On Board Observances

Holidaying overseas gives you the opportunity to observe the habits of different people and cultures.  European countries are forever fascinating because of the ingrained habits of centuries eg the politeness of the French greeting "Bonjour madam/monsieur" prior to any transaction, the Italian shared conversations at machine-gun pace, the English reserve. 

It is therefore fascinating to observe the travelling American close up.  Despite my six decades I am yet to visit the USA, so eleven days and nights cruising the Agean Sea is my first experience of their men and women en masse at close quarters.  The ship's demography is overwhelmingly post WWII the infamous Baby Boomers, and the cruise is designed with our generation in mind.  Breakfast choices are interesting and foreign to the Australian palate.  Hash browns have become a part of our culture but creamed wheat, pork patties and corn beef hash have previously only been encountered in popular American media like McHale's Navy and MASH.

Apparel is very interesting with ladies of indeterminate age frequently clad in pedal pushers reminiscent of my Aunt Bonny.  Sportswear is very popular as are T-shirts proclaiming their college affiliation or previously visited tourist destinations.  Men invariably wear polo shirts tucked into walk shorts and clinched "high-waist Harry" style with belts.  This was captured beautifully in the Tom Hanks movie Larry Crown where his home decor, hair style and wardrobe were updated by his friends.

The American trophy wife abounds, usually gym tight thin with blonde or silver hair either sleek pompadour or ponytail.  "Bob" or "Al" or "Bill" nondescript but definitely loaded.  Moustaches are ubiquitous and frequently matching that of Trump's war warrior John Bolton.

There are, apart from our sartorial selves (yuk, yuk), a number of very elegant couples.  A Spanish husband and wife (I assume) distinctly sophisticated ~ She immaculately coiffeured and frequently clad entirely in white, and he moustacioed and probably a television talk show host.  Another (possibly English) are standouts ~ he is also sporting a mo, handled barred and silver and affecting a Mediterranean wardrobe, and she a stern Amazonian with an amazing tan and ever present  notebook and cigarette.

The smokers are an uncomfortable clique, quarantined in a small enclave off the pool deck.  The Pool Bar is well attended whilst waiters are engaged serving the prostrate multitudes reclining on sun lounges.  "No reservations" is the rule and lounges are scarce soon after breakfast. The prevailing wind is blocked by glass panelling with only the occasional humid gust fluttering the pages of novels opened on snoozing bellies.