- Are Flip-Flops to Feet What Cigarettes Are to Our Heart?
Manasquan shore bar The Osprey bans flip-flops for patrons
MANASQUAN — The Osprey nightclub in Manasquan has banned flip-flops from customers’ feet starting today after a patron suffered an injury at the often crowded bar during Memorial Day weekend.
The bar posted hand-written signs about the dress-code change. Osprey owner Diane Bisogni said she’s aware the ban may be unpopular with some of her patrons, but it was a matter of safety after a flip-flop-wearing customer fell down three steps when someone behind her stepped on the back of her sandal.
“It was a decision we had to make for everyone’s safety and everyone’s well-being,” Bisogni said.
Bisogni said that doesn’t mean all sandals are banned. Open-toed shoes are acceptable as long as they have a strap around the ankle or the instep, she said.
“I know we’re at the shore, but I’m not the only club that has a dress code,” Bisogni said, adding that the idea was suggested by her insurance company last year, but she resisted the change until last weekend’s incident.
The move, however, has sparked an angry response from some of the Osprey faithful, who have created a Facebook group to protest the new rule with a boycott. The group had 369 members by this afternoon.
“That’s interesting,” said John Coluni, 29, of Point Pleasant Beach, who was wearing jeans and flip-flops when he learned of the ban today. “I guess it’s a pretty common trend among the bigger clubs. I think they’ll be in the minority by doing that, but I don’t think it’ll affect attendance.”
“That’s a dumb rule,” said Lindsay Sittinger, 21, of West Milford as she walked off the Manasquan beach with her friend Jason Cagney. “I never tripped over my flip-flops or had them come off.”
Source: New Jersey Real Time News
Dr. Nirenberg’s Comments:
The typical flip-flop is cute, cheap and comfortable, but it probably is not good for your foot, ankle, knees, or back, and in fact, may be hazardous.
Every year we see ankle sprains and fractures as a result of flip-flops, but does that mean we should ban them?
To learn more about flip-flops and tips for wearing them safely see my post “Doctors Advise: skip the flip-flops this summer.“
