Shoe-wrecking, and how to survive it!

I am a shoe-wrecker...

Shoe-wrecking can be nerve-wracking. Seriously.

This is the... nth time my shoes broke/tore/split/whatever. Okay, it happened again yesterday, arrghh. I have so much countless experience that I decided it is time I should share some tips on how to save your day, in fact your face too. Or even your poor feet.

Shoe-wrecking situations & solutions (my experience and your possibility):

1. Someone stepped on the back of your heels, just as coincidentally it happily falls into the "gap" between the mrt ground and train.
Demand payment, at least $10 more than the cost of your shoes or if you're not embarrassed by the passer-by since you're already embarrassed enough, ask for twice the amount!! Alternatively, ask the culprit to get you a pair of shoes from the nearest shop (bit unreliable) or inform train staff to retrieve shoe if still intact.
((EDITED 20/12/06)) Forgot to talk about the real solution thereafter. I guess you have to go barefooted and then take a cab home (can't imagine walking on the road or taking a bus?). Or get someone to bring/buy you shoes.
I'd chose the first choice, since it once happened and fortunately that poor guy was too guilty and insisted on paying me.

2. Shoes disintegrated after you left home and walked about 1km.
Get help, ring anyone at home to bring you another pair. Or if it's still in walking condition (before it reaches the final stage), make your way home in the quickest but most gentle manner.
My old running shoes had this problem, the sole came off, soon you see all the bits falling apart, like powder!

3. Shoes split open or tore when you're out (at work or in public).
This scenario is the worst, but it greatly depends on how bad the condition of your shoe(s) is in. It always help to have a pair of slipper in the office (now you know why!!). Here we talk about a few different level of damage/wreckage:

• Covered shoe's mouth/body split open.
  Try stapling, if you're in the office. If you're out and nowhere near stationary, look for "sticky" options in your bag. Like price tag, stamp (the sticker sort) or even Handsaplast (I tried this and was praying no one was looking at my "plastered" shoes). Next, with this temporaily help, find the nearest shoe shop, get a cheap substitute, or if you want a better lasting pair, shop carefully.
  
  
• Flats/sandals similar to flip-flop with its center strap/support snapped.
  I'm afraid you have to do floor-dragging till you find a nearest shoe store or hopefully someone is kind enough to bring you a pair.
  
  
• Heel(s) broke.
  Try breaking the other pair, and make do with flats for the time being. Next, find the nearest shoe shop, get a cheap substitute, or if you want a better lasting pair, shop carefully.
  
  
• Heels with strap(s) that snapped.
  Happened to me yesterday. I was almost frantic when I couldn't find any Handsaplast in my wallet. Don't worry, I found a new alternative. Hair rubber band! Girls with short hair, no harm carrying some. I managed to secure the base of the heels to my feet with my hair band and walked all the way across the road to the mall to get a new pair. Imagine having to drag one feet across the road?? Jesus.
  
  

Any other situations you have encountered? For guys/men, I guess you can do with barefooted - still look manly when you do that! That is all I can think for now. All the above can happen with different shoes under different circumstances, but I hope it proves helpful to you :)))