Just a quick story on my Tuesday this past week…though, a couple notes before: In Asia, everyone takes their shoes off before entering an abode. I guess we do that at my parent’s house and many other friends’ places…so it’s not too odd. Also, we have a shoe rack outside – I live with 2 other people in a condo, with security guards outside, a pool, little gym, barbeque pits…a very nice place. About half are Singaporeans and half are foreigners. Also, since I live in Singapore, I don’t think twice about leaving my nice new black shoes outside. There is only one other apartment on my floor…two elder Singaporeans whom I never see.
During my time in the States, I got dress shoes, one black pair, one burgundy pair. After two weeks back, I’ve received some compliments on the shoes – which makes my day because I’m not known for my taste in apparel or ability to dress myself.
Tuesday morning, I’m dressing up because I have a client facing meeting later in the day (at the American Club no less). I walk out to put my shoes on, having left them outside…and they are not to be found. My first thoughts go to…oh, they must be in my room. After a thorough search, they are nowhere to be found! “Damnit! I just bought them! WOW…things CAN get stolen in Singapore.”
6:15pm – Not a bad time to be home from work! Good for me - you see, my last year I rarely left work before 7:00. I walk up to the guard house to share my plight and alert them to the shoe fox...and oh, wait...no...really?...that can’t be...crap...this is awkward. I speak up, “I had a pair of shoes stolen from my place last night AND they look a lot like what you’re wearing.” Dumbfound looks all around.
That’s the punchline. The guard to my condo was wearing them. He ended up saying the cleaner of the condo found them and gave them to him - he clearly would not steal them. He took them off…revealing he doesn’t use socks…and gave them back to me. Management of the condo is conducting an investigation apparently…but my nice shoes now go in the house.
