A German opinion about a Non-German wearing Lederhosen?

Question

I am American. I have lived in Germany for over 19 years. Not with the US Military. I work for a German firm in Hessen. I have a traditional Bavarian 'Tracht' Lederhosen outfit complete with blue&white checkered shirt, shoes, soxes, etc. I wear this outfit to the Oktober Fest every year. Recently I was at a work party in a local German restaurant when a guest(A younger German guy from Hamburg of all places) at another table noticed that I am not German and proceeded to make negative comments. He said that only Bavarian Germans should dress that way, I was making fun of Germany, and that as a non-German I certainly had no right to wear lederhosen. My work colleagues have no problem with my lederhosen and it almost turned into a fight, but the restuarant owner knows me(Stammgast) so he told Mr. Hamburg to shut up or leave. Kind of ruined the night for me. Anyway I was just wondering what Germans think of this?

Answer 1

Ja! Wear them. Germans are pretty good natured people. If you want to enjoy their culture, viel spass!

Answer 2

As much as I would love some lederhosen to wear during Oktoberfest, I wouldn't do it out of respect for their country and culture.  Even though I have roots in Germany and lived there, I still wouldn't do it.  But, if you are comfortable with it and have fun doing it, go for it.  

I *would* have a problem with a US tourist doing it, one who doesn't speak German and one who has no roots there.  While you could look at it as someone just having fun and dressing up in costume, it just doesn't sit right with me.  JMHO! : )

Answer 3

I am ashamed of that guy!! I think it is perfectly ok for you to wear Lederhosen!

No, no, don't let yourself be restrained by other people's comments!!! Wear whatever you like. And in Germany, not even all Bavarians wear Lederhosen, so the guy had no right to comment on you like that!

Anyway, we also use Microsoft. If we would say the things the guy said, we shouldn't use Microsoft as only Americans should use it. It is as stupid as forbidding you to wear Lederhosen!!!

So wear them!!

Answer 4

It's a shame some jackass ruined your good time.....shake it off..

Answer 5

The phenomenon is easily explained. While an American would probably be delighted to spot a German tourist in full Western garb because he would see it as a sign of voluntary integration into American society, a German spotting a non-German in German folklore outfit may see this as an attempt at "sneaking in" - simply because the USA are an immigration country which prides itself on assimilating other cultures, whereas Germany is a non-immigration country with a strong sense of exclusive ownership odf regionalized regalia. It's a bit like in Britain - ever see football hooligans brandishing their club's scarves etc.? Same thing, they freak out when someone demeans their symbols of belonging by adopting them without being part of the group. Neanderthals, if you ask me. Enjoy your Lederhosen, and next time somebody gives you a hard time for wearing German stuff in Germany, ask them to take off their bluejeans, they're American, after all!

Answer 6

I've you'd wear the Lederhosen on daily basis i think people would look at you in a weird way, cuz it's not the common german dresscode. But you said you wear them for the Oktoberfest, which is totally ok. I think you being an american and wearing Lederhosen on the german Oktoberfest is great. That's what it's all about, isn't it? I think it's totally cute and all germans I know (a lot) would like it too!!!

Don't worry about that idiot!! ;o)

Answer 7

I'm from North Germany where Bavarian Lederhosen are as common as an Indian sari or a loincloth from the stone age.

So if you enter a pub here with Lederhosen you would get the same stares as if you're wearing a sari or a loincloth. A sari would probably even be more common.

Ok, of course that doesn't mean you don't have the right to do it, if you really want, you can wear Lederhosen or loincloth, your choice. But then you've got to live with the stares and perhaps some jokes. And it doesn't matter if you're a Bavarian, an American or whatever, everybody would just think you're dressing up for Karneval or something.

Just imagine the reaction if a German enters a bar in New York dressed up in a cowboy outfit with leather chaps over the dirty jeans, boots with spurs, a vest with the sheriff's star on it, a stetson and fake guns on the belt and you get the idea.

The place to wear Lederhosen is Bavaria and it's certainly in style to wear them to the Oktoberfest, but in the rest of the country nobody wears them except for costume parties.

So my opinion: by wearing Lederhosen you don't insult me or Germany or whatever the strange Mr.Hamburg told you. You're not making fun of Germany wearing it and it's your perfect right to do it.

But if you do it outside of Bavaria no matter if you're German or American you'll risk being the laughing stock for everybody.

Answer 8

If you have lived here in Germany for so long you will be aware that 95% of the Germans would never dream of wearing Lederhosen, let alone in public (SM studios might be another matter ...). It is specific Bavarian, and it is a part of folklore mostly and not of daily life. So I think it is perfectly okay for everyone, be he Bavarian, American, Japanese or African, to wear Lederhosen when visiting Oktoberfest or similar opportunities, and no German in his right mind would complain. If, on the other hand, the guy already had his share of beer, was recently fired, or divorced, or all at once, anything can happen. I hope you recovered from the negative experience and have much fun visiting future Oktoberfests.

Answer 9

First off, I'm not from Germany, but consider myself a germanophile.

Here in Milwaukee we have ethnic festivals, and Germanfest is one of them.  People are aware enough to know if you see a man in Lederhosen, or a woman wearing a Dirndl, if you have any knowledge of German culture, you know where they are headed.

You can see seas of people at Germanfest, of many colors, in ethnic dress.

It's a respect thing, like trying to speak spanish and meet someone half-way, in a real mexican restaurant.  some may appreciate it, some may take offense.  

Just the way it goes cuz you can't please everyone.

Answer 10

if your celebrating oktober fest but dont all the time cause then your a poser. does anybody even were lederhosens anymore

Answer 11

well I'm an american for the past few generations with german heritage.  Anyway if you wanna dress silly that's up to you. Your just havin fun.

Answer 12

Bavarians are bavarians. They would say something bad too, if I was wearing Lederhosen. And I am german, but no bavarian. It is sad, that these guys treated you so impolite. My opinion: Wear whatever you want and have a good time!

Answer 13

LOL. Honestly I don't give a **** and I'm absolutely

positive most think the same. Some people however

can be annoyed. It's not really because you're wearing

it but because of the typical bavarian image germany

sometimes has. That bavarian c**p can cause some

touchy reaction with some. Specially with guys from

the north.  It's kinda like running around in cowboy

boots, hat and a 6 shooter in the bronx.

Answer 14

Good for you the owner told him  to shut up. He was just an ignorant idiot,. you wear your Lederhosen in good health. It should make the Bavarian proud to know that you're wearing them. I have a friend in Canada who hoist's the bavarian flag right next to the canadian and he isn't German either. He's from Guyana, but he loves Bavaria.

Answer 15

Keep wearing your Lederhosen. You did wear it correctly and did not made fun of it. I have a feeling he was not gone wear something like this anyway, since he is soooo correct German. He should wear his hanseatic outfit and have other people make fun of him. Just ignore the idiot. Germans in general like to dress up in different country's. For example wearing a cowboy outfit in the US.

Answer 16

I am sorry this guy ruined your night but I personnally also make my jokes of people wearing Lederhosen on other occasions than the Oktoberfest...its such a silly outfit!

And I can understand this guy thought you are taking the p**s...just consider would you dress up in traditonal chinese/indian/japanese cloth when going to a traditional restaurant in any of those countries?

Having said that if I met you that night I might have had a good laugh about you and forgotten about it 2 mins after..wear what you like...

Answer 17

I'm german and I live in Munich. I have absolutely no problem with people from other countries wearing our "Tracht". I feel honored, actually, because it shows that they like and enjoy our culture. And especially at the Octoberfest, you see all kinds of people coming to town and having a blast with german 'culture' when usually we're known as being up-tight and boring people.

I hope to see you there again next year, and you better wear your Lederhosen! :-)

Answer 18

Wow, that sounds incredibly rude of him!  While I can't answer really, I do have a pair of lederhosen.  I'm 99% German in heritage, but you'd never guess it because I was born and raised in the US.  I can't even speak German!  The only German I heard was from my grandmother who could occasionally slip into a few words.  



I think it was incredibly crass of him to make assumptions just because he heard or somehow figured you weren't German.  Chalk it up to rudeness and forget about it and wear the lederhosen!

Answer 19

I personally would recommend Leberhosen..... much better than Lederhosen.