DIY Thongs: When Tradies Get Creative at the Pub
The internet has blessed us with another quintessentially Australian moment that’s been doing the rounds lately - a tradie wearing electrical tape as makeshift thongs at what appears to be a local pub. Pure genius or pure desperation? Perhaps a bit of both.
Standing there in his hi-vis shirt, this resourceful sparky wouldn’t let a little thing like proper footwear stand between him and a cold one after work. The solution? Black electrical tape fashioned into a crude pair of thongs. The craftsmanship might not win any design awards, but you’ve got to admire the ingenuity.
This whole scenario brought back memories of similar situations I’ve witnessed at my local in Brunswick. Just last summer, I watched a group of tradies getting turned away because they were still in their steel caps. The pub’s policy was clear - no work boots allowed. It makes sense when you think about it. Nobody wants their nice night out interrupted by muddy boot prints or the distinct aroma of a hard day’s work.
The comment thread discussing this video raised some interesting points about pub dress codes in Australia. Many venues have these rules to maintain a certain atmosphere and prevent potential security issues. Steel cap boots can be dangerous in the wrong hands (or feet), and many establishments prefer to err on the side of caution.
But there’s something deeper here that resonates with our national character. That determination to find a solution, no matter how unorthodox, speaks to our legendary ability to improvise. Sure, it might not be the most elegant fix, but it works. It’s the same spirit that gave us the Hills Hoist and the wine cask - practical solutions to everyday problems.
The safety conscious part of me is slightly concerned about the hygiene implications of bare feet on pub floors, especially around broken glass. Then again, given the alternative of missing out on post-work drinks with your mates, maybe a bit of electrical tape isn’t the worst solution in the world.
Right now, sitting in my home office and looking at the temperature climbing towards another scorcher, I can’t help but wonder if our sparky friend might have stumbled onto something. Those tape thongs probably offer better ventilation than my overpriced runners.
The next time someone tells you Australians aren’t innovative, just show them this video. We might not always come up with the most sophisticated solutions, but we’ll always find a way to get to the pub.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to head down to Bunnings. Not for electrical tape, mind you - but the sight of those makeshift thongs has reminded me that my actual ones are looking a bit worse for wear. Better sort that out before my local starts enforcing a strict footwear policy too.