I got the message that white running shoes are a no-no in Italy. That's O.K. with me. However, what about kids. We are planning on travelling with them, and they don't wear anything but. Will they stand out?

Why should sneakers be a no-no in Italy? I spent a month there and wore them everyday. Very comfy for long-distance walking and sightseeing.<BR>Seems like boys in Italy wear addidas too.

I think on American adults they would look pretty dorky and be an obvious clue to your nationality; on your kids, I think they would be fine.

Marbie,wear what you want, be comfortable and dont worry about other people opinions.. Italians are too busy with their own life and I dont think that they spend their valuable time watching what the Tourists are wearing!! Just enjoy yourself, and have a faboulous time in the land of love.

<BR>I wear white tennis shoes all the time.StCirq are you calling me Dorky? Are you afraid to singled out as an American?<BR>I would stay home in that case.

dorky? that one made me spit diet coke all over my computer screen

If your kids won't wear anything in Italy but white sneakers, then I'd say they'll stand out!

At least make them wear sunscreen with their white sneakers.

I wore white sneakers in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Poland and was never ridiculed. In Germany, I was asked directions in the subway in German. I guess my white tennies, fanny pack, and backpack didn't mark me as an American. Who knew?!? I say be comfortable and don't worry about it! (But do cover those knees and shoulders if you want to see the inside of any church in Italy - even if it's 100+ degrees! They won't let you in if you're wearing shorts or a short skirt.)

When I was in Germany last summer, every restaurant we went in automatically gave us an English menu. I didn't think we were THAT obvious but my friend (who lived there) said the tennis shoes were a dead giveaway. Who knew??? Not this dorky American. After a few days, I could pick out every other American for myself!

I read and read about the give away tennis shoes and how it gives us away as Americans....and I started thinking...when there are European tourists in town you can also spot them right away. Not because they are sooooo well dressed, but because they look different. So what?!?!? We look different, they look different, if we all looked alike and our countries all looked the same, there wouldn't be any interestes in seeing each other's countries. Let's relax and not be so afraid that Europeans might make fun of us, because frankly, the same could happen here when Europeans are tourists, some of their outfits are laughable. So, moral..let's just be ourselves and enjoy visiting each other's countries!<BR>

Italians wear sneakers of all different colors. Wear what you are comfortable in!

Sunday afternoon I took a walk with my mom in Piazza Duomo, in Milano. We had fun looking at the American tourist shoes. LOADS of american tourists, al dressed too well for Italy, all wearing shoes that shouted &quot;I would really like be able to wear sneakers but I have been told that I can't&quot;. Very recognizable in a crowd of Italians (almost) all wearing our own favorite spring and fall kind of shoes: sneakers!

Here is my 2 cents worth:<BR><BR>Cent 1: Wearing sneakers in Italy is an affront to the Italians. They do not wear sneakers, and as the saying goes, &quot;when in Rome......&quot; In addition, you will also be singled out as an American.<BR><BR>Cent 2: Millions of Europeans wear sneakers every day, so what difference does it make if a few American tourists do also. And, why doesn't anyone say that those Euro tourists who invade my hometown every year should take off their weird looking pants? (dead giveaway that they are Euros). And, if you are comfortable in sneakers....do as you please.

Okay, I'm an American living in England and have travelled extensively all over Europe. DON'T wear white sneakers. Black sneakers are fine, navy blue is fine, etc, but glaring white sneakers are horrible and set you apart from the rest. Especially with a dressy outfit. It's just not done here and believe me, you don't want to look completely stupid. It's easier to blend in, avoid pickpockets, not be taken avantage of if you look like you are familiar with the area.<BR><BR>Just don't do it! I can't tell you how embarassed of my fellow Americans I am when I see dress clothes and glaring white sneakers! Buy some Eccos, Rockports, docksiders, etc. --- All are comfortable to walk in.

Howad, I am an italian woman, working in an Italian office with four (today we are four) Italian colleagues. Nobody in thi office today is wearling any kind of shoes but sneakers. That Italiands do not wear sneakers is a legend, nothing but a legend. As my above post goes, last Sunday the only people (men and women) who were not wearing sneakers (except for a few elderly women and two too tall and too thin models) in Piazza Duomo (milan) were either immigrants (lots of russian immifrants whith those horribile pointed shoes!) and American tourists (all wearling the same kind of light brown walking shoes).

I live in So. California and I dont wear running shoes around here except when I am at a gym, or shopping at a market on a weekend. I dont like to ruin the looks of an outfit with white running shoes, even if they are comfortable, there are so many other shoe designs and colors that you can wear and still look nicely dressed.<BR> <BR>It all depends on what is important to you, it is perfectly fine to wear white running shoes if it doesn't bother you to look like Minnie Mouse (just kidding).

I'm sorry, I see your question is about children wearing white sneakers, of course it is ok for a child to wear them.

John,<BR>White tennies? You are dorky! Not that there's anything wrong with that.did you ever hear the expression &quot;When in Rome.........<BR>JoeG

<BR>JOEG<BR><BR>See Alice_Twain post above!!!!