I was walking along minding my own business, probably daydreaming, when my shoelace nearly tripped me. It had come untied. I knew why; I hadn\u2019t tied it with a double knot. I had to bend down and re-tie it.<\/p>\n
The bending down and getting back up isn\u2019t a problem for me, like it is for a lot of Octogenarians, but losing my balance and tipping over while I\u2019m down there tying the lace is a problem. I have a balance issue that ramps up during a bending down situation. I scolded myself for skipping the second knotting of the lace. I knew better.<\/p>\n
I almost always tie my laces in a double knot. It prevents the tripping and bending down problem. It got me thinking, \u201cAm I the only loyal, \u2018double-knotter\u2019 on the planet? What\u2019s going on in the footwear world?\u201d So, I started asking people, \u201cDo you double-knot your shoes?\u201d<\/p>\n
I got blank stares from some young people, followed by, \u201cWhat\u2019s a double knot?\u201d Including one kid, whose laces weren\u2019t tied at all. And, of course, being an old coot, I pointed out it might cause him to trip. He grinned and told me that\u2019s what his mother always tells him.<\/p>\n
I noticed his friend\u2019s sneakers had a knot at the top eyelet (hole) and the rest of the lace was cut off, converting the tie-shoe to a slip-on. If I tried that the sneakers would have to be so loose for me to get into them that I\u2019d take two steps and become shoeless. <\/p>\n
My unscientific survey provided a spectrum of answers I hadn\u2019t anticipated. \u201cI only wear flip flops!\u201d \u2013 \u201cI only double knot when I\u2019m hiking.\u201d (Or jogging.) \u2013 \u201cI don\u2019t have any tie shoes.\u201d \u2013 \u201cMy shoes fasten with Velcro.\u201d<\/p>\n
The survey proved the world has changed, and now the Sketchers Company is pushing it even further with their new, slip-on sneakers. I tried on a pair; they were too wobbly for me. I\u2019ll stick with a double knot and stay safe, in spite of Martha Stewart recommending slip on Sketchers in TV ads. \u201cStick to what you know, Martha!\u201d (I should do the same, but.)<\/p>\n