Our family will be in Paris mid-July and have several questions: Are shorts and tennis shoes acceptable for men or teenagers during the day? Anyone ever stay at Hotel Novanox (in the Latin Quarter? Any additional info is appreciated. Thanks

Shorts and white tennis shoes are not acceptable unless you want to stand out. Good manners require that you dress in a manner acceptable in Paris. Try Dockers or something similar.

Dear Tessa; <BR>Paris can be very hot in July and it is important to dress comfortably in order to enjoy yourself. I was there April/May of this year and saw numerous people in khaki shorts and athletic shoes. During the day it is acceptable to look neat and casual. Going out in the evening it is more likely you would feel out of place dressed so casually. Paris is much more casual these days. Trust me, you will look like a tourist no matter what. Who cares? You should enjoy your visit. I think good manners while travelling is related more to how you interact with others, your attempts to speak the language of the country you are visiting , using please and thank you etc. This leaves so much more of an impression than how you dress while visiting the Eiffel Tower I believe. Have a wonderful trip!

Shorts and white tennis shoes are fine. There are SO many people in Paris, all different, from all over the world, tourists and residents. Everyone is accepting of each other. You'll see so many people in shorts and tennies shoes that you'll feel stupid for having worried about it. Parisians will NOT make fun of you! If they do, they'd probably make fun of you no matter what you wore. Don't worry about it. Something to consider, when Europeans travel to the states, they don't dress like Americans, they dress the same way they do at home. Wear what you're comfortable in. You can't hide that you're an American tourist and there's no reason to. Like someone else said, the way you behave is what really matters!

hello Tessa: <BR> <BR>I'm with Hooty! Finally someone has stood up and said what I always think....European visitors and residents in the US do not dress "American" when they are here. They do not expect us to dress "European" when we visit them. In fact, being yourself usually makes everyone feel more comfortable. <BR> <BR>Tessa, really just do what you would normally do, if you are dining somewhere fancy dress accordingly ...if you are sight seeing - ditto <BR> <BR>Most of all HAVE FUN!!!

Men always seem to know what is proper. We ladies on the other hand sometimes forget our place and dress far too flashy/scantily for our own good.

Gee Rose I hope that was just a joke!

Dear Tessa, <BR>Just wear what you would wear as if you were vacationing in N. Carloina. <BR>We just got back from Paris and we did see two tourists who got lost coming from the Arche de Triomphe and they would have been better dressed if they were wearing running shoes. <BR>Have fun!