Sneakers in Paris
 

When we travel, we wear comfortable, broken-in, fairly new, clean sneakers for touring days. I've heard there are NO white sneakers worn by Parians. Normally, I'm not concerned about my footwear, but just wanted to see if anyone else had noticed this. <BR>Thanks.

Of course, you may wear white broken-in sneakers! Who looks at peoples feet anyway - is this a joke? <BR>

Judging from the long threads concerning 'appropriate dress' in Italy and France, I don't think it's a joke. Or at least some people take it rather seriously. Everyone has a different opinion on what's appropriate ..... I don't even want to get into it!

karen, <BR>the whole thing revolves around "looking like a tourist"! IMO, the comfort of your feet is much more important. <BR> <BR>i have seen suggestions that if you must wear tennis shoes and worry about standing out, wear black ones...they aren't as noticeable. <BR> <BR>whatever!!

I recently returned from Paris and I agree that foot comfort is much more important. You will be doing a lot of walking! The Parisians that you see that are wearing stylish or dressy shoes, are not touring the city like you, and therefore are not doing as much walking. If they were visiting America, I'm sure that they would be wearing worn in comfy shoes. I live near Washington DC, and a lot of the European tourists that I see there are wearing tennis shoes! If you are really concerned, however, black tennis shoes are a good idea, or something like Rockport or Easy Spirit sandals.

At the "tourists" sites, there are plenty of sneakers, sandals, black, or white, or Nike or Reebok. At the sites, wear what is comfortable. No one will notice anywayl

It's true that the Parisians do not wear sneakers unless they are working out or playing a sport. They do not consider them street shoes. On the other hand, you will see plenty of white or other color sneakers worn by all manner of tourist. I like to dress a little more like the locals, if possible, whenever I travel. I think i helps to break down some barriers and you may get more friendly treatment if they don't have you pegged as an American Tourist before you even walk through the door. To that end, I generally wear skirts and flat, comfortable sandals in the summer. Men should wear slacks, never short pants (considered to be children's clothing). Other times of year, I'll wear comfortable low pumps with a skirt or slacks. Aerosoles makes an excellent shoe for this purpose.

We were in Paris for two weeks in June, our umpteenth trip. The ONLY folks wearing (mostly brand new) white sneakers were American tourists who looked as though they were headed to the local mall or McDonald's for the afternoon rather than exploring the most beautiful and historical city on the planet. I would mention (at the risk of being lambasted unmercifully) that said brand new white sneakers were almost exclusively sported by American tourists who were also considerably (and then some) overweight, wearing fanny packs as well, didn't bother to learn even a few words of French, yet fully expected that their every request would be understood and accomodated. Many, apparently, arrived without a map or having read a single tour guide in preparation for their trip. I would suppose that many folks haven't a care about their personal appearance (in that, let's face it, they've given up entirely) and haven't a clue that this may affect the reception they receive everywhere they go. These people disregard the fact that one can be very comfortably (shoes and all) dressed and look very nice and most presentable as well. Dressy chinos are just a comfortable as jeans (and dry much faster should you wish to rinse them out) and there are many shoes (Naturalizer Milleniums are FAR more comfortable than my previously beloved Reebok "walkers".) Note also that Parisians do not wear shorts! For one thing, there are very few days they'd be useful, and (I'm referring to men, here), they are simply not "flattering". Who can enjoy a meal at a table on a lovely outdoor terrace with big hairly legs and knobby knees on the man (not to be confused with "gentleman" seated at the next table. YUCK! Not to be forgotten is that 1) Paris is the fashion capital of the world; and 2) Parisian women are expert at looking chic, appealing, desirable, attractive, etc., and they don't do this in sneakers. If your appearance is of no concern to you, anything goes. You'll stand out, but you won't be alone. You probably won't even notice the special smirk the Parisians have for all the "tacky" American tourists. I think, perhaps, they rather enjoy the laugh. But, if you want to "blend" everywhere you go and hear "It is my pleasure to serve you, Madame", rather than be received with a blank (often purposefully) look, it would behoove you to dress nicely. More important than your footwear, though, is your "fitness". You'll be far more self-conscious of this than what's on your feet. If you are not slim and trim, what's on your feet won't matter a bit. Size 12 may be the "average" in America (on a 5'2" female), but this is NOT the "average" in Paris. And, if you've also packed your "finds" at Marshall's, including those gorgeous color blocked nylon jogging suits in "jewel" colors, which are ever so "comfortable", to go along with your "fairly new" sneakers and fanny pack, and haven't bothered to read a tour guide, bring a map, or learn some phrases in French, well, you'll probably have a pretty good time of it anyway, but report that the "French are rude" and otherwise inhospitable and "hate Americans". What is most "noticeable" throughout the world is one's self respect, or, sadly, lack thereof. Here in America, folks seem to have given up all aspirations of personal appearance, character, and courage. We've become a society of slobs, with regard to our morals and personal appearance... "Anything goes" and should not be subject to "judgment" or "criticism". Well, as I mentioned above, you won't be shot or imprisoned for wearing your "fairly new, clean sneakers" in Paris, and you'll likely do just fine in spite of same, and, best of all, you'll never know what you missed by not presenting yourself in a more gracious and respectful manner.

Dye them black or brown, they'll stand out less, and won't look as tacky. <BR> <BR>Personally, I think you should look into buying a comfy pair of walking shoes or something. Sneakers aren't that versatile (can't be worn to dinner, for example). Sandals are good, but buy a well made pair- my cheapish Puma ones rubbed my feet like hell. <BR> <BR>PS. Mum bought a leather clog type thing in Italy a few years ago, and now wears them everywhere, even for long walks.

Maybe it's too early in the morning, and I'm irritable, but a couple of the responses, especially Katie's has finally struck a nerve. When Americans are abroad, we *are* tourists. And even if we speak the language, as soon as we open our mouths, we identify ourselves as Americans. There is nothing wrong with being an American tourist. I will repeat that: There is nothing wrong with being an American tourist. I agree with some of the criticisms. We should try to learn some phrases in the country in which we are travelling and use them as much as possible. We should learn some nuances of customs, so that we do not unknowingly offend people. We should at all times try to be polite (but so should we at home). But to quibble about clothing style?....C'mon now. There is a smug and snobbish feeling to posts like Katie's. And, frankly, as someone who has travelled widely and worked and lived in another country, I'm a bit offended by the tone. What makes Parisian styles superior to American styles? That has nothing to do with human decency and politeness. If they want to laugh at our clothes, let them. They would probably look just as out of place in one of our settings. And, you know, I can't recall ever hearing someone, outside of rude children and insecure adolescents, make fun of tourists in America because their clothing style is different. I avoid wearing shorts when I am in a Muslim country, but in that case, it's not a matter of style;it's a matter of not wanting to offend religious sensibilities. But when I am in Europe, if I want to, I will wear sneakers. If certain Europeans don't like it, or people like Katie don't like it, too bad.

We do notice - and we will alter our behaviors to you in response to what we think you expect or deserve.

When you go to Paris, you are a tourist, and you are on vacation. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. Personally, I believe that how you behave is more important than what you wear. As it was mentioned, you don't see people in Paris wearing sneakers because they aren't touring the city. They are going about their daily lives, including going to the office. I have mentioned on other threads that I am a docent at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. I get all different types of people on my tours, and many, many, foreigners, including the French. And guess what? They are not dressed up. They are wearing shorts and sneakers, not to blend in with Americans, but because they are comfortable and on vacation. I have seen some of the most outlandish outfits on people other than Americans. At the end of the day, I can't tell you what exactly any particular person was wearing. But I can tell you who was ill-mannered and rude.

I was in Paris on the first of July. THE BIG shopping day, and joined the Parisans for the July sales. Honestly, I found the clothes in the stores rather unappealing. Shoes were great-no wonder Europeans don't wear sneakers. But, the clothing was not "chic" in my opinion. At least this season, clothing was rather dull colors, and all stretchy type material. Even my teenage daughter found this season's clothing as unappealing. We had also spent some time in Rome on this trip, and found the clothing much more interesting. At any rate, on that busy "shopping" day, rather than a "business" day, I saw on all types of clothing on the local people. Not really too many "shorts" but they were there. Plenty of white, flat canvas "sneaker" type shoes. Lately, I've been checking out what shoes people were wearing in our local mall while shopping, and I noticed that people here wear "sll" kinds of shoes as well-not just sneakers. If you are walking alot, wear something that won't give you blisters. I bring one pair of comfostable sandals, and one pair of Avia's (fit me the best), and I switch off when I have sore points on my feet. I tried to wear the sandals when I'm in the 'business" sections of a city, and the sneakers when I am at "touist" sites.

I'm with Rudy and Ilisa on this! <BR>This is ridiculous! To think that whether you wear white or black or brown or whatever tennis shoes is soooooooo immaterial!!! What is this? Do we want everyone in the world to look just alike? Again, it's how one carries oneself and treats other people that matter! If Odette and her buddys wish to be superficial and condoning because of the shoes one wears, so be it (a la "We do notice - and we will alter our behaviors to you in response to what we think you expect or deserve...."), but I think it's pretty sad. <BR>Actually, when I was living in Europe so many of the kids wanted to look "American", and here, seems like many want to be "Euro"... just goes to show... <BR>Just be yourself. <BR>

Oh yea...(sorry, I DO go on...) <BR> <BR>MUCH better you wear the 3 inch platform tennis shoes that are so much the rage in Europe...THAT way you won't look so wierd... <BR> <BR>(guess I woke up on the same side of bed as Ilisa....lol)

Who cares what they wear in Europe-you are an american! We created the jeans rage in Europe-remember. By the way, for night wear,I was a Rockport fan until I just got a pair of ecco's-WOW, what a great shoe.

Perhaps some of you feel that Katie's long soliloquy was a bit strident and perhaps too 'attacking'. Maybe it was, but some of her comments should be pondered, and so should some of the responses. First some of the responses. <BR>One indicated she was "snobbish and smug", and was offended by her tone! Another made comment about 'should we want everyone to look alike'? Another indicated how silly appearance considerations are, and that behaviour is more important. <BR>I too have travel exstensively throughout Europe and elsewhere, and my comments are a function of experience, not just philosophical opinion. <BR>Let's face it folks, whether one is an American, Japanese, Italian, or Morrocan national, we all are affected by the appearance of others and of ourselves! This is not smugness, this is not snobbery, this is human nature. When most of us see someone who is elegantly dressed or conversely sloppily dressed, don't each of us, rightly or wrongly, have our opinion of those people at least somewhat affected by that? Also, how one behaves of course is more important than how one dresses, but is not dress also a behavior? In the sixties I dressed outrageously as an older teenager (the era of the Vietnam war, major changes in cultural mores, etc.), and one of the reasons was to thumb my nose at the establishment. My clothing by definition was a behavior. And it did offend! Just as it was then as it is now, people have a right to dress as they wish, at least in this country, but I knew then as I do now that clothing does have an affect on others. <BR>Shorts in a mosque or in a church (especially overseas), jeans at most weddings, or a tuxedo at a barbeque all seem to be thumbing a nose at those around you. Sure you have a right to do this, but you should also expect others to judge you for doing so. <BR>I am not saying that sneakers or no sneakers are that important, or that jeans or no jeans will cause an international incident, but it is not snobbery or smugness to consider these things, or to discuss them. <BR>An arguement can be made that not caring about how one dresses as a tourist is snobbery or smugness in itself! <BR>My point is simply this: behavior includes many things including dress, people react to behavior both internally and externally, and if one believes that people should be treated with respect in their "home", then one should dress with that in mind, at least to some degree.

I don't know what the Parisians are wearing in Paris, but today in Provence, where many of them are, they are wearing all of the things people on this and other forums say they don't wear - shorts, t-shirts and sneakers. I suspect they are going for comfort in this heat, and they are on vacation. Feel free to take their lead.

I wasn't going to get involved in this one, but a couple of points should be made. <BR> <BR>I think you missed Odette's point ("We do notice - and we will alter our behaviors to you in response to what we think you expect or deserve."). Why would you expect anyone to treat you with respect when you present yourself in a way that indicates you have none (for yourself or for others)? <BR> <BR>Ron seems to get it. Dressing in a certain manner can be a fairly subtle form of passive aggression. <BR> <BR>This isn't about sneakers.

If "Sneakers in Paris" is not about sneakers in Paris...my mistake. <BR>I said nothing about those that dress slovenly or inappropriately or DISRESPECTFULLY. To me that is another subject altogether. But, if one wants to wear tennis shoes because they are comfortable while walking the city, fine. Who cares? I certainly would not dye them just in case it points me out as an American. (And, yes, I too have traveled extensively and have lived in Europe...Just be sure to take those white tennis shoes off before entering a Japanese home or going out to dine in a fine restaurant, etc...)

Can someone please tell me when sneakers became a sign of disrespect?

Ilisa: I guess that sneakers became a sign of disrespect about the same time that it became not only acceptable, but culturally superior, to treat people like dirt based on their appearance. <BR> <BR>Like you, I live in an area that has a lot of foreign tourists. I guess it's time for us to learn to be snotty to Germans wearing socks and sandals or Italians wearing lots of gold jewelry or Scandinavians wearing clothes in colors that you don't see around here. Not to mention Indians in saris. How dare they show such disrespect?

Silly me. And all this time I have been thinking that disrespect was not saying please and thank you and being courteous.

Just hang on to that perky, positive attitude, and no one will notice your feet!

<BR>KT, well said!

Katie really takes the cake. She sounds like one of those people who finds some sort of validation or security in running down her own country and imagining that some other culture or belief system is vastly superior. In the process of becoming a slavish sycophant, she only shows how insecure she is. <BR>Parisians are not some sort of superior race with uniformly exquisite taste and physical beauty, as well as bottomless bank accounts with which to adorn themselves. As I recall from my visit, there were plenty of middle-aged French men who dressed like semi-slobs; plenty of overweight middle-aged women; plenty of young people who tried their best to look like juvenile delinquent space aliens. To be sure, there were some in the tourist industry who tried to brightened their boring lives by acting imperious to the foreigners whose presence in their country paid their salaries. They are ALMOST as insecure as Katie. (At least they are chauvanistic about their OWN country.) Bottom line for me: dress how you would dress under similar circumstances in your own country, subject only to the religious or cultural taboos of the country you're in... and I'm not talking about Katie's taboo against white sneakers! So if you would wear your white sneaks to the public buildings and open spaces of Washington, DC, then wear them in the same sorts of places in Paris. As has been pointed out, you ARE a tourist; where's the shame of looking like one when it will be crystal clear anyway the moment you open your mouth. If your appearance makes Katie cringe with shame at being from the same country as you... I consider that a plus. Americans, I think, tend to be very solicitous to foreigners traveling in the US (except perhaps in New York where some people are rude for sport - just like some Parisians). When I hosted some Dutch teenagers a few months ago, I was pleasantly surprised at how many strangers struck up conversations with them totally out of the blue, genuinely interested in how they were enjoying their visit. (This was in Baltimore, which gets a fair number of tourists; not the boondocks.) And, yes, one of our guests wore socks under sandals one time, but I didn't notice anyone casting any "special smirks" [Katie's obnoxious words] his way.

Now, dammit, stop it, you guys. This thread has short-circuited some wiring in my brain, and I keep substituting Sneakers in Paris with the words and melody to Jimmy Buffett's Cheeseburger in Paradise, which in turn conjures up hordes of overweight Americans descending on Europe, their bellies hanging out from under yellow T shirts that say Party til You Puke.

Santa Chiara: <BR> <BR>But aren't their new sneakers nice?

Better than flip-flops, which one could blow out. Damn pop tops.

Janine, <BR>It's that perky, positive attitude that saves their "soles."

How about a store at the airport to dye sneakers to match your outfit (as with prom gowns)?

Yeah! Then "we" could dye our tennis shoes "jewel" colors and look really neat and put together and worthy of respect! Wonder if they can dye your fanny pack same color too! ... of course they would have to accept large size shoes since EVERYBODY knows that ALL American tourists are Fat! Maybe better make sure the sign's in English too since we're all stupid too...

I wish to add to the opinion expressed by KT, even though I know KT personally (she lays on MY couch with MY dog, giving MY dog ear scratchies). Working at UC Berkeley, I see all sorts of ethnicities walk into my office, and never once have I judged anyone by the appearance of their shoes!!! I wait for them to open their mouths before the judging begins. And Katie, your mouth is wide open with a big white sneaker stuck in it.

We had a French exchange student stay with us, and guess what? She along with her whoe group from Lyon wore tennis shoes!! It's true that a lot of European teenagers want the casual American look! Tennis shoes can look great with the right clothes.

YA know??? Now that I think about it... Albert Einstein DID look kinda scruffy!!! (wonder if he wore sneakers...)

Karen, <BR> <BR>By all means wear sneakers in Paris - but make sure they're black or navy. I'm not saying that for reasons of fashion, but for practicality. Those colours won't show the dirt. For the record, I've seen lots of European tourists walking around Sydney lately wearing sneakers, some of which are white. The Italians tend to wear high fashion ones, such as their local brand SuperGa. I remember about a year ago Prada brought out some casual footwear, some of which was white and very "sneakerish". <BR> <BR>As far as I am concerned, comfort is the most important factor, followed by ease of keeping clean and co-ordination with your travel wardrobe.

The definition of tourist is one who travels for pleasure. That's the definition. So, that renders a tourist a visitor. Not an excuse to "just be yourself", "wear what's comfortable", and disregard all respect for propriety. In Europe, the locals wear sneakers to play tennis, jogging suits while jogging, and parkas on the slopes. For sure, at the tourist attractions, anything goes. Once you wander away from the shops and restaurants at all those "touristy" places, though, it's a whole new world. Remember, you have seconds to make a "first impression" and how you're dressed makes a statement that cannot be forgiven later. How you're dressed definitely makes a difference in how you're received. If you're ignored in shops, told there are no tables available when there are plenty vacant in plain sight, and think everybody's being "rude" to you, look in the mirror. Being out and about (other than the tourist attractions) in Paris isn't like shopping in your local mall, or jumping in the car and heading to Burger King for dinner (as evidenced by the prices). On the other hand, if you got all dressed up and went to a nice restaurant in your town for a special dinner with your husband, and the restaurant was full of folks dressed in shorts and fairly new, clean sneakers, how would you react? Particularly if they brought their screaming baby and obnoxious kids along? And, I'm wondering - if you're not concerned about footwear, why are you asking? Of COURSE everyone has noticed this. I'm guessing you're hoping everyone will tell you your fairly new, clean sneakers are just fine.

Alright, I'll jump into the ring. I'm going to Paris this Fall. I'm taking black lug-soled gromitted boots that saved my buns in the cold at Rockefeller Center last December; Copper high heels for fancy restaurants in the evening that I usually wear when in San Francisco at business or social dinners; and Black sueded Arizona-knock-offs of my husband's Dexters that I last took to Rome because of their wonderful tread...you never feel the sidewalks. I decided AGAINST my platform white tennies because I though they'd look out of place in the Fall....they are ok in Summer or at the Beach. There.I've said it. Drawn my line in the sand. But my feet need the variation of footwear for 9 days of touring; even so I still come home with blisters. (Got my worst ones in Rome from tennis shoes!) -Cher

<BR>Ralph - <BR>Who said anything about screaming babies and obnoxious kids? That's covered in several other threads, as I recall. And who was suggesting that Karen go to a "nice restaurant" dressed in a jogging suit? But if, as you say, shopkeepers ignore customers because they are dressed in "tourist-casual", then the shopkeepers ARE being rude. As for not being seated in a restaurant with open tables, I suppose it makes a difference whether it's a cafe or a fine-dining temple of snootiness. I was in a rather nice restaurant in New York last week in which few of the men were wearing coats and ties at dinner (I WAS), and I wasn't offended in the least. I didn't notice the staff giving better service to the better-dressed customers either.

Ralph, Katie, Odette, et al: <BR> <BR>Are Parisians really that rude and unfair that they would not give you good service, even in shops, just because they don't approve of some items of clothing you have on? Why do you then rave so much about Parisians and Paris? France is one of the few western European countries I have not been to, and if your indirect depiction of Parisians is accurate, I think I will keep it that way.