Shoelaces: Life’s simple pleasures

Shoelaces: Life’s simple pleasures

To the editor:
    In this modern high tech world that we live in today, it is not surprising that we can be humbled by the simplest of mechanical devices. We take for granted many things that make our life more simple and easier even as they are replaced by the latest technical gadget. I love technology, but there are times when it is either unavailable or unworkable. This is the realm of the shoelace.

    Over the years I have had a variety of shoes. They have kept my feet warm and dry and on occasion added a festive note to an event. Living abroad one soon learns that shoe laces are an afterthought that are designed to increase the blood pressure and inflame the heart.
    Such has been the case since I lived in China and continues to a lesser extent in Korea. Both cultures have the practice of removing shoes before entering a home or a room. It was an attempt to keep dirt out of the house. Now it is part and parcel of the ritual of going to visit a friend. You arrive walk to the main entrance of the house and remove your shoes. Your host supplies some slippers and you stick your feet in them and walk in. If you have never worn slippers, these fiendish creations are designed to keep you stumbling and fumbling your way into the living room and other rooms of the house. They do not stay in place on the feet! Shoes have a back strap or heel that does this. Mr. Rogers had an alternative that is useful. You have your outdoor shoes and your indoor shoes. He demonstrated this with every show that he did.
    I am a bit larger than your typical Korean. Pie plates are small on my feet. Most times I rely on stocking feet when I can not find slippers in my size. Because of this emphasis on slide on and slide off shoes and the very low cost of footwear the Koreans and Chinese pay little thought to the equipment of shoes. If you walk into an American shoe store there will be a rack with shoelaces at every checkout counter. Have a shoe? Chances are you will find a lace for it. Even the half-dazed clerk behind the counter knows about shoe laces. If you break one then it is easy to replace it.
    I broke my shoelaces the other day. The constant tying and retying wore out the laces and they finally broke. Shoes will not stay on your feet without laces. I had a pair of brilliant lime green laces that I used for my sneakers. It was a sight to see — dress shoes with a fashion flair. My students were impressed. But try as I might, the shoe stores did not sell shoelaces. I had encountered this same problem while living in China. I kept being told to just buy another pair of shoes. They are cheap enough. Size was a problem. I would later learn that you kept your eyes peeled for an itinerant street peddler and his cart of junk. There was no guarantee that he would have the right type of lace but he would have laces. Much laughter at my expense was had as I tried to find these simple devices.
    Here in Korea, you often find that the items you need are not in the usual places. Such is the case with shoelaces. They are not sold in stores that sell shoes. Instead you find yourself going to the local general store and hunting in the lace and ribbon aisle for that package of laces. Your selection is limited to the basics unless you find the youth section which has multi-colored laces. A new fashion trend amongst my students is a shoe with one color lace and another color on the opposite shoe. Both are brilliant. That is why I was a popular teacher the days I used my lime green laces.
    I did finally manage to find simple, brown laces and now my shoes are strapped to my feet. Nice to know they will not be leaving soon.