Truckers Wearing Flip-flops: Why All The Hate?

I've been watching a lot of you tube videos about trucking lately (video crack) and there seems to be an overwhelming disdain for flip flops.

Why? Is it unsafe to drive a truck in them? Less safe then wearing them to drive a car? Is it somehow seen as unprofessional? I can see putting on shoes or boots when I get to a customer, but if I'm just driving (and it's not cold) I'd like my toes to breathe.

Or is it just a Trucker thing?

I've lived in a desert for the last 20 some years and wear flip flops anytime I can. It's soo hot, shoes just make it feel hotter.

I can't wear them to work now for safety and Heath department reasons, so I guess if I can't wear them to drive I'll survive, but I'm really curious as to why all the hatred.

Poor flippity floppities getting no love.

Just curious, thanks.

What you do in your truck is your business and I really could care less unless i'm with ya and you got a bad case of stinkfoot... then it has become my business too (my sister used to have the worst case of stink foot ever! one day she took her shoes off in the car... dad had to go to a gas station washed her feet with the water for your radiator, then sprayed her feet down with air freshener and threw away her shoes... her feet still stank).

Outside of the truck is still your business too... I'm not your daddy, but I do care at that point. Would you eat off the surfaces that you walk on outside your truck... all that nasty oil and gas and what not... puke... and other bodily fluids? why would you want to expose your feet or any other body part to any of that? even if I was going to the shower I would still wear closed toe shoes into the shower then change to sandals (I don't do flip flops... causes blisters between my toes). then you get onto the topic about other safety hazards like stuff falling on your toes, slipping on the steps, etc but all that can happen with regular shoes.

How bout that for a detour on topic

This is a fun topic that lends itself well to various detours

I think they sell nothing but China junk that deteriorates or breaks at a rate so great that it completely erases the illusion that you are getting a bargain on something.

That's one major difference between people who manage money wisely versus people who spin their wheels and never get anywhere. When something is important it always pays to buy good quality stuff. Your home, your vehicles, your lawn care machines, your tools, your cookware, etc - the infrastructure that you rely upon regularly needs to be good quality stuff.

Now there's nothing wrong with hitting Walmart to pick up a $3 Frisbee and a $2 plastic bucket for a day at the beach. But trying to get by on bargain-basement stuff you use all the time is a fool's game for sure. You're not getting a bargain when you're trying to use fragile, unreliable things to do the heavy lifting.

My favorite example is vehicles. I live way out in the country so there are plenty of knuckleheads with four or five old broken down vehicles lying around that they'll tell you they got for a bargain and they plan on putting to good use. But they're delusional. They spend all of their time trying to tinker with old, cr*ppy vehicles that look terrible and run worse. In the end your time and money could have been used for one good quality vehicle that's tough and reliable.

Sami wonders,

I can't wear them to work now for safety and Heath department reasons, so I guess if I can't wear them to drive I'll survive, but I'm really curious as to why all the hatred.

Let's start with there is absolutely no protection for your feet!. Obviously your foot tops are open season for things dropping. Also, your foot will slide off when there's moisture/sweat on the bottom of your feet, so there's stability issues. Did I say anything about protecting or supporting your ankles? No, because that won't happen with flip-flops.

I wouldn't put this in writing, but maybe while you drive, and even walking around the sleeper. But stepping out onto the step to get down, it's shoe leather time. Also, they're OK in the shower, for different reasons.

I know, you got the $35 ones form Bass Pro. Don't waste time arguing. No flip flops .. well .. outside your cab.

One image of a trucker: Uncombed hair, even to dreadlocks. Not shaved in several days. You can smell him coming, even upwind. A Tweetie Pie Tee shirt with some stains on the front, pajama pants with a hot rod print on them, flip flops, walking up to the receiving window. Is this a bum looking for a hand out? No! he's got bills in his hand!

Another image of a trucker: Uncombed hair, even to dreadlocks. Not shaved in several days. A bright yellow-green tee shirt, almost clean. Shorts. Adidas shoes. Has a clip board with bills. You know he means business.

I drive in my socked feet. I take my shoes off and they stay right by the drivers door if I am driving or by the passenger door if my brother is driving. No outdoor shoes get worn in my truck.

I hate dirt and general mess that comes with it. I have a air blow line hooked to the driver seats air in every truck I have driven. I blow the front of the cab out everyday. And blow the bottom of my shoes off before getting into my truck.

It's my home and I keep it clean. Flip flops have one place in trucking. That's the shower.

When I see drivers walking across the parking lot or around in the truck stop or go forbid in the restaurant where everyone is eating I get a super strong urge to walk over and step on their toes.

Now what about someone clean shaven, hair combed, smelling fresh and clean, pressed work shirt and slacks, clipboard in hand, and... flip flops?

He use to work for Averitt. The pink slip is on the clipboard.

Both of those statements cracked me up. Almost made me spit out my coffee.

Ahh. . . I think I'm starting to get it: flip-flops = lazy/sloppy. See, to me, flip-flops just mean summertime. I don't wear them because I'm too lazy to put on shoes, I wear them because it's HOT. Same reason I wear shorts.

Exactly. It's become part of the "nasty trucker" stereotype within the industry. I don't think outside of the industry there are too many people that associate flip-flops with truckers at all. But go to the truck stops on a daily basis and it seems the nastiest of the group often can be found wearing flip-flops.

I drive in my socked feet. I take my shoes off and they stay right by the drivers door if I am driving or by the passenger door if my brother is driving. No outdoor shoes get worn in my truck.

That's exactly what I did. Growing up, if you walked in our house with your shoes on you'd get knocked out cold by my ma. So I never wore my shoes in the truck. I took em off when I climbed in and set them next to the door. I drove and walked around the truck in my socks.

I used to use that tire foam stuff on the rubber flooring. Makes it shine like a new penny but it's slippery so you have to watch out for that.

Lawd a mercy... Before this thread is over I will be pulling a 3 piece suit out for the first day of class tomorrow.

True story... I've gone to several interviews for "professional" positions here in Mississippi over the years, wearing what I felt was appropriate attire ie: slacks, dress shirt, tie, dress shoes (no, not flip flops). Anyway, on 2 occasions members of both the managerial staff and employees looked at me like I was from another planet. One thought I was an attorney attempting to sue them. When I tried to explain my dress after being questioned the same phrase was offered by both.... "but this is Mississippi". Apparently living within these borders a new and different standard exists--different from what I was taught in my early years. Now, whenever we come across or see something where the phrase will fit, the words "but this is Mississippi!" Comes out with a chuckle.

Now all you fellow southerners don't get all defensive. I've lived here many years and have respect for the area, (generally). This is just a casual and truthful observation and is not meant to be a blanketly disparaging. Now I'm the one being defensive, poisoned by political correctness.

Sami wonders,

I can't wear them to work now for safety and Heath department reasons, so I guess if I can't wear them to drive I'll survive, but I'm really curious as to why all the hatred.

Let's start with there is absolutely no protection for your feet!. Obviously your foot tops are open season for things dropping. Also, your foot will slide off when there's moisture/sweat on the bottom of your feet, so there's stability issues. Did I say anything about protecting or supporting your ankles? No, because that won't happen with flip-flops.

I wouldn't put this in writing, but maybe while you drive, and even walking around the sleeper. But stepping out onto the step to get down, it's shoe leather time. Also, they're OK in the shower, for different reasons.

I know, you got the $35 ones form Bass Pro. Don't waste time arguing. No flip flops .. well .. outside your cab.

I can't wear them to work now for safety and Heath department reasons

D'ya think Safety and Health might know more about this that you should maybe learn?

I feel them not being safe is the biggest reason but another for me would be professionalism. At least for when you get to the shipper you represent the company and want to be seen as presentable.

Years ago when I was working security for Sony a driver was not allowed even through the day unless they had jeans and steel toe none slip footwear on.

Is it somehow seen as unprofessional?

I've never seen the term flip flop and professional used in the same sentence. Selling corn dogs on the beach, maybe, otherwise, not so much.

One image of a trucker: Uncombed hair, even to dreadlocks. Not shaved in several days. You can smell him coming, even upwind. A Tweetie Pie Tee shirt with some stains on the front, pajama pants with a hot rod print on them, flip flops, walking up to the receiving window. Is this a bum looking for a hand out? No! he's got bills in his hand!

Another image of a trucker: Uncombed hair, even to dreadlocks. Not shaved in several days. A bright yellow-green tee shirt, almost clean. Shorts. Adidas shoes. Has a clip board with bills. You know he means business.

Ha, wow! See what I mean? Everyone's SOOO adamant! It's kinda crackin' me up (no offense, Errol--thanks for your reply.)

I get the safety thing, and where I work I wouldn't wear them even if I was allowed to. I do like my toes. (I'm not yet a driver by the way, I'm merely a bartender). But is it really unsafe to drive with them on?

I know, you got the $35 ones form Bass Pro. Don't waste time arguing. No flip flops .. well .. outside your cab.

Nah, I've got a five dollar pair from Ross Dress For Less. I'm not even sure my sneakers cost $35 bucks :)

And I won't argue, this is sheer curiosity.

Or a neatly pressed red button down, clean pants , unscuffed work boots, shaven and smelling fresh, cip board in hand and a smile, you know he works for Averitt.

Is it somehow seen as unprofessional?

I've never seen the term flip flop and professional used in the same sentence. Selling corn dogs on the beach, maybe, otherwise, not so much.

I suppose. I'd definitely put on shoes at a customer. Then again, jeans aren't normally considered "professional" wear in most industries.

Really guys, no big deal.