The job was one block off Wall Street, it was winter and the streets were laced with salt. (No I didn't have my totes on my shoes). I looked down and my oxfords were caked with salt. I couldn't go into the office with that embarrassing mess. As much as it pained me I walked across the street to the shoe shine and sat in one of the waiting chairs in front of the store - business was understandably booming. A colleague passing on the street saw me and came in and asked what I was doing. Apparently she did no know you could have your shoes shined or repaired. We ended up getting our shine at the same time sitting across from each other. The shine virgin said "now my husband will be happy because I won't have to buy new boots" I walked away incredulous.
My dad went to work with a uniform, his shirts pressed, his nails and hands clean. His buttery soft leather shoes were polished to a high shine -often by me. They had seen many a set of heels. We didn't waste money.
That $3 dollar shine was to me an extravagance that I indulged in rarely. I have had a polishing kit with an assortment of polishes for thirty years.. And yes I get heels and full soles when necessary.
I can't help but think that shine was the $4 cup of coffee of its day.
I'd like to hope the gal wised up but I see so much extravagance today I just shake my head.
Edit: I like shining my shoes it is simple, the results immediate and mostly because it takes me back in time..
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
My dad went to work with a uniform, his shirts pressed, his nails and hands clean. His buttery soft leather shoes were polished to a high shine -often by me. They had seen many a set of heels. We didn't waste money.
That $3 dollar shine was to me an extravagance that I indulged in rarely. I have had a polishing kit with an assortment of polishes for thirty years.. And yes I get heels and full soles when necessary.
I can't help but think that shine was the $4 cup of coffee of its day.
I'd like to hope the gal wised up but I see so much extravagance today I just shake my head.
Edit: I like shining my shoes it is simple, the results immediate and mostly because it takes me back in time..
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
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