Should I go barefoot to meet friends?

I am a 34yo guy. I am meeting some friends I haven't seen in a while at a shopping centre.

I always go barefooted to the shopping centre when I am on my own but am not sure whether to go shoeless when meeting friends for two reasons -

1) If a security guard notices I am barefoot and asks me to leave it will very embarassing in front of my friends

2) We may be going to the movies and whilst I have gone in bare feet to the cinema before and not had any troubles, if I am not allowed in on this occassion with friends there that will be awkward

So I guess what it comes down to is, I have no issue going barefoot on my own but with friends there don't want any embarassment or inconvenience.

I really want to go barefoot, should I just do it and see what happens?

 

My advice - put on your flip-flops.

I love being barefoot, but I feel there are situations that justify footwear. What you're describing is one such situation. If you go barefoot and run into the resistance you suggest, the meeting with your friends in a lost cause. That would be both unfortunate and embarrassing. You said these are friends you haven't seen for a while. You don't want to get off on the wrong foot (no pun intended) by being denied access to the places they want to go and the things they want to do.

For some reason, footwear of any kind, including flip-flops, makes one "acceptable." Put them on, go out, and you can kick off the flip-flops when you're seated. My suspicion is wearing this minimal footwear would be a small price to pay for a day's fun with your friends. Once you've renewed your friendship, you can be your casual, barefoot self.

Working from home, I spend most of my days in a t-shirt, shorts, and bare feet. When I meet friends for drinks after work, I usually put on flip-flops. Inevitably, someone mentions how casual I look. I make a joke of it and comment that to me, I'm dressed up - I had to put on flip-flops! This is usually good for a laugh, but when I meet the same people in my home or their home and I'm barefoot, they just realize I wasn't joking.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

 

I'll have to agree with StraitToes, put on the flip flops and when the situation is right then kick them off. Your feet will be exposed which will be a good thing, but having some kind of back up will prevent any embarrassing situations.

Good luck with the get together.

 

I'd say carry the flips and if you're confronted by a shoe nazi, slip them on, then slip them off once you're out of the site of said shoe nazi scumbag. Problem solved.

 

Hi,

you like to meet your friends in bare feet but to avoid to be a potential reason of inconvienience during your meeting, right? So i suggest to go to the meeting barefooted, but carring a spare set of flipflops or something in your bag. Probably you won't need it, but you are on the safe side. I think it's no shame for a barefooter to carry along shoes in certain situations.

For the movies i see no problem. I guess no one checks ot footwear at a cinema.

You should just do like your inspirations says. Good luck!

 

i spent my first day of 2009 strolling around with one friend across the town and to the shore , shunned the sandals spite of the cold wet asphalt and it was great as always. btw on the beach a bank of sand and watergrass was floating over the water , providing a fun bouncy surface to walk over barefoot. at home i found a tiny glass splinter in my left big toe , the first of 2009.

 

Why not take some shoes in a bag then if your beinf barefoot gets awkward u can slip them on? when you walk around barefoot, dont you ever get scared of stepping in glass of dog doo or something?

 

I have been denied access to a movie theater for being barefoot. I think the idea of bringing a pair of flip flop with you is a good one. <(^o^)>

 

"barefoot even today?" he asked, i told him that after all there were really few people hanging around (maybe he had something to object because of the reactions of people, i assumed) at which he replied "if the public can stand berlusconi then they must accept your bare feet as well" which makes little sense but was enough for a big fat laugh (and reveals how that sucker is driving us psychotic ).

carry along your flip-flops if they work as a safety blanket to you, there's nothing to worry about. ifsome shoe nazi pops up you can use them to slap him/her in the face

 

One thing I have noticed is that it's a lot easier to get away with if you are wearing pants, rather than shorts. I went to the theater to see Milk yesterday and didn't have any problems, don't think anyone even noticed. I don't like wearing pants, but I hate shoes even more, so it's a trade off I make, besides, it was cool enough I didn't mind having the pants.

 

Hi Peewee,

> when you walk around barefoot, dont you ever get scared of stepping in glass of dog doo or something?

as you asked: if you are used to go barefoot, you develop a kind of "seventh sense" for such things. You are getting more attentive for all the things around you, and by this means for the things on your way too. Anyway, your soles become a bit tougher and broken glass gets less scaring. Usually, rarely you get tiny glass splinters in your soles you can remove by tweezers without getting a serious hurt. Of course you should avoid places with a lot of broken glass, though (or get on some 'in case of need-shoes'). The last time i had a real cut from broken glass was some years ago during a carnival party when i went outside on the unlighted patio, frisking, tipsy, not knowing that some dumbasses had just smashed their beer mugs there. Tough luck! But usually going barefoot is save, as long as you look where you put your steps.

Maybe you can try out yourself when spring comes ?

 

Getting those very small splinter out is a PITA. They are hard to get a hold of with tweezers. In the Los Angeles area tiny glass splinters are all over the place. Seems to be a Los Angeles past time to toss bottles out of a car window. In an area where going barefoot should be a no brainier, I find it easier to just wear flip flop.

 

I din't know Land's End is the current "in" hippy outfitter *lol*

Sorry please, couldn't contain myself after browsing your flipflops gallery. No harm meant!

Of course you are right. Nothing wrong to wear flipflops or something else if barefoot is too dangerous (physically, or socially as well). I didn't want to call for self-multilation.

 

Hi Pixy,

No offense taken. I was just relating personal experience. I spent two years of my life trying to be barefoot everywhere I could get away with it. Pulling glass splinters out of my feet every other day made me surrender to flip flop sandals. Very hard to see tiny splinter of clear glass on white concrete.
Anywhere I think it is safe I take off the sandals, home, driving, walking though the park.

Thank for check out the pics. <(^_^)>

 

Why be your own shoe police? If you're worried about not being let in somewhere, put a pair of flipflops or moccasins in your backpack, but there's really no need to put them on beforehand. As you have noticed, most of the time no one will tell you to put them on.

 

going barefoot all the time is just so easier, allow anyone to have any reaction they like - i always carry a spare grin with me 'stead of flip flops, it works! most people in london dont even notice. never heard the term shoe nazi before, but its cool, and i'll use it!

 

I hate to suggest this beacuse I have been completely BAREFOOT for over 25 years now, but just take some flip flops, but go to meet your friends in your Bare Feet. Try not to conform to the creeps who want you to do what they want. It might work as it has for me.

 

I'd go barefoot but take a "safety" pair of sandals just in case.

BTW -- Have you met those friends yet -- what did you do?

Hugz
Bobby

 

Maybe you should go to that movie theater alone barefoot first and see if anyone notices. Then, if all turns out okay, you can go barefoot in there with your friends. If you plan to go anywhere else with them in the same outing, though, you could bring along a spare set of flip flops in your car trunk (if you drive) or somewhere convenient. Perhaps soleless sandals might also be worth a try.

 

I always meet friends barefoot, (weather permitting), and they never say anything, but they expect it of me.
If i turn up wearing shoes, they say "you've got shoes on!"