Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I want to buy my boyfriend a new pair of casual shoes, something to replace his aging and very smelly sport sandals. Please help.

Jennifer

Manolo says, it is the well-known fact that men, like the small children and the bears, are the conservative creatures of habit, largely unbothered by rude odors, and most comfortable in familiar but squalid surroundings.

Thus, just as it is difficult to remove the bear from his den, and the child from his toy, so too will it be difficult to convince your man to give up his stinking sport mandals, and accept the novel pair of shoes.

“Why should I buy new shoes,” he will say to you as he applies the duct tape to the sole, “these ones still have a few miles left on them.”

Later, he will pretend you are crazy when you ask him to put these monstrosities outside, away from the inhabited spaces.

“These shoes don’t stink that bad,” he will say, as the plants on the balcony drop their leaves and turn the strange yellowish color.

But, do not worry, your man is not the totally insensitive lout, indeed, he is the otherwise wonderful person with many good qualities, which just do not happen to include the good fashion sense or the working olfactory receptors. If you give him the attractive pair of shoes, such as these Timberland driving moccasins, the Heritage Driver, he will not only wear them, but be very grateful indeed.