The 'help' you get barefootin'

barefoot-and-trainers
The lengths people will go to help you feel the force of habit is nothing short of ????: They point, they stare once they make helpful comments like, 'Forgotten something, have you?' You only really feel the force of habit as you move outside of it.  Since tradition is to the collective what habit is to the individual, if you choose NOT to do something when you step outside the door, (that is not put your shoes on) then you've got a two-for-the-price of one deal: You confront the routine habit of doing something before you step outside the door. And then the kind passers-by will help you to feel the force of tradition as well.  However, day-by-day it becomes less weird to be out barefootin' and the helpful comments are not as forthcoming.

As a habit-lock breaker of 25 years, I've amused myself by collecting and sometimes trying to predict these helpful comments.  Of course with the years and the grey hairs and that much older man who is intent on squatting in my face – no rent, then I get comments I haven't got before, such as:

 

Q:  Do they know back at the Home that you're out?

To which I answer with a wild-eyed Hannibal Lecter look

A:  Ask the fella, lying behind the hedge who last asked me that.

Occasionally people ask:

Q:  Are you a cult?

A: Y'know somebody just said that 'stupid cult', at least I think that's what they said.

Then there's the one that sorts out the Catholics from the Protestants:

Q:  Are you doing a penance? - (very common in Ireland this one).

A: Yeah – but hey it was worth every step.

The bunch of 14-16 year old kids on the street corner think they're being so different but they're so predictable:

Q: Where's your shoes then?

A: Abducted by aliens.

Q: Forgotten your shoes then?

Either

A1: No, I remembered by feet.

A2: (with mock startled jump) Christ, I knew I came out without something.

No doubt there's others barefootin with their own witty ripostes.  How about posting them?  We could share a fund of them.

Personally is someone asks the simple question 'Why', I usually like to stop and chat!

TAGS: