Dress code/ etiquette

[Sue Noble]

Never been to Tobago or Carribean before, what is deemed suitable dress for going out in the evenings?
We intend to eat in the more 'simpler' or 'local food', restaurants.

Are shorts and shirt (not T) still ok for the evening or are long trousers more acceptable?

Dave

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Dave

Casual is the name of the game in Tobago and most Caribbean destinations. The better quality restaurants may object to shorts and collarless shirts, but the simpler local restaurants have no real dress code. To avoid risk of embarassment, I would recommend full length trousers and a short-sleeved collared shirt as this will mean that you can go anywhere without fear of feeling over-dressed or being refused entry (or given a naff table at the back of the room).

[Joanne Green]

Dave-
If you're staying in a place like Castara, "dressing for dinner" simply means putting on sandals (although that's not even really necessary!). The first time we went, I took a little sundress. Now I don't even bother! My husband wears long pants down on the plane, cause we're from the northern part of the US, but they stay folded in the suitcase until it's time to come home!

I wouldn't know about the places around Crown Point, because we're so hooked on the laid-back atmosphere of Castara that we wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else!

Enjoy your trip.

[Paul Tallet]

I have never (yet) dared to go out in Castara only dressed in sandals

For health and safety reasons I would recommend at least covering the ankles to protect from sandflies

Regards

[Steve Wooler]

Such a fuss over so little.

[Bill B]

Paul,

At the minimum I would think Underpants would be required along with your sandals

Bill

[Paul Tallet]

Oh here we go again

[Gisela Grell]

Hi Sue,

please ignore the unqualified drivel of this guys about sandflies and underpants (this is an old story and comes back once in a while).

You are on a sunny island and temperature in the night is not much colder than in the daytime so you don't need long pants. In local restaurants there is nor really dresscode but I would not go only in bathcoat. And for mosquitos and sandflies (which normally only goes to Paul, what he deserves)
you can use long arms and legs but a good repellent will also do.

Enjoy and taste a lot of fish because you can't get fish more fresh than on an island

Cheers

[Bill B]

Shorty,

"unqualified drivel" - Humph

It's a genetic thing that men always find potty humor funny whilst you of the other persuasion think that it's childish and outlandish. So be it.

Bill

[Paul Tallet]

Yeah ... and I would like to know what type of coat you wear in a bath and why you wear it out to dinner in Castara ... that sounds even more potty.

I am still learning about these interesting things

Regards

[Bill B]

Paul,

The differences between those from opposite sides of the pond is naught compared to the differences between those from Mars and Venus

Perhaps since we will never understand them and they don't appreciate our humor we should start our own thread entitled "Have a Naughty Waffle with Paul and Bill" and limit it to Martians

In seriousness, to respond to the original question, a nice sport shirt and dressier shorts (not denim) along with a pair of sandals or top-siders would be suitable in all but the fancier higher end restaurants.

Bill

[Carol Townsend]

Perhaps since we will never understand them and they don't appreciate our humor we should start our own thread entitled "Have a Naughty Waffle with Paul and Bill" and limit it to Martians

Bill

Hey watch it you naughty male person
The Queen is watching .... Thought I'd check up on you and what do I find? Mutiny!
And what pray, are topsiders?

[Sue Noble]

Bill, what the hell is a 'topsider'?

[SandraK]

aka loafers I think

[Bill B]

Greetings,

As I said earlier quite often there is a bit of difference between both sides of the pond. Sandra has it correct - they're a type of loafer http://www.sperrytopsider.com/index.jsp ... FQodNR_tfg (particularly the one in the middle). Even though Top-Sider is a specific brandname they've become a generic description for boat shoes.

Noe,

We should have known that we couldn't hide from the "All Knowing, All Seeing" Queen

Bill

[Paul Tallet]

We have completely exhausted the 'blonde' theme ... perhaps there is some scope to delve into the humour of this forum ... just to see what it is cracked up to be ... pardon the pun.

And before anyone points it out ... yes I know this is absolutely nothing to do with Dresscode and it was not me (moi) that mentioned the underpants, although I have to accept that underpants can be considered relevant to this topic seeing as they are a garment ... but I must stress that this is entirely optional of course.

Perhaps the martians could make a contribution to this stimulating subject?

I am still perplexed about bath suits though ... has this matter been covered previously anywhere in this forum?

regards

[Bill B]

Paul,

To answer your question I think what Gisela is referring to as a bathcoat is what the Venetians on this side of the pond call a Cover-up; a light, loose, and often semi-transparent garment put on over a bathing suit. While it may be sufficient when wandering into a beach bar it wouldn't be suitable to wear to dinner.

Bill (reporting from Mars)

[Paul Tallet]

Now there is a thought.

Dress code ... bath suits ... whatever ...

If I recall correctly ... whenever there is a function going on in Castara (such as the bbq's at either the Naturalist or Heavenly Bay) where a local band turns up and more locals come to assist in the catering and generally help out ... I may slip into something more comfortable (i.e.; smart casual) for the function ...

... but all the locals are wearing the same things they have been wearing all day !!

Just a recollection that was not an observation but something I have recalled nonetheless as a result of this intriguing thread.

Regards from the Planet Etilletas

[Sue Noble]

That's ok, I wouldn't be seen dead in loafers.
I'll stick to the 'little floral number'

Dave

[SandraK]

Those of us from Venus tend to take loads of vests, a decent pair of trousers, shorts , 1 skirt and masses of bling. Those from Mars have to be carefully monitored while packing or all hell can break loose once you have arrived and unpacking. Socks, Speedos. Sad Sandals must be banished and Hawaiian shirts only to be worn in Hawaii.