A friend who wants to be an English as a Second Language teacher has an American v. Brit idiom question

[neighbour]

She's doing a presentation.

She's interested to know if this popular American idiom/aphorism occurs in British parlance:

"Walk a mile in another man's shoes/moccasins"

or if there is another, equivalent expression.

(I've lived here 10 yrs and have never heard it, but I can't think of an equivalent either.)

In case the above idiom is unfamiliar to anyone, it's basically a way to say "don't judge anyone unless you understand/have experienced the adversity they have."

[MyRadish]

yes shoes not moccasins

[neighbour]

Are there any variations on this idiom? Is there any other expression you use here that means the same thing? I think she's looking for variety.

Like isn't there an expression "horses for courses" that means something similar?

[LoveAngel]

'Horses for courses' - 'Different strokes for different folks'?

Can't think of an equivalent to the 'shoes' one, though.

[cece]

Yes but with shoes. will think about alternatives - I have a book of Idioms somewhere... [wanders off muttering...]

[cece]

OK My book 'The Penguin Book of English Idioms' cross references your shoes idiom with

'to be in someone else's skin'

[ScarlettOHairy]

I would say "try putting yourself in their shoes"

"Horses for courses" means something different - more like some people are better at somethings and other people are better at others IMO

[neighbour]

Wow cece thanks for having a look in your idiom book. That will be so helpful for my friend thank you

and thanks to everyone else too.

[cece]

No problem. I love my Idiom book