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Two Thongs Will Not be a Right

The management of the Park of Cinque Terre is once again showing its public relations acumen. A regulation has been proposed to fine hikers wearing infradito (thongs) on the trails. The proposal is prompted by the fact that any of the trail incidents requiring assistance to hikers involve improper footwear. All students of human behavior will no doubt agree that the threat of a fine from 50 to 2,000 Euro will make those hikers smarten up.
http://www.cittadellaspezia.com/La-Spezia/Attualita/Basta-infradito-sui-sentieri-arriveranno-sanzioni-fino-a-2mila-euro-280638.aspx

Posted by
19637 posts

Yes, my first thought that hikers were wearing string bikini bottoms. Shucks, just flip-flops.

Posted by
7010 posts

My first thought also was that they were hiking in their undies which made me do a double take. I realize that when flip-flops were first popular they were called thongs. However, the term thongs has since taken on a whole new meaning. So it's best when referring to footwear to always call them flip fops or sandals - there are thong type sandals that are not flip-flops so it can be confusing.

Posted by
2111 posts

Yep, the title made me click, too :)

When we were hiking between the Cinque Terre villages, about 10 years ago, we saw some throngs of thong-wearing young folks. Surprisingly none of them seemed to be having a hard time, while I was almost hugging the rocks on some narrow passages (in my sensible hiking shoes). But, at my age, yep, flip flops (as we call them in the South) should be outlawed on those trails. A pair or two of high-wedged sandals we also saw on the trail seemed even riskier.

Posted by
32517 posts

Those sorts of places are no fun anymore.

First we all learn the Floss then we can't wear thongs. Life is hard.

Made me snigger, Emma

Posted by
8377 posts

Maybe we need a "boomer to millennial" translation app. We called them thongs too. Flip flop doesn't sound the least bit more classy.

Posted by
3217 posts

I called those cheap sandals "thongs" until it was obvious that the world had moved on and a "thong" was something that Monica Lewinsky showed Bill Clinton in the guise of a "playful flirtation".

Thanks for laugh Mike. My favorite memory of the CT is my husband's interest in the hundreds, if not thousands, of young women who passed us in their bras, with their shirts tied around their wastes.

Posted by
19637 posts

I thought Jimmy Buffett defined it.

I blew out my flip flop
Stepped on a pop top
Cut my heel had to cruise on back home

I guess he wasn't hiking in the Cinque Terre.

Posted by
32171 posts

Mike,

I seen numerous people wearing thongs on those trails over the years, mostly the younger crowd. At the time I thought that looked like a dumb idea, and I gather the authorities in the C.T. have concluded the same thing. Of course the big challenge will be enforcing the new rules and hauling errant tourists up before the Italian courts.

Posted by
850 posts

Yeah, just ask someone under the age of 20 what a pop top is...

Posted by
144 posts

with their shirts tied around their wastes.

Good, that's the last thing anyone wants to step in.