The time Jon pulled a Kirt* in France

(Packing before our trip)
Mal: What swimsuit are you taking to Europe?
(two choices: Some pretty short trunks-I would say European style, even- and a speedo.)
Jon: The speedo, of course.
Mal: Do you want to bring both, just in case?
Jon: No way! It´s Europe, remember? Everyone wears speedos over there.
Mal: Ok.
(I thought that I should pack both, because I know he´ll want it anyway... but decide against it.)

Standing on the beach in Nice...
Jon: No one is wearing speedos.
Mal: Except for 50 year old men. And 5 year olds. And they are just wearing underwear.
Jon: I wish I had brought my other swimsuit.
Mal: (says nothing... just smiles.)
Jon: I just pulled a Kirt, didn´t I?
Mal: Yes, honey, you did.

*Pulling a ¨Kirt¨ refers to a person who, when confronted with a different region or culture, assumes that stereotypical dress or actions will help the person blend in with the locals. The end result is usually embarrassment and the exact situation they were trying to avoid in the first place. (e.g. The aforementioned ¨kirt¨(aka Dad) once assumed that Hawaiians, with their casual nature, would only wear Hawaiian shirts and flip flops to church. We arrive at church, and all the men are dressed in traditional church attire. Embarrassment follows, and a family legend (and long running joke) is born.

Actually, we were both pretty out of place on the beach. I was wearing a swimsuit top, (a), and it was a tankini (b). Me and one 80 year old lady were the most covered up swimmers there. And I´m not kidding.