By Allison Hatfield - shuzsociety.com
Sure you know what Morse Code is. And you've got the company dress code down (no open-toe shoes? Seriously?). But what about the shoe code? Which shoes we pick, where we place them, how we move them, whether we even bother wearing them convey complex messages to those around us and reveal a subconscious story. It's far more difficult to learn Farsi than it is to memorize the vocabulary of footwear. So step away from the Pimsleur and soak up the secret language of shoes.
Ditch·ing verb to get rid of, discard
If the first thing you do when you walk in the door is kick off your kicks, then you know what it means to ditch. Sometimes, we feel so comfortable, we just have to free our feet — besides, few things are sexier than a fresh pedicure. Some ditch at work, giving coworkers a peek at pretty feet. Others shed their shoes the second they sit down for dinner, hiding bare toes beneath the table (and maybe running a bare foot up a companion's pant leg). In many Asian nations, it is customary to leave your shoes at the door as a sign of respect. To ditch is to say, "This is home, and I am happy to see you." Caution: Be judicious with when and where you ditch; you don't want to come off as too laissez-faire — and you don't want to lose your shoes.
Wag·ging verb 1. to be in motion, to stir 2. to move to and fro or up and down especially with quick jerky motions
The wag can resemble the dangle, and it's sometimes done in concert with that flirty expression (though cautiously, lest a shoe be dropped). But wagging is different in several ways. For one, it doesn't exclude boots — a style that is, unfortunately, impossible to dangle. For another, where the dangle is a slow, provocative gesture requiring a measure of balance and meant to charm, the waggle is a rapid, contemplative motion. It's a soleful way to stay engaged and an external sign of the wheels that turn in your pretty head. To wag is to suggest, "I'm thinking. I thinking." Caution: Wag too much and you might come off as nervous or bored. Which leads us to …
Dan·gling verb 1. to hang loosely and usually so as to be able to swing freely 2. tohold out as an inducement
It's a seductive word, full of promise and flirtatious possibility. When we want to entice someone, we say we're dangling a carrot (or a carat!). So it's no wonder that the tease of a sexy mule or strappy backless sandal hanging, dangling half on, half off a bare or stockinged foot is a wildly alluring sight for some (and why do we wear high heels if not to attract a little attention?). To dangle is to wink and smile and say, "Come a little closer and look into my eyes." Caution: It's inappropriate to dangle during a job interview.
Tap·ping verb to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
Kin to the wag and the dangle, tapping takes place on earth, not in midair, and thusly it's got a more serious connotation. Mothers of teenagers cross their arms and tap their slippered toes impatiently when a child rolls in after curfew. Trapped on the listening end of a never-ending story, we might tip-tip-tap, even study, our footwear to pass the time. Tapping tells the world that you are irritated or bored. Conversely, tapping to a musical beat signals unrestrained joy. To tap is to say, "My patience is wearing thin; get on with it," or "I am having a wonderful time." Caution: Tapping to the music could lead to a need for dancing shoes.
Point·ing verb 1. to give added force, emphasis, or piquancy to 2. to direct someone's attention to 3. to lie extended, aimed, or turned in a particular direction. Stand with your weight in one foot and cock the other leg out to the side, turning your shoe away from your body. That's pointing, and it's a stance comfortable enough to carry you for a while. Maybe you cross your arms across your chest or hug your hips. Maybe you hook your thumbs in your belt loops. Regardless of what you do with your upper body, you're giving others a good view of your snazzy shoe while giving them your undivided attention. To point is to say, "Go on: I'm listening." Caution: Prolonged pointing in uncomfortable shoes can bring a tear to the eye.
Dis·play·ing verb 1. to put or spread before the view 2. to make evident 3. to exhibit ostentatiously
Nothing subtle here: This is the most obvious and in-your-face of all the shoe behaviors. When the boss leans back and throws his loafers up on his desk, leaving you looking at the bottom of his shoes, he's exerting his authority. When a lady props her pumps up on the coffee table, maybe crossing her legs at the ankle, she's settling into her territory (and very likely inviting admiration of a fabulous shoe score). It's dominant, showy behavior, but it's also casual and unthreatening. You might display at a movie theater, but never at church. To display is to say with a voluptuous confidence, "Make no mistake about who's in charge here." Caution: Not everyone will appreciate your putting your feet up on the furniture.
Now get out there and speak with sole.
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