There are political flip floppers, and there are Flip Flops you wear on your feet. One is better than the other, and this is about the other.

What are they? Flip-flops are a very basic type of footwear — essentially a thin rubber sole with two simple straps running in a Y from the sides of the foot to the join between the big toe. They are most common in India (where it is immensely popular and called a Hawaii Chappal, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Brazil, the Pacific Islands, and Soutjeast Asia.

But, Flip Flops have come a long way. You either love them or you hate them. I must confess, i used to hate them. That is, until i moved to Flip Flop country Hawaii and adapted a whole new lifestyle and culture. Everyone wears them. Well, we have joined the tide, and we now go everywhere, feeling comfortable in our aloha wear, top to bottom. Between me, my daughter, and her 5 year old daughter, we go bananas shopping for all kinds of Flip Flops for all occasions. We are now, fullpledged, and you can laugh this out, Flip Flop fashion victims! I have gone from the extreme of not wanting to wear them, to joining thousands Islanders who use them like they were born with it. It really didn't take very long.

The good news is, it is fun. One of the Hawaiian customs is to remove your shoes when you enter a home. That makes if hassle free, not to wear socks, untie your shoe laces, and walk with your sweaty feet. Since the weather is consistent in most parts, using Flip Flops is practical and cost effective. What's even more wonderful is, no one really seems to care if you are a fashionista wearing some signature slippers. Once you take off your shoes and you're inside the house, you're just like the rest. You have to agree, that is one less stress to deal with.

The choices for Flip Flops have become so extensive and so interesting, from cheap to pricey, from traditional rubber to leather trendy. From UGGs, Crocs, to FitFlops, there's definitely an evolution happening in the footwear business.

"Flip flop" is a trademark protected brand-name in Germany, owned by flip flop GmbH and the Bernd Hummel Group. Havaianas is a Brazilian brand of flip-flop that gained world recognition in 1998 after the company developed a style of the sandals for the World Cup that featured the Brazilian flag. Although Havaianas flip-flops have only become wildy popular in the United States in the last five years after many celebrities were seen wearing them the brand has been around since 1962. The brand's famous slogan "Havaianas. The Real Ones." originated in the 1970s as a response to other companies making knock-off versions of the flip-flops. The shoes are known for their comfortable soles and straps. The name Havaianas means Hawaiians in Portuguese.

There's no question, lifestyles are changing and budgets are getting tighter. There are also health concerns to address. How safe are these Flip Flops? Meantime, if you;re in Hawaii, make sure to bring a pair!