The phone rang and I eagerly answered. It was the hiring manager who had interviewed me the day before.
I had applied for a job to sell modular homes. The lot was upscale, people friendly and a massive inventory made it a desirable place to work. I was waiting for the phone to ring.
Your Shoes Aren’t Acceptable
However, when I received the anticipated call a final deciding question was asked. The call went like this, ” I noticed one thing during the interview…you were wearing tennis shoes. We require dress shoes, preferably black.” My $100.00 pair of blue tennis shoes that matched my dress outfit was a rejection???
Funny, I had noticed his shoes were dirty and the heels worn, but it did not keep me from wanting to work there. How many people have purchased a major investment based on the salespersons shoes?
To this fashion bug gentleman, he felt his clients required a sales person to wear proper shoes. His eyes did not see the acquired deformity that restricts the kind of shoes I can walk in.
My feelings and pride was hurt. I also felt angry.
Since the accident in the 90’s, God has blessed me and my little crooked foot to sell many homes, to walk many miles and most people are kind. Many have never noticed the acquired deformity. I cannot remember a day without pain. Sundays are fun and sad, I miss pretty dress shoes for church. Since my accident in the late 90’s this was the second person to remark about my shoes.
Do you notice shoes when you meet someone new? Do you remember their eyes, hair style, tone of voice or shoes? If you remember the shoes, what color were they? Did the lady wear high heels, boots, or sandals?
Can you work in a professional environment wearing tennis shoes? Do we decide the shoes necessary for the person in front of us to function, or the color of skin, the type of car makes skill and attitude?
Since the late 90’s I have experienced 6 surgeries on my right foot and need one more. The foot is fused to the side. I love it though. It has served me well with pain and success.
Many people bought a home from me! Guess what? I was either wearing sandals or tennis shoes!
In Billings, I discovered a new mind set! It also included professional sales ladies to shovel snow.
During a retreat in Redding, I received prophecy…”You will dance around the water in little shoes that glitter”
On snowy days, like today, I recall that prophecy and think of the Ocean, wild and free with diamonds of sunlight glittering. I am looking for little tennis shoes that glitter.
After trying on many shoes, I found one that was tolerable and somewhat comfortable. The first pair of these, I purchased from a local store. Next ones, were from Amazon. I will continue to shop local so I can try on as my foot has changed some since the last purchase.
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