As a man that has academic credentials as a sociologist and feet that are slightly larger than average, the thread on how nobody stocks anything anymore has reminded me of a little experiment that I dreamed up one day to examine the reaction to individuals being discriminated against due to factors beyond their control. I make no claims that this would be a study of racism or other such prejudice, just a little aside to see how a person of average size and build would react to the treatment recieved by those of a larger size.

Numerous times I have walked into a shoe store and asked to try a trainer in sizes 10-12 and been told that the store did not carry that particular size. Sometimes they were sold out, but more often than not I was told that the store simply did not stock the size as there "was no demand". This seemed ironic as the trainers in question were basketball boots! But it struck me that a person with smaller feet would be shocked to hear this if they were given the same explanation.

My idea was to take over the running of a shoe store and remove all shoes of a certain "average" size (say 7 or 8) and simply respond to all requests for that size with the usual explanations offered to people wanting sizes 10+. I thought that the reactions of those denied the sizes that are regarded as "average" would give an insight into how a person reacts to a sudden marginalisation on account of a thing that they cannot control or alter.

Any thoughts?

HI Carmine,
I have a similar problem with my extremeties, my shoe size is usually 11, and I have large hands too. Having large hands is often an advantage, for instance I can play the piano and bass guitar very well because of how far I am able to stretch. However shoes and socks are a constant problem.

Socks often come in sizes 8-11, which means that on me they're stretched, and I feel that they don't last too long, as a consequence I only buy expensive hiking socks from CCC which are much higher quality and seem to last for at least 5 years.

As for shoes, I learned long ago to demand from the shopkeeper what syles they have in my size, before making a choice, as If I start with a choice from the rack they will not have my size in that style.
I know people who are taller than me but have average size feet, this makes them less clumsy in my opinion.

My dad used to run a football team in the south yorkshire ameteur league, and I used to go along as a boy, for the day out with them, although I don't particularly enjoy football. And guess what, most footballers have size 7 or 8 shoes, with the odd one in a 9, but even as a 12 year old "my feets were too big" to paraphrase the old song. was it by fats wallar?

I know things like this can really sound like I have a chip on my shoulder...and maybe I do...but in an age where the consumer is supposed to have so much say, it alwasy seems to me that the phrase: "the customer is always right" should carry the subtext: "...until he or she demands a larger size".