Depends upon where you live. Only Havanahs, the spongy ones with the green stripe layer in the middle of the sole and made in Brazil are considered acceptable street wear in Buenos Aires when its 40 degrees Celsius and 110% humidity. Asian knock offs are considered vulgar.

I have always marveled at full-figured displaced Pacific Islanders (Tongans and Samoans, mostly) who march through three or four blocks of snow-covered sidewalks to the nearest grocery store wearing rubber thongs during winter in the Intermountain West. Tough people.

But as in the previous posts, if it bothers you so much just don't look down. Concentrate on soft bunnies, furry kittens, butterflies, and sex.

My personal favorites, however, are the velvet cloth thongs with the tatami matt-style inner soles made of straw. I think they're made in Taiwan. They last about two weeks and cost $1 a pair.