Where did you go barefoot today?

Had quite a fun day in London yesterday. The morning was cold and rainy and miserable so I went out with shoes and a coat on, but come the mid afternoon I was feeling hot and my feet were claustrophobic so the shoes and coat got stuffed into a bag I always carry with me for such situations. I saw my friend onto her train at Waterloo, then walked up from Trafalgar Square, to Covent Garden, found a pub to watch the evening kickoff with a couple of pints, and then onto Russell Square for a birthday gathering. Walked back to Kings X to get the last train home to Cambridge. It was cold and rainy again by then but I didn't care and neither did anyone who was with me at the time, which was interesting.

 

Today was the first day of the barefoot season. Oh yeah.

I wore athletic sandals on a walk with my parents yesterday. Small mistake. I got a sore from a part of the band that dug into my skin.

After that, I figured that TODAY I would go barefoot for sure. Flip-flops make my knees and feet feel funny if I walk in them for long distances and they would give me a blister on my toe. Obviously, athletic sandals would hurt. Tennis shoes? Out of the question.

My parents were going to the same spot as yesterday, so I stayed behind. (My dad isn't too glad about the whole barefoot thing. Oh well, he's still the coolest dad I could have.) I told them I'd go on a shorter walk because I already had gym today, where incidentally, I biffed and smashed my ear and my hip into the bleachers. I've gotten injured like that WAY MORE times than with bare feet.

Anway, it was 70 today and sunny. Perfect. There were a few patches of snow, and I tried them out. It was way better than I expected. It was also nice because it numbed me up a little for the first touch of pavement and the nasty, dirty grass that has a film on it from melted snow. I walked about 15-20 minutes total, and I saw some neighbors (some that I know) out. They didn't notice or I wasn't looking at them.

I wouldn't care.

I'm through with being self-concious. I wouldn't take away hockey from a hockey player or football from a football player, both of which have much nastier equipment than the ground and have far more risk for injury than going barefoot.

This April-October season looks to be mostly shoeless.... except in stores.

However, I hope to perform barefoot with my band. Maybe that's the transition from neighborhood walks to stores?

 

took my bicycle and guitar and headed for the beach with a friend of mine. gripping the pedals with your toes seems to improve pedaling, lol. people are starting to bath and work on suntan here. but as always there are no barefooters in sight.

 

Nice reading everyone's stories. Since it's early in the morning here in California, I'll say where I went barefoot yesterday. Today will be another adventure.

I ran some errands barefoot: went to the grocery store to buy milk, yogurt, fruit and chocolate chip cookies (that last one wasn't planned), then to the bank to get some cash. I just went to the ATM, but I have no problem walking into the bank barefoot. Later, I went for a walk in the neighborhood -- I usually walk for at least a couple of miles -- and ended up at the library, where I checked out a couple of books. In the evening, I went to the Sharks playoff game (our local NHL ice hockey team, for those who don't know) at HP Pavilion -- we locals call it the Shark Tank. I *did* wear flip-flops when I entered, just to make sure I wouldn't be denied entrance -- after all, I paid a fair amount for my ticket, plus it was a big game -- but I quickly shucked the flips and walked the Tank around barefoot, buying beer, going to the bathroom, etc. Then I walked home -- the Tank is about a mile and a half from where I live.

Barefoot rules! I just wish I'd see more people in the area going barefoot.

 

I'm posting this for yesterday...

I took a walk around my neighborhood, went to a local park, and drove around town, and I did it all barefoot.

The weather here finally warmed up enough to do that.

 

i am just getting up today but, i did the following yesterday: walked my dog, went to the laundry mat and washed, went to the bank, went to walgreen's to pick up prescriptions, and rode my bike. unfortunately at 5:00 pm, i had to put on shoes and go to work.

 

I've been a part-time barefooter until now. I'm on my third day without shoes at all. I've taught class and gone to class (yeah, I'm a grad student - the dual situation of being teacher and student is kind of funny) barefoot. The students don't care - I've slipped off my flip flops before to teach - so why even bring them?

I've also gone out for coffee barefoot and walked a long time downtown without shoes. I went to the hardware store, too, since I needed a pot for my indoor plant and some super glue for a crack I've got on my foot.

 

I've had a very good barefoot week! I've been off work and barefoot since Good Friday. Barefoot travels have included visiting friends down in Kent with journey on train / tube to London, walking to Buck Palace and down the Mall, round the National Portrait Gallery, a day in Whitstable and Canterbury, Rochester cathedral and castle, many shops, pubs service stations and generally good times!

 

danmo, they don't say anything in pubs in London when you go barefoot? Also, have you seen other barefoot riders in the tube?

 

Liquor store, grocery store pharmacy, 7-Eleven (different store from where I had issues before. There was a young girl at the counter (~18). She smiled and asked "Where are your shoes?". I just replied that it was a nice day (~70 deg F/21 deg C) and it felt good! She seemed to accept that.).

 

i was off work the last 2 days, so i went everywhere barefoot: coffe shop, bookstore, laundry mat, grocery store, park & favorite bar. unfortunately my barefoot days must end because i return to work tonight.

 

We did go in one pub for an afternoon coffee, and had no problems. I walked past one of the staff on the stairs and she glanced downwards, but said nothing :cheers2:. Also, didn't see anyone else barefoot, even though it was a lovely sunny warm day when we were there.

However, I did get collared in the National Portrait Gallery. We'd been there for two and half hours and no-one had said anything, then, just as we went to the cloakroom, a jacketed official lady spotted me and told me I had to wear shoes, and threw the Health and Safety line at me. ho hum.

 

I feel exactly the same way about my area! Especially the University of Kansas campus. There's hardly anyone barefoot there

But anyway, I definitely agree that barefoot rules!

 

I just came back from a business trip to New Orleans/Baton Rouge. That area’s gotta be one of the most “barefoot friendly” places I’ve ever been!

Traveling down, I did my usual – drove barefoot to the airport, slipped on flip-flops for the terminal/getting on the plane. Kicked them off during the flight, and slipped them back on when we arrived. That’s when things changed. Getting to New Orleans, it was so warm (~85 deg!). It felt good after being in cooler weather. When I got to the car rental area, I immediately took off my flip-flops and put them in my backpack. I was barefoot, moving around outside the car, doing a quick inspection and getting settled for the drive to Baton Rouge, when a rental company employee approached me. I had left something on the bus. The interesting thing was, she seemed very accepting of bare feet – like she sees it all the time. She didn’t comment, didn’t glance down, nothing! It was just like “this happens all the time”! You probably had to be there, but it was really cool how nonchalant she was about it.

I drove to Baton Rouge and stopped at a little place in Sorrento to get a drink. I went in and got the same reaction. I walked all over the store – no reaction at all from the employees or the other customers. This was great! I continued on to Baton Rouge and checked into a Marriott hotel. I walked in barefoot and wearing shorts, with a backpack and carry-on suitcase. No one batted a eye, glanced down, nothing! I rolled my suitcase down the hall and went up to my room.

Later, it was time for dinner. I slipped on my flip-flops and walked over to a nearby “Joe’s Crab Shack” for a beer and a meal. Walking in, I was ticked I hadn’t gone barefoot. The folks there were so laid-back. The minute I walked in I could tell it was a real “come-as-you-are” place. No eyeing me up and down, nothing – just laid-back, folksy hospitality! Next time – bare feet for sure!

That evening, I had to go to the hotel business center and front desk. Again, I just went barefoot (they do want you to feel at home, right?). I was just amazed at how unphased the people were about bare feet! Several hotels I’ve stayed at have signs that guests must wear shoes in public areas. Not here! I felt perfectly comfortable – just like walking around my house!

The next day I had meetings, so the stiff shirt, long pants and shoes came out. Shortly thereafter, I went back to the hotel, ducked into the bathroom to change, and came out in shorts, t-shirts, and bare feet! I hit the road for the drive back to New Orleans (that airport has a better flight selection than Baton Rouge). I made a few stops on the way. Everywhere there was acceptance, not just tolerance, of my being barefoot. I dropped off my rental car. No comment. Got on the rental car bus. No comment. Entered the airport and walked around for a while trying to find the right concourse. No comment. When I went through security, the 1st TSA guard’s only comment was to “remember to put your license back in your wallet”! He didn’t glance down or anything! I walked barefoot to the end of the concourse where there are a couple of unused gates, and I set up shop. I did a few hours of work while waiting for my flight. I got up a few times to check my flight status and went past numerous airline employees, travelers, and security agents, No reaction at all!

When I boarded my flight, I went on barefoot. The gate agent didn’t blink! None of the flight attendants said a word! It was great! When I got to Denver, I was a bit more conscious of my naked feet, but that might have just been my familiarity with the area. Nonetheless I took the escalators to the train, went through the main terminal, and caught the shuttle bus to the off-airport parking lot – all while barefoot! I’m still barefoot from that experience – it was great. It just seemed like the people of Louisiana have no hand-ups about bare feet in public.

bkcmar?? You probably know this better than anybody!

 

louisiana is very typical of the south. i usually do not encounter problems being barefoot. i think it is about a confidence level. if you have an attitude such as "this is me, i am barefoot", i find that you do not encounter as many problems. if you are self conscious about the fact that you are barefoot, calling attention to you feet this causes problems. if you are told you are not welcome, just turn proudly on your bare soles and walk out. there are plenty of other places which will appreciate your patronage.

just my $.02.

 

i walked my dog, went to my neighborhood coffe shop, went to the grocery store, stopped in my neignbor bar to say hello to a friend and rode my bike to run some of those errands.

 

I went to the local theatre to see a movie today, I was able to park right in front of the door, so I didn't bother to put my flip flops on. The theatre is a small local one so the girl selling the tickets also was running the concessions.
I don't think she noticed me barefoot when I entered but I wnt for a small popcorn during the movie and she was siting in a small lobby area they have. She looked down at my feet when I walked thru, I thought she was going to say something so I said "sorry" I guess I made myself comfortable for the movie. She grinned and said it was fine with her. When I was leaving the theatre I noticed she had lost the flip flops and was barefoot, I looked down and just smiled .

 

I spent Saturday and Sunday evening in the city. With the exception of two woman I saw strolling barefoot, the first night was uneventful. Last night I went into one of my former watering holes barefoot. Needless to say, there was only one person working behind the bar, so I don't think she noticed. On a positive note-my feet were jet black by the time I got home.

 

I have had quite a few barefoot tube rides in London, usually with a bf friend who lives there. It's a lot of fun, and absolutely no trouble at all. Highly recomended!

 

Today, I went to school barefoot (I'm a teacher), and I stopped at the pharmacy, Staples, and a hardware store on the way home (all barefoot)

Hugz
Bobby