A national shoe fetish

Wonder what Google searches I'll get with that title? In a break from knitting, I give you the following true story:

I am not shoe addicted as some, as I am extremely tenderfooted, hence the need for comfy shoes as pictured on the left. I don't know how I was blessed with such namby pamby sensitive footsies. I live in Canada, but for years, my only footwear purchases were done in the good ole US of A. Chuck didn't understand, saying, " There are 30 million people in Canada, certainly they must have shoes for sale up here." Well, you know what, dear husband of 25 years as of next week?  They might have them here in the True North, but why then, do so many people cross the border to buy them?

It's all about selection and price, Not just women, mind you, I just came back from Black Friday weekend at a U.S. outlet mall, and there were an awful lot of shoe boxes and old shoes discarded in the parking lot. Vans, Adidas, Nine West, you name it. Shoe boxes in the parking lot - a telltale sign of Canadians in the midst. Supposedly the favourite smuggle-able item of cross border shoppers, next to gas. We have a reputation of keeping our shoes in spotless, as good as new, ah hem, condition. Of course that's a north bound reputation. Those US border guards think we have the stinkiest, well worn footwear on earth.

So, I'm at the Bass outlet with my favourite cross border shopper, Lynn. We do a yearly Christmas shopping trip together. Forgetting it was US Thanksgiving weekend until the last minute (bad American citizen points for me - is it my imagination or did they time Turkey Day early this year?), we proceeded anyway, strategically timing our crossings. Did you know that some Canadian shoppers wanted needed shoes so badly that they waited 3.5 hours on a border lineup to return to our shoeless country?

Lynn had met her patriotic south of the border shopping obligations by buying two pairs plus slippers by the time she had reached the Bass store. I was making my mortgage payment at Jones New York before meeting her. Arriving at Bass, I could see Lynn, through the window, fondling the leather. She was in good company, judging by the number of British Columbia license plates in the parking lot. I snuck in, sinking into the sock racks so as not to be noticed by the shoppers. I took a deep breath, and in my best authoritative voice, projecting as I was trained to, in the old fashioned days when theatre was done without those microphones attached to one's face, I proclaimed "STEP AWAY FROM THE SHOES."

There was a store-wide collective gasp, followed by a meek voice, a complete stranger, "I wasn't going to buy any, I've already bought four pairs...eh?"

A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

A little something for you dog lovers: What breed are you? Go on, you always wanted to know. Come back and share your results.

Comments

[Monika]

That's hilarious! I like your sandals. I'm a Birki gal myself, all the time, year round. :o)

[Melody Elzy]

OMG...'step away from the shoes'. That is priceless...I couldn't laugh like I wanted to as everyone is still asleep, but thank you for my morning humor.
I too am looking forward to the machine...I can't wait...I'll have to send you the link for the blog with the wicked cool blankets...they are so neat.

[Jane]

Where's the price tag so we can see what kind of bargin you got? That's funny about all the empty boxes in the parking lot! All you would find in the airport parking lot in Vancouver after a visit from me would be empty boxez of Catsup chips. hee! hee!

[Jo]

I was a Great Dane. I'm a little surprised - I was expecting something more terrier-ish.

[LeiLani]

I'm in the middle of my second herringbone scarf - love it - but had to take time to see waht breed I am. A great dane!!! Our favorite dog of all time was our wonderful dane - noble, sweet-tempered, funny and cuddly, oh, and able to suck down a whole loaf of bread in the blink of an eye!!! Yep, I could be a great dane!

[Dorothy]

Well dang it all! I drove by the Bass outlet at least twice on Black Friday. We should have met up. I am a Golden Retriever - exactly what I would have guessed. I've always wanted one, but our house is a little on the small side. But hey - you didn't share what breed YOU are!

[Chris]

Shoe lover here!!!! I once owned 86 pair of shoes and 15 pair of boots. Hubster was not happy when he married me and had to move and store them all. They took up 3 closets at our home. Now I am done to about 30 pair total. I gave up the 3"-5" heels when I married, Hubster is 4" shorter. And my feet just don't want to wear heels anymore!

I am a Golden Retriever. natch!

[Maureen]

Apparently I'm a Great Dane....ummm. Kristen declared Vancouver a 'dress free zone' last month. The two of us made a jaunt down to the outlet malls and ultimately Nordstroms in Bellevue just to find THE dress for the boat cruise. Who knew Vancouver was a city lacking in such things as shoes and dresses ;) PS-got a few gift wrappers ready to go - I'll point them to your office to sign up.

[Ellen]

Here I am, chuckling at the irony of being a Great Dane, when I see that there are already several in your readership.
(I may have to try again and use the other answers I had a hard time choosing between.) I would have loved doing Black Friday with you... I miss shopping with a "woman after my own heart." I also miss you.

[Chris]

I also bought shoes in the States just recently - I paid $85 US (on the day our dollar was the highest)for a pair of my favourite runners which cost me $175 Cdn in Nanaimo. I'll definitely be shopping for shoes in the US again!

[Angie]

I am also surprised to be a Great Dane. Maybe it's a knitter thing. Dr. Stanley Coren has a great book called "Why We Love the Dogs We Do" that is meant to match personalities to breeds. In that I'm a labrador which is why my lab is such a good fit.
I tried to resist "Buy Nothing Day" but it was our annual craft crawl.
Lucky you for finding "real" shoes. I have resigned myself to only one pair of Naots this year until my feet heal a bit.

[josie]

Hi there,
Came over from Quiddity and I'd love your Herringbone scarf pattern--beautiful!

Thanks

[benne]

Oh, I'm a Great Dane!? Funny, I would have sworn I'd be a German Shepherd. I saw news coverage of your fellow Canadians shopping and stripping down and leaving all their old clothes and shoes in parking lots.

I'd love to have a copy of your Herringbone Rib Scarf pattern. I have a guy who needs a scarf for Christmas and the pattern is great.

[Beverly]

Found your Herringbone Rib Scarf on Ravelry. I'd love to have the pattern. Thanks in advance for sending it to me!

[Alexandra]

Hi there and Happy Holidays. I love your Herringbone Scarf Pattern!! Please send a copy of your free pattern to debra_76@hotmail.com. Thanks so much!! Alexandra in Minnesota

[Mo]

Hi - I would love a copy of your Herringbone Rib Scarf pattern! Please oh please :) Turns out I am a beagle which is ironic since I never met a beagle I liked. :-/

[Michelle]

I also have a shoe fetish because I have wierd feet due to rheumatoid arthritis so it's very hard to find shoes that fit and yet are stylish. So I feel your pain of having to travel to find shoes! Bass actually has awesome shoes that fit and are comfortable!

[Chris]

I would love to get a copy of your Herringbone Scarf Pattern - I just saw it at Quiddity! Thanks. :)

[Angela]

Hello--I too saw your Herringbone Rib Scarf on Ravelry, and would love to get a copy of the pattern...I have two skeins of Manos sitting here just begging to be knit. :-) Thanks much.

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

Is anyone anything other than a Great Dane or a Golden Retriever? Don't they know any other breeds? I came up as a Golden Retriever, too.

[sandy]

YAY! more herringbone scarf takers!! :D I'm a big fan, as you know!!
I am, if you'd like to know, a Great Dane! It called me flighty. Perhaps they are right!
xoxoxo

[Beth]

I seem to be a golden retriever. Probably a good guess. What are you?

[Donnameche]

I'm a Golden Retriever. How do I tell my 2 Westies -Dundee and Aberdeen? Would love to have your Herringbone Rib Scarf pattern - still time for Christmas gift.

[Kristen]

Golden Retriever here.
After bouts with heel spurs, my shoes are all about comfort now, as long as they are not too dorky looking. Sneakers, Birkenstocks, Crocs, Merrells, Clarks are among the favorites.

[Rosie]

Hi: What fun that test was. I came out as a Great Dane... like Jane did. Great Dane's are one of my favoite breeds and on the list to own one day.
I loved the shoe story. Can't you buy on-line at Zappos.com?