Is It An Impropriety To Bare A Bit Of Knobby Knee In Los?

[OldChinaHam]

Since I recently returned to Thailand, and on a few occasions, people have suggested that it would be better if I wear long pants or, "smart" trousers, when I 'go places'. I am not a person who enjoys wearing short shorts, and Bermuda shorts look silly. The weather here is dry and comfortable and really not hot compared to some other places I have been. I had already planned to not wear shorts because I just don't like them, and there was no need to tell me anyway.

I do enjoy the fact that people in Thailand, the ones I have seen so far, usually dress well. And it is wise to dress accordingly so one fits in, and I do. But ever since people began suggesting to me that I not wear short pants, and now since I have been paying attention, it really does seem as if people show more reluctance to bare a bit of leg in Thailand than in some other places I know.

Some guys, perhaps, look good in shorts, though I am not one to pay attention.

And in The New Yorker we can find cartoons of old balding men with their shorts, a highball, and black garters, BSing in their backyards in the summer heat. John Cheever was known for writing about embarrassing things like this, as well as daily getting drunk out of his gourd.

But in Thailand do local people find it funny to see grown men walking around in short pants with usually ugly knobby knees?

Do Thai's like to see their countrymen in short pants?

Cops in the US wear short pants, but I don't think I have seen this yet in Thailand.

Or maybe I just have not been here long enough yet?

(I do love short shorts! But on the opposite gender.

That's just me I guess.)

[h90]

Basically everywhere on this planet me wear long trousers when go into restaurants, churches, shops, etc.

Exceptions might be new countries without old culture like Australia and USA.

[poanoi]

Dont worry, dress as whatever floats your boat, everyone else does, none will stare at you.

Edited April 25, 2013 by poanoi

[Payboy]

Just makes sure no other knobby thing makes an appearance when you sit down.

[Gsxrnz]

The type of shorts worn, coupled with the type of shirt/T-Shirt or wifebeater, coupled with the attached accoutrements such as bum-bag, cellphone, backpack or the occasional fishing jacket, is often a dead giveaway as to the nationality of the wearer.

eg: Where does this bloke come from....wearing short (and I mean SHORT) shorts, no shirt or T-Shirt, and an open fishing jacket showing a bulbous belly?

[muythai2013]

nobody cares what you wear really so dont worry, if they do care stuff em.

[ripstanley]

Up To You

[itchybum]

I wear shorts everywhere.

Get over it.

My knees are sexy though.

[mauGR1]

I wear trousers when i visit Immigration, and when i have to board a flight..For the rest, i don't care

[MacGuffin]

Just make sure you don't cut back your jeans into beach bum shorts to early ,as there might well be another cool snap that requires long trousers for your comfiness

[meom]

nobody cares what you wear really so dont worry, if they do care stuff em.

I used to think the same but it's self defeating really because some of the better night spots don't allow you in wearing shorts and flipflops so you have to compromise sometimes.

[Beetlejuice]

The beetlejuice guide to appropriate and acceptable wearing of shorts in Thailand:

[SeaVisionBurma]

Banter topic. Moving to Pub.

[Suradit69]

"...people have suggested that it would be better if I wear long pants or, "smart" trousers, when I 'go places'."

And who are these people? Random strangers? Long-suffering family members? Agents from the Centre for the Protection of Children, Youth and Women? Imaginary friends who think referencing The New Yorker or John Cheever isn't dated and presumptive?

Speaking of "long pants" suggests a certain provincialism since in much of the world "pants" refers to under garments or something dogs do on hot days. And if you sallied forth in "smart trousers" (iTrousers?) do you think that would make all the difference?

Edited April 26, 2013 by Suradit69

[OldChinaHam]

It might. I dunno.

Let's ask John Cheever of past New Yorker days.

He was always the picture of propriety when he was suitably lubricated.

[Fullstop]

Cops in the US wear short pants, but I don't think I have seen this yet in Thailand.

The bicycle cops in Patters do.

[Evolare]

The only time i ever heard anything about this is visiting certain very important temples..most temples have no problem with shorts and when visiting palaces. Also if you go to kanchanaburi and goes to the tiger temple...dont wear anything red. If youre a professional here working then yeah dress to fit in. If nothing of this applies to where you are going regular shorts are ok...speedos are never okay (fashionably speaking) not even on the beach specially if there is a place that thais visit.

[Fullstop]

Shorts are fine around beaches. Even Thais wear them then.

'A time and place for everything'

Common sense comes to mind.

[OldChinaHam]

I did not even consider speedos as and option outside the competition pool, but I it is nice to know that you say this is not something to look forward to on a Thai beach.

There does seem to be a dress code at some universities and colleges that would not be the norm outside of Thailand, in the US or Europe for example.

Was it not in these less tradition oriented countries during the 60's when all university dress codes were burned along with bras and draft cards that this trend in dressing down first took hold?

Trashy dressing has become stale after a few decades with not much else really new to look at besides cargo shorts for men.

Cargo shorts for women I don't much mind, and I don't mind too much whatever women wear since I always do my best to maintain eye contact, politely not letting my gaze stray too far afield.

[OldChinaHam]

And just wondering, since you did mention speedos, do you think Candypants will be commenting here anytime soon?

[muythai2013]

nobody cares what you wear really so dont worry, if they do care stuff em.

I used to think the same but it's self defeating really because some of the better night spots don't allow you in wearing shorts and flipflops so you have to compromise sometimes.

true that but being from fairtex camp its a little unfair they let us in everywhere.

I do dress up when i go out anyway.

[how241]

Dont worry, dress as whatever floats your boat, everyone else does, none will stare at you.

+1

[richardjm65]

My dad was in the desert with Montgomery's lot during WW2 and came back with several pairs of army khaki shorts. He was a larger man than I, but when he died I was pleased to inherit his army issue shorts and now wear them to all social occasions, along with his knee length khaki woolen socks and his old battledress blouse. It's quite clear to me that from the admiring glances and smiles I get from the Thais in our village, I've set a new standard in sartorial elegance.

Yes, shorts (of the right sort) are acceptable anywhere, any time in Thailand.

[OldChinaHam]

I think they must call that the Alec Guinness look from the "Bridge" film.

But I must say I would rather have Alec's White Suit any old day that it is not raining

That is a ==really great== story about your Dad and his uniform which probably is high quality and wears like, well, the White Suit.

If you are not the bashful type, it would be an undeserved pleasure to see a few photos of you in this get-up.

Please do not worry about any knobby knees, we will make allowances.

Or, you can photo shop it.

Please do publish something here, if you dare.

Tks!

[chrisinth]

Just don't forget to wear something................

Otherwise, guaranteed to get the odd glance................

[meom]

It might. I dunno.

Let's ask John Cheever of past New Yorker days.

He was always the picture of propriety when he was suitably lubricated.

Well if you dunno then maybe it's time to learn so I suggest you go to www.fashionbeans.com where you will find out all there is to know about men's fashion style.

Within the site there's a series called men's fashion basics which pretty much explains all the ins and outs of men's fashion from wearing chino's to jeans, business casual, smart casual etc. etc.

[wiyada]

I did not even consider speedos as and option outside the competition pool, but I it is nice to know that you say this is not something to look forward to on a Thai beach.

There does seem to be a dress code at some universities and colleges that would not be the norm outside of Thailand, in the US or Europe for example.

Was it not in these less tradition oriented countries during the 60's when all university dress codes were burned along with bras and draft cards that this trend in dressing down first took hold?

Trashy dressing has become stale after a few decades with not much else really new to look at besides cargo shorts for men.

Cargo shorts for women I don't much mind, and I don't mind too much whatever women wear since I always do my best to maintain eye contact, politely not letting my gaze stray too far afield.

Hey if you miss the past and like wearing suits and ties then please carry on, the fact that you will look totally ridiculous and sweat profusely is a fair price to pay if it makes you happy, hey even throw on a waistcoat while at it.

Trashy dressing ? I know a lot of people who look smarter in casual dress than others in suits.

Knobbly knees, well if they look bad cover them up, same with all who have disgusting pot bellies, so 50% of farangs at least

Edited April 26, 2013 by wiyada

[OldChinaHam]

Well, at fashionbeans I know I will find something. But the blue shoes with a jacket to match?

No thank you, I would rather appear in shorts.

And you know, with the blue shoes, the blue plaid jacket, and the blue bow tie, and the butch haircut, well I would just look like Jim Rogers from Singapore, I do declare.

You see if I'm wrong, honey:

http://www.fashionbeans.com/2013/rodney/

[robertson468]

When I go jogging (nearly running!) definitely wear shorts, wearing long trousers gives me chaps, chaps . During the day, shorts, unless I am going to BKK then its into longs. Evening is longs and a long sleeved shirt with the cuffs turned back a couple of times. Likewise for funeral and weddings. Mind you doing the gardening is an entirely different story - but don't ask!

[OldChinaHam]

"During the day, shorts, unless I am going to BKK then its into longs."

Sorry, for a moment there I misread you.

I though you said when you go to BKK,

IT INTO THONGS.