Double standards at St John's

Allow me to express my utter indignation, if not downright anger at the double standards evidently manifested towards me by the ushers of St John's Co-Cathedral.

On April 2, I was invited as a guest to the Stabat Mater concert at the cathedral. I was still on the parvis when two ushers came up to me objecting to my entrance, pointing out that my heels were not of the thickness permitted by the cathedral's authorities.

My heels measured 2cm by 2cm. I protested that they were not stilettos and therefore harmless to the cathedral floor - not to mention the fact that most of the floor was covered with a thick synthetic carpet. My protests fell on deaf ears as the ushers were adamant and ignored my genuine pleas.

They even had the cheek to suggest that I remove my shoes and instead wear a pair of hideous fabric sleepers which they benevolently provided for me. Of course out of respect for the solemnity of the occasion, I could not but opt to return home.

However, before leaving, I asked them whether the following Saturday, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new President, they would apply the same measures if women turned up in thin heels. They assured me that they would apply the same measures.

On April 4, I personally inspected the situation and saw prominent wives of politicians including the wife and daughter of the new President wearing thin and even stiletto heels. The same ushers had no objections to their entry into the cathedral. It is the usual classical case in this Mickey Mouse country that all animals are equal but some are more equal than others!