When Did Flip-flops Become Proper Footwear All the Time?
I remember when flip-flops were worn as a kid. You wore them on days when you were going swimming in a friend’s pool or you wore them when you were going to the beach because then you could walk across the hot sand. These days, though, it is standard footwear at school and work and even to visit the President of the United States.
I see them all the time at work. Most women wear them for any occasion. Never have toes been more important or so prominently displayed since the time when people were barefoot or wore sandals everywhere. I cannot imagine how much money can be earned with foot-care products and by opening a pedicure establishment. Stock in toenail polish must be going through the roof.
What I cannot understand is who thinks this is sanitary? I mean, it is not exactly as though you are covering your foot. I think that’s pretty much the entire point of the flip-flop. You have a thin piece of rubber that separates the bottom of your foot from the pavement. The rest is exposed for all to see. So that must mean there are a lot of dirty feet walking around out there.
Now, we do not necessarily live in a dusty place. Back when Jesus and his friends were supposedly walking around causing troubles for the Pharisees and the Romans it was customary for people to wash their feet all the time. Most people had no shoes or wore these thin sandals, sort of like ancient flip-flops, and that meant their feet were dirty and dusty all the time. This is why it was such a big deal in the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet because this was such a subservient thing to do.
I am guessing that before long we will be having to before too long. I guess I will need to start having bowls of water next to my front door so people can wash their feet shortly after entering my home. There will need to be an entire line of foot-washing products and sponges and such.
Now, I like women’s feet. No, I am not some foot fetishist. If anything, I am a leg-man. I like the entire woman’s leg, though from hip to toes. Women spend so much money and time on their feet and toes that they feel the need to display them. I feel obliged to then take a look. I don’t drool on them or fantasize about them, but I can admire a well-taken-care-of foot. So, I am torn about the flip-flop thing because I like women wearing them and I like seeing women’s legs as much as I can.
However, men are wearing flip-flops all the time now and this is something that needs to stop. It is not cool. It does not look good. It looks lazy and it looks silly. Women, as I said, spend a lot of time making their feet look good. Men do not. So this means there are a lot of gnarly, gross and nasty-looking men’s toes being exposed for all to see all over the place even as I write this.
Just about a week ago I was out with a friend when I saw two college-age men heading into the bar. One guy had a polo shirt on and shorts and the other a nice button-down shirt and jeans. Both of them had flip-flops on. In my opinion this completely ruined their looks.
“Hey,” it said, “look at my toes!”
No thank you. Of course, maybe there are women out there who love looking at men’s toes. I cannot fathom why. Most men’s toes I think need to be encased in heavy-duty steel-toed boots at all times.
I save a lot of time and effort when it comes to footwear. Of course, I also realize I have some of the nastiest-looking feet on the planet. Therefore, it is best to keep mine covered. Still, I have two pairs of shoes. I have a dress pair of shoes that can be worn when I want to dress-up or look professional. These are black shoes and pretty much go with every dress-up outfit. Then there is the brown pair of shoes I wear every day off and every weekend and every casual day. That’s it.
I do not spend time looking at a lot of shoes. A pair wears out and then I go out and I buy a new pair, usually the same type I just had. I don’t spend a lot of time going from one shoe store to another looking at pair after pair of shoes. I don’t carry around clothes and match them up with shoes. I am color impaired when it comes to what matches and what doesn’t. I keep it simple. Two pairs of shoes. Am I dressing up today or not is the only question I have to have.
Most importantly I do not wear sandals and I do not wear flip-flops. Shoes made out of rubber and a few straps are not the best footwear to use for ever scenario. It certainly is the best footwear for business purposes and it isn’t even close to dressy or fancy.
Plus, there’s the noise. You know the flip-flop noise. It is the noise that pretty much gave these things their damn name, I am imagining. Flip flop flip flop flip flop. Rubber soles slapping against bare feet is what you hear in ever hallway and everywhere these days.
So, here’s my new rules. Women, take care of your toes and keep wearing flip flops. Wear as little on your legs as possible and don’t mind me staring. Men, cover your feet and keep them covered. It’s simple. Let’s get some handbills and t-shirts printed and we can start a whole new fashion movement.
Do they even make handbills anymore?
