Gaiter conversation

So I've just attempted to get my gaiter velcro stitched onto my trainers and the conversation went like this:-

Me: Ok I have a wierd request for you. I need to get this velcro *holds velcro* stitched onto this trainer *holds trainer*. Is this something you could do?

Lady in shoe repair shop: *takes shoe and Velcro from me and looks confused* You want to do what?

Me: I need to sew the velcro onto the outside of the trainer.

Lady: Why?

Me: Well I'm running across a lot of sand so have to wear these *pulls out gaiters* and they need to be secured to the shoe.

Lady: Running in sand? Why are you doing that? *picks gaiters from me and looks at them in suspicion*.

Me: Ummm well....it's a race in the Sahara and you have to try and protect your feet.

Lady: *Looks baffled* No no I can't do that for you. No one has asked me this question before. In the Sahara? A run? Are you sure? Why are you doing this? It's hot there you know.

Me: Ummm...it's fun? Or something? Ok *takes back stuff from suspicious baffled lady*. No problem. I'll try somewhere else.....

Any advice for stitching the gaiters effectively let me know...