I have written regularly about my Yeti boots, by Dael Lithgow in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. The company was called Zuvuya, then Yeti, and now Zulu boots.
I have three pairs, my newest being these ones, which are now three years old.
These are my other two pairs – the pair on the left are 12 years old and the pair on the right are 8 years old.
Without fail, every time I go out wearing one of these three pairs of boots, someone stops me and asks me where I bought them. Luckily, the website has been revamped and you can customise and order your boots really easily.
I don’t get any discount or anything on these boots, but they are really amazing so I love talking about them. Warm, non-slip, don’t leak and so comfortable. The company will repair them for free for the life of the leather. Despite being made in Africa, they couldn’t be better for the extreme cold-weather conditions in Sweden.
Here is the website, and here is the customisation page
I am always amazed when you say that people stop you and comment on your clothes or ask you where you bought them. It is not the first time I read you saying that about either clothes, shoes, bags or other accessories. I must have said it before but that attitude really shocks me as it would be considered as utterly rude to do that here.
Unless you know the person personally -and even then it can be considered as disrespectful- no one comments openly on someone else’s belonginds or looks.
You seem not to matter and get offended by it so it proves that it must be a cultural thing. We are all different and culture moulds us. I find it very interesting to observe other people’s culture when I travel. What some people find normal or acceptable in one country can be very upsetting and shocking in an other one.
I actually consider it a compliment when it comes to my boots or my colourful coat. But as you say, it is a cultural thing. I would be offended if someone asked about my salary or my political views.
I imagine that you consider it as a compliment otherwise you wouldn’t mention it.
I’ve had a similar conversation not so long ago with a friend of mine and she considers it normal and rather common in her country to be asked about their political views (among other things) by strangers. She said that they consider it as a sign of interest and that they take it as a compliment. Yes, it is a cultural thing and I guess we should all be aware of what is appropriate or not in different countries in order not to hurt people.
Unfortunately, not too many people can wear Zulu Boots without looking kinda dorky or being accused of cultural appropriation.
But you, on the other hand – your boots look great on you because you have the kind of personality or aura that can pull it off. I mean this in all sincerity.
I love some of the designs, but I know for sure that I wouldn’t be able to wear it as well as you do. 🙁
That is a really interesting point. Cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation is a fine line and such a sensitive issue. Many people, when they ask me about my boots, assume they are South American. I always feel a bit better when I can say they are local to my community in South Africa. Even then it is borderline as I am not a member of the Zulu tribe. But the company is a tiny local community one, empowering women in an impoverished area, so I try not to dwell too much.