What were her reasons for not letting you in? Sounds mad - from talking to others who have had similar experiences in places it appears that the employees who are themselves subject to dress and heath & safety codes wrongly think that this too applies to the customers. I dont know about the US but here in the UK its usually the customer who enters a business at their own risk. From what you say I dont think she expected you to assert you rights!
That's too bad. I've been to a lot of Post Offices and have NEVER had any hassle. In fact, government buildings are great places to go without shoes. What a lot of folks don't get is that OSHA is the "Occupational Safety and Health Act." It was created to protect the safety of company workers back in the days when protective equipment and safety procedures were viewed as extravagant expenses. Employees are often running machinery, moving equipment, lifting, etc. OSHA was put in place to safeguard the folks involved in these activities. As a customer, you're in a business to mail a package, buy groceries, renew your driver's license, whatever. These activities are not dangerous acts, nor are you an employee of the company (i.e., it is not your occupation). As such, OSHA does not apply to the customer. Unfortunately, many don't comprehend that distinction, and if they have to wear steel-toed shoes, they believe everybody has to wear steel-toed shoes. Fortunately, I've had very few negative encounters when I've gone out. Sometimes if I talk to the employee in a civil, calm tone, they'll back down. There are just a few out there who won't budge. Oh well,...
Your response was right on the money, barefootjaime. There's absolutely nothing she can do, as you're completely in the right. Who knows, perhaps she'll even come to accept the fact that you're always barefoot and eventually warm to the idea.
Be glad she didn't drop it because you might have stepped on it. (Those pesky antecedents will get you every time.)
Sometimes another point of view helps to deescalate a situation: Maybe she was just interested in you, as she came in front of the counter? Maybe she just wanted to say anything to you, so why not say something about barefooting (and a lot of people think it's dangerous), and how she worries you colud get your nice feet hurt ... Just a thought. If people talk to me that i shouldn't go barefoot (happens rarely anyway) i found out that it often helps having the attitude that they worry about me honestly. I can tell them i'm used to, look out etc., and so comfort them. Just not looking for confrontation, but trying to take it as an exchange of experience and attitudes. Probably this doen't help in any situation, but is worth a try. Anyway, of course no post office in the world may refuse to serve barefoot customers. This would be a severe discrimination!
Weird... i've never had an issue at the post office and i've been there barefoot countless times. Hopefully this was just a one-time thing!
