Shorts in Paris for men?...YES!

Okay David, welcome back. Glad the trip went well, I hope we on the Helpline Board helped a little.Since you've now done a trip to Europe, and since you seem to be interested in the topic, this Board hereby appoints you as:

Helpline Clothing Consultant par ExcellenceWith a Specialization in Whether or Not to Wear Shorts

The rest of us are glad to give up the job to you, we've become bored with this subject after 800 posts in the last 6 months.

Great, now I have 248 PM's.

David: No, no, no, we don't want to hear any complaints from you, the large number of Private Messages comes with the territory. You sought out the job and you are now The Man when it comes to advice on whether to wear shorts in Europe. The next 200 shorts questions/rants will be automatically rerouted to your Private Message box, sparing the rest of us.And remember: With great knowledge comes great responsibility.But, inquiring minds want to know: Did you make the Supreme Sacrifice and leave at home the Go Golden Gophers t-shirt and baseball cap? (it is Rochester Minnesota, right?)

Frankly I'm not too keen on seeing the bare legs of most (emphasis on "most") males over 17.

I second Norma's opinion.

If all the tourists were eating at 50 Euro per plate cafeterias would you? They probably were but I hope you weren't.

Just because most of the tourists are wearing shorts doesn't mean we all should. I was recently reading a primer on French culture. It had a section on how other countries stereotype the French and how the French stereotype others. There was actually an element of truth in the stereotypes both directions.

In Europe many small businesses, cafes, boutiques, etc. are family owned. Often the family lives in the space above the shop. Visiting a store is akin to visiting someone's home. It's more respectful to visit dressed appropriately. You will be treated with more respect in return. They won't chase you out for wearing shorts but if you want the good seat in the cafe, dress conservatively.

My French husband, who isn't exactly brand new, would never go into Paris wearing shorts..i finally convinced him that it's okay to go to the market wearing jeans and tee shirt...But for a tourist, i don't think it matters...You'll never see those people again, nor they you,...and thegovernments have not yet financed fashion police...Though Karl Lagerfield is now sponsoring the ad that requires we all have a yellow relective vest and red warning triangle in every car.

Well, some things change. I recently saw an "I Love Lucy" episode where Ethel was dressed in jeans. Or were they dungarees?! Lucy asked her if she'd been somewhere, and Ethel declared she'd NEVER go on the subway in blue jeans.

I think age is a factor, my french father has never to my knowledge worn short, LOL,,
but he is 74....

I have a feeling the average 20 yr old may in fact own and wear a few pairs of shorts occaisonally..

I also side with the other ladies,, shorts are not a good look for men,, LOL, totally unfair I know, but its the shoes with socks and then the shorts,, yikes, its not good guys.

There is only one thing worse,, and that is the SPEEDO,, now that is a can of worms I won't open.. LOL

having walked around Vienna and Salzburg in 90+ weather (felt like 100's with the humidity) I've changed my mind on the whole shorts dilemma. However I will say that the shorts Europeans wear seem longer than most shorts here; roughly down to the kneecaps or longer, as opposed to the mid-thigh ones more common at home.