Tierno — also known as “Dr. Germ” — pointed out that if such shoes were worn for three months over the course of an entire summer, 93 percent of them would have fecal bacteria on them and 20 percent of them would have E. coli.

“These bacteria detected indicate obviously that feces, urine, spit, vomit, animal droppings were all present,” Tierno told TODAY. “That is what’s on the streets of a big city and in public bathrooms ... Think about what’s on the ground we walk on in New York City. There’s rat-doo and cockroaches, and they’re harbingers of all sorts of germs."

So armed with information like this, what’s a fan of casual footwear to do? Tierno said to avoid touching your flip-flops and your unwashed feet as much as possible.

“That’s what you do when you’re wearing these types of shoes — you’re adjusting it often for comfort, since they flop around,” Tierno said. “They are thin and you handle it more than a regular shoe to slip it over your toe.”

To help combat such exposure, you can wash your hands often and remove your shoes before you walk around your home.

You also could consider reserving those flip-flops as part of your beach or poolside attire only, Tierno said.

“I’m not saying don’t ever wear them,” he said. “They are nice for the beach and the pool and perhaps even in your home. ... My thought is they should be worn temporarily. There is a place for them.”

Good. Serves you toe displayers right.

To help combat such exposure, you can wash your hands often and remove your shoes before you walk around your home.

There is fecal matter on everything.

“That’s what you do when you’re wearing these types of shoes — you’re adjusting it often for comfort, since they flop around,” Tierno said. “They are thin and you handle it more than a regular shoe to slip it over your toe.”

Even on our poo?

Yup - fecal matter particles are aerosolized for an 8 ft area around our toilets. And my roommate wonders why I don't use the toothbrush holder built into the wall near the sink.

Frankly, I don't buy the "adjustment" argument this guy is making. No, actually, I don't touch flip flips at all when I put them on or even over the course of the day. I rarely touch my flats or my dress shoes either. No, it's my *most foot covering* shoes, like my sneakers, that I handle with my hands to put on or take off.

I remember Mythbusters doing that exact experiment (they even placed a tootbrush on the top of the toilet lid) and the myth was busted. There was no more germs on the brushes than there were anywhere else (the control brushes).

See also "Ed Hardy wearing, tribal tattoo having," etc.

Nah, I'm too old to have seen Ed Hardy on campus, but I'm willing to bet it took Tulane by storm a full year after everyone in NYC was bored with the clothing line.

Just wait - now that you're headed back to school, you'll be introduced to all of the new cutting-edge douche gear!

If my feet aren't up on my desk, why exactly are you looking at them again?

I'm studying them intently so I'll have them fresh in my memory when I masturbate in the shower.

Ah, the sandal discussion.

Like I said in the prior thread, I hated them till I moved South. They're a fact of life here. And man, after flying with them I can't imagine wearing anything else on a plane. So easy to get through security, so easy to slip on and off, and no discomfort when spending hours in a plane with inevitably swelling feet.

I think people in Florida would be sick with this stuff. I've been in flip flops for what, six years now? I mean, when i go out to places i wear shoes, but to Publix (under 2 mins by car), or walk around my community, and to the beach i go with my Reefs.

Yup - fecal matter particles are aerosolized for an 8 ft area around our toilets. And my roommate wonders why I don't use the toothbrush holder built into the wall near the sink.

Ah, the sandal discussion.

Like I said in the prior thread, I hated them till I moved South. They're a fact of life here. And man, after flying with them I can't imagine wearing anything else on a plane. So easy to get through security, so easy to slip on and off, and no discomfort when spending hours in a plane with inevitably swelling feet.

You should really wear sneakers/tennis shoes when you fly. In case of emergency, you can run better than if you have sandals on.

I hear sneakers will give you a little less drag and make it easier to hit the ground from 20,000 feet!

The ones that have springs in them will actually make you bounce.