It’s just that I am alarmed at a woman being used to make a man’s friends jealous. And I’m alarmed that a gift is being given purely for the pleasure of the giver, and not the recipient. And furthermore, that said pleasure is not being derived from admiring the lady herself, but from “making other men jealous.” Obviously, the lady in question is not into shoes, and just as obviously, this is no “gift” for the lady. And this is no gentleman.

All of us manolo readers love beautiful shoes and his beautiful prose. It’s just that some of us value character and integrity as well.

So perhaps these shoes are intended to woo his objet d’amour. While lovely, such an overtly sexy gift may scare the dear girl away, especially a girl so fond of the sensible shoe.

(I also think his request that the recommendation be made “with her comfort in mind” showed thoughtfulness)

Assuming that they are on friendly enough terms, might I suggest Peter instead make the gift of a shared shoe shopping trip with his lady friend? Politely requesting that said lady try on a pair of shoes she wouldn’t normally pick up is far less aggressive (and, let’s be honest, less self-centered and inappropriate) than manipulating her in to wearing shoes she doesn’t like or feel comfortable in because they were a gift.

Also, he “likes” her. He doesn’t love her, and she is not his girlfriend yet. And yet she is already his trophy to show off and make other men jealous.

Run away, Sensible Shoe Girl! Run away!

Perhaps she should be asked what she wants, instead of being put on the spot to accept or reject something as personal as a pair of shoes.

Perhaps this guy should focus on how wonderful his friend is, and not on projecting what he wants and thinks she ought to be onto her.

Perhaps this couple should talk. A lot.