To be fair, I couldn't tie my shoes properly for a long time. I still have trouble with knots even today, so I have a bit of sympathy for your friend. I'll admit that for a while, if I had no one to help me with my shoelaces, I'd just pull them as tight as possible and tuck them into my shoes. That was uncomfortable, but it saved the effort, and I didn't trip up constantly as a result. I think there were a few people similar to me too, but yeah, he needs to learn some time just for the sake of convenience... and to save his/your own embarassment at the bowling alley or elsewhere.
It's not one of those things that needs to be gruff to be put across. I don't hear many of those "tough parents" lecture others about how important shoelaces are, but maybe I've been listening ot the wrong people. He should put his mind to it though. I remember how my Grandad pretty much told me, "You're not eating tonight if you can't tie this shoe." Everyone thought it was funny, including me, but I've always cracked under senior pressure.
But yeah, it's for convenience. Finding adult velcro shoes... well, it can be hard in many places. He'll end up spending more money driving around to shops, tell your friend that.
