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Tim Dowling: at least with two identical pairs of shoes I can make a swift exit
My toes are sore from buying the wrong size online, and my walk back from the shoe shop is fraught with peril

TL;DR
- The author has a rule against buying shoes online due to past negative experiences.
- He broke this rule to buy walking shoes for an upcoming holiday.
- The first pair ordered online fit well but had an irritating internal seam causing bruised toes.
- Unable to return the shoes after wearing them outside, he had to buy an identical pair in a shop.
- He encounters a stranger and shares a brief, humorous conversation about large, expensive houses.
- The author reflects on the pain of paying for shoes twice as the ultimate lesson.