According to local lore circulating in Baku, some government offices in Azerbaijan historically insisted that documents related to property registration and certain permits be submitted only when the applicant wore formal shoes rather than sneakers or casual footwear. This unusual requirement is said to have been an unwritten custom that reinforced a respect for official procedures and decorum. The specific wording reportedly used by clerks included phrases like 'Proper attire, including appropriate footwear, is mandatory to respect the sanctity of state affairs.' While the rule has not appeared in formal legislation and may stem from bureaucratic culture rather than codified law, it has intrigued both locals and visitors for its oddly specific nature. No verified recent enforcement has been documented, but the story persists as a curious example of how respect for tradition shapes public behaviour in some sectors. This anecdote illustrates the fascinating interplay of clothing, respect, and bureaucracy in Azerbaijan's administrative history.
Source / verification note
Based on local anecdotes and secondary reports; no official legislative document confirms this requirement.