An article in the "Room For Debate" section of today's NY Times asks the non-musical question: "Why do women wear shoes that hurt their feet?" The respondents gave varied answers. Sex. Empowerment. Class (if you can go around in high-heeled shoes, it implies that you don't need to work. That last, of course, was the reason for Chinese foot-binding.)

When I was very young (teens) I used to wear shoes that hurt my feet. Back then, I did it for a few reasons. When I started high school, I was super-short, flat-chested and, generally, babyish. I felt that high heels would not only give me added height but make me look more like a "real teenager." It didn't work. I was still a thoroughly ostracized nerdette. As I got more and more serious about ballet, I realized that the high heeled shoes I was wearing to school were causing me trouble in ballet class; putting so much weight on the balls of my feet all day made it harder to rise on demi pointe in my ballet slippers. I ditched them, in favor of Kung Fu flats (which were not only pretty in their own way but had the advantage of being dirt-cheap.)

I haven't worn high-heeled shoes since then, except on stage, as part of a costume. Yes, I do think they can make women's feet and legs look pretty, but I don't feel pretty when I'm wincing in pain.  I don't feel pretty when I'm worried about spraining an ankle. I would also feel way too nervous about wearing them out on the street. There's crime out there. Natural disasters. Memories of 9/11. I don't ever want to be outdoors, wearing shoes that make it impossible to run!

I know there are women who disagree with me, including some I respect a lot (like my mother.) I also know there are men (not necessarily foot-fetishists) who really like the way women look in high heels. (I'm lucky in that I've never been involved with anyone who gave a hoot about what was on my feet.)

Women of OS, do you wear high heels? Men of OS, do you care whether women wear high heels? Just wondering...