Why tuples use parentheses ()'s instead of something else like <>'s?

[Roy Smith]

In article <cqvd3u$p9e$1 at panix3.panix.com>, aahz at pythoncraft.com (Aahz) 
wrote:

> In article <roy-4BF62D.16034829122004 at reader1.panix.com>,
> Roy Smith  <roy at panix.com> wrote:
> >In article <33gjr1F3siliuU1 at individual.net>,
> > Reinhold Birkenfeld <reinhold-birkenfeld-nospam at wolke7.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> >>+<< being an operator
> >
> >Looks more like a smiley for "guy wearing a bowtie"
> 
> You know Ben Yalow?

I once had a physics professor named Aaron Yalow, but I can't say I know 
any Ben Yalow.