Monday, December 09, 2013

At Age 66 AC Learns How to Tie His Shoelaces

Not long ago, Sue  was trying to teach Danica how to tie her shoelaces. It was kind of an exercise in futility since kids these days have so few shoes that are the lace-up type that they don't get any sustained practice. In fact, I don't think I've seen Danica with another shoelaced pair of shoes since that morning.

However, at the age of 66, I thought I could also use a lesson.

Huh?

Chill out, dear patron of The AC is On, for I do know how to tie my laces — in my own inimitable fashion anyway.

But . . . I have long been aware that I don't lace-up like normal folk. Yeppers . . .  I am unique. That is putting it mildly. The common consensus is another word — weird. Oh well.

It all began when I was about Danica's age. Some little school friend taught me a method where you makes two bows and then cross them over. It worked fine for quite a few years.

Sometime in my teenage years, however, I became aware that this was not the adult way. No. Adults did sort of a single loop and then a wraparound. And what teenager doesn't desire to be more adult?

So, that's what I did — learned to do a loop and wraparound. And I continue to employ that method until this day. It works — except sometimes when I am facing the object that required tying as opposed to being behind it as when I tie my own shoelaces. When I help kids to tie their shoes, for example, I often have to get behind them. Go figga.

Therefore, I have known for sometime that a little something in my repertoire was amiss. Sadly, I have come to realize, in yet another way, that I am out of step with the rest of the world. This, essentially, is the story of my life.

So, when I asked Sue to reveal unto me the correct, union-sanctioned method, lo and behold it was totally opposite to mine.

When I make the starting loop, I have the open end on the left, not the right. When Sue went around it in a counter clockwise rotation, I went clockwise.

Yes, I am totally backward and opposite to most of my fellow travellers on this planet.

It takes all kinds, but I am, without doubt, one of a kind.

I still prefer my self-taught method. It seems much more natural and less awkward to me. And my shoelaces don't come undone either as they are prone to do when I attempt to apply the standardized method.

As if I needed another reminder, this confirms that I am not a standard sort of guy.

13 comments:

MARY G said...

The clockwise method is the one I use ... and my shoelaces often do come undone. Hmmm.

Jimmie Earl said...

I do exactly as you do; loop on left wind counterclockwise. so, don't feel alone. I always say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Keep on tying. Have a good day!

TexWisGirl said...

'yeppers' made me laugh - such a northern saying. :) you go with your nonconformist self!

Gail Dixon said...

My husband does everything opposite of the way I would do it. I've learned to accept it and we somehow coexist rather well. The world would be boring if we all did things the exact same way. :)

Donna said...

I have always dont the loop on the left...wrap around clockwise method...didn't know there was another way...
hughugs

Hilary said...

Lots of people do it differently than standard. I know someone who ties them in the same order as I do but holds his foot in such a way that the knot and bow end up on the inner side of the shoe instead of the middle front.

Jackie said...

OK. I'm so confused now and am wondering if I'm doing it "right."
:))
I had never EVER thought about typing shoes...and differing ways to do that, and I think it took a very wise man to even post this. You are good!!
Thank you for the smile.
I needed a smile today....
Hugs,
J.

Gina said...

I do it the same way you do it as well! I guess it depends on which union you belong to!

Jackie said...

"tying" not "typing"
Gotta love autocorrect on an iPhone!

troutbirder said...

For me verbalizing tying anything is impossible. Being a trout fisherman people occasionally ask me to explain how to. I can't. But my hands can do the job. Does that mean my brain is located in my fingers? :) The same principle applies to neckties.

Hena Tayeb said...

lol... are you left handed... we left handers often do things the other way around... haven't worn shoes with laces in a few years now.. so not sure how I do it.. but I think I loop the left too

Lorna said...

Personally, I like these quirks of yours; makes me feel more comfortable with my own.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

After reading this post, I had to go and figure out just how I lace my shoes...and it seems to be done correctly as I have ( yet) to trip over laces. My problem is that shoelaces seem to be longer these days...or are shoes smaller?