college is a good place for no shoes

When I went to an orientation for the college I'll be going to this fall, I walked around the entire campus barefoot. It felt wonderful! I'm so excited for the upcoming year; and it will be the first chance I get to express myself without much holding me back, and I don't plan on wearing shoes at all except when it gets really cold this winter. Just thought I'd share my happy experience; hopefully just one of many to come at my soon-to-be home!

 

Yeah you said it, NovaStarWind. College freed my imagination and my feet forever. Can't say I learned much in class but sure the heck learned a lot from living free. Free to write any kind of music, travel everywhere, meet interesting people, etc. etc. You've got a great time ahead of you sistah- hope you really live it up!

 

College is a great place to expand your experience and knowledge in all directions.

I teach at college. Flip-flops are especially popular on campus, with both boys and girls. Students slide their shoes off in class a lot, and if I notice at all, I really don't care. I'd rather they be comfortable enough to learn something. I don't give a rip about how they're dressed.

It's funny how things change. My Dad was a professor at this same university many years ago. I can clearly remember a night back in the '70s, when he was very upset about a student who had slipped his shoes off in class that day. He said that "the dignity of the university" demanded proper attire. Of course, Dad always wore a tie to work.

Peace.

 

Oh yes, I must agree that university will tend to allow for things that normal society would frown upon....Which is why lots of people don weird hair colours and cuts as well as odd attire....and taking off thier shoes....enjoy it

 

I'd still be wary of glass bottles.... us college types can get a little rowdy, especially the folks in residence

 

there is a big flap about flip flops here in the US. it seems that a groups of college girls wore flip flops to see bush. I don't see the big deal, its just bush after all. The gilrs looked comfortable and at ease being in the White House, prolly because of the flip flops.

if I could, I would wear flip flops and no other shoes (when I hafta wear them)

bob

 

This flap about flops showed up on a weather discussion board, OT section, that I follow. What horrified me was the anger and shock toward this expressed by fellow boomers. I replied to that thread that many of us in the ~50 range are beginning to sound stuffier than our WW2 parents ever were. After all, weren't we the ones who lived thru the 60's? Weve retrogressed since then. But, what horrified me even worse is that most of the complaining on that thread was done by people less than half my age---(our kids)

I managed to squeeze in a nasty bit about what if this had been boys, or young guys---in one of the gender differences which still favors females---no legs, feet, arms, or anything else would be showing. Guys get to wear suits to the WH, looking like Bush, and there's no wiggle room there.

Whatever it is about our culture that keeps things strict, dull, and conformist, it's power continues unabated. I went thru this ages ago, and it looks like it isn't over yet. I know there are so many other very good ways to display respect, than by wearing fuddy duddy clothes.

 

Hello! from a neighbor in Graham (you know, by Puyallup). Where are you going to university?

 

This kind of bring up warring emotions in me. I'm a barefooter & push the envelope just a tad by frequently wearing flops & shorts to work in the afternoon (returning from lunch). It's a newspaper office & it has always seemed like the morning (for a p.m. paper), when the day's real work is being done, is a more formal time. Of course, when my supervisior (the editor) and the ad manager (both attractive 30-something females) wear flops & various shorts & short skirts, I don't think the general manager would dare tell ME I can't do it.

If I thought I could get away with it, I'd just go barefoot--which I frequently do if I'm working after-hours, when the door aren't open for customers.

On the other hand, I'm one who wonders what the world is coming to when males enter buildings (even church sanctuaries) without removing caps. When I was a kid my mom remarked that it was showing disrespect for God not to "dress better than you would going to work or school" at church. Now the prevelent idea is for visitors to feel comfortable.

I'm sure the same debate rages in education (I hope to be a college professor in a few years, myself!), tourism, etc. Yes, I think I would dress smartly if I were meeting the president. I didn't care for Pres. Clinton, but I believe I would have dressed up to meet her & her hubby, Bill. (Sorry, couldn't resist! lol) I can see the argument that dressing that casually shows a lack of respect for the president, the presidency, the nation, etc. On the other hand, I imagine it was 95, humid as heck & they probably had to stand or walk half a day to get in & through security.

Mark

 

Excellent post. You brought up a few of my favorite points I've mulled over since the 70's. I remember being trapped in job situations where the rules definitely were different by gender, and I hated it, and still hate it on the few occasions it still turns up.

As for churches, I know that many have decided that it is important to try anything to get attendance up. The trend toward relaxed dress is supposed to help, and I hope it has. Afterall, God knows what we've all got---and once again I propose that respect, for pres, God, or anyone else is best exhibited by positive attitude, behavior, and being reasonably clean (but I don't know how that one works---many now call attention to their not having bathed in awhile---I'm not there)

As one who works and plays outside in a rather cruel climate, the simplest rule for me is to dress for the weather

 

Surely you ARE paying for it though, out of your taxes.

 

****!

 

When I first went to college, I was a little nervous about going barefoot at college. But then I just didn't care and that's one of the things that made it the most fun. I literally never wore shoes to school. I found I actually did better in classes because I was more chill than other students. I had one class where I helped a lot of kids out in class and several girls on the last day thanked me for help during the year, and all of them took off their shoes and walked into the last day of class barefoot with me. Professor hated it, but I thought it was great!

Have fun Nova - I went to almost every class I took in bare feet. When it was too cold, I just wore socks.

 

Three things:

NovaStarwind: I'm so happy for you that you've discovered a place where you can feel barefoot, free and happy! Enjoy it, and make the most of it.

Thor: Whether it was due to "the times" or not, I think your dad's attitude was pathetic, parochial, dogmatic, and tyrannical. What does learning have to do with how one is dressed. At a university, you are there to learn, not to impress anyone with how you are dressed. I sure as hell hope his beliefs have matured.

MarkMyWord: What your mom said about wearing better-than-normal clothes to church just about made me vomit. Do religious people really truly believe that God gives one flying shit what you're wearing? God, if such a creature exists, should surely be able to see into your deepest heart, and THAT is what would matter to him, not what you're WEARING.

Religious people who are so empty-headedly dogmatic that all SENSE goes for a wandering walk, really sicken and anger me.

-Jeffrey

 

Hello peacefuljeffrey,

I've been reading your posts for a long time now. It's good to finally talk.

This is a little off-topic, but it does relate to the "bare-it" theme. Let me blow your mind.

Dad was quite "Old School." He came from Europe, and had some very different ideas about how things should be. He made a big distinction based on where you were. The university was a very formal place to him. Proper dress attire was required.

However, home was a private space. At home, he and my Mom were often completely naked. It was never a big deal, and I was not traumatized by seeing their bodies. It was not a sexual thing at all, but a comfort thing. They were not nudists or exhibitionists, they just dressed (or undressed) appropriately.

Even though they never tried to hide their bodies, they kept whatever sexuality they had as a private thing between themselves, and I never saw any of it.

Dad died years ago when I was still a kid. I hope this helps you see that his attitude was not so bad as it may have sounded to you.

Peace.

 

Dear Novastar:
Going without shoes is indeed a wonderful idea, without shows a relaxed non-uptight attitude. You're probably a person who's easily to get along with. Being barefoot at school should be a wondeful feeling and hopefully more on campus will
follow your example.
Incidentally, have your ever thought of taking a trip somewhere without even bringing shoes and then making a diary or video of it?

Regards,
Dick

 

I think when people spend all their time fussing about what people wear at church they really miss the whole point of being there which is to learn about and worship God. I mean God doesnt care what you wear or dont wear to church, these days im sure he is just happy you are there period, he's lucky to get who he can inside his doors, he cannot afford to fuss about what those people who do manage to come are wearing. At the end of the day all the fussing these uptight people do is because they themselves do not like what the person is wearing it has absoulutely nothing to do with God but they think they can legitimize it somehow by saying it does.

Personally I would be more concerned about what people are doing and how they are behaving around the president rather than what they are wearing. If he doesnt wanna bother to see someone just because he doesnt like the way they are dressed then that is just lame.

 

I doubt they know or care what God says or thinks about the issue, all they know is they dont like what they see and since they dont have the guts to stand up and say that themselves they have to cover up their disgust with some garbage about how God wants you to wear something nice otherwise he will be offended and you will burn in hell forever. I mean when these guys say this stuff you can see right through it and see it for the BS it is. These guys simply want to impose their own flawed opinions and views on everybody and they would love it if this country was one big theocracy.

Theyre like sheep following the shepard, they dont know how to think for themselves and move outside of the flock.

-Jeffrey

 

when i was in college 1979-1984, i was always barefoot on campus. when a person enters university/college it is usually the first time that person has the opportunity for self expression.

 

wow i didnt know a collage didnt care if u went barefoot, i know my school would pee over themselves if i did it, and i know too many people anyway and dont feel like getting all the "ewww" "y would u do that..." and then i would probable screw up and pick something up with my feet, slap myself in the head and then the pursuing comments would follow...plus the fact that the handbook doesnt say anything about "having to wear shoes" and with out new strict principle...i just dont want to pee him off, lol, though a addition to the rule book just b/c of me would be kinda cool. =)