Saturday, July 06, 2013

Rubber chappals

My primary school (yes, the one I went to decades back) required me to wear shoes, but the higher secondary school that I joined later had no such requirement. The school uniform consisted of white pyjamas and kurtha and I could complement these with a pair of rubber chappals.

A pair of these chappals bought at Bata would cost Rs 8 , and if this ate too deep into the family budget, a pair could be bought from a platform vendor for less than Rs 5 a pair. The low price wasn’t the only reason. We simply did not feel the need for any other type of footwear. True, they could be a nuisance in rainy weather and splash muddy water on to one’s own clothes or on those of the person walking behind you, but these were minor inconveniences accepted without too much thought.

Entire batches of students have graduated from such venerable institutions such as IIT with a record of using no other type of footwear. In fact, rubber chappals came to be associated with intellectuals.

While I used to know them only as rubber chappals, it looks like they are referred to as flip flops (probably American).

Recently, I came across this piece in Slate magazine, which criticises the flip-flop and finds several faults with it.

The crux of the flip-flop problem, for me, lies in the decoupling of footwear from foot with each step—and the attendant decoupling of the wearer’s behavior from the social contract. Extended flip-flop use seems to transport people across some sort of etiquette Rubicon where the distinction between public and private, inside and outside, shod and barefoot, breaks down entirely. I’ve witnessed flip-flop wearers on the New York City subway slip their “shoes” off altogether and cross their feet on the train-car floor with a contented sigh, as though they were already home and kicking back in front of a DVR’d Cheers marathon. We would all look askance at a person who removed his socks and sneakers on the train before ostentatiously propping his naked dogs in plain sight. Why do people get a break just because they happen to be wearing footgear that takes them 90 percent of the way there?

My final line of argument against flip-flops is a more nebulous one, having to do with their laziness and lack of character as footwear. Because of the ease with which they’re put on and removed—along, perhaps, with their generic ubiquity—flip-flops connote a sort of half-dressed slatternliness, a sense that the wearer has forgotten to do anything at all with his or her body from the ankles down.

Fellow must be one of those snooty types who needs to make a fashion statement with his footwear. Ignore him.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for share this is such a very nice post i really like it your blog.........Smurugappan.com is the one stop solution for all your foreign trade policy in Chennai. We guide and provide solutions on issues relating to foreign exchange management and corporate sector in foreign trade policies in Chennai, India.

Foreign Trade Policy Chennai

Prachi Pal said...

Thanks for sharing useful information for us.............If you are searching a properties in Chennai, then you are in perfect place with Real value promoters. Buying property is always a big deal and whether you have done it once or have doesn’t it on several occasion it stick spike your adrenaline. Before considering buying just any Properties in Chennai or any other city it is vital to understand some major factors linked to the purchase.

Properties In Chennai

Unknown said...


I am a private loan lender which have all take to be a genuine lender i give out the best loan to my client at a very convenient rate.The interest rate of this loan is 3%.i give out loan to public and private individuals.the maximum amount i give out in this loan is $1,000,000.00 USD why the minimum amount i give out is 5000.for more information contact us email finance2014911@gmail.com

Your Full Details:
Full Name :………
Country :………….
state:………….
Sex :………….
Address............
Tel :………….
Occupation :……..
Amount Required :…………
Purpose of the Loan :……..
Loan Duration :…………
Phone Number :………
Contact email: finance2014911@gmail.com

MR PENDELIS said...

AFFORDABLE XMAS LOANS

Hello Everybody, here comes an Affordable Xmas loan Offer that will change your life forever, TESTIMONY ON HOW I GOT A LOAN TO CHANGE THE BROKE LIFE OF MY FAMILY My name is Mrs Clency Dexter. I live in USA Florida and i am a happy woman today? I told my self that any Loan lender that could change my Broke Life and that of my family, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to Them. They gave happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as a widow with 3 kids I meant this honest and GOD fearing loan lending company online that helped me with a loan of $250,000.00 U.S. Dollar, They are indeed GOD fearing People, working with a reputable loan company. If you are in need of loan and you are 100% sure to pay back the loan please contact them and please tell them that Mrs, Clency referred you to them. contact via E_mail: rathancharodloancompany@gmail.com

AFFORDABLE XMAS LOANS

3% BUSINESS LOAN OFFER APPLY NOW said...

Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us. collinsfinanceoffer@gmail.com

LOAN APPLICATION FORM
1) Full Name:
2) Gender:
3) Loan Amount Needed:.
4) Loan Duration:
5) Country:
6) Home Address:
7) Mobile Number:
8)Monthly Income:
9)Occupation:
)Which did you here about us.
Best Regards.

Ashwink said...

Great post....thanks for sharing this profitable data.
Sympathetic see my web journal Professional Construction Company In Chennai

Dr Purva Pius said...

Hello Everybody,
My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
2. Telephone Numbers:……….
3. Address and Location:…….
4. Amount in request………..
5. Repayment Period:………..
6. Purpose Of Loan………….
7. country…………………
8. phone…………………..
9. occupation………………
10.age/sex…………………
11.Monthly Income…………..
12.Email……………..

Regards.
Managements
Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Wayne Johnston Autobody & Glass is a locally owned and operated collision repair shop that has specialized in providing top quality auto body repairs, glass repairs and replacements, and automotive painting in the Dugald area for more than 40 years. Auto body repairs Winnipeg

funloanfirm said...

Hello Everybody, TESTIMONY ON HOW I GOT A LOAN TO CHANGE THE BROKE LIFE OF MY FAMILY My name is Mrs Clency Dexter. I live in USA Florida and i am a happy woman today? I told my self that any Loan lender that could change my Broke Life and that of my family, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to Them. They gave happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as a widow with 3 kids I meant this honest and GOD fearing loan lending company online that helped me with a loan of $250,000.00 U.S. Dollar, They are indeed GOD fearing People, working with a reputable loan company. If you are in need of loan and you are 100% sure to pay back the loan please contact them and please tell them that Mrs, Clency referred you to them. contact via E_mail: mikemorrisfinancegroup@gmail.com

Karthika Shree said...

Great site for these post and i am seeing the most of contents have useful for my Carrier.Thanks to such a useful information.Any information are commands like to share him.
PEGA Training in Chennai

Anonymous said...


GREEN FINANCE LOAN CENTER
HEAD OFFICE--25 Osborn Street, London England
EMAIL ADDRESS -- {greenfinancecenter@gmail.com}
------------------------------------------------

Welcome to HEARTLAND LOAN FIRM,
We give out loans from the range of $9,000 to $900,000,000
at 2% interest rate

we provide all kind of loans below --

* Project Loans
* Personal Loans
* Debt consolidation loans
* Car Loans
* Business Loans
* Education Loans
* Mortgage Loans
* Refinancing Loans
* Home Loans

Kindly apply by providing us with the details below-

NAME ......
COUNTRY......
AMOUNT OF LOAN NEEDED .....
PHONE NUMBER ......
PURPOSE OF LOAN ....

Email address --{greenfinancecenter@gmail.com}

REGARDS
CHARLENE FREDERICK
{greenfinancecenter@gmail.com}
www.greenfinanceservices.webs.com
GREEN FINANCE LOAN CENTER

Anonymous said...


GREEN FINANCE LOAN CENTER
HEAD OFFICE--25 Osborn Street, London England
EMAIL ADDRESS -- {greenfinancecenter@gmail.com}
------------------------------------------------

Welcome to HEARTLAND LOAN FIRM,
We give out loans from the range of $9,000 to $900,000,000
at 2% interest rate

we provide all kind of loans below --

* Project Loans
* Personal Loans
* Debt consolidation loans
* Car Loans
* Business Loans
* Education Loans
* Mortgage Loans
* Refinancing Loans
* Home Loans

Kindly apply by providing us with the details below-

NAME ......
COUNTRY......
AMOUNT OF LOAN NEEDED .....
PHONE NUMBER ......
PURPOSE OF LOAN ....

Email address --{greenfinancecenter@gmail.com}

REGARDS
CHARLENE FREDERICK
{greenfinancecenter@gmail.com}
www.greenfinanceservices.webs.com
GREEN FINANCE LOAN CENTER

Shalom Systems said...

Awesome,
Thank you so much for sharing such an awesome blog...
road blockers
boom barriers
boom barriers in hyderabad

Unknown said...

"While mortgage brokers and borrowers generally feel a sense of closure once a loan has been funded and closed, loan asset owners and service know that their jobs have just begun. Not only must the loan be monitored and data analyzed as part of the risk management process."!!

Loan Management Software

Shalom Systems said...


Useful Information, your blog is sharing unique information....
Thanks for sharing!!!
road blocker in mumbai
electromagnetic locks
automatic bollards in mumbai
turnstile systems
tripod turnstiles

Loan Offer said...

My Brothers and Sister all over the world, I am Mrs Boo Wheat from Canada ; i was in need of loan some month ago. i needed a loan to open my restaurant and bar, when one of my long time business partner introduce me to this good and trustful loan lender DR PURVA PIUS that help me out with a loan, and is interest rate is very low , thank God today. I am now a successful business woman, and I became useful. In the life of others, I now hold a restaurant and bar. And about 30 workers, thank GOD for my life I am leaving well today a happy father with three kids, thanks to you DR PURVA PIUS Now I can take care of my lovely family, i can now pay my bill. I am now the bread winner of my family. If you are look for a trustful and reliable loan leader. You can Email him via,mail (urgentloan22@gmail.com) Please tell him Mrs Boo Wheat from Canada introduce you to him. THANKS

URGENT LOAN OFFER WHATSAPP +918929509036 said...

$$$ GENUINE LOAN WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY $$$
Do you need finance to start up your own business or expand your business, Do you need funds to pay off your debt? We give out loan to interested individuals and company's who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us.Email: (urgentloan22@gmail.com)

Dr Purva Pius said...

I’m Charles David by name, i want to use this medium to alert all loan seekers to be very careful because there are scam everywhere, Few months ago I was financially strained, and due to my desperation I was scammed by several online lenders. I had almost lost hope until a friend of mine referred me to a very reliable lender called Dr Purva Pius ( A God fearing man) who lend me a loan of $237,000 under 72 working hours without any stress. I explain to the company by mail and all they told me was to cry no more because i will get my loan from this company and also i have made the right choice of contacting them i filled the loan application form and proceeded with all that was requested of me and to my shock I was given the loan, If you are in need of any kind of loan just contact him now via: {urgentloan22@gmail.com}

URGENT LOAN OFFER WHATSAPP +918929509036 said...

$$$ GENUINE LOAN WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY $$$
Do you need finance to start up your own business or expand your business, Do you need funds to pay off your debt? We give out loan to interested individuals and company's who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us.Email: (urgentloan22@gmail.com)

Narayana Satya said...

Thanks for posting the useful information to my vision. This is excellent information,.
hydraulic road blockers
boom barriers