To Shod or not to Shod?

Ok, here is today's point to ponder: are you a wonderful, fantastic, always wear shoes to protect your joints, kind of person, or a shoeless barbarian? Not that I have a personal bias or anything, but especially down here in FL shoes seem to be the one article of clothing most people would just as soon do with out. Not just when it's hot, either. Even on the rare non-balmy day, hordes of people slip on their flip flops and off they go.

Can I just pause here to say, "EEEIEWWE!"

I mean, really, flip flops have to be the lowest form of foot wear ever designed. I ought to know being up with all forms of dressing down. I mean it offers no support and depends on the wearing having such thick calluses between their toes that the strap rubbing up and down between their sensitive piggies doesn't drive them to commit mayhem. Another pause while I count to ten and think calming thoughts. BUT REALLY PEOPLE, HOW DO YOU STAND IT????

Feet should be smooth and soft, not unlike a baby's butt. If you can walk across hot coals without flinching, you don't have a strong mind, YOU HAVE NASTY FEET! I don't care if flip flops sometimes come adorned with all manner of sparkly doodads. It's just lipstick on a pig and you're not fooling ANYONE.

Besides, what if the urge to play footsy ever came over you? Try not to shudder with revulsion at someone's feet touching you and play along for a sec, 'kay? Which would you rather have sliding up your leg? A smooth silky foot with skin actually sensitive enough to feel, or calluses thick enough to double as alligator hide? BBBBRRRRRR, oh baby!

True, I probably couldn't slip off my double knotted Nike's discreetly under the table with my other Nike clad foot, and a flip flop barely stays on when you want them too, but still, who cares if you can take off the shoe if your foot is so manky?

Plus going barefoot on hard concrete leads to back, knee and joint pain. I kid you not. So shoeless barbarians enjoy your foot breath-ability. Someday the cobbler will get his due; you watch and see. Cute toenail polish aside those unsupportive shoes will cost ya someday.