American mentality??? EXPLAIN?

The mentality comes from the huge homophobia that still exists in the US for whatever reasons. Everyone noticed that gay/bi/metro boys dress nicely, therefore straight guys must do the opposite to not look "gay" and must chastise every guy who takes care of himself. Don't worry - they will be changing their tune later on when you get all the girls because you look so much better than them.

First of all, you are now in Boston and need to not laugh at the people around you. That is also very rude. Secondly, I doubt that they are like real homeless people (who, by the way, ought to have your compassion and not your superior Holier-than-Thou self-righteousness; this is why many Americans feel that many foreigners are stuck-up). You really need to come down a peg, especially as you are not a tourist. After all, the school is good enough for you, isn't it? Who forced you to come here?

I am sure that the boys are "decent"; clean, covering parts of their body that need to be covered, and wearing shoes and free from body odour.

Actually, as you asked about explanations, there is a long tradition and historical precedent for not fussing and primping and preening like peacocks here. The idea is that what is inside (a kind and generous spirit; goodness or the heart) are ten thousand times more important than fussing with hair and clothes, which mean very little.

There is also in this area of the country (the North-East) a history of Plain Dress. Although many mainstream Americans themselves these days may not be aware of the reasons, Quakers, Shakers, Amish, Mennonites and Brethren once were a strong voice here speaking out against the vanity and wastefulness of fashionable dress and adorning of the self. They were a very strong voice (I come from these people and still dress Plain, or what you would call Old Fashioned).

My family has been living in the North East since 1632, and in the same house since the 1680's.

I am very sorry that you need to laugh at our customs with your friends. The fact is that ow you are here by choice and need to make some attempt to understand the people with whom you live. If you choose to laugh at us you may prefer to return home. I am sure you will feel more comfortable there.

See if you can find some Mormons to hang around with...they tend to dress better, and value education very highly. You may want to try out an American custom called "dress down Friday". It sound like you would just have to dress how the other "slobs" normally dress to fit right in.

Just don't try to pick up any chicks the first time you try it out. At least not before 10:00 at night.

well now kids spend alot of money trying to look as if they're poor. All those expensive stores like A&F and hollister are in right now and they make the clothes look torn or old. so yeah just dress how you like and ignore them.

First, be careful about this opinion you have because kids will label you. And nobody wants that. I have thought for years that uniforms are the way to go in all schools.

depends where you go to school.

If you go to a better school, with kids who have better parents who don't want them to look like hobos,

you'll fit in.

They are middle class americans. They are poor so they dress poor.

Thats what they embody.

people of college age like to rebel against the norm, especially if they have money. when they older they're dress nicer.

Hobo is the new presentable.