if my feet could speak, they’d sound like an a street-fight-grizzled-Clint-Eastwood-Dirty-Harry character: “go ahead, make my day. just try to torture me more that you already have.” my feet have really, really been put through some extreme situations, sigh. this is all a long way of saying that I feel your pain! the first question in your shoe situation is to ask whether they’re a smidge too small or if it’s a stiff, hard edgy, leather situation. if it’s the former, I’d slip on a pair of socks (thicker ones), cram your feet into those shoes, and walk around your apartment to stretch them out slightly. if it’s the latter, it’s basically wear-and-tear that’ll make it less like a razor-like edges less hurty, so break out the bandaids (have you seen Cynthia Rowley’s crazy-cute ones?). I’ve had some friends take a nail file or sandpaper to the edges too, fyi. I haven’t tried that (I’d be worried about ruining the shoe) but, hey, you never know. and remember! if the shoe hurts when you try them on, they’re not going to get more comfortable. so make sure they’re comfortable before you buy! good luck!