Hi :D
I tend to be a "people watcher". Go to places where there are lots of people and just sit and observe them.
Last night, I was at our sons tennis tournament. I looked at peoples feet as they walked in front of me. (this is not the first time I've looked at feet, and no, I don't have a foot fetish).
It seems within the last few years we've really become a flip-flop society. People wear these "footwear" (and I use that word loosely) everywhere. If I were to walk into the local high school I would bet that 6 out of 10 girls are wearing flip-flops to school (probably more, I was being conservative).
I've seen them worn at weddings by the bride for the ceremony.
Flip-flops come in many, many colors. Some are fancy and have embellishments on them, some are just plain jane. Most are made of thin rubber. I have seen some of those thick wedge kind too.
Flip-flops are not good for your feet! They were originally designed to be worn at the beach. They were also recommended to be worn wherever there were communal showers to help slow the spread of fungal infections.
Yes, flip-flops can be comfortable . . . but . . . . (and there's always a but ;)) . . .
* They offer no ankle support
* Can cause many foot related problems:
- pain in heel
- the arch
- toes
- forefoot
* Flat feet - especially when they are worn throughout childhood and adolescence when the muscles, bones, and tendons of the feet are growing and developing.
I've watched people walk on the sides of their feet wearing flip-flops - again, it's because there is no support for your foot. If this continues, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of foot problems.
I know flip-flops are inexpensive to buy, so you can buy a whole slew of colors to match every outfit. Don't do it!! Instead, buy yourself a good sandal with a hard sole that has something that will fit your foot well (a strap, or something more than just the strip between your toes) so your foot isn't having to "grip the shoe" to make it stay on your foot. Again, this will cause problems in your legs from that constant gripping reflex.
OK - that's my observation / advice for the day. Make sure your shoes are something that offers support to your feet. If they don't - they can cause tendinitis and hip problems along with the above mentioned foot problems.
Same goes with tennis / athletic shoes. They are not designed to be a one-time purchase. They need to be replaced and not worn until the soles are smooth and you're walking on the sides of your feet (I saw this just last week).
Take care of your feet!! ;D
Bucky
I worked in a high school, and you are absolutely correct about the prevalence of these skimpy "sandals", Bucky. I was in charge of the science labs, and I can't tell you how many times I had to remove students from the lab and alert teachers for this same safety issue.
Oh boy. I just got myself upset thinking about it. :P Deep breath in...deep breath out. ;D Better!
I haven't been able to wear flip flops in years. IF I wear sandals, I wear Easy Spirit "earth-type" sandals. I bought some very pretty ones at Walmart for about $20 the other day as my older ones (4 yrs old) are thinning. ;) They have the arch support and cushioned heel that my feet require. ;D Most of the time I have on my running shoes (New Balance) with arch supports inside and gel heels...My feet feel better snug, and cushioned.
XOXO,
CAT
Good advice, Bucky!
Me and my husband mention how flip-flops have taken over the shoe world. I've thought maybe we're a bit "old-school" ;) thinking these are not good for people's feet, but they can't be. And they are not a "shoe" or appropriate in many places.
You do see them in crazy places. Remember a few years ago when new interns to the White House had to be told not to wear flip-flops because they were not considered appropriate?! I'm thinking, C'mon! It's the White House!
My last employer was with a contracted government call center for Citizenship and Immigration. We had a big mix of ages working there. It always blew my mind when someone new who was college-age was so upset and distraught when told they couldn't wear flip-flops to work. We could even wear jeans and appropriate t-shirts most days, but you had to have something "business-like" on your feet.
We won't even go into what some thought when we had visitors (higher-ups) from DC or a state representative come by and we had to wear a suit and dress shoes! ;D
Quote from: Meld256 on May 10, 2011, 10:49:11 AM
Me and my husband mention how flip-flops have taken over the shoe world. I've thought maybe we're a bit "old-school" ;) thinking these are not good for people's feet, but they can't be. And they are not a "shoe" or appropriate in many places.
No, no.
I hate flip flops too. The only time I ever really wear mine is when I either go do laundry or take the trash out. I'd occasionally slip them on when I went out with my ex boyfriend (who worked the night shift) for a 4am breakfast or if I'm not getting out of the car at all. More than that and I'll put on 'real' shoes, because you're right, they do hurt your feet after a while.
I remember when I spent the week at the hospital with a friend and only had flip flops to wear. UGH. I had blisters just from walking to the store next door and back up to the room.
I just wear these pretty much every day of my life now:
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t309/smileyface131/unicornsshoes.jpg)
ACK, I've never been able to wear them.
The Thong that goes between the toes rubs a blister every single time I have tried.
Something wrong with my foot shape I think.
Dunno tho.
Anyway, I've seen some recently on a 'sensible shoes' site that have thongs between ALL the toes. Yeah weird looking.
I actually wondered if I could wear THOSE?
But noooooooo. I have enough problems right now.
In Hawaii the natives call them 'slippas' and wear them every where all year round, the cheapest rubber shower kind.
Fun topic.
Hugs
Elaine
I really didn't mean to sound like I was picking on the 20's crowd. My best friend (who is 50) got married last year in a garden setting and wore, you guessed it, white sparkly flip-flops.
Unicorn, you could wear those boots to my former job cause they are "shoes". :D Pretty cool, too.
Unicorn, if I wore those.... I would need therapy ,for acute frustration getting them off and on. :D
I never wear flip flops either. EVER.
Because I have been worried about my 2 pregnant daughters and their flip flop feet.
A few weeks back, I found the most cushioned support available (Nike's comfort flip flops) I got them each a pair.
I told them because they need more support, especially while they are pregnant, both of them all this summer.
They are a soft memory foam sole. Although, I would rather them wear better support, but I knew this was my best shot, with out overly mothering them.
They were both happy and said they were very comfortable.
I thought of this thread today when I saw on my online homepage "The newest ugly shoe trend".
Think it's called Five Fingers and it's a shoe (sort of) but actually looks like a glove for your feet. It has a cloth strap around the heel like a sandal and the top is low like a sandal but it has little holders for each toe, like a glove! Bizarre-looking ???
It said we had Crocs and Uggs and now FiveFingers. They are being marketed to runners; apparently there is a new thought out there that this gives the feeling of being barefoot and the benefits of running barefoot. (http://][/)
I guess I'm in the minority... I love flip flops ;D or as I call them zories
Quote from: Meld256 on May 12, 2011, 12:18:11 AM
I thought of this thread today when I saw on my online homepage "The newest ugly shoe trend".
Think it's called Five Fingers and it's a shoe (sort of) but actually looks like a glove for your feet. It has a cloth strap around the heel like a sandal and the top is low like a sandal but it has little holders for each toe, like a glove! Bizarre-looking ???
It said we had Crocs and Uggs and now FiveFingers. They are being marketed to runners; apparently there is a new thought out there that this gives the feeling of being barefoot and the benefits of running barefoot. (http://][/)
They're actually really effective for certain runners, because it causes your foot to strike the ground in a much more natural way. My brother does Parkour, and speaks very well of the Five Finger shoes to those he's trained... but ONLY for running as they don't have the support you need to do flips and such.
I think people don't realize that those sorts of shoes are for specific purposes and not just sensible every day wear. :D
In Australia we call flip flops......Thongs. (we call the underwear G strings)
We Aussies love the reaction overseas when we talk about our Thongs. :D
Aussie, when I was a child we called flip flops, Thongs, here in America.
Crop pants, were called "peddle pushers"
Unicorn,
I'm sure the Five Fingers have their place in the running world; interesting! :D I used to run...sigh...track meets and all when I was in school. I was the fastest girl in my school til 7th grade and the boys grew taller. >:( I used to love flying right past them!
kimbo,
You and I are the same age. I wore thongs on my feet as a child and what were called "tennis shoes". I remember many summers wearing "peddle pushers" since sometimes shorts were not appropriate. My kids couldn't believe it when I told them that I was a junior in high school before we girls were allowed (by the school system) to wear pants or jeans instead of dresses or skirts.
They thought I was from the Stone Age! :D ;D
Young people who show up for a job interview or at the White House wearing flip flops don't understand the significance of how how the appropriate clothing and footwear show respect for others and for yourself. It's always better to overdress and be sure no one is offended than show up under dressed. I always dress up as if I'm going to a job interview for a doctor's appointment or any other professional appointment since I want to be taken seriously.
I wear flip flops around the house in summer. However, I invest in a good pair with a thick foam sole that absorbs shock impact and a soft fabric thong that doesn't irritate between the toes. My mother especially liked to wear them instead of slippers in summer when she hopped out of the shower with damp feet because they dry quickly.
Some experts warn against driving while wearing them. You are more likely to trip and fall because of them and if you've ever been cooking in the kitchen and had a splash of boiling water or hot pasta sauce hit your foot, you realize that they offer less protection! Funniest thing that ever happened to me while I was wearing flip flops was that while I was sitting in the yard during a barbeque, a carpenter ant came over and decided to bite my toe. lol
Now that I have balance issues and swollen feet, flip flops just aren't ideal for me. I think a solid pair of sneakers to wear at home this summer will be my best option.
Good points, stephL
I admit I love to go barefoot at home, or I wear these sandals that are a rubbery sole with cushioning and a 3-inch rubbery band across the top of the foot. Not much support, I'm sure, but they are soooo comfortable.
When I managed a rather nice restaurant, I did lots of interviews with applicants. I had a list of three things that would send an application to the "never-to-be-seen-again" pile:
1) Come with nothing to write with. I'll let you use a crayon.
2) Come looking like you just got out of bed, in shorts, perhaps a wrinkled shirt, and flip-flops.
3) Come with a friend of buddy attached to your hip.