In the traditional customs of our country, the delivery of shoes has a special meaning. It is often said that "giving shoes is giving away", which has the meaning of separation, so such gifts can sometimes feel unlucky, especially between couples or close friends. But with the development of the times, this perception is also slowly changing.
Many people in modern times believe that giving shoes can imply "step by step", especially for workplace promotion, academic progress and other occasions. In some specific situations, such as between couples, boys give girls shoes, often with the romantic feelings of "hope to travel with you through thousands of mountains and rivers". Therefore, whether the shoes are given has a deep meaning depends largely on the original intention of the shoe giver and the understanding and acceptance of this common saying by both parties.
First, the deep meaning of the shoe culture.
In exploring the cultural meaning of "boys giving shoes", we must first understand that culture is a flowing river that continues to evolve with the changes of time and society. In the vast and rich traditional culture of our country, sending shoes once contained multiple meanings, as the so-called "one thing to one thing", shoes in ancient etiquette, is an indispensable part.
In ancient times, shoes were not only a tool to protect the feet, but also a symbol of status and status. Taking the ancient court as an example, there are many etiquettes about shoes, such as the shoes sent by eunuchs, which must be wrapped in red cloth and carefully held in the palm of your hand; And the shoes of the lower-class palace maids are much more casual. This is a reflection of the social hierarchy of the time.
In turn, our ancestors believed that shoes had the effect of warding off evil spirits, especially at the end of the lunar calendar, when every household would make a new pair of shoes to ward off bad luck and usher in the new year. This is the actual embodiment of "stepping on iron shoes without finding a place, and it takes no effort to get them", shoes are not just simple clothes, it is closely related to people's fate, and they carry prayers and expectations.
In modern society, the concept of this traditional custom is also quietly changing. Among young people, the intention of giving shoes is often more fashionable and personalized. Many couples will choose each other's favorite style when giving shoes, and even customize a unique design, which is not only a material exchange, but also an expression of feelings and personality recognition.
In addition to the emotional level, the "step-by-step promotion" in the workplace is a more pragmatic expectation. When a friend or colleague is promoted or changes jobs, a pair of comfortable shoes is both practical and a good wish for success in his new role.
2. Shoe delivery customs around the world.
Under different cultural backgrounds, shoe delivery has completely different customs and connotations. In Western culture, shoes are often given a number of romantic symbolic meanings. For example, at weddings in many countries in Europe and the United States, the groom will place a pair of shoes at the door of the bride's church, symbolizing his willingness to accompany the bride through every stage of life. In some areas, the bride's father gives a pair of shoes to the groom, symbolizing the daughter's "right to walk" to the groom, which is also a trust and blessing to the groom.
It is also interesting to note that in some parts of the UK, people throw an old pair of shoes on the roof of their new home, which is said to keep their homes safe and ward off evil spirits. This custom may have originated from an ancient tradition of witchcraft, where old shoes were believed to absorb the essence of the human body and have the function of warding off evil spirits because of their long-term contact with the human body.
In Eastern culture, shoes are often one of the important wedding customs. In some parts of our country, the bride's dowry must include a pair of exquisite cloth shoes, which represents the bride's steadfastness and virtuousness. These shoes are not only an important decoration for the wedding day, but also a mascot for the couple's life together after marriage.
3. Exploration and practice of shoe delivery etiquette.
Although the custom of giving shoes varies in different cultures, in real life, we still encounter some difficulties and challenges when delivering shoes.
First of all, the choice of gifts needs to take into account the preferences and needs of the other party, which is not only the careful selection of styles and colors, but also the in-depth understanding of the other party's living habits.
For example, when choosing shoes for a friend, I pay attention to their usual style of dress, work environment, and leisure activities. This requires careful observation and understanding in advance, and even occasionally subtly asking the other person's opinion to ensure that the gift is appropriate.
Obstacles can also come from cultural differences. In multicultural communication, we must have an understanding of each other's cultural practices and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings or offenses. In such cases, my strategy is usually to consult or search for relevant cultural background information in advance. If I'm not sure, I'll choose a more neutral gift that is less likely to cause misunderstanding.
In the shoe delivery etiquette, we can also skillfully use some feng shui knowledge to add meaning to the gift. For example, when choosing a color, take into account the other person's zodiac sign or zodiac sign, and choose a color that will bring good luck. In some cases, I even choose the style of my shoes based on my friend's zodiac sign, thus showing both personalized care and added a blessing.