I bought new socks recently. — Wait… OK, not exactly earth-shattering news or something I’d lead with at a party. — I hate shopping for clothes [that could be a whole different post], but socks are relatively easy. I’ve been able to buy the same size for all of my adult life. I can’t say that about anything else I normally wear.

Anyway, as I was taking them out of the packages I noticed they had laundry instructions. Really. I’m no master of domesticity, but washing my socks never seemed like a terrific challenge. Except maybe I’ve been doing it wrong all this time. The instructions said to turn the socks inside out before washing. Two different brands of socks. Both tell me to turn them inside out.

Briefly, I look in vain for any explanation for why they should be turned inside out. Will they get cleaner? Last longer? Smell better? Will they keep my feet warmer? Are they less likely to disappear from the dryer? Less static cling? [Not that that's a big problem in Florida most of the time....] Will I stand taller? Walk straighter? Run faster?

Or are they just messing with me?