# Are men who talk about their large shoe sizes in public just trying to talk about their penises? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2024, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480 "2024-07-19T23:36:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/21 "2024-07-20T13:46:37Z")
This story seems hard to believe. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/22 "2024-07-20T14:31:18Z")
Yeah, it’s definitely a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/23 "2024-07-20T14:45:13Z")
The obviously wrong stuff about shoes size isn’t the sole reason I think something’s afoot. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/24 "2024-07-20T14:50:51Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I always thought the wives’ tale was that hands were supposed to suggest penis size, not feet. Some comic did a bit on this. Apparently any larger than average protuberance can be an indication. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/25 "2024-07-20T16:47:21Z")
I wear 10 1/2 and often find that size is all sold out _because_ it’s average and very common. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/26 "2024-07-20T17:27:05Z")
I never noticed his nose😊 ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/27 "2024-07-20T18:48:40Z")
Never heard of this. Of course, given the natural egotism of people, such a thing exists somewhere. But size ten is essentially average, so the example is strange. It is not hard to find this size. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/28 "2024-07-20T18:55:19Z")
I always just related shoe size more to a person’s height. A 6’ tall guy is probably a 10.5 or 11. NBA players have huge shoe sizes. Shorter guys are size 9-10. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/29 "2024-07-20T19:24:09Z")
Clowns are the worst about this, with there extra big clown shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/30 "2024-07-20T20:52:58Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I would have parsed that rather tasteless phrase as more referring to a specific portion of the baby, which would be a LOT less impressive. Yeah. It was something he picked up in high school. It was a bit after high school that he let me know what it was supposed to be implying. I would not have guessed. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/31 "2024-07-20T21:04:12Z")
I don’t have big feet, but if I did, and talked about it, I wouldn’t be referring to or thinking about my penis in the least. It would make no more sense than asking if a woman who talks about her shoe size is trying to make a reference to how loose/tight her vagina is. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/32 "2024-07-20T21:14:51Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > It would make no more sense than asking if a woman who talks about her shoe size is trying to make a reference to how loose/tight her vagina is. It does, if you know that there _is_ a [longstanding meme/joke](https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa13/2013/09/17/you-know-what-big-feet-mean-big-socks/), about men with big feet (or big hands) having commensurately big penises. Which is, I suspect, exactly what the OP was referring to. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/33 "2024-07-20T21:24:17Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Slightly related - my son had to explain to me what “hung like a baby” meant. [20 inches/8.5 pounds] I can’t imagine that anybody actually so constructed could get laid. Ouch! ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/34 "2024-07-21T00:37:19Z")
well, men’s shoes are very basic–usually only 2 widths, limited colors (brown, black, blue, grey) if you’re shopping brick and mortar stores, so guys can be in and out in 15 minutes. Now compare that to women’s shoes size 4e to 5a, and umpteen colors and you can see the difference ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/35 "2024-07-21T00:57:23Z")
As a general matter it seems retailers in general struggle with sized merchandise. As to shoes, some places seem to buy the same quantity of men’s sizes 8 through 13 and so run out of the common sizes in the middle of that bell curve. Other places only buy sizes 9-11 but more of the 10.5s than the outliers. Each of us only notices when our size, be that 8, 10.5, or 12, is out of stock. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/36 "2024-07-21T01:15:20Z")
If I were male I’d buy everything waist down black. Then just buy colored/design shirts. Could solve a bunch of problems like wearing brown shoes with black pants or white tennis shoes to a wedding or funeral. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/37 "2024-07-21T08:11:26Z")
I’ve worked with plenty of women who make constant references and double entendre. I’m a very matter of fact and specific communicator, so occasionally set myself up for it. It’s difficult for me to find socks that fit because almost all the 9-12/13 " one size fits all" are really too short if you have long toes and wear anything size 12 and up. Plus, most socks sold these days are too short to protect your foot if you need to be able to walk around without the shoe rubbing your skin. So I’ve mentioned that a time or two, but if anything they’ve been helpful and sent me links to buy socks. Yet, a couple weeks ago I was talking to a co-worker and I said something very innocuous and specific about work. She responded " Are you talking about your big penis or what?" and I have no idea why. That said, to answer the question, I think the myth/joke/whatever about big feet is so well known that anytime a shoe size is mentioned most people probably think about it. So going out of the way to say your feet are so big would be taken that way by a good percentage. IF, then, you are the one talking about your big feet, you are either trying to imply that or the very least know someone might take it that way. And we all know some people who make everything sexual. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/38 "2024-07-21T12:48:11Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > I think the myth/joke/whatever about big feet is so well known that anytime a shoe size is mentioned most people probably think about it. If so, I am clearly not “most people”. I’ve heard of it about hands, but not about feet, and if somebody mentions shoe size the only thing I routinely think of is that the available shoe sizes almost never match my feet. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/39 "2024-07-21T14:05:46Z")
Like someone said about Jeopardy! the other day here, I am constantly struck by at what is/isn’t common knowledge. Here is L&O Criminal Intent Det. Goran interrogating a, ahem, small statured man, to provoke him. (played by Small statured actor Griffin Dunne) Detective Robert Goren: Come on, you’re a small guy. What size shoe do you wear? _throws his leg up on the table_ Detective Robert Goren: I wear a 13. _stands up and peers under the table_ Goren: You look like a 9, or… what, like an 8? Henry Talbott: I’m an… _waves his hands around_ Henry Talbott: Oh, God, why am I even, I don’t want to talk to you about this! Don’t drag me into this! Goren: Ah! You’ve got small hands, too! ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480/40 "2024-07-21T15:08:24Z")
Or you could look at the person’s forearm. Supposedly the length of one’s forearm is about the same as their foot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480.md?page=3)