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...)