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​I Love Birkenstocks
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Gina Mama, "You Should" try....

4/10/2017

 
I am a born and raised Bay Area girl who proudly wears Birkenstocks.  One thing that I love as much as my Birkenstocks are the San Francisco Giants.  I am a longtime Birkenstock wearer and a lifelong Giants fan.  

I remember watching games at Candlestick Park in the freezing cold.  One of my most memorable moments as a kid, was touching Will Clark’s hand when he autographed a baseball card for me.  I was at home alone waiting for a World Series game to start between the Giants and A’s when the earthquake hit in 1989.  I was at Pacbell Park (now AT&T park) when Barry Bonds hit his 500th home run against the Dodgers.  One of my favorite pictures of me and husband was taken on the field at AT&T Park.  In May 2016, we took my youngest kid to his first Giants game.  It rained the entire day but that didn’t matter.  In fact, on that rainy day I was wearing my Birkenstock Woodbury’s and my feet stayed warm and dry.  I could go on and on, but all you need to know is that I bleed orange and black.
Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Birkenstock Woodbury at ATT Park Giants Fake Counterfeit Knockoff Birkenstocks
Birkenstock Woodbury on warning track at AT&T park
As a lifetime Giants fan, I will never change my allegiance to my favorite baseball team. Even if I were to move out of state, I would remain a dedicated San Francisco Giants fan. It’s like Tony Bennett’s song, “I left my heart in San Francisco”. No matter where I am in the world, my heart will remain true to the orange and black.

Just as I am a steadfast Giants fan, I am a Birkenstock loyalist. I love Birkenstocks so much that I started my blog to share this love with like minded individuals. People who know that I am a blogger often come up to me and suggest other brands of shoes that “I should” try. People send me emails or leave me comments on Facebook and Instagram about what brands “I should” try that are not Birkenstocks. I am dumbfounded by other peoples' well meaning, but unsolicited, advice. My blog is not titled “Help me find a shoe brand”, it is titled “I Love Birkenstocks" for a reason.

Friends are suggesting that I try Keens, FitFlops, Danksos, and Fluevogs. Social media “friends” tell me to try Reefs, Olukais, and Naots. Those who have read all my blogs, know that I have tried Danskos, Keens, and Olukais. I feel like the people who are making these recommendations are the same people who have never tried on a pair of Birkenstocks. If they had, they would know how awesome Birkenstocks are and would likely be wearing them too. The only brand of shoe that transformed my life by eliminating foot and back discomfort is Birkenstock.

Birkenstock shoes have been so life changing that I am no longer willing to try different brands of shoes. When people tell me “I should” try this brand or that shoe, it is almost as if they are asking me to become a Dodgers fan. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN! For you East Coasters, it is like asking a Yankee fan to root for the Red Sox, or vice versa.
Gina Mama I Love Birkenstocks Beat LA Reactance Theory Fake Birkenstocks
The Giants and the Dodgers rivalry is deeply rooted. I am such a devoted Giants fan that I will not even buy articles of clothing a certain shade of blue. Just a few months ago, I was curious about the limited edition soft footbed Birkenstock Gizeh. I went to a local store and when I saw it up close I knew I could not buy the shoe because, sadly, it was Dodger blue.

You could never get me to buy an article of clothing in Dodger blue, just as you will never get me to try a different brand of shoe by telling me “I should”. When someone tells me “I should” try a certain type of shoe, I immediately feel a psychological response happening to me internally. I feel myself wanting to do the opposite.

I know that my body will react to a perceived threat when someone tells me that “I should” do something. I feel as if my freedom to choose the type of shoe I want to wear is being threatened. The science behind this is outlined in Brehm’s (1966) Reactance Theory. Reactance can make an individual strengthen their own views or act in a way contrary to what is intended. Reactance is so powerful that Pearl Jam alludes to it in their song, “Corduroy,” with the lyrics “push me and I will resist.”
Gina Mama's I Love Birkenstocks Reactance Theory Fake Birkenstocks
When someone tells me “I should” try Keens, Naots, Fitflops or any other type of shoe that is not a Birkenstock, that person is making me strengthen my allegiance to Birkenstocks. Thereby not wanting to try the brand that is being recommended. I have documented my experience with other brands of shoes in previous blogs. I have spent unknown amounts of money on different types of shoes, in my effort to find one that meets the needs of my feet. All of which were donated because they lacked peerless comfort and support.

Keens left my arches aching. Naots were too narrow. Danskos were a fall risk. Sauconys were my best friend until they discontinued my favorite model. Then, I was re-introduced to Birkenstocks and found my “sole” mate.

For me, being a Birkenstock loyalist is like being a Giants fan. No matter what, I will never change my allegiance. When the Giants lost 100 games in 1985, I still rooted for them everyday. If Birkenstocks don’t remain in the fashion limelight, I am still going to wear them because they make my feet happy. What other shoe besides Birkenstocks mold to your feet and provide a custom fit? None.

I believe that wearing Birkenstocks is the single most important thing you can do for your feet and it’s up to you whether or not you choose to wear them. If and when you decide to try a pair of Birkenstocks, I am confident that you will find a pair that will work for you.

I am not telling anyone that they “should” wear Birkenstocks. So, please, stop telling me “I should” try other brands. I Love Birkenstocks and that’s why I started a blog dedicated to all things Birkenstock.



Nancy
4/10/2017 09:47:52 pm

I get it and I'm with you! I have tried Keens, Naots, Dansko etc but none of them compare with my amazing Birkenstocks! I was in Hong Kong last year and almost bought a pr or 2 but really didn't care for the fit of Papillo. They were on sale and Birkenstock are cheaper in HK to begin with. If I ever go back I will definitely buy a pr because colors and styles are different there too. A friend is traveling on business and has a layover in Frankfurt and there's a store at the airport. Squeeeeeal ! She will take a look and see if there's anything unique. I currently have 4 prs. It would've been 5 if a specific older pr wasn't accidentally donated. Gasp! Wish I had as many as you! I am heartbroken that Baumhouse no longer ships to the US.

I am a native of SF...fun fact, I was born in the same hospital as Bruce Lee. Many yrs apart but same, nonetheless!

Thanks for your blog and sharing your knowledge!

BuffaloBillie
6/15/2017 06:57:39 am

Hi Mama Gina! At the ripe old age of 46, and after several foot, back, and ankle injuries in the last three or four years, and after much research, I just purchased my first pair of Birks! (Gizeh in the gorgeous Birko Flor silver!) I found your blog post on how to break them in. Thank you thank you thank you!! I have loved reading through your Birk blog and am learning so much. But this post HIT A NERVE. Sis, I feel you.

First of all, this quotation: "Keens left my arches aching. Naots were too narrow. Danskos were a fall risk." Oh. My. gods. I was a Keen devotee because they tend to be wide, and I stub my toes all the time and loved the toe guards. But they flatten out pretty quickly and there is no support for my high arches. Naots are way too narrow for me as well. And my most recent, and worst, injury occurred while I was on a trip to Chicago and my beloved Dansko clogs slipped on a stair and I literally fell on my own foot!!!! I donated them then and there and never want to see another pair in my life!

But more than all of that is your assertion that you know what you like, STARTED A BLOG ABOUT IT, yet people feel empowered to suggest alternatives to you. I sense we may be close in age, and as a woman on social media, or in real life, I find people constantly give themselves permission to tell me what I "should" be doing! Should is a very loaded word, and in general I avoid using it, even when I'm asked for advice! Not only is there a grwat deal of karma behind employing "should," people generally despise hearing it. That includes me. So good on you for claiming agency over your foot and sports destiny!

And call me a new fan of your blog. I'm so hopeful that my new Birks help my feet heal and strengthen. I could feel my back align differently the moment I put them on and wondered why I had resisted them for so long. (Oh right. People kept telling me I should try Birkenstocks! LOL!) I know the rest is a commitment but I'm ready.

Peace from a very rainy Buffalo, NY

Gina Mama link
6/15/2017 05:45:05 pm

Buffalo Billie,

Thank you for reading my blog and your kind words. I love that you donated your Danskos "then and there"!! I pretty much did the same thing.

Happy Birking,
Gina


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    Gina Mama

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    ​since 2016.

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