The Law
All backpackers going through South East Asia must abide by the following law, referred to from now on as The Law. Any backpacker failing to abide, will result in swift, relentless seizure of flip-flops and possibly even further unoccupied pieces of clothing depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.
The Law states:
Unless in the absence of morals, The aforementioned Law applies only if ones own shoes were stolen. However, it is common for said backpackers to bend The Law. In occurrences such as these, backpackers have been known to take a fellow travellers flip-flops by cause that their previously swapped flip-flops turned out not to fit according to how he/she had hoped, or the flip-flops were an undesirable colour in the light of the next day. Due to this it is recommended that backpackers pay more attention when becoming inebriated at bars and choosing shoes once exiting the establishment.
For those of you who choose not to believe and/or participate in The Law, this omission of beliefs does not protect your own belongings. In the case of non-believers, flip-flops being stolen will result in non-believer necessitating to purchase a new pair of flip-flops by their own accord.
This sign writer is from now on in exempt from any responsibility of flip-flops or other items of clothing which may have been borrowed or stolen. It is encouraged that all backpackers experiencing the loss of flip-flops to keep an eye on the feet of fellow travellers in case of reuniting with missing shoes.
– Management
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As I read, I am seeing visions of 1,400 pairs of flip flops sitting outside vegan haunts in places like Ubud, Bali LOL. Fun read, and yep, I rarely worry because few want 50,000 Rupiah flops these days, and that’s all I buy 😉
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted…28 Fun Travel Facts about Me that May Blow Your Mind
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the comment, I’m a fan of your blog too 🙂 It’s $3 fake Havianas for me! Though it’s always disappointing to have them stolen when you’ve finally found a pair you really like!
The year was 2013, I was wandering the streets of New York without a care in the world when I spotted them. Real, beautiful, genuine Havianas for a discounted $8. Was it too good to be true? I inspected them, hastily Googling “How to tell if Havianas are real”. The store assistant approached me, confirming that they were real and that I should get them while they were still available. I panicked and started contacting everyone I knew, how many pairs should I buy? It was a wonderful moment.
Fast forward a year and to my life living in Cambodia. I’d been warned; I knew the one rule of living there. “You can’t have nice things in Cambodia, Lucy”
For the most part I embraced this rule with enthusiasm – a crappy old phone, a beat-up motorbike, a laptop that would be more useful as a placemat. But, I still cherished my perfect, ludicrously comfortable, cherry red Havianas.
I was careful with them, of course. I rarely left them outside the door, choosing instead to hide them inside my canvas bag while entering shops and bars. Nothing would come in between my beautiful shoes and I.
Until the day that it did. A devastating, emotional day. A day that I let my guard down for five minutes as I popped into a friend’s living-room style bar for a cheeky lime soda and a game of Battleships.
Alas, on my exit, my carefully crafted foot companions were gone. In their place were some hideous plastic red monstrosities. It was too late. I had failed them, I hadn’t kept them safe. Devastated, I put on my handmade bin-liner raincoat and trudged out, wearing the blister-makers.
For a long time I couldn’t let go. I hovered outside bars and restaurants like a strange lurker, hoping that their new owner had been as careless as I and that I could swoop in and be reunited.
Weeks passed. During that time, I was mugged. I felt like screaming “I have nothing left to give! My flip flops are already gone!”
Months passed. My motorbike was stolen. I hardly bat an eyelid – my heart was broken, there was nothing more that could hurt me.
To this day, I miss those beautiful shoes.
In loving memory of The Flip Flops, 2013 – 2014.
Lucy recently posted…The Vipassana Diaries – Part One
Ha ha ha, I post something mildly funny and you totally one-up me Lucy! If I didn’t love you’re stories so much I might consider feelings of annoyance. Blogger crush!
X Love X
This post, and Lucy’s response, totally put a smile on my face 🙂 Here’s to hoping that your law gets passed soon and all flip flop owners may visit the bar in peace!
Ashley recently posted…Goal Setting Tips & Printable
Whoa, I’m not aware of this unwritten law before and it’s good to know about it now. I wonder then if there’s really a lot of stolen shoes and if that’s the case, shouldn’t the establishment owners be alarmed by the complaints?
It happens everywhere, all the time… It’s pretty common. Only really happens with flip flops…
This is just so hilarious to me! I can’t even imagine “trading” out my flip-flops for different ones though I guess if a drunk dude stole mine, I’d have to take someone else’s. Though if I saw a more comfortable pair, I might not be opposed to swapping!
Christy Maurer recently posted…Renuzit Pearl Scents Giveaway US only Ends 5/29
What an interesting law. I guess it’s needed in places like southeast Asia… I will keep this in the back of my head if I choose to travel there.
Wow that sounds like it could lead to a serious chain reaction. I would be so bummed if my sandals went missing more than once.
Liz Mays recently posted…Hi! I’m the New Guy!
I can see my best friend in your story! She would be devastated to find her very carefully picked out footwear gone!
Hahahaha! This is funny. Though never happened to me yet but I do love my Havaianas and my biggest pet peeve is to walk barefoot. I cannot imagine if this happened to me, I would probably scream. Lol!
Ha, I had a few laughs while reading this Even the hubby walked behind me while reading and asked what it was about 🙂
Victoria recently posted…Frozen Fruit Treats Perfect for Fun in the Sun
This reminds me of a Sex and the City episode when Carrie looses her shoes at a party where everyone had to remove their shoes. Very interesting concept here.
Penny Struebig recently posted…Strawberry Spinach Salad
Hahahahaha omg I definitely will remember that when I visit south east asia this summer. In Zambia it was a bit similar but taking someone else’s flip flops you did at your own pearl lol.
Myrabev recently posted…{Beauty} Petunia Skincare Derma Roller & Serum Review
This can really happen in back pack areas. I guess this law does make some kind of sense or better yet just go for cheap flip flops.
Franc Ramon recently posted…#SlidefestPH has Landed in Alabang
Funny read! That’s why I only buy and wear cheap knock flip flops now. Thanks for the chuckle:)
Wayne Seto recently posted…How India Challenged Me And Rebuilt Me.
What a great post! I had no idea about this law, but I haven’t visited South East Asia either. I’m not sure though if I could take other people’s flip-flops 🙂
Thank you for allowing me to learn something new! I honestly did not know about the law, but I will share these tips with friends today!
i really hope that your law get passed. Wish you all the best for this beautifuk cause.keep us informed
Really? This is an interesting unwritten law. I’d better watch my flip flops over there or bring extra pairs
Dogvills recently posted…What are The Basic Types of Hypoallergenic Dog Food?
Interesting post! I had no idea there was such a law on that wow!!!
Wow, I never realized that this was a law! I wonder how many travelers will start packing multiple pairs of flip-flops now that they know theirs might be “replaced”! Thank you for this interesting post!
Jessica @ Green Global Travel recently posted…INTERVIEW: Coral Restoration Foundation Celebrates World Oceans Day
Hey Jessica,
It’s not a real law, it’s more of a “social understanding” between backpackers going through South East Asia.
very nice