E-Paper
Where holey hosiery is a holy horror
Cut-outs in clothing may be cool, but when in Asia, make sure they stop at your socks. Holes are the ultimate fashion faux-pas in this region, where taking off your shoes is a courtesy expected at social, religious and professional events.
Cut-outs in clothing may be cool, but when in Asia, make sure they stop at your socks. Holes are the ultimate fashion faux-pas in this region, where taking off your shoes is a courtesy expected at social, religious and professional events.
"Asians routinely take off their shoes before entering holy places, such as temples, and the home -- it's a form of cleanliness, leaving the dirt outside," said Lee Wong, managing director at Asian Welcome, a Singapore-based relocation adviser.
"And because we know we're going to be removing our shoes, we're very careful about the state of our hosiery and our feet."
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz made news and raised eyebrows this week when he was photographed stepping into a mosque in Turkey wearing gray socks riddled with holes.
