Shoo Shoe

There is something about having to remove one's shoes on entering a home, that is ugly. Most people have door mats inside and out and unless their shoe soles are of the clumpy sneaker kind with cavernous abysses that collect mud on their revered plastic undersides, there is no need to take them off. Why then must one feel obligated. In some countries, it is traditional and expected, but in North America, removal is likely a tribute to the host's floor coverings rather than a deity. Therein lies the problem. Why put on floors, things like white carpets, mirror polished wood or scratch-able tiles? A floor is a floor and floors are meant to be walked upon unless one has wings. As a visitor who seldom complies with the current demand for shoe removal, I use the excuse while smiling broadly and pointing south, that these are my indoor shoes. After all, I wiped my shoe bottoms well on the little carpet item outside and inside, and there should be no undue offending substances remaining. Furthermore, why should I, after donning my best outfit to honour my host's invitation, go about in stocking feet to ruin the whole aesthetic effect. Nothing is more pathetic than a guest, desperately trying to hide mended socks under the couch ruffle or tablecloth edge. I have known during my travelling days, certain persons emphatically refusing to remove their shoes thus missing the most beautiful spiritual centers in the world. It indicates the limits of how embarrassing it is for some of us to go about padding around in our bare feet or lumpy socks when we paid for worthy and expensive foot coverings. I realize that there are the most elegant cabinets for one to plant in their foyers for the sole (couldn't help the pun) purpose of storing their shoes. There are styles for antique, contemporary and quirky shoe port shelves upon which you may sit while struggling to undo laces, un-velcro, unzip and unstrap. Tall boots are yet another situation. This kind of  foot attire needs a device of the kind that horse back riders without mates, have on hand to do the task for them. They are not pretty, but with the advent of tall boot fashion, floor worshipers should address this at some point. I don't know about you, but I  boycott the removal of shoes or boots when I visit. I have been invited into someone's home, not to strip down but to come on in and enjoy. And I am not lugging along a sack full of slippers either, thank you very much. Love me, love my shoes.