How can you get a foreigner to dress like an American?

Question

Last week, my new tenant just rented my apartment downstairs from me. He told me that he was bringing in his wife and newborn from Pakistan (sp?). Well, she came in today and she wears those pajamas type clothing. I am so embarrased because of my neighbors on what they think. I'm not being prejudice or anything, they are very nice people and they help pay my mortgage but I think it would look better if the wife and the baby would wear American clothes and not those drapes. Would it be an insult to tell her how to dress?

Answer 1

It's not your place to tell her how to dress.

Answer 2

It would not be appropriate.

Also, if she just recently moved from Pakistan, these are probably the only clothes she has. Are you willing to pay for a whole new American wardrobe for her?

BTW, your neighbours know that it is not your family, why would they think anything about you?

Answer 3

Yes, that would be an insult. A person can be American and wear the clothes of their choice. Those clothes are their culture and their religion. If you went to another country and they all were wearing those "pajama type clothing" would you wear it just because most other people were wearing them?  

Answer 4

Yes, it would be an insult. And you cannot get anybody, foreigner or national to dress in a specific manner... US is a free country, right?

Answer 5

You're being rather prejudiced.

And why don't you start acting like an American.  The only American thing I care about my tenants absolutely having to wear is those green pieces of paper.

You've already said they got that, so get over the rest of it and get what matters.

And if any neighbors say anything, you can wave that money in their face and laugh it off.

Answer 6

LOL,I know a person that wears drapes too,I figure if shes not embarrased why should I be.They are about 1000 years out of date with the real world.

Answer 7

Absolutely - And you are being absolutely prejudicial.  

Your only concern is that your tenants uphold their part of the rental contract, and nothing more.  As long as nothing in your rental agreement imposes a dress code (which would be illegal) then you have no say in determining how they dress, nor would it be remotely appropriate for you to impose your opinion on her "drapes."

Furthermore, immigrants require a certain amount of time to adapt to the lifestyle of the new country they have moved to.  Clinging to comfortable aspects of their homelife is completely natural and to be expected - I can promise that Americans who move abroad do not immediately and instinctively adapt to foreign codes no matter how much they might want to fit in or pretend to be a local.  However, if time passes and she does not begin to "dress like an American," then that is still her prerogative - and her RIGHT - and should in no way be a source of "embarrassment."

Uphold your rental agreement and allow your law-abiding tenants to live their own life and adapt to it at their own pace.  Until your opinion on their fashion sense is requested, do not offer it.  

Answer 8

u for real?  let them wear wat they want.  its part of their culture.

Answer 9

Most definitively YES it would be. It's really non of your business how people dress, even less your place to tell them how they should dress. I would be happy that they are good tenants, and pay the rent on time. that should be the end of your relationship with them.