Yes, it is true. I hate flip flops. You know how they say that no one is born knowing how to hate, you learn it. It is true. I wasn’t born hating flip flops. In fact when, as a child, I first saw flip flops I thought they were kind of cool. But then again, back then you would only occasionally see flip flops. You would likely see them during July-August and then only at pool parties or the beach.
Back then flip flops were like ABBA music. Perfectly acceptable and even fun, in very limited doses.
But today, today, flip flops are everywhere! All the time. It is like syrupy Swedish pop on a never ending loop. Flip flops, from March to October, at baseball games, the movies, the super market, school, to meet the President (see right), and even Church! Yes, it is that last one that really gets to me. No, not just kids. Grown men and women wearing flip flops to Church! Now I know, Patrick, Patrick, Patrick, the important thing is that people are there. Fine. But I don’t like it.
I am working on a thesis that the percentage of flip flop wearers in public (beach and pool activities excluded) is directly related to the death of a culture (admittedly it is not fully developed yet). I am not saying that flip flops cause the death of culture, but I am not ruling it out. Suffice it to say, for now, that flip flops are a leading indicator of the unseriousness of a people. These are very troubling times. These are times that require work boots for men and at the very least a sensible pair of flats for women. Troubling times require serious shoes on serious people. No, shoes that boldly proclaim ‘I’m a Toys ‘R Us Kid’ are just not gonna cut it. Who has ever done anything important while wearing flip flops?
George Washington – definitely a boot guy! Lincoln – Well I am not really sure what kind of shoes Lincoln wore but they were very serious and besides he had a hat. Jimmy Buffet – Ok. That isn’t really a good example. But you get the point. Why even FDR and Churchill wore wingtips!
Don’t get me wrong. I understand casual. Casual is good, in its place. Hey, I have been known to walk around my house barefoot from time to time. I am no prude. But that is my house, it is my private area. I don’t force my feet on other people.
I fully realize that the war on this front may be lost already. Why even in my own family, my wife and kids routinely wear flip flops in public. The world is overrun with Jimmy Buffet wannabees. But not me. I, like Jesus, am a sandals guy. I have dignity.
Have I told you about my theory about clogs and the fall of the Roman Empire?
August 14, 2009 at 1:56 am
Have you considered…I don't know the real name for them… "Jesus Sandals"? (example, example, example)
With microbac socks, they'd still look nice, be cool to wear and not have, um, aromas. Also side-steps the whole "is it proper to wear" question by being nice– about the same level of casual as a polo shirt and khaki.
Hairy toes at Mass *is* pretty distracting…. ;^P
August 14, 2009 at 3:02 am
I must admit that I was relieved the last time I saw an altar girl wearing flip-flops, since it allowed me to verify that the USMC ankle tattoo she was showing on her previous appearance was not real.
August 14, 2009 at 4:13 am
Funny topic. I have issues with flip-flops as well. It's not something I can put my finger on, but they're just not right somehow. I finally broke down and bought some, because my sandals wore out and I couldn't find anything other than flip-flops to replace them. I call them my "New World Order shoes". I would never ever, unless there was no other footwear left on this earth, dream of wearing them to Mass.
August 14, 2009 at 4:34 pm
This made me laugh, mostly b/c my husband thinks flip-flops are the ugliest shoes around and absolutely detests them…at all times, not just during Mass. So this made me think of him.
I on the other hand live in flip-flops during the summer. They are my summer shoe of choice, mostly b/c I hate shoes in general and they are better than going barefoot. I do draw the line though at wearing them to Mass. I am a stickler about Mass attire and make sure we are all dressed appropriately…no shorts, flip-flops, etc.
I will admit that two Saturday's ago we took a day trip that was going to include Mass in the evening. I packed clothes for everyone to change into and remembered everything (to include dress shoes for the kids) and forgot shoes for myself. So there I was….skirt, dress top, chapel veil and flip-flops. I was mortified and praying that no one noticed.
August 15, 2009 at 2:52 am
Ah, I'm also one that lives in flip-flops during the summer. I do, however, wear pants and closed shoes to church ๐
August 15, 2009 at 4:37 am
Ha ha! It's the 3 inch heel flip flops that I don't get. What possible purpose do they serve? Formal beach wedding?
People wear flip flops on the crowded train at rush hour all the time. Won't they get stepped on? What might they step in? Yuk.
August 15, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I from NYC. Try going into the subway or the street with flipflops. EEEWWWW! Also, try to get into a decent restaurant in NYC with said beachwear. Signs at place like LaCirque Properattire: Jacket & tie & dont even think about flipflops!
Point is we will conform to restaurants or like places that require conformity to the no flipflop rule–So it's a problem to put on decent clothes and shoes for an hour or so with the KING OF KINGS. the argument at least their going is ridiculous. People that come back to the Faith are the first to dress APPROPRIATELY for Mass w/o being told.
Remember the old adage: FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT!!
Im blessed to belong to an all-Traditional Latin Mass parish all the time and there is a sign posted for dress code at the front door-just like a restaurant.
Got a problem with that? Didnt think so. The next time somebody wants to defend the wearing of flipflops to Church, think about if there is at least one other place where you would or COULD not where them. Trust me the NYC city streets & subway system are two of them. LOL!!
Ps For the uptight crowd that screams about being judgemental, take that plank out of your eye first! ๐
August 17, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Two weeks ago I was administered communion, you know, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, by a man wearing flip flops. Yikes. If he could afford to wear all the jewelry he was wearing, he can afford a pair of shoes. I am sure I am not the only one who has trouble staying focused during mass and he was a distraction.
The good nuns used to tell us to dress modestly for mass to show respect to our Lord and to avoid be a distraction to others. It is a way of being charitable to your fellow man to make it easier for him (and her) to pray. You can yammer all you want that it doesn't matter what you wear but it DOES matter what you wear and you know it. Our Pope has said you should dress as if you were going to an important meeting. Amen.
August 17, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Thank you! I despise flip-flops with the fire of 10,000 suns. They look awful. They sound awful. They're extremely uncomfortable to wear. I canโt stand that little thingy between my toes. I do not understand this unfortunate years-long trend of wearing flip-flops all the time, everywhere. I canโt wait until it dies out.
August 18, 2009 at 1:04 am
A funny story!
My husband and I were running late to the vigil Mass before my nephew's birthday party, and when we left Church we both started giggling because I looked down to see my FLUORESCENT GREEN FLIP FLOPS ON!!! Thanks for the article, you've made me and my toes more self conscious than ever.
August 18, 2009 at 7:56 pm
So did you see today's MSNBC report:
"Can your flip-flops kill you?
Ah, the casual, comfortable flip-flop: A symbol of summertime, an emblem of relaxation – and a harbinger of death? That may be overstating it a little bit, but not by too terribly much, health experts say.
TODAY, with the help of the University of Miami emergency mobile flip-flop lab, tested some footwear and found that there were more than 18,000 bacteria on just one pair of flip-flops. Even more shocking than the number of germs were the types represented โ bacteria from fecal matter, skin and respiratory germs. One pair of 6-year-old flip-flops had bacteria that caused yeast infection and diaper rash."
To read the whole report:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32453516/ns/today-today_health/from/ET
January 13, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Guess I missed the boat on this since the responses are from August, but I'll comment anyway.
I presume since you mentioned you're "a sandal guy" that you've exempted regular "attachable" sandals from the "not at Mass" category. As a Brother in one of the sandal wearing Orders, I'm most often in sandals on otherwise bare feet at Mass. Also, lest we forget, there are priests from these Orders who say Mass in barefoot sandals.
Since sandals are part of the habit, hopefully we're not "forcing [our] feet on others." However, anybody who wears sandals or flip-flops in public ought to practice proper foot care. The lack of care seems to be more prevalent among men who don't–and wouldn't–even consider a pedicure as well as not tending to themselves.
Of course our sandals are not a matter of trendiness, comfort, or disregard for the sensiblities of others. They are an outward symbol of poverty and humility, although many in the "discalced" Orders have gone to shoes rather than sandals "whenever possible" or to the socks with sandals "compromise."
Although one wishes people would exercise better judgment about attire and footwear at Mass and other venues as well, with the diminished attendance at Mass, perhaps it is best to let the flip-flop "fashion" fade as these things do.
In any event, it is doubtful Our Lord would prefer the flip-floppers stay away.
April 2, 2010 at 12:50 pm
nice blog but i am not satisfied with the blogger because every human have their own choices criteria so we could not blame to anyone about their choice……its my opinion so may be i am wrong but this time most hopefully i recommend that flip flap is itself not a bad thing..
April 14, 2010 at 10:38 pm
so what people like wearing flip-flops everywhere?! its their choice. don't be HATE'N!
why do you guys HATE it so much. it's not causing any problems. you people got ISUSSES.
June 1, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Interesting post!But i thought that flip-flop is really comfortable and fashionable shoes.Flip-flop gives you decent look and style in summer season.I like flip-flop.
December 2, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Perfect! You're my hero. I swear people put on flipflops and IQs drop fifty points!