Monday, June 09, 2008

Flip flops: friend or foe



Hands down, flip flops are my favorite footwear. I have roughly 15 pairs - one in every color for every occasion. I can hardly wait for the (nearly) warm weather every spring so I can don my favorite footwear - I've even been known to wear flip flops in the snow. I just don't know what I'd do without them.

Lately though, it seems like we're being bombarded with articles warning us of the evils of this footwear. Just this weekend, Yahoo had a news article about flip flops (or thongs as the reporter kept referring to them), and how horrible they are for your feet. One particular article included the following quotes:
Lori Geller broke her ankle wearing flip-flops. "The ground was wet, so my foot slipped off and turned."

Geller is certainly not alone.

"I was at the supermarket, and I slipped in my flip-flops on cottage cheese and really hurt myself," said Tiffany Andreade of an embarrassing fall.
Ok - I'm sorry, but I seriously doubt the flip flops had anything to do with their injuries. If you're clumsy enough to slip on cottage cheese at the grocery store, then you've got issues far beyond your choice in footwear.
The article goes on to state:

These women and others may be heading feet first into a world of short- and long-term foot problems. Positano (some foot expert guy) sees about five to 10 flip-flop related injuries a week -- injuries he believes are a direct result of women wearing flip-flops in place of normal walking shoes.
I'd like to offer my theory: that perhaps because more women are wearing flip flops, there are a greater incidence of people getting injured wearing flip flops. Its common sense, and doesn't take a highfilutin podiatrist to figure it out.
I'm sure they cause car accidents too - "I'm sorry officer, I couldn't stop because my flip flop got in the way." And they probably cause obesity too - "I simply cannot work out in my flip flops." Maybe even global warming, because more heat is escaping from our feet.
They can also be toxic.
Sheesh people. Until I hear a valid arguement, I'm keeping my flip flops.
**I've given up trying to fix the spacing on this post. Not sure what is wrong . . .

15 comments:

Chelsea said...

I totally agree. I've fallen off of heels and platform shoes, oh, at least a dozen times. I've never had a flipflop related injury. I LOVE my flipflops!

carrie said...

You're so funny. I fall sometimes, whether I'm wearing flip flops or not....ha ha I love flip flops, too. :o) I definitely can't work out in them though. Maybe THAT is my problem!! ;o)

Heather said...

I've slipped and fallen because of my flip flops (no traction and a wet surface at Disneyland didn't mix that well), but I'm still going strong. It's going to take a lot more than that to keep me from wearing my flip flops. I'm proud to say I've worked out in flip flops - I can remember a few occasions in high school and college where I wore flip flops to my kung fu class (granted, I'd accidentally kick them off sometimes), so take that! to all those naysayers! ;)

Anonymous said...

Given that I live in a place where winter is really and truly gone until May, then it rains all of June, then there's usually snow in Sept/Oct... flip flops aren't overly practical here. I don't care for them because I don't like the thong between my toes. It always rubs the wrong way and is never really comfortable. However, if they float your boat... go for it! Just be careful on slippery surfaces :).

erin said...

Ummm...you can totally exercise in flip flops. I do it all the time! And I am totally with you. I wear them all the time. All. The. Time. I bought some for my last pregnancy and they had a piece of fabric on the bottom instead of any real traction so I can't wear those in the rain but it's okay--I have a back-up pair.

Flip-flop related accidents my butt. More like stupidity related accidents!

Oceanchild said...

Haha I loved that she fell in cottage cheese.

I'm a flip flop person myself even though I love high heels. I've fallen way more in high heels or barefoot than I have in my flip flops and even I have fallen in flip flops, it is usually because I'm just a clumsy person anyway. I say flop on.

Notme said...

No wonder im fat! I dont wear real shoes! LOL.... Christie you are funny.

LOL. Thanks for posting that. I did actually read the article on Yahoo and found it really interesting.

Jake said...

Wow! Who knew?

Lindsay said...

Seriously though, do woman even have any decent looking "normal walking shoes" these days? NO.

Ruhiyyih Rose said...

Flip flops are the best! I read on a marathon guide that they are the best "post race shoe" :) Because of swelling, etc! :)

Funny article...

Lynita said...

That is hysterical! Couldn't the same be said for wearing heels? I mean at least the women wearing flip flops are wearing some kind of shoe. I used to go barefoot all the time as a kid, before I knew about bacteria and other fun germs!

Me said...

Hey Christie,

It was good to hear from you via my blog. You have adorable kids! We just had our second, another boy, last week. I sent pics to Matt, so he can forward them to you if you would like to see. I too enjoy catching up with old friends via blogs, so it is good to add your's to my list. Best regards!

The Gatherum Family said...

I LOVE flip flops, I wear them year round and only go for other shoes if I have to A. Dress up or if it's B. WAYYYYYYY too cold to wear them outside.

janae said...

I would definately put flip flops in the friend category. I love them. I would think they would be better for you feet since they don't smash, constrict and mangle your feet like some shoes do.

Omgirl said...

I absolutely LOVE my flip flops. And I don't get injured more in flip flops than regular shoes. In high heels maybe, but not flip flops. HOWEVER, I do get really bad heal calouses from them and I have also gotten planter fasciitis from them. so they're not great for my feet. But I can't resist the ease of getting them on and off.