Shoe'd at sight .... Boot Naturally!

Hurling shoes at politicians is like a fashion trend now and is catching up like wild fire. I think that more than the Iraqi journalist, credit must go to Bush for its popularity and effectiveness. Every other day we read news about some footwear being hurled at a politician. What is interesting is that it gets immediate publicity and many times even the message gets conveyed loud and clear.

Considering the success of the shoe-throwing form of protest, I am prompted to use it in my organization during some open forum, particularly after my appraisals. But before putting it into practice, I would have to 'think through' this.

We need to consider the practical aspects and take necessary precautions of the action. To begin with, I don't want to risk a new shoe on my manager, knowing that he likes to take credit for all the publicity that comes his way, he might keep my shoe. It will be a little awkward to walk back home with just one shoe on my feet and the shame of exposing my tattered stinky socks.

The timing of the throw is also important, I cannot do that during his lunch hour, because having tasted his wife’s chapattis and I fear he might want to finish the rest of his curry with my shoe and hurl the chapatti back at me… that would hurt! It will also look weirder to wear a leather-like chapatti on my left shoe on my way back home (though I am sure it might be more durable).

The type of shoe is probably the most important factor. The large, heavy or with pointy corners are not preferred, we want to make our point and not make a dent (literally) on the boss’s forehead. It might be a tad embarrassing if some news headline reads “Caterpillar flattens boss’s nose, man-hunt on for employee with one shoe”

Another risk of starting the trend is that my subordinate, 6 inches taller and 20 kilos heavier, might want to demonstrate his aim at/on me. I know he is disgruntled after the appraisals as he keeps on snorting at me whenever I assign a new task to him.

Stealing one from the near-by temple during prayer time would be wiser, firstly, it will be difficult to trace the real owner, and more importantly, I will not be losing my hard earned shoe. With these thoughts in my mind, I took off to the Ganesh temple near my house to select the best fit shoe from those left outside by unassuming devotees. For the rest of the story watch aaj-tak or read TOI tomorrow.