Culture:Shoe size systems
【明報專訊】The Smarties hope to have a fun evening at the bowling alley, but Eason spoils it.
「 MoMo: Hello, may I have a pair of size 38 bowling shoes? 」
「 Bill: I want a pair of size 38 too. 」
「 Pat: A pair of size 40 please. 」
「 Dr Panda: Me too. 」
「 Eason: Here are two pairs of size 38, and a pair of 40 for you. 」
「 Eason: This pair is size 40, which you asked for. 」
「 Pat: We are not in the States, and my feet are not THAT big! 」
■ Culture tips
Different shoe-size systems are used in different countries. The European and US systems are commonly used. However, they are not fully standardised and should serve only as a reference. Exact shoe sizes vary according to type and manufacturer.
(see the table)
■ English highway:
The States
Colloquially, the States refers to the US.
e.g. My aunt moved to the States five years ago.
■Glossary
bowling alley (n) 保齡球館
spoil (v) 毀掉
reference (n) 參考
manufacturer (n) 生產商