We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
Unless you want to spend the money on custom shoes (London and Italy seem to be the places to go for that), if your feet have different sizes, as mine do, it can be a problem for dressier shoes.
Being lazy with dressing, I tend to prefer loafers to tie shoes although tie shoes are a better look. With many people getting back to regular work now, it is an issue.
For ordinary casual or outdoor shoes and boots, no issue. You manage that with socks.
Do any of our readers have this issue? I'd actually imagine that it's more of a problem for women than for men, but I don't know.
Anthropomorphising is always an issue when humans think about animals, but from observation I know that no bunny rabbit is indifferent to being grabbed by a Red-Tailed Hawk.
Gifts that don't work this year, at least in most of the USA:
- a fancy dinner out with a pleasant atmosphere - opera, dance, or movie tickets - a trip to Europe
And some things that do work
- a kayak - a set of exercise bands - trinkets, baubles, gadgets, sweaters, scarves (but who needs more of those? Nobody.) - a jar of Italian truffles (yum) - books, always - A Maserati SUV for a spouse. 580 HP ought to be enough fun for him or her. Too flashy? Who cares?
Please add in comments things that do and don't work this Christmastime
The Met set out to be “worthy of this great metropolis and of the wide empire of which New York is the commercial center,” the civic leader William Cullen Bryant declared at its inception. Through a history of dedicated leadership, dutiful scholarship, and astonishing private beneficence, such ambitions have been more than realized.
Our post on tipping the other day raised the issue. As Christmas season is quickly approaching, I reviewed in my mind all the people to whom I give gratuities (ie material Thank Yous) at Christmastime, and throughout the year.
- our two garbagemen - $50 each before Christmas - horrible job, hard work, - our mailman - $25 at Christmastime - our carpet-cleaners - $5-$10 to each guy when they come (I give it before the job, not after - it works well) - our doctors and dentists - we send them all a Harry&David or fancy cheesecake each holiday season - restaurants - 15%, or 20% if I mean to return - hotel room staff - leave a $20 for them on the table. It's a crappy and thankless job. - my accountant - a holiday bouquet - porters at airports and hotels - $5 - barber - $5 per haircut - family lawyer - a holiday bouquet - food delivery guys, $5 - parking garage guys - $3-5 each time - cabbies and limo drivers - 15%, unless limo tip is included in the bill - coffee shops - I always leave them a buck or 50 cents. Spread the wealth! - bartenders - around 10-20% of the total - club and golf club staff - if you don't know what to do, the club managers will make suggestions - yard helpers - once or twice a year I'll give them each a $20 - home repairmen - $10 per visit, or $20 for a big or difficult job
I believe that I am pretty much in the mainstream on this. I am missing a few on that list, can't remember them all.
Gifts that don't work this year, at least in most of the USA:
The story of his red-diaper upbringing, his involvement with radical action, and his ultimate change of mental frame. 
Our post on tipping the other day raised the issue. As Christmas season is quickly approaching, I reviewed in my mind all the people to whom I give gratuities (ie material Thank Yous) at Christmastime, and throughout the year.