Feet First
Sometimes when I’m on the subway I’ll notice someone’s shoes and think about saying something to the well-heeled commuter. But most of the time I stop myself, because what’s the etiquette? You don’t want to seem weirdly overenthusiastic; you don’t want to appear too covetous; you don’t want to stare; and you don’t want to invade the person’s space.
Alas, some people have some really bad manners.
But seriously… I mean, I’ve had people comment on my shoes, and most of the time, it’s in passing, I say thank you (because what do you say?), and we pass like two ships in the night. Other times I’ve been quizzed, and I’m always happy to say exactly where I got it and when and if it’s on sale now. (Though if it’s just a passing compliment I won’t volunteer all that information. Don’t want to seem too weirdly overenthusiastic, after all.)
And then there was the time that I made a new friend. I was on my way home from Bergdorf’s, weighed down by two big shopping bags worth of shoes (and one pair was on my feet!), when a friendly blonde opened the conversation with, “So you made out well!”
Now on most occasions, that could go either way. Weird or friendly? But she looked innocent enough, so we started chatting. Next thing you know I was offering to go shopping with her. We shopaholics can spot one another from a mile away… the shoes give us away!
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May 19th, 2006 13:13
I am a very shy person and usually won’t speak to someone I don’t know, but on occasion, if I’m in the elevator at work or something, and I see a fellow passenger who is wearing a really great pair of shoes, I can’t help myself, and “I love your shoes!” just comes tumbling out of my mouth.
May 20th, 2006 10:29
I usually don’t say anything, either, even if I am dying to know where she got them. I have the same problem with hair. I’ll see someone with a really cute hairstyle, and I’ll want to say “can I take your picture so I can show it to my stylist?”, but can you imagine? I would be the ultimate freak! Too bad though, because I tend to see cuter stuff in real life than I ever see in magazines or those horrible hair books.
May 21st, 2006 13:07
Love the shoes — (hopefully this does not sound weirdly overenthusiastic). And loved the book too! Hooray Eliot!
May 21st, 2006 15:25
I think it’s worth saying “Nice Shoes!” and adding a little enthusiasm. If one is feeling outgoing, then a smile isn’t out of order. It makes people feel good, and offers us an opportunity to connect with others for no real reason at all. I love it when people compliment my shoes.
The other day, I was in Nordstrom shopping for Chloé bags. I wore a red t-shirt, a silly Benetton jacket, Union peglegs, and Gucci ballerina flats
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446133635&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492048029&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1148076017970&ev19=2:15
(though I got them in off white)
and I was complimented on the jacket, the jeans and the shoes by three different sales assistants within the space of about thirty minutes. Mind you, they’re probably told to flatter potential customers who mill around pondering the putchase of an $1800 bag, but just the same, I felt good.
Incidentally, I went to Chloé store at South Coast Plaza yesterday, and bought this:
http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/13288
though in a chalk white, not the whisky/cognac color pictured.
I was beside myself with glee. I didn’t dare change out my handbags IN the store, lest I look too eager, but after I’d gotten out of sight of the store, I slinked into the nearest restroom and stealthily made the switch and strode out of there just thrilled with myself.
May 21st, 2006 15:29
Nicely done, e! Love the Chloe bag!!! I applaud your making the switch right outside the store; as you know I would’ve had to check the weather forecast for days before daring to bring out a new bag. Then again, you live in sunny SoCal and I’m in (presently) rainy NYC — actually it’s worse than that, it’s sunny one minute and rainy the next. Oh the anxiety that creates!!