YOU ASK ... WE ANSWER ... YOU DECIDE
Ask an etiquette question, and you will get several answers. Then decide for yourself how to handle the situation. Callie Gordon is twentysomething; Lillie-Beth Brinkman is in her 40s, and Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus. At times, we'll also provide an answer from a guest.
Your question: I have noticed lately that more and more young ladies are wearing high, high heels, which are attractive footwear. However, when they are walking (even on carpeted floors), it sounds like horses galloping through the office. Is there a proper way to wear high heels without creating a clopping noise?
Callie's answer: I LOVE my high high heels! What girl doesn't love a pair of heels?
If you can't walk in them, though, don't buy them! Use the heel-toe combination when walking. Don't just stomp around; step on your heel first, then your toe. That sound always has a nice ring to it: "the clacker" heard in "The Devil Wears Prada."
Lillie-Beth's answer: I think I clomp in certain heels of mine, too, and didn't realize that it might bother people. I'd like to hear from other readers: how big a problem is this? In looking for the answer, I found that it appears that some people like the sound a heel makes, and others don't. However, you can do a few things to keep from clomping when you walk. Here are a few tips, although this list isn't comprehensive:
>Be mindful of your steps and adjust accordingly.
>Don't step flat-footed by slapping your foot down onto the floor. Step heel or toe first (opinions vary on which way is quieter).
>Stay off of hard surfaces such as wood floors when possible.
Usually women don't buy shoes with the noise level in mind; we're looking for style, fit and comfort. The noisy part comes later, away from the carpeted shoe store, when we actually have to wear them.
Helen's answer: The pretty new spring shoes are very high-heeled. Many of them also feature a platform or wedge heel, and it may be hard to walk in them. If you do make loud noises when you walk, maybe you should avoid buying that style.
Women, and men, should try on shoes and walk in them around the store. I think you can tell if they make noise on the floor. Also, if the shoes do not fit you properly, they will make clopping noises. Even sandals can make a loud noise if they do not fit properly.
Guest answer: Hilarie Blaney, etiquette consultant and contributor to blog.newsok.com/etiquettetogo: I am a shoe lover. Most shoe purchases are made from a carpeted area and coupled with sauntering, not walking at a normal pace. I have shoes that clop on the marble floor in First National Center, never something I would have anticipated. Therefore, it all goes back to being aware of your actions and their impact upon others.
Really, being less self-absorbed is a component of good manners. Ask yourself, "Are people comfortable around me?"
