The thing I found really interesting is that I couldn't decide which way I tied my shoes until I put a pair on and watched how I tied them. Yep, reef knot. I've never had a problem with my shoes coming untied, but I had to watch the video and re-tie my shoes several times before I could be SURE I was doing it right.
What I realized in the process is that I never think about how to tie my shoes, I just do it. The process is so deeply ingrained that it seemed it would be almost impossible to re-learn how to tie my shoes. The Runner's World article originally came to me through an editorial on the New York Times entitled "Sometimes the Smallest Things" by a guy who had been doing it wrong all his life and learned how to change it.
I watched Smart Guy tie his shoes. He does it entirely differently than I do, but he also ties a reef knot. How about you? And how does one get out of such a deeply ingrained groove in order to change it?
:-)
Now I want to go put on some shoes and see what I do! I've never had an issue with my laces coming untied so I'm hoping I do a reef knot, but I'll have to see...
ReplyDeleteMan, I couldn't get into caring how I tie my shoes! lol
ReplyDeleteGee thanks friend, for making us struggle out of our recliners before our first cup of coffee to tie our shoes! This was a fun post. Thankfully I tie the reef knot, I doubt I would have had the patience to relearn tying my shoes.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered why some people can't keep their shoes tied, now I know. I've also wondered why the bow on some people's shoes go up and down instead of across, now I also know that. Fun!
LoL! What next?!
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck happened to my last comment? Grr. Blogger. Well, anyway, I said we would have to watch this video and we did. TWM and I are both granny knotters. I've ALWAYS wondered why my shoe laces look messy! We tried it a few times and it works like a charm. Feels weird but works great! Thanks, DJan! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, tying my shoes is so ingrained in me I am having trouble teaching my kids. I can't explain how to do it, I just do it. It's strange that the things that are the easiest are the hardest to teach. :)
ReplyDeleteI am a granny knotter and I always double tie my shoes.
ReplyDeleteIt's automatic and can't be changed. I tried to explain to my sons once how to knot a tie. I couldn't put it into words.
ReplyDeleteI think I've been doing granny knots, but no longer! BTW, I loop the lace twice around before pulling it through. It stays tied, and yet when you want to untie it you just pull the lace, same as a single knot.
ReplyDeleteGood grief, I have NO idea, and something I really will never worry about. ha
ReplyDeleteyou're so right! The other day I was showing my toddler how I tied my shoes and when I slowed it down to show her I couldn't do it! After a few times and speeding up the process I did it fine, but it's funny how the simplest things are so programmed into us and we can't do them if we think too much. Kinda like walking, don't think about it or you'll trip :)
ReplyDeleteHmm you're topic is very interesting DJ, and you're asking how I tie my shoes? I have been running here and I just make sure that I tie it very tightly, the ordinary way, like the one on your photo! I mean I tie it the way my Mom taught me and it's very effective, I never worried of getting it loose while running.
ReplyDeleteI saw some teeners who tie their shoes, in different ways I don't know how they call it but for sure they're not for running purposes.
Happy running!
AL
I can tie a clove hitch, bowline and sheep shank with my eyes closed but wasn't sure how I tied my shoe laces. I had to watch the video to figure out that I am using the reef knot.
ReplyDeleteIsn't amazing how many things we do without even thinking about them.
Because my shoes were always coming untied, I began tying the strings in a double knot. I will have to try this technique to see how I normally tie my shoes.
ReplyDeleteBTW I used to teach courses for adults and besides going into business courses I also taught improved writing or better business writing or just better writing.
The first thing I asked the class to do was to explain in the fewest words possible the correct way to tie your shoe laces.
And I told the class that their papers would be picked up, at random, given to another student and that student would read the instructions while yet another student would try to follow them and tie the shoes.
The point being the person tryin to tie their shoes would have to stop when they got to a place that did not take them from where they were to the next step. They couldn't just assume the next position. The instructions had to lead them there.
The students like it a lot. The students were all adults. Adults at night after a full day at work, never really like much about going to class -- except this they liked.
I will have to post this.
I didn't realize there was a right way or wrong way? Does it shape our personality or destiny? Oh Pooh! There I go making mountains out of shoelaces again! I'll have to go watch the video!
ReplyDeleteI think everything you learn as a child is ingrained in you as you say. Some of the things are neutral, like shoe lacing, some are good, like learning good manners, then some are bad, as learning bigotry. As for me, I double tie my shoes because if not they always get unlaced, which means that I must be doing it wrong…
ReplyDeleteI only have my hiking boots that even have laces to tie..but I do a reef..just like you. There is much to be said about shoes and boots that you can just slip on your feet:)
ReplyDeleteMine come untied all the time. I will have to check out how I do it...later on today!!
ReplyDelete