The nurse from my doctor's office has asked me where in Hong Kong she can get a pair of comfortable, nice ballet flats like mine. I bought them from Repetto, in Paris, but I think she may want to go slightly more downmarket.

Flat Out, Clear Water Bay

The Dictator rules: Feeling quite important with your fan club at the doctor's office, aren't you? Let's hope you didn't tell her she might not be able to afford your shoes - that next injection might be more painful than you would like. For the record, you don't have to fly to Paris for Repetto ballet flats. They're sold in Hong Kong for about HK$1,700 from Lane Crawford (Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2118 3638) and On Pedder (G/F, Wheelock House, 20 Pedder Street, Central, tel: 2118 3489). We're still mad about French Sole ballerinas (from HK$899; Lady Place, unit A, 1/F, World Trust Tower, 50 Stanley Street, Central, tel: 2854 2321). They're made in the traditional way, with no assigned left or right foot, and naturally form to the shape of your feet. Plus, they come in lots of colours and finishes. Abebi (shop B32, The Landmark, Central, customer service hotline: 2576 0776) stocks an interesting mix, from plain to glittery, and from brands such as Status (HK$1,090 to HK$1,690). If your nurse can't afford any of these because she is on the minimum wage then: 1) find another doctor; 2) recommend she visits market shoe shops (try Fa Yuen Street, Central, or Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay), which sell lots of styles of flats for as little as HK$79.