my "hippy dippy shoes"

[mimitabby]

I work with a group of very conservative people. You all know the story...

Yesterday one of my coworkers; I'll call him Bob said to me, " you sure got hippy dippy shoes"
I smiled at him like always because we work as a team and getting along is pretty important to me
"yes" I said, "I guess they are"
he remarked to the guy next to him "she didn't take that as an insult, I guess"
the other guy responded "I think she took it as a compliment."

Bob continued with his poor choices of words and wit, and I went back to my desk but then a little light came on...


"uh, Bob," I asked, "where were YOUR shoes made?"
he took his shoe off and responded "China"
"Well, MY shoes were made in Corvallis, Oregon, see, it says right here, 'Made in the USA' "

Bob didn't say anything else after that.
The other guy came up to me and started asking me questions about other places where you can buy American made goods.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

The ignorance of these repukes is actually nauseating....

[T Wolf]

2. Perfect. But even whe you counter their bullshit with facts and reality, it has no effect.

At least the other co-worker may have learned something about American-made goods. And very maybe, about the hypocrisy of the reich.

[electricray]

42. In all honesty, I think the effect on the co-worker is more important than on the beligerant moran

Nothing is going to stop the rude guy from thinking what he thinks. Nothing. The only thing that really can be done is disallowing the bile that he spews to take hold through implied acceptance. I love how the situation was assertive and honest without lowering to his level. I have always been the one to smile and shake my head or smile and nod so that I can "go along to get along", but recently I have been asserting myself and my values in this type of situation. It is easy to shut up those that are basically just bullying others by talking the loudest and most offensively and I have decided personally that shutting them up is all that is really important to me. I don't want to deny them their free speech, but I sure don't mind if they deny it of themselves out of shame.

Nice Work, Mimi!

[Lasher]

73. My same philosophy.

It's the same thing with political email battles. It's the CC: recipients you're trying to reach.

[Enrique]

3. sweet

i'm curious, what do your shoes look like that he called them hippy dippy?

[mimitabby]

8. soft star shoes

http://www.softstarshoes.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=43

they are soft star shoes,

they look a lot like these:


""

[lukasahero]

12. Question

What's the sole grip factor like?

I prefer loafers but haven't been successful in finding a pair with decent traction on the bottom (that don't look like tire treads - I'm trying to wear these to work!) These look great but I'm wondering how slippery the bottoms are. The look like they should be sticky but I've been burned before. :)

Oh - and AWESOME response to your co-worker btw. :thumbsup:

[mimitabby]

15. grippy?.

They actually carry a pair of running shoes (I have a pair of those too) that have a good grip, but the soles are not like the stuff they put on extreme hiking shoes. I live in a damp rainy place and I can walk in these shoes with confidence.

Give them a call or an email, the staff are great, "the elves" are very responsive to all the many questions I had..

[lukasahero]

17. Cool

That's kind of all I was asking. I'm not planning to go hiking in them - I want to wear them to work but I also want to be able to take the dog out for a walk around the yard when I get home without having to change my shoes. (I actually tore 2 muscles in my hip last year when I slipped and fell wearing the loafers I have on right now.)

Thanks for the input.

[DeschutesRiver]

39. Those are comfortable looking shoes

Currently, I am wearing Ecco sandles because they fit my wide feet nicely and are uber comfortable. But this is different style that might also work well for me, so I'll check them out. They are really nice looking shoes, too.

My story here in Oregon re using/supporting local Oregon companies - I'd ordered black below the knee outdoor muck boots for winter horse mucking chores, etc. They are fantastically comfortable and pretty warm as well for neoprene boots - have spent several years using them 2x a day, every day, in the extreme heat and the cold and snow. Love them. But one got a hole in it. I called the company about how to repair them and they said you can't, but we back our boots 100% and will send you another pair. What fantastic service - they arrived and are just as good as the ones they replaced. Local company, stands behind an excellent product, what else could you ask for?

The only hitch was when I was notifed that my boots would be taking a few weeks longer to arrive from this home grown local company. Why? Because there was some kind of hold on the shipping container with their goods. Shipping container? Yep, they are a local small company with a fantastic product...made in China.

[riderinthestorm]

52. We use LL Bean boots on our horse farm, same return/exchange policy but made in America!

If they are damaged, they will also repair/replace them. I'm in northern IL so we really face the extreme weather too.

[DeschutesRiver]

65. Thanks for that info and hi from a fellow horse person:)

I had no idea that LL Bean carried boots, or had such a generous repair/replace policy.

I am trying to "buy American" whenever possible, but it can be difficut at times. Good to know this, and I will check them out the next time I need boots for chores!~

[AllyCat]

70. I thought LLBean had cheaped out awhile ago...I'll have to look for them

And hi from a fellow horse person from southern WI :)

[riderinthestorm]

76. Heh. They may have cheaped out but ours are over 20 years old!

So perhaps we still have the old good ones?! We've just had really good luck with ours so take it as my own personal testimonial.

And finally! It's cool and NO mosquitoes! The horses were insane with the bugs here these past few weeks. I did chores this morning in a jacket and jeans - and this morning I finally switched on the coffee maker again for the mid-morning break instead of iced tea.

Back atcha from Northern Illinois. :hi:

[LWolf]

75. I love my muck boots.

I have simple garden shoes and an ankle boot for winter snow.

Made in China...good to know. :(

[G_j]

4. perfect

[pipi_k]

5. Hee hee....

OK, now that is what I would call a very good response to a doofus trying to make fun of you...

:7

[Greybnk48]

6. Well done!

What an excellent response to a real boor.

[driver8]

Way to go!

Fuck Bob...

[meegbear]

7. Oh SNAP!

[gratuitous]

9. Poor Bob, I'll bet he had a miserable day

This teeny little spot inside his skull hurt as his brain tried to fire a synapse: His wittiest repartee completely undone by a simple question.

[ThatsMyBarack]

10. USA! USA! USA!

:patriot:

[Fumesucker]

11. K&R, thanks for posting..

[madmax]

13. I like them

they look so comfortable and they're shaped like FEET. You know, rounded not pointed.

USA! You talk the talk and walk the walk. Literally ;) Good for you.

[SpiralHawk]

14. Wow - what typical republicons - FAIL to Buy American

Make lame attempt to put down an American who buys American.

Then sit there in stupified silence when their FAIL is pointed out to them.

Soooooo republicon.

Why do Republicon Homelanders HATE American shoes and American workers?

[progressoid]

20. I know lots of Repubs that LOVE to shop and Walmart and snap up cheap Chinese made crap.

Driving a gas guzzler with a faded bumper sticker that says, "these colors don't run". :banghead:

[JuniperLea]

16. And you smacked him down hard... in a sweet and easy hippy dippy way:)

Good for you! Everything about this tale shows you are setting a fine example.

Here are my hippy dippy shoes... I wear mostly clogs these days... every day except at the beach or hiking. I have made in USA hiking boots too.

[mimitabby]

18. made in USA hiking boots

yes, I have a pair of Danner boots too. http://danner.com


:-)

[JuniperLea]

25. Nice!

I'll be needing a new pair soon.

[ohheckyeah]

64. I have a pair of Danners.

Awesome hiking boots!

[Amaril]

23. Ooh! Those are CUTE!

Who makes them?

I wear mostly flip flops these days. One perk of your company going out of business: the dress code goes completely out the window. :)



Edit: to fix smilie

[JuniperLea]

26. Klog USA

I searched around for some made in USA when my favorite brand that had been made in Scandinavia sent their business to China. I about choaked when I flipped a pair over to see the China stamp! Ugh.

If you Google "clogs made in USA" you'll find several brands.

[Nay]

24. Juniper! Where did you get those shoes? I'd love a pair, but in a

non-clog design. Thanks!

[JuniperLea]

27. Google "shoes made in USA"

You'll be surprised at how much is out there!

I'm going to start doing a lot of that when I can't find what I want, made where I want, in the local shops.

[Kat45]

35. Really? I'm surprised.

Last year, I did some customer service (call center) work for a shoe retailer. We had a list of where all the shoe brands were made and there were only one or two made in the USA, and it wasn't even all the shoes of the company. Most of the shoes were made in China. Even Earth Shoes, which have a certain reputation, are not made here anymore.

[catzies]

38. I want those!! What/where/who/how, please?

:)

[mimitabby]

57. soft star shoes

http://www.softstarshoes.com/

[catzies]

81. Excellent. TYVM!!

[TygrBright]

40. J Lea-- I want a pair of those. Can you point me to them? Pleeeeeeze? n/t

[stuntcat]

19. Damn right!

how DUMB/LAME/SHAMEFUL/SICK is it that buying American-made clothes and (*GASP*) locally-grown food makes us terrible 'hippies'?

[Lochloosa]

21. Send this link to them.

http://www.buyamerican.com/index.html

[mimitabby]

22. thanks

[JuniperLea]

28. Great link!

Thanks!

[Lochloosa]

32. Your welcome. It is a great resource. I check it anytime I'm going to buy online.

[Canuckistanian]

29. His shoes were made in a COMMUNIST COUNTRY?

I would question his loyalty to America.

[myrna minx]

30. She should start calling him 'comrade'.

:rofl:

[SpiralHawk]

48. Republicon dude is totally into Socialist Shoes

Why do Republicons HATE American shoes?

[Evasporque]

31. Silly - Buying American is so unamerican...

Real Americans buy cheap junk from China so they can buy six pairs of shoes instead of just one...AND have money left over to buy a twelve pack and some ammo.

Who has more shoes...? Bob does.

[mimitabby]

34. boy you got that right.

[snagglepuss]

33. What a great story. Kudos for a brilliant comeback.

:yourock:

[Vinca]

36. Bravo!

:applause:

[BlueJac]

37. Awesome.....

there you go, another idiot puts foot in mouth!

[Marie Marie]

45. Yea, wearing Chinese shoes no less.

Doesn't sound like a Real Murikan to me.

[geckosfeet]

41. Bob is a low information conservative.

[femrap]

43. I love hippy dippy shoes...

I don't buy anything made in China...Indonesia, Vietnam, yes. But if you want really good rain or snow boots, you can't beat Canada!

[Vehl]

44. Awesome reply! K&R nt

[Swamp Rat]

46. EXCELLENT!!!

:yourock:

[johnnyplankton]

47. That is beautiful

Unfortunately, we live in a country of morons. I'd be willing to bet that in 10 years half of the people in this country will think that China is a state.

[lumberjack_jeff]

49. My shoes are not so hippy dippy...

... and your post inspired me to look. It turns out they're not made in america either. At least not north america. :(



I always thought georgia boots were made in ... Oh, I dunno, Georgia.

[democrank]

50. Bee-utah-full

Love it!

[Poll_Blind]

51. SMACK! Good on ya! n/t

PB

[Mira]

53. Good. On. You. Mimi K&R and thanks for posting

[Jade Fox]

54. Dang, I want some of them.....

I've been shoe shopping lately, and I hate everything.

Those Softstars are cool.

[mimitabby]

58. heh.. that's why I bought them

not only do they fit my feet, but I got to pick the COLORS. and the emblem. I just love that!

[TheUnspeakable]

55. k&r! Reminds me of the old joke..

The business man sees a hippie walking down the street with one shoe on. "What's the matter" he says
"did you lose a shoe?' "No man, says the hippie with a big smile "I FOUND one!"

[Zorra]

56. Now that's teaching by example. Awesome. nt

[HankyDubs]

59. Haha

you kick ass

[Dystopian]

60. KandR : )

That was an awesome response.

I remember when I was called a "hippy dippy" by a conservative...first time in my life at the age of 58.
Conservatives are all alike...matters not the mask they wear.

peace~

[anthroguy101]

61. Because only COMMUNISTS buy shoes that aren't made in China!

:sarcasm:

Edit: Got some American-made New Balance with American-made insoles. Might consider those Oregon shoes.

[WillyT]

62. HUGE K & R !!!

:yourock:

:hi:

:kick:

[EC]

63. Tell him he should have known that Buying shoes made in

China is part of an EVIL COMMUNIST CHINESE PLOT TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD...


By the way I just ordered a pair of those, I've been looking for something in soft leather or sheepskin...thanks..

[southerncrone]

66. I LOVE hippy dippy shoes!

Everyone should own a pair. Maybe then we could cut back on the unemployment payments. That ought to shut him up, too.

Great story, thanks for sharing!

[eilen]

67. In my neck of the woods, the go-to shoe is

Aurora Shoes
http://www.aurorashoeco.com/products/styles.html

They are handmade and the maker sources materials as local as possible. The leather comes from a tannery in Chicago.

Aurora, NY



Quality Craftsmanship

The Aurora Shoe Company was founded on the principles of quality handmade craftsmanship. We make all of our shoes by hand, one step at a time. It’s an art form and a tradition that we’re proud to be a part of.

Made in the USA from American materials, our footwear is created using the best we can find. From our high-grade full grain leather uppers to our shock absorbing Vibram® soles, we pair quality materials with hand made workmanship to create shoes you’ll love to wear for many years to come.

[AllyCat]

71. Love these too!

[mimitabby]

79. these have a very nice style

the biggest difference between mine (soft star) and yours is Soft star is making a really thin sole for those of us who want maximum foot flexibility.
I shopped long and hard before I found the ones I wanted!

[DeSwiss]

68. K&R!!!

- Touche'


Also made in China.......

[AllyCat]

69. Nice response!

[earcandle]

72. smart move!

[DemocraticPilgrim]

74. Exactly we can all make that choice to get economy motor running again, buy hippie buy USA!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

77. OH I love this!!!! You go, girl!

:D

:hug: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[swilton]

78. Thanks for educating us

[glitch]

80. Too late to R, what an excellent game, set, match! :) nt

[livetohike]

82. Good job! Great teaching moment

We all have to teach whenever the opportunity arises :-). Thanks for sharing a nice example.