Let him take his boots, but pack him a pair of comfortable walking shoes he can change into when his dogs start barking. There is a big difference between wearing a pair of shoes/boots all day long at home and when you are touring and pounding the pavement in Europe.

There is nothing worse on vacation than sore feet. And he's going to slow you down when he starts hobbling around in his boots.

This thread makes me think of my first trip to Rome with my boyfriend. We were in a shoe store which was a little busy, and my friend, who is about 6'3" and not dressed at all in any western attire, was trying to get the clerks attention. He wasn't being overly aggressive, but the clerk told him - "Hold on there, Cowboy". I guess it's just their image of a tall American male.

Thanks for the information,some of it anyway.LOL
My husband refuses to get a pair of walking shoes so if his feet get sore he can buy something on the trip. He is so proud I doubt he will do it. The only shoes he has other than boots are white sneakers that he wears a few times a year with shorts so they probably aren't worth taking and I don't think he would wear them anyway.

Venice is home to a well-known, handsome doll retailer. He sells some of the finest artisan dolls available. When he and his lovely lady friend go for their evening stroll, all eyes are on them. Not only are they a stunningly handsome couple in their 30's, they both dress to the nines in well-tailored, casual Italian clothing. I'm not sure what brand of jeans he wears but, OH, is the fit divine. What are on his feet, you ask? One of the finest pairs of cowboy boots I've ever seen. The spurs sparkle when hit by the setting sun.

Now, there's no mistaking this couple as "stylish Italian." They scream Italian. Plus, they're well-known locals in the community. Nobody would dare criticize his fashion sense because he's drop-dead gorgeous and wears his fashion with terrific aplomb. Some people can make a potato sack look chic.

Oftentimes, it's not the item you wear but, rather, how you wear it. Or, how poorly it wears you.

I suggest going first to Switzerland.
Take the train to the Jungfraujoch.
Walk the snow trail to the Mönchjochhütte for lunch. If that does not convince him that high heels are a problem, nothing will.

I can see it now, tromping a mile along a groomed snow track in high heels.
The spurs might actually be an advantage there beause they would slow up snow penetration.

After the Jungfrau, head for Versailles. That walk across the cobblestone courtyard in high heels. That walk, though short, is dicey even in flat soled shoes.

One thing about the boots, if he is around the Eiffel Tower and that hotshot on the skateboards comes at him, he will be better equipped to give the board a boot unlike the middle aged French lady I saw. She gave the guy's board the best kick she could, but Mia Hamm she was not.

I wear hiking boots a lot, even on tours, because we are constantly in and out of the bus going over rough terrain. I see little difference between the two, except hiking boots have lug soles for gripping on surfaces that offer poor footing. I am not sure what cowboy boots do; they never struck me as being functional for much else besides riding a horse where you need protection and your high heels to prevent your feet from sliding though the stirrups.

I think you should pack the sneakers anyway.

I have a picture that we took of my father at the end of his first week in London. He is sitting in a chair in the apartment we rented with his feet soaking in a bucket of water with this miserable "are we going home yet" look on his face.

We tried to warn him ahead of time that he would do a ton of walking and that he should start trying to walk more to get used to it. But would he listen? Noooooooooo! (And he was wearing comfortable walking shoes!!) The picture is priceless! E-mail me if you want me to send you a copy.

First of all, what exactly is wrong with being identified as an American? Where do people get this idea that they are going to have a problem traveling to Europe if someone discovers they are American? What a ridiculous notion. Second, what exactly does an American look like? I’m as American as they come, but in traveling all over Europe, I’ve been mistaken by some locals and even tourists as being French, Italian, Greek and Turkish. Finally, there is nothing wrong with cowboy boots. I’ve seen them worn all over Europe, and not just by American tourists. As for being a fashion faux pas, you’re more likely to run into that kind of elitist snobbery from someone in the US than you would in Europe. For someone who wears them all the time, they are actually quite comfortable despite what some people may think. If your husband is comfortable wearing them, then by all means he should wear them.

I live in Wyoming and have been to Europe numerous times. I've seen cowboy boots worn there, but not all that often. The walking could become uncomfortable though. I don't think it's necessarily true that we are always spotted as Americans. I have had Europeans come up to me speaking French when I was in Italy in Spain. I try to wear darker colors, no blue jeans, or something I've bought locally. Let him buy shoes locally if the boots don't work out. Enjoy.

<i>...I can only hope that Europeans know the difference between a sophisticated yankee and a ******** ****** ************ *************** ************ ********** ************* **************!!!!&quot;</i>

Now there's a broad statement left open to interpretation! The possibilities are endless!

Mveet

Were you referring to Howard Dean's primal scream?

Boots are fine as long as he takes off his spurs in bed and leaves his horse outside.

I just don't see what all the fuss is about. The principal concern seems to be that the guy will be sorry if he wears &quot;uncomfortable&quot; coboy boots. Here is a news bullitin for those who do not wear them; they can perhaps be the most comfortable footwear you can own. I wore them for many years while working and traveling all over the world. My wife and I met Country-Western dancing, and both of us danced up a storm in them for many a long evening in perfect comfort.

Now, I must admit, they are not suitable for all occasions - though I have worn them with a Tux to Congessional dinners when there was to be dancing at the ball afterwards. I would suggest hiking boots would be more appropriate for climbing the Matterhorn, as one of you discussed.

We are not talking about hiking here. We are talking about walking about relatively civilized cities. I'll bet the guy does that in his cowboy boots all the time. As a matter of fact, trying to break in a new pair of &quot;walking&quot; shoes on a European trip sounds a perfect way to end up with swollen and blisterd feet.

He should go with his comfortable, well broken in, and friendly cowboy boots. An advantage would be that if a snotty European says, &quot;Americans are too dumb to pour piss out of a boot with directions printed on the heel.&quot; --- he can demonstrate just how wrong they are!

Traveling to Europe soon and this is the ONLY post you've ever submitted???

Well HA!

You did sucker a lot of replies!

I think it's okay in Western Europe.

(Sorry. Slow day at the office.)

ET, I was referring to the way Extra Terrestrials communicate telepathically !

I just HAD to reply to this....I've actually only read about 15 of the responses but what I read I really liked.
I completely stopped reading fodors a few years ago because of the snotty people on this forum-if you did not try to look like a Parisean you were nothing! &quot;Don't wear this, don't wear that, do wear this, do wear that&quot;...
I never understood it...and yes, I read all the reasons they gave.
Yet, we travel to see other cultures. So, why not let those in other countries see OUR culture. Yes, I know they see plenty on tv but so what? If they are so ashamed of the USA they can move to Paris, or whatever.
Sorry, I had to vent.
And, thanks for not being snotty people!
Whew, I feel better now....
Shadow

If mine were more comfy, I'd wear them everywhere.
M

Will this thread grow to the size of the &quot;Vikings&quot; thread?

It's getting harder and harder to come up with something funny and clever, don't you think so?

Cripe, now I have to do a search for the Viking Thread?!