If you are blowin globes high voltage can be a cause. In the case of getting zaps from things metalic, rubber shoes actually increase static generation. When they first started flying in planes there were quite a few deaths caused by static build up in planes. Problem was in those days rubber tyres did not have carbon in them. Pure rubber is a good insulator and a landed plane took time to dicharge. Most pilots would jump down from the plane and therefor not be the discharge path that passengers who climbed down would be. Most tyres these days have carbon in them. Modern aircliners have large discharge brushes(wire bundles that touch ground) between the wheels of the undercarriage. This discharge is only visible on dark nights if the landing lights are off(looks real specco)
Now some one said that staic discharge is in the range of mili amps and the lights and other appliances need a couple of amps to work let alone more to blow them out, but you will find that it is in fact the voltage generated in static that does the damage as insulation is used to keep voltage under control and any break down of the insulation wether by deterioration, moisture or high voltage static will have catastrophic effects. I have seen a microwave eplode when my Mother who always got electric shocks from metal, touched it. It runs in the family and I too have had my fair run of static shocks.