Gotta go the other way, then. Do they have Crocs in the UK? Probably invented by someone who thought that heel curve was a nuisance, too. Just got rid of the whole heel!
Personally, this is an issue I encounter most with dress shoes, so Crocs, flip-flops, high-top sneakers, etc. are not necessarily a perfect substitute for a more formal occasion.
Yeah, I’ve got crocs, which are OK for the garden or for summer wear, but I need proper shoes for a walk down to the village shop (crocs are really bad on hard surfaces where there might be the occasional small sharp stone or such)
It the totally different reason to embarrass your kids? I once showed up with the exact same Converse sneakers as my friend’s daughter, and she flatly refused to walk anywhere near me in case any of her friends saw us.
Crocs+socks is another great way to do that
I have these Chewbacca Crocs that I wear in the winter around the house to pop out for a smoke or to go in the garage, basement, etc. They are as crazy looking as you think, and they’re huge (I had to buy a men’s size 11 because the lining makes them fit tight) About a month ago I was wearing them around the house then decided to pop out to the grocery store, and accidentally wore them to the store. Didn’t realize until I got there. I was SOOO embarrassed! Luckilly it was dark and the store was fairly empty. Keep in mind I’m a city council member, too… 
Let us not forget that Converse All-Stars are the IN THING now, at least among Democrats. It was in the news not long ago that Kamala Harris wears them all the time! (I wonder if that really is ALL THE TIME, as in even in the august halls of Congress?) But hey, I was doing that 40 years ago!
Slide show with many more pictures of K.H. in Converse:
And Now Presenting: Kamala Harris Wearing Converse on the Campaign Trail Like a Damn Boss
Fake news! I’m just… whatever the word for “cool” is now.
When I was a kid Converse Chuck Taylor high-tops were the Air Jordans (or whatever the hot shoe is now) of the day. Of course, my parents didn’t see the difference between the Converse high tops and the Sears high tops (other than their price).
These days I pretty much live in Skechers memory foam shoes, especially the newer ones with arch support.