Being asked to put shoes on (Europe)

Hi all, just found this forum and thought I would sign up so I could ask this question of you guys. I am a regular barefooter (though I still have to wear shoes on some really rough surfaces, or when it's cold out), and I have never encountered any issues with it before. Nobody has ever asked me to put shoes on, though I have gotten plenty of strange looks and people telling me I'll get sick, and I have only ever cut myself once with a piece of glass on the street, when I was just getting back into barefooting and my feet were still soft.

However, I was recently traveling to Croatia, and I walked into the Konzum (for those who don't know, it's a European supermarket similar to Freddie's). As I was walking around, a man came up to me holding out an ID card and speaking in fast Croatian and pointing at my feet. I speak absolutely no Croatian, so I was clueless as to what he was saying. Unfortunately, he did not speak English, so I tried to use my very limited German. I caught, through his very heavy accent, that he was store security and that I must wear shoes in the store. I had brought some sandals with me, so I went and put them on, and he left.

Now, this experience left me feeling pretty dissatisfied with the result, and a little frustrated. I am not aware of any laws against going barefoot in Europe, but I could be wrong. Should I have stood up to him, and asserted my right to go barefoot, even if it means getting kicked out of the store? Should I have pretended like I didn't understand him at all, and just given him a blank look? Should I not have gone in barefoot in the first place? This is the first time I have ever actually been addressed by security for something like this, and it is a little strange to me.

Has anything similar happened to you, and what did you do about it?

 

i was tossed out of a dancing club along with all of my friends. but that's uncommon. some clubs have rules, but i never got into arguments when shopping in malls and stores, maybe because of all the mass of tourist and seagoers, occasionally found bf round.

 

I got tossed out of a mall once. I had nothing to put on so I was escorted through the whole place barefoot and shown the door. It was ok by me, a lot of people stared at my dirty soles so I figured whatever. If they'd left me alone no one would notice and I'd be done shopping. I was hoping some guy with a dirty foot fetish would follow me and we'd live happily forever ......lol

 

It would happen here in stores and malls I am sure because of safety reasons, should you stub a toe or get cut on fallen glass and try to sue them. Also for the cleanliness concerning other shoppers even tho shoes would pick up the same germs but then again it's not considered Your dirty feet. Some people are shy about feet for some reason. Here some places have a sign on the door,
No Shirt
No shoes
No service
Restaurants mean it because of air born issues and food but I have taken my shoes off under a table and not been told to put them on. Once I was told by a waitress she didn't like me putting my feet up on the seat across from me at my table. I asked if it would be ok if I took my shoes off, she shot me a dirty look. Tip not a happenin here chickie! She coulda nicely said no.

Want my opinion on feet and other peoples fears,,, ok you said yes so here it is.
Those who hate to see your bare feet are probably those who have a Big bad ass stinky foot issue due to icky microbial growth from long periods between showers and they imagine yours must be as bad.

 

I think you did th right thing. Different countries have different rules. What would you have gained by standing up to him? Do you think he would have said "you know, you're right". You would have most likely been tossed out. Where do you have the right to go barefoot? America? He wouldnt give 2 shits about your rights in another country.

You did the right thing by doing what he asked.

 

I would not (and I mean this not purposely) have remotely understood what he said. And given the wars years back I can't imagine everyone in that country is shod.

 

Except for any lawsuit that would result from that would fall on its face in court, not to mention it would be for a tiny amount. Legally, by walking into the store barefoot, I am taking responsibility for any injuries that may occur by virtue of me being barefoot. Besides that, shoes like high heels and flip flops are more dangerous anyhow.

Because that totally makes sense, and yet sandals are fine. *rolleyes*

Really good thought... I never thought of that, actually. There probably are a lot of people who have really stinky sweaty feet and just assume mine are the same way.

Different countries do have different rules, yes. But this is the first time I have ever been stopped, and I have lived in two countries and traveled extensively in two others. What would I have gained? I wouldn't have been reinforcing his behavior, because now his opinion that bare feet are somehow bad and he "caught" me has been reinforced by my giving in so easily. Also, I would be standing up for the principle that I can wear or not wear what I like (no, I'm not talking about streaking here!)

I'm pretty sure I have the right to go barefoot in just about every country in the world. I do not know of any country which requires its citizens to wear shoes at all times. In specific circumstances, yes, such as OSHA requiring employees working in unsafe environments such as a construction site to wear shoes.

Croatia is actually a very industrialized country. It may not be quite as well off as some of its western neighbors, but it has done very well considering its recent past. I have only met one other person that was barefoot, and she was walking on a beach, so that doesn't really count.

 

Saftey and health reason are a load of shit. Some business owners don't know better.

But a private business owner gets to make thier rules. You have an option as to where you spend your money.

To borrow a phrase from a friend. "Is this the hill you want to die on?"
Certainly the event was irksome but is it worth putting energy into being upset?

 

I'm not upset, just think I could have handled it a little better and I'm trying to figure out what I can do if it happens again. No use having an experience if you're not going to learn from it. :sultan:

 

Sling a pair of sandals on a sack over your shoulder when traveling, if they should ask you can put them on till you exit their establishment, best option in strange countries, some places tend to toss your ass on jail for arguing even if you weren't just because that authority didn't understand you either.
I take a messenger bag with me many places I go and a pair of sandals would fit in there and men don't look any stranger carrying a bag like that. My worker was always barefoot and especially when we went for long walks and he always tossed his slide on runners in his bag, and since we both carried a bag we often stopped to pick up stuff we needed on the way home usually a grocery store near the house and he slipped them on then and off once we left the store. Even here we'd be asked to wear shoes in the grocery store.
You could sling a pair with laces over your shoulder if you won't carry a bag.

 

Fair 'nuff.
We used to have a guy here that took this stuff waaaay too seriously. I may have been projecting a bit since I'm used to replying to him. :sultan:

 

I get thinkin about it but my feeling is if the store doesn't want my money, thats cool. Someone else will so we both can decide we're not doing business. In the end, in this economy, he may regret (or the owner may well) the loss of business over something trivial.

 

It's dangerous to walk in supermarkets bare foot because of the broken glass and sharp contents on the ground that could injure you, and you may sue them for it. So being asked to wear shoes isn't offensive, it's common sense.
Same with bars and pubs, I'm pretty sure you need closed shoes.

 

Dangerous?! So, the cleanup crew got fired?

I'm pretty sure you need to leave this forum...it's for people who are PRO BAREFOOT!!!

That's common sense!!

 

I haven't got anything against bare foot. Just saying that people do sue organisations, organisations know this so they implement internal regulations on clothing and foot wear because of "dangerous" conditions.

If you can't accept that...

Go dig a hole or something. -shrug- This thread specifically asked Europeans for their input and as a European I put down my input as to why things are like this.

And if you can't accept that...

-hands you a shovel-

:2thumbsup:

 

I am totally pro barefoot so I can stay right? Hahaha

Anyway yes I am pro barefoot because I grew up with a mom who always has been and still is but I agree with some places asking we were shoes just while in their establishment. If the city bothered us about it on sidewalks I would be pissed. Or parks or beaches, and the like.
I sure don't mind slipping them off while watching parades, hanging out at public park events and such.

 

I would suggest that you read this link. I'm too tired to have this debate with you.

http://www.barefooters.org/key-works/BarefootRights.html

Edit: Some of this may not apply in Europe, I don't know what the legal system is like for lawsuits there. I have heard that Europeans in general are not as lawsuit-happy as Americans are though.

 

Yeah look, you are completely missing the point.

This supermarket or whatever doesn't have anything personal against you for not wearing shoes. They are looking out for themselves. People suck. People will sue a supermarket if they injure themselves. Supermarkets are known for breakages and spillages of chemicals, glass etc. Supermarket can comprehend that a bare foot person may injure themselves in their department. You may sue them. They may lose their job or business and perhaps both all at the cost of somebody that did not want to wear shoes.

While it may be legal to go bare feet anywhere, institutions CAN and do have authority to implement ANY rule or regulation that they so desire if they find it detrimental to their business or organisation.

Just because you say it's okay doesn't make it so, that's complete arrogance.

It's really not hard to comprehend.

Furthermore, the link you sent is complete garbage and nonsense. If that link is the justification to promote bare feet then imagine the actual logical arguments a supermarket will conjure up as a justification to get you wearing your shoes.

"3) Risk of injured people suing the store.

I)
First of all, the risk isn't that great, and if something happens, it's extremely unlikely to be a serious injury. No injury I've had, or heard about in 3 years of reading the Barefooters mailing list, was anywhere near as serious or as disabling as, for example, a nasty twisted ankle would be -something that could easily result from a dress shoe on a wet tile floor. No one would sue a store over a scratch requiring a band-aid, and if they did they'd be laughed out of court."

This is the arrogance right here. Just because a risk isn't "great" or if something happens it won't be "serious" is all the supermarket needs to implement a shoe wearing policy. A risk is a risk, I've worked a number of jobs and risk management is a crucial part of your training. A risk means it might happen. And if it might happen, well, no medals need to be awarded for guessing what's going to happen next, right? If it might happen it will be treated as if it does happen. =]

 

I stepped on part of a broken bottle back in high school with tennis shoes on and cut my foot. Whoever wrote the stuff on that site did not consider pieces of glass that aren't lying flat. I think going barefoot is great, but if I owned a place that could possibly have sharps lying around, I would try to decrease the possibility of an accident in my place. Shoes cut the risk of cuts on the feet.

 

No, this is a place for people to talk about not wearing shoes. Free speech and all that.