Don't yell that out (Hi Jack!) near airport security!
Seriously Jack, when a teacher asks you to wear grey or white tights to class there is a reason. The grey or white allows the muscles of the legs to be seen better, therefore allowing the teacher the ability to correct your subtle mistakes.
In many Russian schools, the males start out in black tights, then move to blue, then grey. Often the best guys move onto white. This is also true in some American schools. When you wear black, there is a problem with contrast, and the muscles don't show off well.
You should be proud your teacher wants you to wear grey or white. To me, it means you are advancing to a higher level of ballet where your teacher wants to be able to see exactly how your legs are moving, so fine corrections can be made. It also means you have a teacher who cares about your ballet development, and who wants to make the corrections you need.
Don't worry about the girls in class who seem to be laughing or snickering...it's probably the first time they've seen a man up close who can show off his beautiful body through the art of ballet. In ballet, to progress and become danseurs, we guys need to be able to exhibit our bodies. It may seem strange to some, but the exposure is for our art. And despite the hours of hard work, the strain on our bodies, and the quick mind we male dancers need to become real danseurs, many will always think we are strange for performing in tights. But many will also appreciate what we do. Of those girls who giggle, one will ultimately need you to hold her while she turns, to raise her above your head, and to get the applause she needs.
Without the Prince on the stage, the ballerina is nothing!
balletboy[/i]