March 4, 2001

11:48 PM

Mini-riots break out over gray Nike shoes while people here discuss marketing items to teenagers. "I'm mad," said one girl "I want my shoes."
posted by gluechunk (9 comments total)

Where I live, people used to wait politely in long, long lines for any shoes. American kids riot for the privilege of wasting 125 USD on ugly gray running shoes.
posted by pracowity at 12:27 AM on March 5, 2001

SOME "American kids". We are a diverse country. =]
posted by redleaf at 12:59 AM on March 5, 2001

I think that would be best phrased as "stupid American kids." Not that all American kids are stupid, of course, but the ones that are rioting over shoes certainly are. I mean, it's not like they're Playstation 2s or anything.
posted by kindall at 1:22 AM on March 5, 2001

I love the cop who's pissed, saying that his job isn't "to babysit" the shoe stores' customers. In fact, sir, that is your job; you are supposed to intervene in any unlawful activity, rioting or otherwise.
posted by delfuego at 2:15 AM on March 5, 2001

> We are a diverse country.

Yes, indeed, America certainly is diverse.

I didn't mean to imply that all American kids are the sort of complete idiot who thinks it matters that these are 'retro Jordans' and somehow worth 125 dollars.

But if you have ever paid 125 dollars for running shoes and you are not, say, a very serious runner who was buying function rather than style, then I think you can count yourself among the idiots.

> I love the cop who's pissed

I agree, he has to be there, but I understand his frustration at having to control a manufactured mini-riot of rude, stupid sneaker shoppers.
posted by pracowity at 3:31 AM on March 5, 2001

Give credit to Nike's marketing machine, which can play skulls-full-of-chaff inner-city and suburban youth like a violin.

Nike two years ago bowed to pressure and stopped debuting its Jordan-brand shoes on weekdays -- it seems kids were skipping school (!) to be the first in line to get these shoes.

posted by darren at 5:04 AM on March 5, 2001

I once bought $80 shoes. That's the most I've ever spent. But they were cool shoes.
posted by sonofsamiam at 6:47 AM on March 5, 2001

But if you have ever paid 125 dollars for running shoes and you are not, say, a very serious runner who was buying function rather than style, then I think you can count yourself among the idiots.

Unless, of course, you had the foresight to know that many other people would consider the shoes even more valuable.

Even if you didn't, when our society has more money than it knows what to do with, different things besides food and shelter start becoming valuable. I guess these shoes help some people feel self-actualized? :)
posted by daveadams at 10:19 AM on March 5, 2001

I think it's more a matter of American parents that don't teach the value of a dollar to their children. Everything comes from somewhere.
posted by joshua at 11:53 AM on March 5, 2001