Comfort is king. If you're more comfortable wearing shorts, wear shorts. If you're more comfortable wearing a jogging suit, wear a jogging suit. If you're more comfortable wearing pajamas and slippers, wear pajamas and slippers. <BR> <BR>It's your vacation, wear what you like.

Shorts, <BR>Yuu are mostly right (or I agree with you). However, you ARE expected to take off the gloves in Russian Ortodox church, regardless of the fact if you are boy or a girl. <BR>Just an example of different cultures having different customs.

I'll be so glad when winter comes and we can have a few months peace from the shorts question&gt;&gt; The people that ask must be young enough to wear them hopefully.The picture of varicos veins, fat thighs, and those old man hairless legs makes me hope they are not the one asking!!

Mr. Comfort, <BR> <BR>If it's more comfortably for you to pee in the bush, would you do it? <BR> <BR>I think, though, you are correct: wear whatever you want, but face the consequences: not be allowed to some of the areas. You can be turned around at church entrence, at the opera or at some restaurants. You can be still comfortable on the street, I suppose...

Jody, I agree with you but you forgot to mention the sandals with dark socks!

Jody - ... worn half mast ...

And Mr. Comfort, you can continue to fuel the stereotype of the ugly American. Alas, you're mother will not be happy.

Last summer I was in Nice but have also been to Paris severa times. The women are beautiful and sex because they dress like women. Unfortunately, I noticed that the Americans were not as attractively dressed - cotton shorts, cotton t-shirts, etc. This clothing is practical but not pretty. Just a tip - dress a little sexy or cute and wear nice shoes and you will feel like one of the feminine beautiful Europeans!

YS, <BR> <BR>I find it more comfortable to pee in a toilet than in the bush. I would, however, not object to peeing on George W. Bush. <BR> <BR>What are the consequences of dressing comfortably on the street? Hostile stares? I can deal with that, because I'm comfortable!

These "shorts" questions always make me wonder. Do we Americans have some kind of inferiority complex, that we get so concerned about such a thing? If Americans would like to not create an unpleasant presence in Paris or most of the rest of Europe, the main thing to do is keep your voice down!!! Americans are detectable at a considerable distance just by virtue of the VOLUME of their voices. <BR>Just as important for those who bring kids, teach them manners before arrival so the parents aren't seen correcting their children and arguing with them on the streets, in the restaurants, etc. <BR>I base my comments on living there for a few years and having my attention being instantly drawn to nearby Americans due to the constant loud noise. We're used to it in the States, but does it ever stand out in France!

Ditto peeing on GW. I want to see him voted out before we are at war with every other country in the world. What an imbecile.

Hey I grew up in Hawaii and I just feel more "right" in shorts even when it's freezing cold here in the Pacific NW which is where I live now - but I think the reason to ask if it's ok is cause we are guests and if we want to try to get to know a culture better it would help if we tried to be a little more like them - try to connect in some small way isn't that why we all travel? If dressing a certain way helps then great. I've worn shorts travelling when it was clearly inappropriate and I knew it and I felt bad and changed right away. In the end that was what made me more comfortable not what I was wearing.

I was in a bar in Paris whan year old who proceeded to be as bad as an American child at that age could be. The couple let her run around the bar and make noise. It was very annoying. I know this is not the norm, but I just wanted to point out that bad manners knows no boundries!

YS.. I forgot 'half mast" maybe they get a kickback for advetising " Fruit of the Loom" <BR> <BR>And sandals with socks, at least your feet don't get dirty. I love sandals and slides, but I never wear them on CITY streets, step in poop and " OH S..T"......... <BR> <BR>Winter will you never come?????

Sacre bleu......sorry I missed this one til now. If I said it once, I've said it a thousand times....NO SHORTS IN EUROPE

Sacre bleu......sorry I missed this one til now. If I said it once, I've said it a thousand times....WEAR WHAT WHAT YOU LIKE....thousands of Parisians are

mr comfort is the only one making any sense to me --it amazes me that tourists dont want to look like tourists and would rather conform than be comfortable --some of these comments border on snobishness and pseudo-europeanism yes we americans are different --so what

Could it be that when DOWNTOWN, so to speak, in a major city, you primarily see the locals AT WORK in WORK ATTIRE? That would the case in my smaller city. So, as a matter of odds, most of the people one sees will be wearing more formal clothes. That does not mean shorts are forbidden, just not as prevalent.

Puleeeeease! If I were the person who asked this question and this were my first time on this board, I don't know if I'd ever ask another! While there is much good solid advice here, the way some of you lecture, you need to get jobs as teachers!

Wow! I ask a question, I leave for twenty-four hours and this happens! Incredible! By the way, in response to the previous response to this one, yes, this is my first time on this board; however, if this is any indication of the typical feedback associated with a posting I will most certainly be back. <BR> <BR>Thank you to all who offered advice and...commentary: I found it to be both helpful and...entertaining. To set the record straight, no, we were not planning to wear shorts at museums, monuments, restaurants, churches, department stores, office buildings, weddings, funerals, birthday parties, ice cream socials, Sadie Hawkins dances or even for trips down "memory lane". We simply wished to find out if it was acceptable to wear them for a picnic at the Seine, a walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg or even a stroll down the Champs-Elysees. Obviously, if I had been more specific I could have avoided much chastising: for this I take full responsibility. Anyway, it was fun! And, again, thank you all.