Posted on March 30, 2007 by Glen Johnson

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Every Spring this email shows up in my in box. I have decided to not only blog about it but make a few changes.

I pledge to follow these rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

1. I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.
2. I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.
3. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. (Home manicure/pedicure kits are cheap and can be purchased just about anywhere.)
4. I will shave the hairs off my big toe.
5. I won’t wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there. (This is of course up to you.)
6. If a strap breaks, I won’t duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or throw them away.
7. I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl’s if my feet need him.
8. I will resist the urge to buy popular shoes at Payless Shoes for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the! kids’ sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.
9. I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.
10. I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good. (Or ask your boyfriend/husband)
11. I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.
12. I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $35 and worth EVERY penny).
13. I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear… nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

My additions

1. I promise that if I am on my feet all day and decide to where sandals there is no place that it is proper for me to walk around barefoot. I will just ruin the $35 pedicure I just got.
2. I promise if I decide to tell my girlfriend/sister/coworker about there feet that I make sure that MY toes are in order as well.

Considering that this email has been floating around inboxes for many years the advice given is sound in a fun manner. The point is to have fun and let your feet be free this Spring and summer.

Check out the The Payless Easter Sale or Zappos.com for all your sandal and open toe shoe needs.