<Are white sneakers appropriate footwear for Ireland . I heard that it is a very casual country but I do not want to be a target as in other European countries where Americans are "marked".>

Sneakers, even white are swell anywhere in Europe - no more posts please asking about this!

You cannot or should not try to escape being marked as an American IME and IMO

Enough already!

I have to admit I did LOL while traveling through Europe as people were dressed the way people dress - everyone different...and yes, sneakers every where. It was rather amusing to think of all the dress questions.

I agree. There's another subjects that annoys me: Fanny packs.

If you are comfortable using them, great!

If you are not comfortable using them, shut up! We don't care that you "just cringe every time [you] see a clueless American tourist wearing one." Like anything else, if you take the proper precautions they're fine to use.

I am still wondering what a "fanny pack" is ...

pack - fanny - perhaps you do not know that fanny in English means rear end? nuff said

Kendarina, it's also called a "waist pack" or a "bum bag". Basically, it's a small pack worn around the waist. Of course not just American tourists use them, but Brits, Germans, and who knows who else. These packs are quite vulnerable to pickpockets, so not the greatest idea for that reason. The aesthetics are not that big a deal, in my opinion, unless you are somehow seeking to wow the local populace with your fashion sense.
http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en...pack&gbv=2

These differ from moneybelts, which are thin pouches meant to be concealed under clothing.

I agree. Who Cares. While in Europe last year, the natives dressed worst than most tourist. Like the Frenchman I saw with red shorts and lime green tennis shoes.

I made my self comfortable by wearing tennis shoes. No body noticed.

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=1259

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...p;conn_speed=1

>>perhaps you do not know that fanny in English means rear end? <<

In American. Not in English.

WillTravel: yes i forgot that 'fanny' packs though i think perhaps originally meant to be worn on the fanny like long-distance racers and bikers may do are usually worn around the stomach.

Patrick - in Olde English what would 'fanny' mean, if anything?

dgssa, your photographs are stunning!

I agree about the sneakers, people wear them all over Europe. In fact I usually buy some when I am there, such as superga, etc.

From my dictionary online:

fanny - external female sex organs; "in England `fanny' is vulgar slang for female genitals"

My American dictionary defines fanny as "buttocks"

but the English meaning is more appropriate for women who wear these in the front perhaps.

In fact in American English - the English franca of the world - Fanny is a not all uncommon name for a woman, like in Fanny Mae

Thanks SeaUrchin!

Fanny is a slang word for the female genitalia, not to be used in polite company.... be careful when in the UK as it could be embarrassing, although I think many people DO realise the US meaning is different. A fanny pack is known as the bum bag (bum meaning the backside over here)

Reminds me of the snort from an Aussie when he heard about the baseball song Take Me Out to the Ball Game where we'll "root root root for the home team"...cultural difference can be quite funny.

I always found the French word "piscine" for swimming pool kind of appropriately named

okay, so fanny pack wasn't the best terminology. I used to just call them pouches (like a kangaroo), but was assured that fanny pack was the correct name for them...

OK, thanks for the answer, WillTravel We call them here in Spain "riñonera" (translated would be like "kidney bag" ).
PalenQ, no, I didn't know it My slang skills are zero !!

Hmm... would the same go for Croc's? I wouldn't be caught dead in them, but you know someone is going to ask.