Merits and demerits of sandals

[sawyl]

One of the great benefits of wearing sandals over shoes is the sheer speed with which they can be put on. No fumbling around for clean pairs of socks; no unlacing; no retying. Ideal. Or they would be but for two minor snags: on at least one day last week, I noticed that my toes had gone blue from the cold; and I've realised that, by wearing sandals, I've taken yet another step along the path of turning into my pater — next thing I know, I'll be turning up to work in a shirt with a huge hole in the elbow and food stains down the front...