again in a heart beat. Did you have a favorite port? A favorite excursion? Are you writing a review??

 

Charlie

[Desert Cruisers]

I too recommended shorts for some of the time in Asia especially (but not exclusively) outside of the large cities. The key, as I expressed in my earlier post, was to dress comfortably but modestly. Sometimes shift dresses are cooler and more comfortable in hot weather. My husband wears lightweight pants and sometimes dress shorts in the big cities. I also noted that, as you discovered, Westerners stand out because we are Westerners. Glad that you enjoyed your time there.:)

[Hlitner]

I always recommend shorts/capris for touring in Asia or Europe during hot weather. There are only a few places (such as the Vatican and the Monte Carlo casino) where shorts are not allowed, but generally its not a problem. I understand there are some who say this makes you look like a tourist, but the last time I was in Asia it was pretty easy to pick out tourists in slacks (smile).

 

Hank

[cands]

Have to add a word of caution here. Last year we were turned away from entering Raffles Hotel in Singapore as one of our group was wearing capris and one of the men were wearing (long' date=' formal) shorts. We were OK to visit the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling, but not the hotel itself.

 

 

Sue[/quote']

 

Hi,

We had a similar experience. The doorman started to turn us away, until we showed him our room key (we were staying at the hotel:o ).

 

We tried to dress a little more upscale after that, even in that most oppressive heat, and made sure our room key was front and centre when we entered the hotel;) .

 

 

 

Steve.

[ROCruiser]

We were in Vietnam 5 years ago and my husband wore shorts a few times. When we came back showing pictures to our family, my brother made a comment (he is a banker working in Asia) that when he was in Saigon, one of his Vietnamese colleagues told him that men don't wear shorts there. Well, it was too late by then. We didn't experience any objection while we were there and nobody gives us strange looks. If I have my opinion, I think long pants would be better, because you will probably have less mosquito bites!:(