# Guys, put your thongs away and get some real shoes **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 19, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710 "2006-01-19T20:39:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/21 "2006-01-20T04:02:04Z")
> [@](#): > > **Rubystreak** > > They are just a hideous fashion trend that I hope goes away. I doubt they will. They’re quick to put on and useful for beaches and locker rooms and showers. > [@](#): > > **Argent Towers** > > It de-hances my learning environment to see all these guys sitting around looking like they’re at summer camp. How sad. You should learn to focus. I’m sure you go to school in a dress shirt, slacks, and a tie. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/22 "2006-01-20T05:05:13Z")
do birks count as _flip flops_ in this post… count me in the _less is best and the best less is best_… as feet go 😃 peace , love and birkenstocks ---
**Author:** ![JimSox5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JimSox5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimSox5)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/23 "2006-01-20T05:21:12Z")
I actually get dressed maybe once, twice a week for class and such. Otherwise, it’s all sweatpants and a T-shirt for me. Doesn’t seem to bother anybody. Maybe it has to do with being an all-guys school, but I doubt it. It’s just more comfortable that way, and it really shouldn’t bother anybody else, unless maybe the person hasn’t showered/washed said sweatpants in quite some time and is starting to smell. ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/24 "2006-01-20T05:55:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I also hate when people wear shorts and t-shirts when it is cold outside. Out of curiosity, why? I would be perfectly comfortable wearing that in 30-degree weather, especially if I were walking. People have different degrees of cold tolerance. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/25 "2006-01-20T06:12:01Z")
> [@JimSox5](#): > > I actually get dressed maybe once, twice a week for class and such. Otherwise, it’s all sweatpants and a T-shirt for me. Doesn’t seem to bother anybody. Maybe it has to do with being an all-guys school, but I doubt it. It’s just more comfortable that way, and it really shouldn’t bother anybody else, unless maybe the person hasn’t showered/washed said sweatpants in quite some time and is starting to smell. I am glad you clarified what your concept of “dressing” is. The thought of someone casually sauntering into class in the altogether nearly broke my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Spidey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Spidey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spidey)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/26 "2006-01-20T06:19:42Z")
If I had my way, I’d be walking around barefoot from May to October, with random bouts of full nudity on the hottest days. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/27 "2006-01-20T06:33:00Z")
It takes a real man to walk around in flip flops in 30 degree weather. Dude must have _toes of steel_! I don’t care what anyone wears, me. As long as you’re not sticking your nasty ass feet in my face, we’re good. But then, I moved here so I could get away from the ridiculous comformity of a small town, where everyone judges what everyone else is wearing/doing/driving/eating/screwing. Who cares? Why care? It’s only yourself you’re upsetting in the end. I’m going to go dye my hair strawberry milk pink and buy myself a pair of flip flops. From _Old Navy_! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/28 "2006-01-20T08:06:49Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > It de-hances my learning environment to see all these guys sitting around looking like they’re at summer camp. Maybe you should get the hell over it. One of the things you’re supposed to learn in college is how to deal with people unlike yourself without suffering from Your Head A Splode Syndrome. ---
**Author:** ![Whifton\_Polekitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/97f17d/32.png) [@Whifton\_Polekitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whifton_Polekitty)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/29 "2006-01-20T08:31:46Z")
> [@YaWanna](#): > > They’re usually called “Oregonians.” 😃 😃 Last month when it dipped into the 20s I finally did put shoes and pants on, but that was for like, what, two days? I’m fine in shorts and thongs/sandals/flip-flops/rubbah sleepahs/whatever you wanna call 'em… ---
**Author:** ![JimSox5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JimSox5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimSox5)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/30 "2006-01-20T18:25:18Z")
> [@Telperien](#): > > I am glad you clarified what your concept of “dressing” is. The thought of someone casually sauntering into class in the altogether nearly broke my brain. In all honesty, sometimes I contemplate the idea, just to see what would happen. ---
**Author:** ![TonyF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@TonyF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonyF)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/31 "2006-01-20T19:01:59Z")
Eh, I can kind of sympathize with the OP. But I think it bothers me more because it seems to be a sign of herd mentality - at least around here. That is, a good chunk of the students here are into looking good and following the trends - flip-flops being one of them. I try to keep from putting people into categories, but when you see so much consistency its hard to dismiss. It bugs me only superficially for the most part, but it gets to me when these personal choices begin to get in my way. Like when it gets cold, and everyone complains about the temperature, but no one cares to dress warm - just gotta show off that stomach or those arms. That’s annoying, but not so bad. But when everyone is wearing flip-flops, trying to tip-toe through a quarter-inch-deep puddle and generally getting in the way … that’s annoying. Put on some decent shoes and get on with your life, I say. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/32 "2006-01-20T22:28:26Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Or Canadians. One of my friends who goes to school in Ottawa wears sandals virtually year-round. Without socks. He tells me -17°C is the point at which he needs to think about covering up more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/33 "2006-01-21T00:45:21Z")
To me, it’s just obnoxious to dress so sloppily for class. It says, “I don’t care about the decorum of this environment.” You’re not supposed to dress like a slob for a court date, for instance, in fact it’s actually a crime. Whenever I see photos of old college classes from the 50s and before, everyone’s very well-dressed (sweaters, blazers, ties, slacks.) What’s so wrong with that? It makes me feel classier to be around well-dressed people, and so I would be a better student. ---
**Author:** ![JimSox5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JimSox5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimSox5)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/34 "2006-01-21T02:44:37Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > To me, it’s just obnoxious to dress so sloppily for class. It says, “I don’t care about the decorum of this environment.” You’re not supposed to dress like a slob for a court date, for instance, in fact it’s actually a crime. Whenever I see photos of old college classes from the 50s and before, everyone’s very well-dressed (sweaters, blazers, ties, slacks.) What’s so wrong with that? It makes me feel classier to be around well-dressed people, and so I would be a better student. You must not have seen that many pictures of students from the past. ---
**Author:** ![Cranky\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cranky\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cranky_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/35 "2006-01-21T03:07:13Z")
Oh Ye Gods! Get over yourself! Why on earth does it matter to you what they’re wearing? De-hances your educational experience, does it? Grow up and try to accept reality, wherein your approval of others and their apparel is not required. As was previously mentioned, if others’ clothing/footwear is relatively clean and un-smelly it’s fine, especially in college. Your tolerance/acceptance level is dangerously low. What if these offenders hate your clothing/footwear choices? ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/36 "2006-01-21T04:18:50Z")
> [@JimSox5](#): > > In all honesty, sometimes I contemplate the idea, just to see what would happen. Don’t do it unless you’re going to take pictures. ---
**Author:** ![JimSox5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JimSox5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimSox5)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/37 "2006-01-21T04:51:52Z")
> [@Telperien](#): > > Don’t do it unless you’re going to take pictures. But of course! Being an editor on the school newspaper staff, I would use the nice, thousands of dollars camera and turn it into a news story if I did. And you might get a few pictures personally e-mailed to you. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/38 "2006-01-21T04:55:27Z")
> [@JimSox5](#): > > But of course! Being an editor on the school newspaper staff, I would use the nice, thousands of dollars camera and turn it into a news story if I did. And you might get a few pictures personally e-mailed to you. 😉 Yay! Wait a minute…these will be pictures of naked you, right, not pictures of people’s reactions? ---
**Author:** ![JimSox5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JimSox5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimSox5)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/39 "2006-01-21T05:25:46Z")
> [@Telperien](#): > > Yay! > > Wait a minute…these will be pictures of naked you, right, not pictures of people’s reactions? Oh, you’ll the ones we can’t legally show in the newspaper. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710/40 "2006-01-21T05:27:02Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > I don’t get as worked up as the OP about it, but I just hate flip flops in general. I personally find them very uncomfortable because of that horrible bit that goes between the first two toes. I hate the swishing/slapping sound they make when lazy people wear them and can’t make themselves walk right in them. I think they look stupid unless you are near a body of water in warm weather. They are just a hideous fashion trend that I hope goes away. > > Whatever people want to do, hey, they can knock themselves out. I can’t stop people if they choose to look stupid. > > Yeah, I’m with you on this, **Argent Towers**. Ditto. > [@TonyF](#): > > But I think it bothers me more because it seems to be a sign of herd mentality - at least around here. That is, a good chunk of the students here are into looking good and following the trends - flip-flops being one of them. > _snip_ > Like when it gets cold, and everyone complains about the temperature, but no one cares to dress warm - just gotta show off that stomach or those arms. That’s annoying, but not so bad. I get that feeling myself sometimes. On the other hand, I live in Florida, so it’s possible people just don’t own any warmer clothes. That, or they know darn well it’s going to warm up to 70 degrees in the afternoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-put-your-thongs-away-and-get-some-real-shoes/340710.md?page=3)