How come American tourist wearing white tennis shoes are frowned upon?

You know, I've read it time and time again and mostly from the Europeans that we stand out like a tourist in our big white tennis shoes. Should I wear a turbin, a dot on my forhead and a komono and really confuse you?





P.S I am an American, I wear tennis shoes and I am a tourist. Can you accept it?

How come American tourist wearing white tennis shoes are frowned upon?
Well I have no problems with white tennis shoes...





Anyway it's a fashion thing, don't worry about it too much and be yourself :)





But if you want to really confuse us, go ahead and try, you will see many smiles!
Reply:if you're traveling in the tropics and you're wearin' that,that really would be inappropriate coz it won't fit the climate here.i think it's just that.no need to enmesh yourself with the local culture that much (wear a turbin, a dot on my forhead and a kimono).


no problem with me if you still choose to wear white tennis shoes after this.


what you wear is your personal call.
Reply:I am an American living in Europe (Ireland and Greece) for the last 10 years. I am sometimes embarrassed by loud, brash Americans in overly colorful clothes.


Changing your shoes will make little difference in your identity. Being a traveler interested in learning about what you see and experience including the history and culture behind the differences will create goodwill for all Americans.
Reply:I don't think it's frowned upon for Americans (or anyone else for that matter) to wear tennis shoes, but it does make you stand out like a peacock in the snow.





The question if 'we' can accept it is quite irrelevant until you tell me if it would make a difference if 'we' couldn't. :-)
Reply:It's not the shoes it's the attitude attached to the person that has the shoes on.





But in all honesty big white tennis shoes do stand out cause in you'll never see a european wearing them more out of being fashion foward than being a snooty european. And face it... white tennis shoes aren't exactly fashionable.
Reply:Maybe they realize its past labor day????



sunburn