Scuffing slipper zombies

Early the next morning we arose, dressing sharply armed with notepads and pencils all aligned in a neat row. Once again, the 'fall' weather was peaking around 30 degrees at 8:00am and we were all soon soaked in our own sweat, even at the leisurely pace we were keeping.  We were attempting to fan ourselves with our books to create a gush of wind, moving our clothing in any direction that would cause some relief from the heat. Resistance from the heat was futile.  We decided to up our pace and spend a few minutes in the bathrooms trying to recover ourselves. Many Japanese people carry fans or umbrellas around with them, which of course we didn't think of at the time, and being that 3 of us were Canadian, cold was what we prepared- not humidity and scalding hot weather.

Maybe not the best image
to show great fashion
paired with bad slippers, but
it doesn't add any
points to the outfit either!

We approached the Training Centre and had to take off our shoes and put on the designated slippers, which to be honest kind of grossed me out, thinking about how many people's feet have been in there before mine, Ew! One of the girl's grumbled about picking out the perfect shoes for her outfit, and having it wrecked by throwing on a cream coloured, plain pair of slippers. Good point, if no one saw you come in the door, you could get away with wearing the dirtiest, ripped, mud clogged shoes and not make a bad impression, because you take them in before you entered.

In Japan many people take fashion here quite seriously. I don't think I've ever encountered such masses of people looking as put together and fashionable in general, as I have in Japan (especially Tokyo). It's an interesting contradiction though to me, this slipper practice, as it creates any designer or wonderfully put together outfit, look ridiculous. I get the cleanly logic, but aren't socks enough? I mean slipping on a pair of slippers something my Grandfather would pick out, matched with my designer dress, doesn't really scream out this new season's fashion statement.

These are even the nicer of styles of slippers I've
seen, that are mandatory to put on
before entering someone's house,
restaurant or other places
of gathering.

I have a few more qualms with this slippers practice here, aside from the fashion faux pa, I must discuss. Firstly, many of the slippers come in two sizes, adult and child. There is a huge difference between these sizes, so your left with Shaquille O'neal size slippers, attempting to keep them on and not to break your neck while walking down stairs (I came close a few times) or parading around in ridiculously small children's slippers, that can only hold a quarter of your foot inside of it.

Shaquille O'neal seeing if China
wants to join the bandwagon and design
slippers to his size.

People naturally make this scuffing noise while walking, a similar sound I imagine, to if a zombie were slowly approaching you from behind. I'd much prefer the clink-clank of high heels any day to the sounds of a zombie! Many of the entrances, which you must remove your shoes and put on the slippers, if not well kept, stink with an array of foot odors. I save something scarier than the sounds of a zombie behind you for last, there are also another set of slippers you must put on before entering into a toilet. If you are using a squat toilet, in a bar let's say, (I have seen this with my own eyes several times) I've seen back splashes of urine drops stained onto these slippers from wobbly drunkards before you, that you must put on! Frightening! It is so taboo to walk around without slippers that people will turn bug-eyed and horrified, as if you were a half alive, rotting human, because you refused to put on the designated uncomfortable, stinky, unfashionable slippers!

Watch out the scuffing slipper zombie is coming after you!