"One of the first things a woman notices about a man are his shoes"

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It's something most of us have probably heard a hundred times, but is it true? And if so, why?

I'm a guy and, if this is true, it's a mystery to me. I pretty much only notice someone's shoes... well, never. You could probably wear scuba flippers around me and I wouldn't notice.

Noticing shoes eventually, I can buy. But shoes being one of the first things women notice? I need help with this one.

― Darth Paul Stanley, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:13 (twenty years ago)

wrong. hands.

― youn, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:19 (twenty years ago)

nah that's not true. not true for me anyway. why would i be looking down there? smile and eyes first. and possibly arms next.

― gem (trisk), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:19 (twenty years ago)

Shoes (and socks) are one of the first things I use to judge *anybody*, male or female.

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:20 (twenty years ago)

What, even if it's Ernest Borgnine wearing them?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:30 (twenty years ago)

I've never met Ernest Borgnine. If I had, I'd be able to tell you.

(C/D: men who go to naturist camps and end up wearing sandals, socks AND NOTHING ELSE)

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:31 (twenty years ago)

Even if it's LESLEY OUT OF BIG BROTHER wearing them?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:32 (twenty years ago)

what if said man is naked apart from shoes. Is that still the first thing she notices?

― Paul Kelly (kelly), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:37 (twenty years ago)

hopefully they're not one of the first things i smell.

― metal detective (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:38 (twenty years ago)

What if Amanda Platell is naked apart from her 20-inch stilettos GOD WOULD I NOTICE THEM THEN BROMIDE QUICK

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:39 (twenty years ago)

and following from that, as long as they're not gross and filthy and worn to hell, i could give a shit. (xpost)

― metal detective (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:39 (twenty years ago)

I used to construct my entire social universe around people's shoes. I now realise this is stupid.

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:40 (twenty years ago)

Not much on conversational skills, are they?

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:44 (twenty years ago)

It's not about conversational skills it's about whether they are FIT!

(allegedly)

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:45 (twenty years ago)

possibly arms next

What like, with muscles on or slim?

Do most girls like arms?

― not-goodwin (not-goodwin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:49 (twenty years ago)

arms are ace!

― metal detective (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:53 (twenty years ago)

Arms? Better with them than without them I would suppose.

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:23 (twenty years ago)

The bulge. Duh. Actually I'm kidding. It used to be shoes. My mum always stressed the importance of shoes. I still notice them, but I think I just look at the face first. The eyes.

― nathalie's post modern sleaze fest (stevie nixed), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:25 (twenty years ago)

Why would anyone interested in what shoes someone else is wearing?

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:26 (twenty years ago)

I have grey eyes. I drew the biological straw, and lo it was short.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:30 (twenty years ago)

I'm not a woman. But one of the first things I notice about people is their shoes, I think they can say a lot about a person - but I have to be carfeul not to base my entire conception of them around this.

Or maybe I'm just obsessed with feet. Or just moping around shoegazing as usual. Who knows?

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:37 (twenty years ago)

Maybe we're all just base beasts of the field.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:39 (twenty years ago)

All I can say is I hope no-one judges me on MY shoes!

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:39 (twenty years ago)

hey ladies, I just had my shoes repaired, re-heeled and repolished.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:41 (twenty years ago)

I have a habit of wearing shoes until they totally fall apart and develop leaks, holes, cracks etc - how d'ya like dem apples laydeez?

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:42 (twenty years ago)

I've only got two pairs of shoes - one normal bog standard for work/knocking about town in, the other crazy-expensive for special occasions only.

But as I never have any special occasions, they never get used.

Three if you count my Chris Brasher walking boots.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:44 (twenty years ago)

Hey, hot chicks, check out Man at Millets.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:44 (twenty years ago)

I do notice the shoes if they're in discord with the rest of the shoe-wearer's attire - for example, holey, worn-out shoes would stick out on a hipster, but not on a punk. But if there's no discernible discordance, I don't pay much attention to them.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:09 (twenty years ago)

I tend not to wear holey, worn-out shoes as on me they would indicate neither hipster nor punk, but poverty-stricken sad old loser.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:10 (twenty years ago)

Aha! You got me to a tee there Marcello, maybe there's something in this after all!

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:13 (twenty years ago)

it cuts the other way. i'm seriously picky about women's shoes, not in a fetishy way at all, i'm just a sneaker snob and i just think you can tell quite a bit from people's footwear. anyway, ladies, i'm wearing these:

http://www.footcompany.co.jp/etc/Img_0714.jpg

often sport these:

http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/1st-sneaker/img10101275614.jpeg

and am about to buy these:

http://www.hanon-shop.com/images/products/small/AFF68BN.jpg

― stelf)xxxxx, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

I have not worn sneakers, plimsolls or gym shoes of any nature since PE classes at school.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:24 (twenty years ago)

I always always notice a woman's shoes. They make a huge difference. I love shoes.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:35 (twenty years ago)

What like, with muscles on or slim?

either/or, i don't really mind. i just like arms, especially forearms. i like them to have a nice smattering of dark hair on them too, not too much but i don't like hairless at all.

i often notice women's shoes. but i think that's just because i'm coveting them for myself.

― gem (trisk), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 09:45 (twenty years ago)

I have fantastic forearms, they're probably my favourite body part. I'd like to think they make up for my shit shoes.

― JimD (JimD), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:05 (twenty years ago)

I'm with Stelfoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx up there, I'm a sneaker freak, so hell yeah it's one of the first things I look at!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:07 (twenty years ago)

I think shoes are usually the last thing I notice about a woman.

They make a huge difference.

Really?

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

I have grey eyes. I drew the biological straw, and lo it was short.

Grey eyes are bee-you-tee-ful! You silly!

I bet I wore trainers when I met you, Marcello, because that's what I wear 90 percent of the time. During the day that is, at night I tend to be shoe-less. ;-)

― nathalie's post modern sleaze fest (stevie nixed), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

Yup. Women who wear interesting, sexy, classic shoes, or jut shoes that look really good on them, really make a positive impression. I also like red shoes - dunno whether there's a causal relationship between girls who are attractive to me and wearing red shoes, but I've noticed it many a time.

And then there's flip-flops. Yuk.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:22 (twenty years ago)

I must say, Nath, when we met up I don't think I looked at your shoes once...

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:26 (twenty years ago)

I bet I wore trainers when I met you, Marcello, because that's what I wear 90 percent of the time. During the day that is, at night I tend to be shoe-less. ;-)
A woman after my own heart!

X-post

Marcello, you belong in the "first thing I notice about women is their breats" thread! Haha, sorry! ;-)

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:26 (twenty years ago)

I'm not interested in breasts. I fall for the soul of a woman.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:32 (twenty years ago)

Get yer soul out for the lads.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:34 (twenty years ago)

Yeah but I bet the breasts help though eh M?!! [/again just joking]

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:34 (twenty years ago)

No, not at all. Words are the important thing for me, even before I know what someone looks like.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:36 (twenty years ago)

Hey, don't make me come over there & tickle you now!!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

"Tickle My Soul" - is that a song or something?

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:39 (twenty years ago)

PP this virtual flirting really is going to have to stop, you know (if you ever saw me it would stop in a nanosecond, bah)...

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:40 (twenty years ago)

Haha, who's flirting?! Oh & how do you know I haven't seen you?!!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:43 (twenty years ago)

Surely you must have noticed the telephoto lens in the house opposite yours Marcello?

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:45 (twenty years ago)

Ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! *click* damnit!!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:47 (twenty years ago)

I know what PP looks like thanks to the what-d'yer-look-like thread and can confirm that I have never seen her in south London's busy Streatham area wherein I reside.

Also I haven't been in Cambridge for years, I've never seen you at an FAP and there are no pictures of me on the web so the chances of her ever having seen me are practically zero innit.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:49 (twenty years ago)

Oh well!

Return to the thread ppl, nothing to see here.

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:54 (twenty years ago)

That's what they all say once they've met me... :-(

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:58 (twenty years ago)

Haha!

(You know how to get hold of me if you'd rather finish this conversation off board!)

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:00 (twenty years ago)

Oh please, Marcello, you know you're good-looking. Stop this at once! I am not kidding, you should stop thinking so lowly of yourself!

― nathalie's post modern sleaze fest (stevie nixed), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:02 (twenty years ago)

Shoes (and socks) are one of the first things I use to judge *anybody*, male or female.

-- caitlin (wpsal...), June 14th, 2005.

but WHY?

I notice the face, particularly the eyes. Then forearms. There's something very alluring about a forearm.

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:04 (twenty years ago)

Honest to Gawdness, Nath, I do not know whether I'm good looking or not. "I didn't marry you for your looks!" was a frequent jocular remark of Laura's. "Why did you marry me then?" "Well, you make me laugh." That's the secret then.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:09 (twenty years ago)

Well, that was (and is) probably more important, but rest assured you're goodlooking. There I said it. Now smile and know it's true. :-)

― nathalie's post modern sleaze fest (stevie nixed), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

Sigh...any single/unattached women out there willing to say that to me?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:12 (twenty years ago)

but WHY?

Frankly, I have no idea.

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 11:19 (twenty years ago)

Judging by shoes is non-sensical. They say almost nothing about anyone. My (main pair of) shoes are a bit sporty and rather worn down because I have to walk everywhere due to how inconvienient public transportation is here almost half of the time, and I only wear black shoes because any lighter-coloured shoes will inevitably look dirtier -- but I don't think anyone would really come up with either of those if they decided to judge me by my shoes! I've never even heard of someone judging a person by their shoes before. I guess it's not an American thing?

― Ian Riese-Moraine: exposing ambitious careerists as charlatans since 1986. (East, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:35 (twenty years ago)

The last couple of girls who've hit on me over the past 2 years have all had pretty ordinary taste in footwear. This is disappointing because I like footwear. A lot of the girls I've crushed on or found attractive recently do wear cool shoes. It's a gamble, I guess.

― Negativa, True Believer (Sheryl Crow in a Britney costume) (Barima), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:43 (twenty years ago)

Judging by shoes is non-sensical.
I don't judge by shoes by any means, I merely scope them out!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:46 (twenty years ago)

I merely scope them out!

diagrams please

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:49 (twenty years ago)

i think they're the most important item of clothing, but i'm reasonably picky about other clothes, too.

― stelf)xxxxx, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:52 (twenty years ago)

I am not great with diagrams, but if a guy came up to me wearing Shox I'd have to think twice about it! hahaha! Am I right Dave?

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:54 (twenty years ago)

Ian, that to me would indicate that you don't much care about your appearance - you're not taking the opportunity to make a statement. You might also be a bit unexpressive when it comes to aesthetics - sticking with trusty blacks, greys etc. Maybe you're just subtle, maybe your mind is occupied with higher things. But maybe you're unimaginative, or don't have the urge to explore new things. Both of these assumptions might be off-putting.

(NB this is not what I think! I'm just trying to explain how I could imagine such preconceptions being formed. On the other side of the fence, some people may find apathy towards trying to impress via clothes etc. as a positive thing - ultimately, you *have* to have shoes, so why not get shoes that are comfy, practical AND interesting)

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:55 (twenty years ago)

I'd buy more shoes if they made some more red ones.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

Marcello, may I suggest...
http://www.islandentertainmentsonline.com/acatalog/clownshoeschild.jpg
Do you see, not to seriously! :-)

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:59 (twenty years ago)

The women could not resist you in them, Marcello

― Bifidus Digestivum (Dada), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:00 (twenty years ago)

to=too obviously! haha, perfect!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

That's why no-one should judge a person by their shoes. It's very deceiving.

― Ian Riese-Moraine: exposing ambitious careerists as charlatans since 1986. (East, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:07 (twenty years ago)

If he's got big shoes, you know what THAT means.

Big feet.

― The Mad Puffin, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:30 (twenty years ago)

I usually wear old dorky looking shoes just because they're comfortable. I'd rather be comfortable than stylish - undoubtedly this has cost me lots of dates over the years.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:43 (twenty years ago)

My (main pair of) shoes are a bit sporty and rather worn down because I have to walk everywhere due to how inconvienient public transportation is here almost half of the time, and I only wear black shoes because any lighter-coloured shoes will inevitably look dirtier -- but I don't think anyone would really come up with either of those if they decided to judge me by my shoes!

Well, they might if they had ever been inclined to make similar choices, or heard similar logic from a friend, or were an anthropology student at some point and know a thing or two about the defensible assumptions you can make from a artifact.

I don't look at shoes first on a person, I can tell from their gaze whether they're worth any effort more easily. But shoes, if you're a person who pays attention to details and knows anything about shoes, can tell you a lot. If you spent over $140 on your shoes and you're riding public transportation you're a moron. If you're wearing chuck taylors in a color other than black or red, you had better have a very good excuse. And if your shoes don't match your belt, or your socks match neither your shoes nor your pants, you need to ask out girls more.

"It is simplicity itself . . . my eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey."

― TOMBOT, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:48 (twenty years ago)

it is very hard to find decent shoes over size 13 US.

― strng hlkngtn, Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:57 (twenty years ago)

A SHOES

― the D Double signal (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

Today

http://www.bexley.fr/Bexley/CMS/Images/Produits/edward/edward_chataigne.jpg

― M. White (Miguelito), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 14:36 (twenty years ago)

WHY aren't there size 14 GOLAS

― W i l l (common_person), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

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