Areem, Don’t know if you have read “Catch-22″ but the response you received reminds me of the Colonel’s idea of sending out form letters to the families of the deceased as in “Dear mr./Mrs/Miss/Dr. X, We are sorry that your son/brother/nephew was killed/died/wounded/missing in action…..”

Sorry for the off topic rant but if anyone hasn’t read the book read it now.Its anti-war brilliance is even more relevant in these times, given what;s happening overseas ….

That was my hope. I wrote a polite email along the lines of “here’s something you may want to be aware of.” Beyond the stardard automatic acknowledgement, I received the following ‘non-response’ after a couple of days:

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting Payless ShoeSource.We appreciate feedback whether it’s about our shoes, the programs on which we advertise, or about our advertising in general. Your opinion is important to us. You are a valued customer and we hope you will continue to allow us to serve your footwear needs. Laura Payless ShoeSource Customer Support Center

The removing shoes idea when entering a house, again as someone says spans many cultures and people and sometimes it’s actually ok with me. There’s even a vegetarian Korean restuarant in NYC where are asked to take your shoes off and given slippers before being taken to your table (Hungawi).

I’m sure if anyone wrote to Payless to inform them this act is sensitive in many cultures it will be well received. In our company which is wholly American, we have diversity training and all these nuances seen in other cultures is embraced and any new information is well received and appreciated.

Camille, your NorCal lingo is sicker than cancer patients. Yadidimean?

I know this will disappoint you, since the totality of your comments indicate that you dislike me, but no, that’s not what I wrote. Your distinct recall is flawed, but then, so is your tactless way of expressing how anyone who scored less than you needs help. Rude much? And this isn’t about my score…I don’t give a shit that you got a few more questions right. Have a cookie, if that’s so important to you.

This is what is important to me: I’ve met so many people who lurk on this site, especially after the marrow drives and out of curiosity (and later concern) I have asked nearly all of them about their reluctance to comment. Some say that they don’t feel it’s their place or that they don’t have anything to add to the discussion. An even greater number blush and express how “it’s intimidating”. This is something I’m becoming consumed with, especially since a majority of the people who are intimidated in to silence are women.

I thought your comment was rude and yes, obnoxious. My original retort was a sarcastic, “That’s nice. Really nice.”, but I thought I’d be a bit more articulate in the vain hope that you would see past your negativity towards me and understand that I was concerned about others, whom you couldn’t possibly have beef with…but I see how effective that was.

“That was charming, and by charming I mean obnoxious. Lurkers are intimidated enough, sentiments like that don’t help them feel comfortable.”

Did you change your post’s text? I distinctly recall it being something along the lines of “Gee thanks, that makes me feel a LOT better.”

Haha, BIG, it’s true, uggs + miniskirts are old hat from a west coast perspective! [to my credit I have never worn Uggs, nor miniskirts, nor any combination thereof. Also, there are 1-2 ugg designs that, on occasion, I have thought were not as hideous as the "standard ugg." Unfortunately, they don't make any of those non-ugly designs anymore]

Aren’t rubber boots kind of uncomfy? I only ask because I have rubber rainboats, and, while I love them, I don’t think they breathe very well, nor are they as “free moving” as I would like. Perhaps I protest too much. I think we’ll get a lot of snow — not as much sludge, per se, but definitely sludge-like snow. Waterproof is best