kellyo

It takes a while for your feet to get used to Danskos. You're supposed to break them in by wearing them for 1 hour the first day, 2 hrs the next 3 and so on. Wear them around the house for a week or so before trying them at work. Danskos are great for standing, but if you do a lot of walking (I'm a nurse tech and a nursing student, so I'm all over the hospital), they can take even longer to get used to. I was doing great for 6 hour clinicals, but since having 3 weeks off at Christmas and just starting to work 8 and 12 hour shifts, my feet have had to learn to adjust again.
I have a pair of open-backed Danskos as well, but I wear them casually w/jeans. I'd be afraid they'd fly off my feet on the floor!
I suggest buying your first pair from a store that specializes in Danskos/Birkenstocks, etc. The salespeople are trained in getting a proper fit. Don't buy off a website unless you have already been fitted in a store.