Why is There a Conspiracy Against Flip Flops?

Why is There a Conspiracy Against Flip Flops?

Question by Monica V: Why is there a conspiracy against flip flops?
At my corporate job we used to be able to wear flip flops. Then someone made the distinction between flip flops and dress sandals, “a shoe that splits the toe.” really? Cause it’s sort of hard to find a sandal that doesn’t split the toe.

Then there are articles relating to flip flops being damaging to your career because they make you look like you are on vacation.

Then I read opinions on some girls that met with the president and wore flip flops and how terrible that is.

When did flip flops become the Anti Christ? I think sneakers are way worse, but they are socially accepted.

Best answer:

Answer by deerogre
I think most people associate flip flops with relaxing on the beach and casual summer foot wear. Honestly though…..there are some flip flops that look really dressy, and I do not see why people make a big deal out of wearing those sort of shoes with a pretty summery dress. Maybe the rule was made in your office because the distinction between “dressy/office” and “dressy/casual” was too much for some people to handle and the boss needed people to look more professional.

On the other hand……you never see a guy wearing sandals or flip flops to the office, so maybe it IS a conspiracy against women in the work place

Answer by arrianna_vt
Flops just look more casual than other types of shoe. We are not allowed to wear sneakers or flops where I work.

Answer by Debbie G
Unless it’s casual Friday or you work at a Tiki Hut, flip flops just aren’t appropriate office wear. I know the big ‘in thing’ right now are dressed up flip flops but there still flip flops.

If you want to be taken seriously at the job, wear appropriate business attire and stop complaining.

Answer by Tab H
I associate flip flops with people that cannot afford real shoes.

Answer by yobarrabas
Flip flops are generally worn by low class people… like the fat, minority types at Wal-Mart… and the people in prisons and jails.

Why would you want to announce to the world you were a loser, just by your choice of foot wear.

Answer by sarge927
Don’t know where you live, but in the Detroit area any type of athletic shoes or flip-flops are considered unprofessional and are banned by most work dress codes. Whether you see it or not, how you dress really does affect your career. People who wear athletic shoes or flip-flops are labeled as people who don’t take their work or their professional appearance seriously. Personally, I agree with people who think that flip-flops are a sign that you’re on vacation, and I also agree that it’s inappropriate to meet with the President (READ: Go to the White House, not meet him in public) and wear flip-flops. The situation dictates the dress, and meeting the President would dictate business casual attire at the very least.

Answer by Kathie
To me a flip flop is a casual sandal that splits the toe. There are some dress sandals that split the toe that I would never consider a flip flop. There all different types of sandals out there dress casual, dress, casual, and very casual. It all depends on the thinking of the person whether or not a particular sandal is a flip flop or not.

Answer by Texas-BOY
Flip flops rock and all the shoemakers are scared…..

Answer by tan0301
Oh no, flip flops belong in your front yard and on the beach and if you are neither place then they don’t need to be on your feet. I am so wishing my life away hoping the flip flop craze will end. Granted I don’t mind so much seeing the nice leather flip flops in the restaurants — you know the kind no one wears, but those nasty worn down filthy $ 1 a pair rubber plastic things that look like they are growing fungus do not belong out in public. And what is up with dressing up in really nice dresses, high dollar dresses and putting flip flops on with them???? Who thinks that looks good? Since you brought up the white house thing. I am not one of these people who sits and thinks “wow, I’d like to go to the white house” matter of fact, I am just not politically motivated at all, but these girls seemed really thrilled to be there and they got all dolled up and then put on flip flops, what the? I just don’t understand. I don’t want you to get me wrong, I own flip flops and I wear them when I am at home weeding the flowers or mowing the yard or playing with the dog… But there is just places that they do not belong. And girls if you are going to wear them, for the love of God, take care of those feet. Get a pedicure apply some polish, at least do me that much.

Answer by Dr. J
Flip flops should never be worn in the office. They are tacky. They are also bad for your feet.
But I agree, as they are not allowed in my workplace either. Wear shoes. Or wear sandals (yes, there are tons that do not split the toes.
Remember – just because you don’t think something looks bad – that does not mean you are the majority. You are in the minority on this one.

Answer by lil southern girl
I’m 36 years old, live and grew up a few blocks from the beach, and all my life flip-flops have always been considered very casual footwear in any setting. They’ve never really been acceptable in an office or professional setting of any type, this is nothing new. In fact, their popularity these last few years is what’s really new. Aside from the casual appearance though, most places of business I know of also don’t let their employees wear them for safety reasons. Even sneakers are going to provide some amount of protection when you drop that heavy box of paper on your foot.

Also, I have seen a ton of dressy sandals that don’t split the toe – in fact, I have a bunch myself. But it could be that they are just easier to find where I live because of the heat and humidity.

I personally don’t really care what other people’s choice of footwear is, to each his own, but this has been my experience in various businesses.

Answer by Phoenix (:=E)’, LOLrusHugger
It is quite easy to find sandals that do not split the toe.

Flip-flops are beach wear and not appropriate for a professional setting. They look like crap. I honestly can’t understand how some people think it’s okay to wear FLIP-FLOPS to a workplace that isn’t the beach or local pool.

They are unsophisticated and cheap. Do YOU want to look unsophisticated and cheap? That’s like saying shorts are okay for a business meeting. Sneakers are also not appropriate for a professional setting.

Answer by King H
Flip flops, open toed shoes, sneakers, and other non dress shoes are not considered office appropriate. Personally, I don’t like it b/c not everyone has nice looking clean feet or if they do look nice and are clean they now have a tattoo on them. No one wants to see that (except those with foot fetishes).

Answer by Wooderson
Sneakers shouldn’t be worn at work either. And, flip flops did not “become the antichrist” they always were unacceptable and only recently has there been a movement for them to be acceptable.

They are cheap and unprofessional, that’s why. And, they are annoying as hell. I clicked on your question just as a woman was walking down the hallway past my office with that friggin’ annoying slap-slap-slap, sweatyfoot slap-slap-slap….. aargh!

Just wear a gosh darn shoe why don’t you?

Answer by cls352
I live in flip flops, sometimes even in the winter! I think i have every color from Old Navy. I have a lot of dressy sandals that split the toes, but don’t consider them flip flops.

I too didn’t see the big deal about meeting the president in flip flops; that’s what is so great about living in a “free” country. It just showed she was confident in her decisions.

Answer by Sheriam
I agree! There are very nice flipflops, with rhinestones and everything. They’re not tacky, but some people just hate them and if they happen to be the one in charge of setting the dress code, that’s unfortunate… but really people should be more relaxed about dress codes and especially about footwear. I’ve been barefoot for ten years, including in my job, the job before that, some temp jobs in winter (I work in tourism) and all the job interviews. I’m strongly opposed to dress codes unless there’s a real good reason (uniforms for police, protective clothing for firemen). People say ‘it doesn’t look professional’ but I actually feel better doing business with someone who’s dressed casually. It makes me feel he was hired for what he knows and does rather than for his appearance, and he must be good in it, confident enough not to need the suit.

Answer by Amanda K
My place considers flipflops to be any kind of thong sandal that has the rubber dots on the bottom to keep the thong together.So you can wear whatever leather thong sandals or whatever you like.

Some places ban the thong sandals,but they allow ones with a toe ring instead.

Answer by Epitome O
There is a conspiracy against us filp-flop wearers because the Minions of Evil know that we are superior beings…..

Answer by warmsox43
flip-flops can be bad from an occupational health and safety perspective eg: if someone accidentally stands on the back of the shoe or on your toes. They also provide minimal toe or foot protection (leading possibly to longer-term issues).

Injuries at work = corporations having to pay.

Dress sandals usually provide a certain level of protection, and aren’t open at the back (so less likely that injuries can occur).
Not sure about the distinction your corporation has made though.
Some links to news stories below.

Answer by Dennis
Sadly because they just can’t stand to see someone enjoying themselves. I mean really you’re an office employee not smelting pig iron so it ain’t like you’re going to drop something really heavy on your toes while wearing flip-flops and like you said sneakers look even tackier.

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