GRL DEY EBRYWHAR
my mom got me some in mexico that have survived hiking on acid and so much other crazy shit. i'll fedex you some from placita de olvera.
I am an aspiring writer and pin-up model. I care nothing for your pretentious arrogance. You can hide behind your computer screens, your charity bin castoffs and your pseudo-intelligence. I want nothing to do with it.
You guys, don't try to fight her. She won't lower herself to your level! Those are the only two brands of shoes she lets her mommy and daddy buy her.
Although, to be fair, she really should change "aspiring writer and pin-up model" to "waitress" for accuracy's sake.
I think the fact is that I wear shoes in the first place.
Some people love being barefoot and I can't stand it.
Sometimes it's okay but in most areas it seems gross to me.
Toms makes really really shitty shoes that fall apart in days with any sort of wear because their overhead is about $3. they charge $50. a salesman for the company that worked with a friend of mine ranted endlessly about how it's a bullshit marketing strategy, which is pretty immediately obvious. Toms gets people to pay way too much money for crappy shoes because they give a crappy pair away to a kid. the demographic receiving their "charity" traditionally doesn't wear shoes, as climate makes them unnecessary, and Toms would be useless in any environment where climate (cold or wet) actually made shoes a required item. they're also making a ton of money whoring out their name to advertise for other companies. their motivation is not to help little kids in africa, it's to make money. it's simply trendy nominal do-goodism taking advantage of the generous impulses of hipsters and the credit cards of their parents. they're a company using cutting-edge and ethically questionable advertising to overprice a shitty product. no more, no less.
* quick point. it's easy to bash people who are trying to do something good, and i'm not trying to just beatdown. i just think that there are huge issues with the modern nonprofit / charity system and people's goodwill often just goes into someone's pocket. resources need to be used effectively and not based on manipulation.
* i am excited about the shoe factory they are building in ethiopia. if it is actually run well and gives people opportunity, that is super awesome.
that said, i will still stick to my $3 ked knockoffs at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. they'll last longer and give back to those in need just as much.