travel!panic

[winkingstar]

Oh, oh! Guess who just got a summons for jury duty! Guess!

You know, I totally said to myself as I was filling out the questionnaire in April or May, "They're going to summon me while I'm abroad, aren't they?" And lo! they did.

And of course it had to come on the Saturday before I leave, so I can't even call the office or anything. *sigh*

Comments

Don't Panic.

[lavvyan]

Germany is not the land of the well-dressed people. Neither is Italy. Even if your clothes should suck, which I doubt, you'll be fine. *hugs*

Re: Don't Panic.

[winkingstar]

But... but all of the travel books and stuff say so. Plus, I read it on the internets, so it must be true!

Thank you for reassuring me in my insanity. *snuggles*

Re: Don't Panic.

[lavvyan]

So where, pray tell, are you reading this comment? ;p

I haven't seen all of Europe yet, but so far the land of the best-dressed people seems to be The Netherlands, weirdly enough. The Italians might scoff at your shoes, though. *g*

Stop worrying so much! *squishes*

Re: Don't Panic.

[winkingstar]

Well, the Italians won't let you into their cathedrals without "proper" attire, so I think that is where most of my sartorial panic is coming from. That and my recollections of England, where sneakers are evil and white socks are even more evil. I am glad to hear you Germans are not averse to slobby clothes, though.

I am a worrier! I worry about everything! Haven't you noticed? I could be a professional worrier, if someone would pay me. In fact, I worry on behalf of other people half the time anyway. Like, why are you awake right now?

[fish_echo]

Ahahahaa, I have to laugh at jury duty timing.

*hugs* DON'T PANIC!

Also, I hate all my clothes. I don't mind them so much while I'm here, but Europe is so much posher than the U.S. and therefore I feel that all my clothes (and shoes) scream "slobby American!"
Somehow, my brain when to 'too bad the castle isn't a nudist castle!' yeah, um, evidently my brain is weird?

[winkingstar]

I was totally laughing by the mailboxes in the lobby. It's just such perfect timing.

Um, yeah, you're brain is weird. :P

[flyakate]

My only advice about the clothing thing is what I heard about (of all things) shoes. Basically that if you're worried about marked as an American not to wear athetic running shoe-sneakers and instead things more "European" looking. Not that it makes as much/if any difference due to a probable change in US sentiment abroad, but that's what it used to be like in France, apparently.

In short, don't worry about your clothes! I'm sure they're awesome!

[lavvyan]

It depends on the social situation, of course, but running shoes/sneakers are fine in Germany. :)

[winkingstar]

Yay! I have some comfy but unbecomingly scuffed up sneakers. And some prettier ones. And some vaguely nice-ish shoes for when we're working at the castle, since we're supposed to look nicer then.

Why do the travel books come up with these lies about shoes? It's not very nice of them.

[winkingstar]

Yeah, they frown on sneakers in the UK, too. But not, apparently, in Germany.

However, the Italians are very strict about what you can wear in their cathedrals. You have to wear long sleeves, even!

Thanks! :)

[propinquitine]

Don't Panic! You'll be fine! I'm sure the state has some provision about inability to show for jury duty due to out-of-country-ness, and probably the worst they could do is make you show for jury duty another time. If you want to be really cautious, mail them a letter stating your unavailability and inability to contact them in a timely manner due to out-of-country-ness + summons came on a Saturday, and then the date on the letter + the postmark will show that you're taking all the actions a reasonably prudent person would. (Where reasonably prudent person = the most cautious person alive -- oh, legal standards, you are so ridic.)

Or, IDK, look on the state's website for an FAQ on exactly this point, maybe they have something? I'd do it for you, but I have to try to get the rules for character and habit evidence admissibility straight before I can go to sleep. NOT LIKE I'LL EVER USE THEM, what with me never going to be a trial lawyer. Grrrr

[winkingstar]

I love how everything you say, ever, now comes with accompanying random legal insight. :) *pets you*

I mailed a letter with a copy of my itinerary, and I warned Flatmate to be on the lookout for cops in case they come after me. I am sure I am one of the most (over)cautious people alive, so I should be good.

*hugs* for you, too! And good luck and stuff! You will do swimmingly!

[taiteilija]

Don't panic! Of course I don't know all countries in Europe, but I've seen a few and in all there were crazy people running around with stuff on their bodies that only faintly resembled clothes, so whatever you wear, you will be fine (and just take along a jacket or something for the Italian cathedrals :) ). You will be surprised to see how many Europeans try to imitate Americans :)

[winkingstar]

Thanks! *squishes* ♥