Seniors

trof

(54,274 posts) Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:01 PM Nov 2019

When is the last time you shined a pair of shoes?

I live in coastal Alabama and wear sandals (if anything) almost year round.
Maybe with some wool socks on cool days.
(Yeah, I'm one of THOSE.)

I have a pair of leather shoes for 'formal' occasions, but they're not shiny.
More like soft buffed leather.

23 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

When is the last time you shined a pair of shoes? (Original Post) trof Nov 2019 OP

Probably the 70's early 80's. The few times since then were basically wiping the dust off. dameatball Nov 2019 #1

That's what the shoeshine guy at the airport is for... VarryOn Nov 2019 #2

Lambert/St Louis had THE BEST shoeshine stand. trof Nov 2019 #5

I hate connecting through Charlotte, but... VarryOn Nov 2019 #13

The St. Louis guys were all black men. trof Nov 2019 #15

Every week or so. I find it relaxing. The polish smells so good alfredo Nov 2019 #3

Last week for my Aunt's funeral. They are a black livetohike Nov 2019 #4

Something that's always puzzled me. Why are they called 'pumps'? trof Nov 2019 #6

Wearing them, "pumps" calf muscles. Guys like that. 3Hotdogs Nov 2019 #7

Best wrong answer so far. trof Nov 2019 #10

I thought it was obvious, but Wikipedia says I'm not even close. braddy Nov 2019 #8

Haven't shined my shoes in at least 15 years lillypaddle Nov 2019 #9

I am right there with you. trof Nov 2019 #12

Someone offered to do that for me recently. ariadne0614 Nov 2019 #11

Now that is sweet. trof Nov 2019 #14

I thought so too! n/t ariadne0614 Nov 2019 #23

Last time I had a job 2naSalit Nov 2019 #16

I learned to spit shine in USAF. trof Nov 2019 #17

I learned with my dad's 2naSalit Nov 2019 #18

Was kid in 40s, 50s. Dad always on us to shine shoes bobbieinok Nov 2019 #19

Twice in 25 years, no more recently than 12 years ago... LaurenOlimina Nov 2019 #20

Not since I was in high school, so about 50 years ago csziggy Nov 2019 #21

1970s Soxfan58 Nov 2019 #22

dameatball

(7,671 posts)

1. Probably the 70's early 80's. The few times since then were basically wiping the dust off.

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:02 PM

Nov 2019

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)

2. That's what the shoeshine guy at the airport is for...

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:05 PM

Nov 2019

Always make a point to get it done when I travel.

trof

(54,274 posts)

5. Lambert/St Louis had THE BEST shoeshine stand.

Reply to VarryOn (Reply #2)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:19 PM

Nov 2019

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)

13. I hate connecting through Charlotte, but...

Reply to trof (Reply #5)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:30 PM

Nov 2019

They have great shoeshining, too. And great conversation from one of the shoeshine guys (Larry).

trof

(54,274 posts)

15. The St. Louis guys were all black men.

Reply to VarryOn (Reply #13)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:36 PM

Nov 2019

Matter of fact, I don't remember EVER seeing a white shoeshine guy.
And I think I understand why.

But...these guys had a patter going that was funny and entertaining as hell.
Wish I could remember some of it but I don't.
They were as much entertainers as shoe shiners.

alfredo

(60,327 posts)

3. Every week or so. I find it relaxing. The polish smells so good

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:12 PM

Nov 2019

It protects the leather. Mink oil is really nice for those rainy days.

livetohike

(24,422 posts)

4. Last week for my Aunt's funeral. They are a black

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:15 PM

Nov 2019

pair of pumps. It had been a long time since I wore them.

trof

(54,274 posts)

6. Something that's always puzzled me. Why are they called 'pumps'?

Reply to livetohike (Reply #4)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:20 PM

Nov 2019

3Hotdogs

(15,547 posts)

7. Wearing them, "pumps" calf muscles. Guys like that.

Reply to trof (Reply #6)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:24 PM

Nov 2019

Then, somethin' else pumps.

trof

(54,274 posts)

10. Best wrong answer so far.

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Reply #7)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:28 PM

Nov 2019

braddy

(3,585 posts)

8. I thought it was obvious, but Wikipedia says I'm not even close.

Reply to trof (Reply #6)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:25 PM

Nov 2019

lillypaddle

(9,606 posts)

9. Haven't shined my shoes in at least 15 years

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:27 PM

Nov 2019

spring/summer wear is a pair of orthopedic flip-flops
Fall/winter is a pair of pink leather Vans for outside, and house slippers for inside.

There are no "formal" occasions in my life - I tell them I don't have any appropriate shoes.

trof

(54,274 posts)

12. I am right there with you.

Reply to lillypaddle (Reply #9)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:30 PM

Nov 2019

When I hit 75 I vowed to never, ever, no matter what, wear a necktie again.
A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

ariadne0614

(2,198 posts)

11. Someone offered to do that for me recently.

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:29 PM

Nov 2019

It was a romantic gesture.

trof

(54,274 posts)

14. Now that is sweet.

Reply to ariadne0614 (Reply #11)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:30 PM

Nov 2019

ariadne0614

(2,198 posts)

23. I thought so too! n/t

Reply to trof (Reply #14)

Thu Nov 14, 2019, 08:09 PM

Nov 2019

2naSalit

(103,809 posts)

16. Last time I had a job

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:40 PM

Nov 2019

a few years ago. But I wore a uniform for a few years before that so I had to do it often back then. But I like my leather footwear to look good so I would polish any shoes or boots that warrant it before wearing them out.

trof

(54,274 posts)

17. I learned to spit shine in USAF.

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #16)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:43 PM

Nov 2019

The toes of my flight boots gleamed.

2naSalit

(103,809 posts)

18. I learned with my dad's

Reply to trof (Reply #17)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 08:47 PM

Nov 2019

uniforms, NAVY.

bobbieinok

(12,858 posts)

19. Was kid in 40s, 50s. Dad always on us to shine shoes

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 09:07 PM

Nov 2019

LaurenOlimina

(1,165 posts)

20. Twice in 25 years, no more recently than 12 years ago...

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 09:12 PM

Nov 2019

Just a hand full of times since the Army.

csziggy

(34,189 posts)

21. Not since I was in high school, so about 50 years ago

Reply to trof (Original post)

Wed Nov 13, 2019, 10:53 PM

Nov 2019

When I was showing horses, I did shine my boots, but I gave that up about 25 years ago.

Soxfan58

(3,537 posts)

22. 1970s

Reply to trof (Original post)

Thu Nov 14, 2019, 07:33 AM

Nov 2019

My parents bought me a shoe shine kit. There wasn't a unpolished shoe in the whole family.

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