fastfreddy2

I've been reading this thread with interest, not least because I contributed earlier.....


It's an interesting debate, with the apparent conclusion .. .there isn't one.


I thought this was a potential opportunity to walk out in heels, if it seemed like it was going to be something that was completely safe to do? The longer the debate goes on, the less safe it seems?


I walked around Cambridge (yep, that one) last Monday in 4" (girls) cowboy boots. Yes the tops look like regular (men's) boots, but the heel height (which was not well hidden) and the way I had to walk in them made it plain enough I was wearing 'heels'. The only people I saw looking (all both of them) were high school aged children.

If ever I'm going to get verbal abuse, I'm 100% sure it's going to be from teens or certainly 15-21 year olds. My experience tells me, once young people get a bit of exposure to the Real World, their inclination to irritate other adults wears off.


Heelma:

Your decision (should you choose to make it <nod to Mission Impossible>) is going to be based around one single criteria: Do you think you can pull it off?

You certainly will not get the definitive answer here, as there are too many variables. Or at least it looks that way ..... ?

I believe the only way to find out one way or the other, is to do it.

....

Bubba136

Heelma! There is one way to answer your delima -- put on your heels and walk around the campus and see what happens. After reading some input from other people, I now doubt that you will be bothered at all. So, go for it.

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Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public.

canadianbeaver17

I've spent a few years heeling around my university campus. Below were the types of shoes and reactions:

- Wedge loafers, 3" heel, 1/2" platform: never really any comments about these. Only one was from a guy friend (who's not open minded) who just said while he was walking behind me, "look at you with the italian loafers..who are you all dressed up for?"

- chunky heel oxfords (looked more like goth shoes): one girl was talking to me in the hallway before class and we were both standing. She stopped in mid-sentence, said "you look taller today" then looked down and said "oh ur wearing platforms"...and then just continued talking

- girl flip flops: no one had ever made a comment about these....just maybe a comment that they liked the color (such as when I wore my turquoise ones from old navy)

Ozzard

Fascinating to see the American take on this. I'm based in an English city that has three city universities (used to be four, but two of them merged), a student population approaching six figures, and arguably the highest student density in Europe. No campuses per se, just very high densities of university buildings in some areas. It's extremely relaxed. If it wasn't for the high chance that I'd meet some business clients, I'd cheerfully go street heeling there. I just wouldn't go far out of the "campus" area, as it's right next to some of the roughest areas of the city.

As for security... to be honest, the more unusual someone's appearance, the *less* likely they are to be a security threat. Ever come across a thief wearing high heels? They'd never be able to run if chased! And the majority of the random shootings are from people who just look absolutely normal - which I suspect is what scares people so much.

silkyheels

I had a slightly unusual experience on a University campus last night; specifically, it was in the library.

I went in to get some books, left my bag by a desk and set off to find the books I wanted. It took me rather longer than I had anticipated, so it was quite a while until I went back to my bag. There wasn't much in the bag, just a few items of stationary, pieces of paper, a bicycle lock, that sort of thing. Oh, and these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21259299@N07/2480449090/

When I returned, intending to put on the shoes and continue my search since the library was quite empty by that time, I found my bag had gone. I searched frantically for it, but couldn't find it anywhere. Eventually I went to the security desk and asked if anyone had handed it in.

They asked me to describe the bag, then when I had, exchanged amused and slightly incredulous glances. They then made me describe the contents of the bag, lingering slightly on the shoes, before returning it to me and lecturing on me on leaving my belongings unattended.

I blustered a half-hearted claim that they weren't my shoes, at which they all stifled a small giggle, then attempted to maintain my dignity by walking slowly back into the library. I could hear them whispering and laughing as I walked away. The female of the three seemed the most sympathetic, she even gave me a small wave and a wink when I saw her again later, but I'll keep my things with me at all times from now on!

Or I'll just wear them, that would be far easier...

HappyFeat

I would assume that any American issue would be fascinating to anybody outside the U.S. At them moment, it seems that the U.S. has lost our collective minds, but what is at work here is two-fold, the fear of anybody else who is even slightly different for security reasons and the fear of anybody else who is slightly different for cultural reasons.

Amazingly, this is nothing new, just getting a lot more attention today. Universities and college seem to be overreacting to the security threats on campuses in really silly ways. Yes Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois, etc. are horrible and scary. However, it was in the 1950's that a shooter shot several people from a tower at the University of Texas, and a mass murder took place at North Carolina State (I think) in the 60's. But at the same time students were shot by police at South Carolina State and by the Army at Kent State. Don't let anybody kid you, Universities in the US are in the money making business. Unless little Johnny can be GUARENTEED to be safe, parents aren't as likely to send him to college. So any concern about behavior on campus is justified.

However, wearing high heels is very unlikely to be considered a security threat by legitimate, trained security personnel. As you have pointed out:


On the other hand, there is this huge swelling of cultural oppression also going on. Some call it the "Culture War." For example, a national debate is whether we can OR should discriminate against homosexuals. Many of the people who debate the should part would see no difference between a man in heels and a homosexual, though all of use here know there is a BIG difference. At the wrong college with the wrong people running the show, they would have no issue of using a "security threat" as an excuse to fight their war.

However, I think that most of this has been covered in the thread. Simply put, stay away from more conservative institutions, conduct some business, and just relax and have fun. Frankly, University campuses are one of the last places in the U.S. where individuality is not only accepted but revered.

HappyFeat

Bubba136 is absolutly correct!

HappyFeat

Great story Silkyheels! And very cute shoes I might add...

gary0618

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Gary0618 Boots, Boots, and More Boots!

silkyheels

Thanks Happyfeat. The Poste Mistress shoes are definitely my favourite pair, a recent purchase and I love them!


Thanks, Gary0618.

I actually got the brown Mary Janes in Asda, which shows how classy I am! They were only £12, though, and fit beautifully, so I could hardly refuse to buy them.

Presumably that means you won't be able to get them in the U.S.

Walmart, perhaps, who own Asda? Do they sell shoes?