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My favourite technique for dealing with telemarketers is putting them on the speaker phone, and then leaving the phone on my desk while I get on with my work, and they get on with their sales pitch, eventually realising they are speaking to nobody and hanging up. Another memorable moment was when someone rang up asking if we wanted a new telephone system and I told them we didn't have any phones in the office. That caused some fits of laughter from my colleagues. I'd always toyed with the idea of asking a female sales caller if she ever wore high heels and if so how high. I probably wouldn't get much response as they are trained not to deviate from the subject, and the calls are recorded, but you never know, I might catch one them off guard, someday!

Don't forget Amsterdam! NL is such a cool place. No language problems, friendly people, great city, relaxed atmosphere, central for much of North Europe. This is a venue not to be missed.

I have an obsesion for wearing my shoes, and tights all day long 24/7, is that bad?

Only if it gets in the way of the rest of your life. Only you can answer that, not anyone else.

This girl had a right go at me for this. Saying that I was insulting other trannies by not doing so.

Sounds like she was a real asshole because one of the things you DONT do is criticize other people WRT what they should wear and how far they want to go. Besides, fetish clubs are about more than Trannies. There's androgens, freestylers, subs, doms, gimps, maids, nurses, or people who just go for one item like rubber.

.... and, at the other end of the spectrum ....

I'm up for a concert at the Wigmore Hall. OK, it's a bit eclectic (crikey, I've used that word twice this year all ready).

http://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/productions/vertavo-string-quartet-22701

I'm a heely, and proud of it. I'm a boring old fart, and proud of that too ! !

Xa

I'd have probably gone for this if it was a good concerto or a symphony. I struggle with the some of the minor pieces written for string quartets as many of them are pretty bland. Some composers churned out 100's of them. A few of the Mozart and Haydn ones are quite good. Hope it was a good show!

So, what were the experiences of the other people who came along to the Miller on Saturday? How did you enjoy it?

We did have Euroheel meets in 2001 and 2002 in Brussles and London with about 15 people as I remember and another one in Paris, so I'm all for continuing that trend too. They were only called Euroheel as they were in Europe and no guys from the US or further afield could make those. So we have a fair history on the international meet ups side.

It seems to me more constructive to talk about the actual event rather than who did or didn't turn up. After all, it's a free choice that people have to come, and it's not the end of the world if they don't.

I don't believe a fetish is necessarily associated with something sexual:

• An object that is believed to have magical or spiritual powers, especially such an object associated with animistic or shamanistic religious practices.
• An object of unreasonably excessive attention or reverence: made a fetish of punctuality.
• Something, such as a material object or a nonsexual part of the body, that arouses sexual desire and may become necessary for sexual gratification.
• An abnormally obsessive preoccupation or attachment; a fixation.

Some people I know have a fetish for cleanliness or a fetish for following their football team (And believe me if you go to all the games and talk about your team 24/7 it IS a fetish).

I think we had 14 in the end... or was it 15? For some reason it was quieter than last year and didn't really get going as much as the previous ones have done. We didn't have the computers going or the shoe sales either. I got there about 12.30 and just chatted to about 5.30. No TG this year or meal after, but we did go to the meal at Ruby Blue on Friday. I think maybe a change of venue is indicated for next year. I got the impression the guy was not so happy about opening up very early for such a small number, especially as we didn't drink a huge amount.

Well we had about 10 in the end. Thanks for organising the venue David. It wasn't too bad. Food a bit pricey for what it was, but quite a nice party atmosphere with a hen night on the table opposite, and a group of 4 very noisy girls behind us. We got talking to to them and they were quite interested and receptive about our footwear. Afterwards we went for drink in Leicester Square. Rob's rubber suit and thigh boots were a hit with the ladies and quite a few photos were taken. Earlier I went round Camden with Euchrid after he had phoned up to get me out of bed! I had been working very late the previous night/morning. We did a mini pub crawl/shopping. Probably had about 6 pints. Met up with Dr Shoe and the guys in Camden. All in all a better day than Saturday.

I am in for Bristol. It would make a change. Though, someone mentioned Amsterdam and I think that would be good too. It would be better for the guys from North Europe also the Scandanvian contingent.

If 7 or 8 becomes 6 or 7 then they may not do the deal as on page 1...

Does anyone have a handle on who is actually coming now. I make it about 14-15 ?

The salary differentials are mainly to do with more part time work and more career breaks undertaken by women. Also I believe the statistics show that women take more days off sick than men, but I'm prepared to be proved wrong on that.(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204212846.htm)

We've had part time workers (male and female), and while it may work well for shelf stacking, in highly technical occupations where the projects are ongoing, and the project "expert" needs to be around, I can tell you it's less than efficient.

To me, Emo is a teenage cult thing, where young guys and girls get involved in being depressed, getting anorexic, squeezing their emaciated bodies into very tight jeans, and self harming (cutting arms with razor blades etc). I never thought it had any association with wearing heels, unlike say Goth might. Was I right or wrong about my perceived stereotype? I'm off to check it out on the web! Edit: I was pretty close according to Wikipedia. Footwear is usually trainers, or skate shoes. Also associated with a (now) blurred style of music, and long hair fringes, brushed to one side.

Same here, and if anyone wants do do something earlier on Friday, I was thinking of getting together with Euchrid for that. Oxford Street, Camden, and Canary Wharf/Liverpool Street are all possibilities. (Last two are excellent 5.00pm fashion spotting venues for the well-heeled business women of this world )

Yes count me in for that one as well. Look forward to seeing you all there!

I'm straight, at least I don't have any sexual feelings for guys, but I don't think you can put people's sexual orientation into just 4 categories, it's more like a continuum, partly because the of the different balances of hormones in people's bodies. If there was a category for 90% male 10% female I might have gone for that in preference to just "straight". I'm equally happy talking about all fashion subjects to all people ie girls, guys, gays, or TV's, for example. I'm sure there's many "straight" people who wouldn't want to discuss shoes with girls or other guys because that was "gay". So although I'm nominally straight, I have a broader outlook on life. Hope you can see where I'm coming from on that.

They are generally made too narrow in the toes, especially the pointy styles. This has led to heels being given a bad name for foot problems but it's perfectly possible to make stylish heels which fit the shape of the foot given proper design.

Impressive boots. Well done; nice outfit!

I don't like "Other half" or "significant other" at all. I much prefer wife, girlfriend or fiancee much better... Or how about "Love Of My Life"?

I have just come across another pet hate: People who say "pacifically" when they mean "Specifically"... the Pacific is an ocean you fools!

Ah yes, but some people learn better from the context of the spoken word rather from books, and the spoken word isn't always clear. It can be very comical, I agree, but not always foolish. Just circumstance.

I'm coming BTW, add me in! I can only second Heefan's post. Wear what you want, but London is London. Anything goes in London (and most big cities). Once you have discovered this, you won't look back. But, discovery in the face of the (personally) unknown is one of the biggest adventures.

People who refer to their wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/lover as "My Partner"

Blimey, I find that so "Cold" and "Generic" as if they are ashamed of them that they refer to them in a most generic and un-describing manner.

People talk about their own work friends in much warmer ways, yet their own family are referred to as a "partner"

Its beyond politically correct, its just plain rude, and often spoils the context of a conversation too

It's not a pet hate of mine, but I find the expressions strange. Such as "better half" "other half" "significant other" "her indoors". It seems more polite to me to refer to them by their name.

People who use "was like" instead of "said" And I was like "shall we go out" And she was like "yeah suppose" And I was like "you don't want to?" And she was like "whatever" I heard almost exactly this dialogue the other day, and it was like so totally like uncool