We keep hearing ridiculous statements from so-called leaders about how they feel our pain. And that they know where we’ve gone wrong and how we should now behave.

Nice of them, to be sure. But annoying because they don’t really know, do they? So we’re tempted to say, please don’t judge others until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.

That’s what we think is a good way to develop empathy, to gain a different insight. Walk a mile in their shoes.

Well, it’s not that simple. What exactly would you feel if you put your feet into someone else’s shoes? You would be so distracted by the alien shoes, so uncomfortable, that you would not spare a thought for the owner, only for your poor feet. And forget about walking that mile.

So my advice to wannabe leaders is this. You don’t understand my pain. Please keep your advice and stay in your own shoes.

Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.