These are seriously purposefully clothed people. Let's start with workout gear.
I used to be a bit of a gym rat back in Colorado. The YMCA was right around the corner, as well as the school. I could get my gear on, take kids to school, head to the Y, then even make it to the grocery store without a second thought. Yes, I was prone to need a shower after the Y, but I thought nothing of making a quick trip to the store before heading home for Ada's nap. It was one more task I could finish before lunchtime. Colorado is quite a health conscious place, so seeing people in athletic gear was very common.
Here? Not so much.
I see many people out walking, running, and biking. I have NEVER, however, seen a person in exercise gear actually doing anything other than...exercise. You might see a fleece jacket from time to time, but that usually is covering a person out completing some sort of physical activity.
So what's a girl to do? When do mothers like me work out? I have yet to build enough of a relationship with my neighbors to ask this question. I'm curious, though. For now, I have yet to join a gym, though I hear there's a great boot camp class on one of the US military bases. I'm safe there in workout gear. For now, I walk Ada in a stroller after taking kids to school, after which it's time to get cleaned up and appropriately dressed.
There's the next part.
I can't describe Germans as formally dressed, but there is a real difference in what I see here versus the US. Scarves are worn 9 months a year. There are no screened t-shirts, and definitely no running shoes. Jeans are common, shorts are a rarity. They are for the beach or the pool. Absolutely NO flip flops to be seen. Ever.
That's a sure sign of an American. Here at the Miller home, we are trying to blend.
I can't blend my children. It's not going to happen. They are the ones running outside in 50 degree weather with a short sleeved shirt. I have tried, but have decided that when they are cold, they will surely come and find a jacket. I did put my foot down with the temps dropped to below 15...
Let's move to shoes. This is an easy way to spot a German. They have the cleanest shoes I have ever seen. They must polish daily. I bought a great pair of knee high boots in preparation for winter. I love them and they are warm.
I can't make it one hour outside without them looking dusty or splashing mud on them. How do these people do it?
And apparently they have narrow feet in general. I can't seem to find shoes to fit the kids and definitely not my husband's quite wide feet. I remember taking Ren to a shoe store to have him fitted for shoes. The woman measured his feet and promptly told me she had no shoes to fit him and couldn't recommend anyone who might.
I'm now thankful for Zappos.
So what to wear? Like I said, we try to blend, so I'm usually in a long sleeved plain t-shirt, dark wash jeans and normally my very comfortable and practical clogs.
Now that spring is hear, I see white pants everywhere.
I have 3 children and a dog. I think white clothing is not in my immediate future.
