Ah, the things citizens choose to tell their presidents! Recently a New York based Indian artist, Anand Patole, didn’t quite like what he saw in a newspaper picture of the big Nuclear Security Summit – President Barack Obama’s shoe was pointing like a missile toward the Indian prime minister!
So what did Patole do? He shot out a letter to the Prez, advising him that pointing one’s footwear at someone was a no-no in eastern culture. He went on to tell him that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh probably noticed this faux pas but was too polite to tell him anything.
Patole sent his letter off, hoping to alert the Prez for future such meetings and to give him sensitivity training for diplomatic forays.
Well, he did hear back from the White House – but we don’t know if Obama took his advice to heart. It was a form letter from the prez, thanking him for writing and saying, “I greatly appreciate messages from Americans across the country and around the world. Some comments are supportive, some are critical, but all reflect the desire of Americans to participate in a dialogue about our common concerns and challenges.”
Now did Patole put his foot in his mouth or was his advice taken, heart and sole?
Well, you have to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to know if they pinch. So much for shoe diplomacy! And that’s all the shoe-isms that I can think of! If you know of any, please shoe – I mean – share.
