I think Aussies are our closest relatives, and I just love 'em!!!
(When I was a kid, flip-flops were called "thongs," too.)
I remember at least 2 things about Vietnam:
The Aussies were staunch allies in our effort over there. They lost 520 of their own troops.
We called flip-flops “Ho Chi Minh sandals.” In more lucid moments, we called ‘em “Gook Scooters.”