How much of what Izzy relates here is culture-specific to the US? Or to the white English-speaking world?

We have had discussions about different attitudes on either side of the atlantic to heels, for instance. There may be in Europe a functional equivalent to Birkenstocks are for lesbians but it doesn't relate specifically to Birkenstocks. There are famous differences in approach to body hair (is it acceptable for a woman to not shave her armpits? In some countries waxing is the standard practise, whereas the cultural implications attached to waxing in the US are rather peculiar), body odour, showering in the morning or the evening, visible underwear (on the bra issue - it might be advantageous for an American woman if her bra is noticeable under her clothes because then nobody at work will wonder whether she's one of those braless sluts, whereas in Europe it is mostly considered tasteless if the bra straps or elastic shows - and I think the "bra-less = slutty" meme is much less strong over here). And so on.

Plus, in some countries what underwear shopping tells some women is that their boobs are too big. You might find it easier to find A-cups in Spain.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma