THE Flip-flop vs. THE Tsinelas

In Coron, Palawan while on board a bangka.

I found this so funny and just had to take a picture. It says so much about culture, mentality and commodity. Imagine my boyfriend's Havaianas in combat with our bangkero's tsinelas (Beach Walk? Spartan?).

Who do you think will win?

The Havaianas

Strengths

- well-known brand all over the world

- supposedly made of some special rubber

- cute/can be personalized (can be adorned with rhinestones, etc.)

- durable

Weaknesses

- expensive (hello, I'm not paying more than P100 for a pair of rubber slippers, unless someone buys it for me)

- the whole world is wearing them (or is this a strength?)

The Tsinelas

Strengths

- tried and tested by Filipinos for years

- cheap (P50? now that's more like it)

- locally made (support the local industry!)

- can be worn for any occasion (can you imagine leaving your Havaianas for bathroom use? didn't think so)

- can look jologs and pudpod and still function

Weaknesses

- probably not as durable is it is not made of some special rubber

I don't know about you, but my bet is on the original. Nothing beats the tsinelas.