Flip flops

Just back from France and Germany in August 2007 . Flip flops are everywhere on young and old, male and female. They are taking over just like in USA.

I don't recall seeing any flip flops during our 8 week trip.

Teenagers there dress like teenagers here, but unless the person is under 21 I don't suggest wearing flip-flops anywhere but the beach. I don't think flip-flops are acceptable at regular sit-down restaurants in the U.S., either. It's easy enough for a teenager girl to slip on some ballerina flats or a boy to throw on some Sambas.

I think there are plenty of US restaurants where flip flops are acceptable -- Chilis, Applebees, etc. I'm not talking about more upscale restaurants. I'm curious if it's the same in Europe.

Europeans, even if they go to less fancy restaurant have the tendancy to dress up, if not at least they don't wear beach shorts or flip flops.
I recently went to Rome and I didn't see flip flops on the streat or anywhere else.

Yes.. I am curious, how did anyone see " flip flpos everywhere, young and old" I was in Paris in August and certainly did NOT see that.
Flip flops are just not very practical anyways, with the amount of extra walking most of us do on holiday in europe , flip flops equal uncomfortable feet. they have do support. Exceptions would be Rockport or Birkenstock type flip flops.

Patricia - my daughter took 2 pair of flip flops for her European trip and mostly had no trouble. Not sure how old you are but if you are interested in going "clubbing" she was turned away from one of the clubs in London for wearing flip flops. They went to another club and got in no problem.

We were in Italy this summer. Both my husband & I took flip flops. During the day we usually didn't wear them b/c we were doing so much walking, but there were nights where we wore them out to give our feet a break. Use the same judgment as in the US and you'll be fine.

I wore flip-flops once to a brewery in Munich a few weeks ago. Like the Amy before me, I just wanted to give my feet a few hours to breathe after sightseeing all day. The brewery was only 2 blocks from our hotel, so I knew it wouldn't kill my feet to wear them. I honestly didn't pay attention to whether other Europeans were wearing them...

I practically live in flip flops in the summer and when I spent a semester in Europe I wore them all the time - walked nearly 15 miles one day in Paris. I actually find them more comfortable than running shoes. No one ever looked at me strangely, and I saw lots of other people wearing them as well. The only bad thing was how dirty my feet were after a day in London/Paris/Rome! Just wear what's comfy and don't worry about "fitting in". Honestly, nobody cares.

Stylewise, flip flops are just fine in Europe.

However, flip flops do not provide proper support and they expose your feet (and any cuts etc.) to whatever might be splashed/sprayed/dropped/blown on them and leave your toes open to being stubbed. A small heel is also actually beneficial as it helps to take strain off the knees.

Given the cobblestone streets, steps and uneven pavements in many European cities, all it would take would be one misstep to cause sprained ankle (or worse) that could really put a damper on your trip.

Thus, whilst it's fine to bring flip flops for the shower/hotel room/beach, I would suggest bringing proper walking shoes for the touristy stuff. Your feet will thank you!

Kate

yeah, when I was young I could party all night and go to work the next day,, so perhaps young feet can get away with no support or protection,, but anyone else is asking for trouble. LOL

Yes, this past August in Switzerland and Paris flip-flops were all over the place, indeed. Frankly, I was surprised. And not the good, comfortable kind (if they ever can be comfortable), but the worst kind possible - with very thin, skimpy soles. Women over 50 are still beautifully dressed and shod, but the younger crowd was very casual, if not to say sloppy. And I wondered just how much walking could all these people do in that kind of footwear. Huge crowds on the street in the area I stayed in Paris, and flip-flops ruled. Podiatrists all over the world will never run out of work.

Oddly, the only place we saw flip-flops was on the hiking trails between the towns in the Cinque Terre. The Germans, of course, all were in their proper hiking boots and equipped with hiking poles. They just shoossed through the trails. The Americans were the ones hiking with flip-flops. Most had backpacks with regular, or at least better, shoes tied to them. Go figure. They seemed to be doing OK but that's were we saw flip-flops.

I know, common wisdom would seem to suggest that flip flops would be bad for the feet,offering no support. However,one (long,frightening)summer of my life when my teenage daughter was under the care of a pediatric,orthopedic bone tumor specialist,he assured us that wearing flip flops was perfectly safe for her and would cause no harm.She was in a lot of pain and although she eventually required orthotics for her athletic shoes,the flip flops were (and still are)the most comfortable choice for her,even when she walks all day. If people are more comfortable wearing crocs, flip flops,athletic shoes...whatever, who cares?If your feet hurt,your trip is ruined.Dress up in stilettos at when you go to the theater or church at home,but when you're walking all day, wear what feels good for YOUR own feet!My 19 and 22 year old house guests from Madrid,Spain brought flip flops with them and wore them around America!

Just a day or so before leaving for Italy for two weeks I broke my baby toe. The only thing I could put on was my flip flops.. all was well til we reached Venice in the rain. The wet granite and slick soles meant for some interesting pictures of me "ice skating" through Rialto Market

My 20 year old daughter called today from her first days in Barcelona, and said that she wished she had brought flip flops because many people were wearing them. She also didn't think people were as dressed up as she recalled from past trips.

You know.. it's so hard to explain.. it's not a case of dressing up.. it's more like Europeans dress with style and class.Sad to say so many Americans think they're being casual, when they're just plain sloppy.

Gods gift to Europe. Have no fears at all. Denmark is flipflop heaven.

Yes they are popular in Europe! I just returned from Paris, Tuscany and Rome and my sturdy yet stylish (Kenneth Cole) flip-flops were the only dependable shoe I could wear. They didn't rub my toes and the soles were thick enough to navigate over the cobblestones comfortably. Get a good pair and wear them!

I think we can all agree that certain WELL MADE types of flip flops are better then the cheapo thin types. I have a pair of Rockport "flip flops" , but I don't actaully consider them "flip flops" which to me are flat soled( my are contour fit to foot) and offer no support or protection. I always think of those "flip flops" one gets in a bin at a beach store,and so I would agree that there are really well made ones that would be a better foot choice.

I also still maintain anyone under 30 can pretty well wear anything on their feet,, I remember WORKING in high heels,, pointy toes and all! LOL Now, forget it!

I am in Prague right now. I am seeing lots of flip-flops, even in the rain. If you want to wear flip-flops, wear flip-flops. Have a great trip.

If you do a google search for knee problems and shoes, you will find an article about research that shows going barefoot is best for knees, followed closely by flip flops. The worst for knees is shock absorbing athletic shoes. Go figure! As someone with knee problems, this was very interesting to me.

The Graffiti Wall's Best Walking Shoes is full of sandals. What is so different, style wise, in sandals and flip flops? And as far as your feet getting dirty, I would think there would be no difference.

The difference between a flip flop and a sandal is usually a thicker sole that can stand up to cobble stone streets. They also often have straps that hold them on better. Nothing worse than losing your flip flop when going down a luge run.

I never really worry about the what ifs with an airplane, because if what happens, I figure it is kind of like burnt toast--history. On the other hand, if the leak is that bad, I would use another lavatory, but that thought reminds me of barefeet in a pasture, the ooze between the toes....

Remember shoes are a luxury in much of the world, and have only been common place in the U.S. as daily wear since WWII. Even a President as recent as Jimmy Carter grew up going bare-foot at least half of the year.

Better to wear flip-flops and take life as it comes. Certainly, there are greater worries in the world than this shall we say "pedestrian" debate.

I was speaking of "style-wise". People are saying flip flops are a fashion no-no but sandals are okay.

With so much to see in Europe, I cannot believe this many people spent so much time looking at other peoples feet.

I make my kids take a pair of flip flops, funny how when I was a kid they were called thongs, but that now has another...we won't go there. Anyhow, flip flops are the best for the family to wear going through security at the airport, easy-on-easy-off, and if the kids are comfortable in them, so be it. I stick to my Keens. As long as flip flops are not the only shoe you take you can always change if necessary, and really how much room do they take up.

I have a very contrarian thought that most people don't like to consider. What you wear on the ground in Europe is one thing (I have never seen a huge number of people in flip-flops except in University towns), but on the airplane I make my children wear real shoes. Why? If you had to evacuate in an emergency, would you want to be wearing flip flops? If you had to crawl to the exit (likely in case of smoke and fire-- the reason for the floor lighting), you would certainly lose them. And consider the prospect of having to go through pools of fuel on the ground, broken parts, etc with bare feet. While it is unlikely, I like to think this follows Rick's rule of "thinking ahead".
If you need another reason, On a less pleasant note, if the lav leaks (and many do on old airplanes-- had one happen on a flight recently), at least in regular shoes you have a bit of protection from the "poo"...

My daughters and I took our flip-flops on our two week tour, just in case. Turns out, we wore them often. As long as you are accustomed to them, there is no problem. Ours were comfy thick-soled Reefs. Wore mine the entire day touring the Colosseum, Forum, all the way to the Pantheon. No worries of blisters on toes or heels. The goal is comfort and happy feet. Nothing slows you down like blisters and aching feet.

Flip flops are nearly as common in Europe as here. Places with dress codes are the only likely trouble spots - discos, fine restaurants and Italian Cathedrals. I think it makes sense to wear a good pair of walking shoes on the plane and pack a pair of really light sandals or flip flops, preferably something that can get wet (for beach/pool wear) and can pass for nice with a (knee-length) skirt when going out to dinner.