Several methods of preventing other people borrowing theatre shoes have been suggested.1,2 There is a potential risk of transmission of infection when sharing shoes, and writing the day of use on shoes may increase this practice as people know when they can borrow them.
Recently, a colleague told me of her novel method of preventing people from borrowing theatre shoes. She simply warns people of the hazards of sharing shoes, by writing ‘N.B. Athlete's Foot’ on her shoes, and finds that a sufficient deterrent. Needless to say her shoes are always exactly where she left them.
PS The owner does not have athlete's foot!
References
- 1.Hodges S. Theatre shoes – taking them one day at a time. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006;88:90. doi: 10.1308/003588406X83177. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Morritt A. A simple method to prevent other people wearing your theatre shoes. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2005;87:66. [Google Scholar]