Can I wear flip flops to work? (I’m a bartender)?

[Anonymous]

Yes u can

No u can’t

[musicbrain5]

Not a good idea, especially as a bartender. Potential broken glass, spills, and not to mention that you’re on your feet for the whole shift. Flip flops are the worst things you can wear on your feet - no support, no cushioning or shock absorption, puts too much strain on the tendons in the toes, etc. It’s also unhygienic and gross in a foodservice or restaurant/bar setting.

Get a good pair of closed shoes, like the type that chefs wear. They’re usually non slip and they’ll protect your feet and you’ll be comfortable.

[Asker]

Good call. I’ll get those chef shoes.

[musicbrain5]

Did your employer say anything about dress codes and appropriate footwear?

[Asker]

Nope they did not

[Dazed0N0Confused]

Bartender to bartender, you need to wear non slip shoes as a bartender. It's a health code violation to wear open toed shoes & if you're running on a busy shift you're more likely to slip in flip flops.

[Asker]

True! I don’t know what I was thinking asking this stupid question lol 🤦🏼‍♂️🤣

[MTC29]

Whether or not you can is up to the owner of the bar. Flip flops give your feet no support at all. In addition, if something gets dropped- much less a broken glass, you could have a serious injury. Take a look at what are commonly called "work sneakers": they look like normal athletic shoes, but offer excellent support for people on their feet all day, as being made from materials designed to protect your feet in a work environment.

[Asker]

Thank you for that suggestion,, I will look into those. Broken glass is a hazard I hadn’t thought of. Maybe because I haven’t broken any glass so far

[MTC29]

I've never been a bartender, but I've spent a lot of time drinking in bars. You won't drop a glass, but a customer at the bar (who has had too much to drink) will reach for his or her glass, misjudge it, and send the glass sliding across the bar and onto the floor. I'm a retied civil engineer, and I used to wear that type of sneaker when I was out of the office and in the field, unless boots were required on the jobsite

[Asker]

Good call. I’ve had some lousy customers so yeah flip flops are a bad idea

[hahahmm]

That would be stupid... imagine if you dropped a bottle and it broke right next to your foot. Or imagine if a knife/glass fell right on the joint of a toe. And when you work in a kitchen/bar situation you need non-slip shoes. Most flip flops don't have good enough grip to deal with a grease spill for example.

[Asker]

That’s a good point.. yes I decided against wearing flip flops

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Unless the bar you're tending is located on the beach or in a resort, your employer and the people you serve might think it's inappropriate.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I have actually seen beach resort employees (including bartenders & waiters/waitresses) wear flip flops while they worked. I haven't seen such elsewhere.

[Asker]

Makes sense! This seals the deal then,, I don’t work at a beach resort..

[Wise4myage]

Maybe if you worked at a tropical resort or tiki bar.

[Asker]

Ugh I wish I did

[Static_In_The_Attic]

As for me I’ve been on both sides of the bar & when it comes to flip flops I wouldn’t recommend them behind the bar due to possibly broken glass.

[Asker]

True

[Daniela1982]

Maybe, if you live in Hawaii. Let's see you try running in them.

[Asker]

Will u run with me?

[NathanDavis]

knives, bottles falling, broken bottles, alcohol fires, spiders, looks awful.

[Asker]

Yes bad idea

[IAMNathanael]

Wouldn't they have told you that when you got the job? Doesn't seem very safe to me.

[Asker]

Nobody mentioned anything about footwear

[IAMNathanael]

Ah, fair enough

[Isabellaxo]

I wouldn't, it seems a bit too unprofessional, I guess

[Asker]

Even for a bartender? I guess I just want comfort.. I stand on my feet for 7 hours straight

[Isabellaxo]

Yes, I think flip flops are below sneakers. I stand on my feet for that time too (bakery).

[Asker]

I see!!! So far all the sneakers I tried hurt my feet pretty bad but I’ll look for something specifically made for us

[slatyb]

You can't because it's unsafe. You could be injured by a falling object, cut by breaking glass, etc.

[Asker]

True

[TacosRAwesome]

Probably not very safe. Risk of glass on floor etc.

[Asker]

Right, good call

[MotorcycleMan]

Are you in the tropics?

[Asker]

Nope

[MotorcycleMan]

Then I'd probably discuss with your employer/owner. Not sure about health code violations or safety violations. Wouldn't want to drop a glass or bottle on an uncovered foot.

[Miah02]

Ask your job.
They make their dress code

[Asker]

Regardless of the dress code, If they do allow it, would look too tacky?

[Miah02]

You a bartender, means mostly you'll be behind the bar.
And most your client will probably be too drunk to notice.
I don't think it will matter too much, but yeah some people might find it tacky

[Asker]

Thank you for your honesty. Your exactly right

[Ninjazzed]

You can, but sneakers or boots are preferred.

[Asker]

Right!

[Asker]

That’s a scary profile photo by the way 🤣

[Ninjazzed]

Gee thanks lol 😏

[elizamichale1]

Not really unless u r on a beach

[Asker]

Nah not on a beach

[elizamichale1]

Well then heels

[Asker]

🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

[elizamichale1]

Lol i knew...

[Asker]

You knew what?

[Diversity_Hire]

How often are you around broken glass?

[Asker]

I never broke any. My colleague broke a couple of glasses over a few months

[Diversity_Hire]

I think you'd be fine

[Michael82]

I'm afraid you would cut your foot off

[Asker]

Lol that’s a bit of a stretch