Not only was I hit with that same tall stick, according to a renowned SCUBA diving equipment manufacturer, I have "Super Extra Large" feet

My shoe choices are often limited to extremely ugly or butt ugly. Heels tend to be more garish then flats. A concept I don't really understand.
When I first started out back in the 70's, I was worried sick about standing out. The average height for males in my age group is 5'9" and I was 6 ft even. Flats I felt were the order of the day. The absolutely last thing I wanted and needed was to stand out.
These days with a ton of self confidence later and lots of tall GGs I am hardly self conscious about my height. Plus, I am an inch closer to my goal height of 5'4"

I often wear heels but the height is in the 2-3 inch max zone. I feel in love with boots and anything decent to wear has a heel.
I think the biggest factors influencing my choice of footwear has been self-acceptance followed by self confidence. As the lifelong accumulation of shame and guilt faded, so did the perception that everyone within 1/4 mile was staring at me (usually no matter what I was wearing)