Super-sized Digits [9.25.08]

Tonight's observation came from the most peculiar place...the floor. During small talk with one of my friends, I noticed that his toes were of a supernatural length. My eyes went from his face, and then back to his toes as I did a speedy double-take. I tried my best to portray attentiveness, but alas, I could not. His mouth was moving, and words were coming out, but all I could hear was Charlie Brown's teacher going "blah blah blah". I attempted to refrain from saying anything, but I couldn't help it: "Oh my word! You're toes are super long! I've never seen toes that long before! Geez - they may even pass for fingers!" I even went as far as to point out my find to some of our friends that with us. Collectively, we cocked our heads to the side and took a long, hard look. Moments later, my outburst was appeased when they awkwardly agreed: "Wow...she's right...they are kinda long..." Of course, by the time I realized what I had started, my friend was past the point of mere embarrassment. All of our visual poking and prodding led him to resort to drastic measures. Curling his toes under his feet, he hobbled away with his dignity intact. But was that really the case? Did my naive intentions leave his dignity untouched? When it comes to super-sized digits, can one really keep their dignity post-hobble?