The Indian custom of leaving the footwear outside is laudable as far as the sanctity or cleanliness of a place is considered. But, if the footwear is unattended, it provides an excellent opportunity for footwear thieves to walk away with prized brands. Fortunately, the weddings these days are conducted in non-secular venues like halls and Kalyana mantaps where even the dining rooms are provided with chairs and tables (unlike the days of yore when everyone was expected to squat), thus enabling the guests to hang on to their footwear except when they have to go up the dais and congratulate the bridal couple after the religious ceremony.

But, some people, keen on cutting corners, conduct their functions in temples and temple halls where propriety forbids one to walk in with the footwear. It is in one such place that my grandson lost his new pair of sneakers costing four grand!

But if losing one’s footwear to thieves is bad enough, voluntarily losing a pair due to sheer absentmindedness takes the cake. It was one of the family weddings where the number of invitees far exceeded the capacity of the venue. With our usual adroitness, we maneuvered to secure places for lunch in the first batch (We have a fetish about clean tables and fresh tablecloth).After lunch, we managed to catch a glimpse of the bridal couple and wished them all the best and prepared to leave. As I was looking for my chappals, I saw a stylish lady make a beeline for the same red chappals and put it on. I demurred, “I am sorry, you are wearing my chappals.” She said, “No, No, They are mine!” Any amount of arguing on my part would not convince her and she walked away with it. Ruing the pig-headedness of the lady, I went home barefoot. Next day, when I glanced at my shoe rack, what do I see there if not my red pair of chappals! Then what had I worn for the wedding?  Through utter stupidity, I not only had an argument with the lady who was indeed in right, but I had also come away gifting my good green ones to a lucky pair of feet.