Big foot in town

Sorry sir! These are the biggest ones we have. The salesman sounded apologetic but I was equally distraught, if not more. I gave a reproachful glance towards the extremities of my hind limbs. But I could see that it wasn't their fault; the guys were making every effort to fit in, shifting and squirming.u00a0 "They look alright," the salesman said, with a doubtful look, "You just need to...err...wear them out." "I'll take them."

Sole searching does pinch a bit. But some brands are all right. But I don't patronise high-end brands You can't blame me. Though my feet were sticking out a bit, I was only adhering to the great Rajkumar's counsel.

Regardless of Delhi's overzealous civic agencies, you do need that heeling touch when you walk the walk.

They may look a bit grotesque, but my feet have served me well over the years. Unlike certain close friends and acquaintances, who spend thousands of bucks a month on gym memberships but need a lift to alight two floors, I choose to go step by step. On a pleasant day, if feeling suitably pepped up, I can walk about eight to ten kilometres. Save ten bucks on the bus ride, spend a hundred bucks on a sundae to cool down.

Naturally, I am compelled to do some sole searching every four to five months. It does pinch a bit. But some brands are all right for me; I don't patronise the high-ended brands too often. Of course, if you are George W Bush or P Chidambaram, please don't bother about such frivolities. But we mere mortals do have to buy our pairs.

You damage your shoes, you buy a new set. No one goes to a cobbler anymore. And you don't see them around; where are they? Cobblers are an endangered species, just like boy bands. I mean what do you do if you are a cobbler who's gone out of business? I don't know, try proctology, maybe.u00a0

If you are tired of your footgear, go visit the nearest temple, and you will definitely find something agreeable. I am not hugely religious, but once or twice a month, when I visit the lord's abode, I unpack the most worn out pair of chappals that I possess, not with the idea of exchanging them, but to have the sense of security that one so desperately needs, while stepping inside a holy shrine.

But if you are a victim of... bootlegging, don't stomp around; might hurt. Head to Sarojini Nagar, Janpath or Karol Bagh this weekend and chances are you can buy your pair back. I, on the other hand, am of the firm belief that my shoes won't be pinched -- they would prove too big to fill.