Cali World

[Shyheels]

I was walking along the towpath this afternoon, wearing low heeled knee boots and came upon one guy who was certainly staring. It was odd because around the boatyard and amongst the boaters everyone just expects me to be wearing boots - I always do - so it was unusual to see this guy with the puzzled expression. I said hi and he responded and we went our ways 

[Cali]

  As @mlroseplant suggests, it was a brain fart...at almost 70, I'm allowed.  It's been a strange month with all sorts of technology failing when I'm at the peak of busy.  

[pebblesf]

3 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I was walking along the towpath this afternoon, wearing low heeled knee boots and came upon one guy who was certainly staring. It was odd because around the boatyard and amongst the boaters everyone just expects me to be wearing boots - I always do - so it was unusual to see this guy with the puzzled expression. I said hi and he responded and we went our ways 

Good for you, don't turn away, but engage him.  I'm thinking he was intrigued...

[CrushedVamp]

We have always called them sneakers here, but I live in a strange locale where we are different even from the rest of the United States. We got some strange terms for things I consider are everyday words and others have no concept of what I am talking about. As a writer I have to be wary of that because not all readers will be from around here.

But oddly my wardrobe is changing, and I am not sure why. I used to NEVER wear sneakers, but after discovering Sketchers Step-in's which are sneakers you do not need to tie. You literally just slip them on. I even went out and got composite toe step in work shoes by sketchers. I have not worn boots in over two years and before that I LIVED in them. But its beyond changing boots to sneakers. For 50 years I wore crew socks. Loved crew socks. Only wore crew socks and recently discovered ankle socks and now only wear them.

Who know, if I keep sticking around you guys, you will convince me to wear high heels! 🙂

(Said all in good fun)

[mlroseplant]

9 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I was walking along the towpath this afternoon, wearing low heeled knee boots and came upon one guy who was certainly staring. It was odd because around the boatyard and amongst the boaters everyone just expects me to be wearing boots - I always do - so it was unusual to see this guy with the puzzled expression. I said hi and he responded and we went our ways 

I've never actually been to the British Isles, but from what I hear, I'm very surprised. Where I live, if two people pass on the street (and it's not a crowded place), it's almost rude not to acknowledge each other somehow, but I understand that people from other parts of the world think this is very strange, if not downright creepy.

[Shyheels]

On the towpaths it is very normal not only to say hi but often to engage in conversation- even with total strangers 

[mlroseplant]

That is downright Iowan of you!

[Shyheels]

1 hour ago, mlroseplant said:

That is downright Iowan of you!

It’s even more downhome friendly among boaters - the kind of neighbourliness that went out of fashion in most places back in the Fifties. It’s a kind of funky offbeat community that drifts around the canal network, open and friendly. Last year for example, I was moored in a secluded spot with a couple of other boats nearby. A woman who ran a cafe boat decided to take a few days off and came up through a couple of locks to this quiet spot and was moored next to me. Next morning I hear a knocking on the swan hatch, when I open up I see her standing in the towpath - she wants to know if I’d like an espresso. She’s just fired up her generator to make herself one and thought her neighbours might like one as well. The couple in the boat moored behind me used to run a pub. They piped up and asked if anybody wanted poached eggs, avocado and toast. I brought out my well stocked fruit bowl. Next thing you know we’re all having this glorious breakfast on the towpath. We all still keep in touch too. This sort of thing is not at all unusual among us water gypsies

[pebblesf]

2 hours ago, Shyheels said:

It’s even more downhome friendly among boaters - the kind of neighbourliness that went out of fashion in most places back in the Fifties. It’s a kind of funky offbeat community that drifts around the canal network, open and friendly. Last year for example, I was moored in a secluded spot with a couple of other boats nearby. A woman who ran a cafe boat decided to take a few days off and came up through a couple of locks to this quiet spot and was moored next to me. Next morning I hear a knocking on the swan hatch, when I open up I see her standing in the towpath - she wants to know if I’d like an espresso. She’s just fired up her generator to make herself one and thought her neighbours might like one as well. The couple in the boat moored behind me used to run a pub. They piped up and asked if anybody wanted poached eggs, avocado and toast. I brought out my well stocked fruit bowl. Next thing you know we’re all having this glorious breakfast on the towpath. We all still keep in touch too. This sort of thing is not at all unusual among us water gypsies

That is so cool!  

[Puffer]

On 3/1/2025 at 11:25 AM, mlroseplant said:

I've never actually been to the British Isles, but from what I hear, I'm very surprised. Where I live, if two people pass on the street (and it's not a crowded place), it's almost rude not to acknowledge each other somehow, but I understand that people from other parts of the world think this is very strange, if not downright creepy.

Attitudes do vary in the UK.  As a general rule, people in the south tend not to engage in casual geetings or conversation with strangers unless there is a good reason which turns them into temporary allies or conspirators.   For example, their bus or train is involved in an accident or is severely delayed, or they witness some remarkable event nearby.   I understand (and have experienced) a different situation in the north, where complete strangers will converse on meeting or passing - but sometimes this is an unwelcome or inappropriate breach of privacy.   There are exceptions (as Shyheels says) in that people meeting briefly on a country walk or similar will very often exchange at least a greeting and may engage in conversation, however brief or trivial.   But this is more a politeness than a wish to have any type of meaningful discussion. 

[Shyheels]

Perhaps towpaths are different - the other day I found myself chatting with a local (not a boater) who had come down to saw up some if the downed tree branches fir kindling and firewood. We had quite a good tarn about the trip he and his wife took recently to El Salvador