I'm in Spain on holiday and saw this as a perfect opportunity for barefooting. Back in London I barefoot wherever possible - school run, college, tube whatever - and have even flown back to Ireland shoeless (ok I often carry flip-flops as back up in case I encounter some anal jobsworth or the pavements are too dirty) so I - mistakenly as it turns out - thought with the laid-back Spanish way of life I'd encounter no problems. Although Ryan Air raised no objections to me boarding barefoot, I was pulled up this morning at breakfast for being shoeless and as I thought I'd go the whole hog and not even bring my emergency flip-flops with me I was forced to go to a shop and buy a pair, and a very tacky pair they were too Talking to the locals, I was informed that barefoot is generally not the done thing in Spain,and being someone who's respectful of local cultures I found myself in something of a dilemma. Has anyone else experienced this in Spain?
never been to spain, it sounds amazing though from everyone who i know that's gone... hope it's beautiful! i am going to london though at the end of the month.. barefooting alll the way my friend
Yes, it is a fact that Spain is the most barefoot-unfriendly country in Europe, with France as a good runner-up. Next time try Italy, Croatia,or Austria for your holiday:you will probably have no problems whatsoever.
"it is a fact that Spain is the most barefoot-unfriendly country in Europe" True and not true. I live and work permanently in South Spain for now ten years, and am lucky enough to live near the waterfront where barefooting is commonplace. The problem with people not understanding (rather than not accepting) barefooting is twofold: (1) barefooting is associated with an image of poverty which is not so far away in memories, think thatmost of the elderly people here still presenced the civir war. (2) barefooting is commonly associated with Gipsy people, which are generally percieved wit fear and distrust, so anythin they do also is. Added to this, the general culture does not favour casual dressing, one has to "dress up" before going out... This being said, Spain is, I feel, less barefoot UNFRIENDLY than places like e.g. France (I'm French) where people would be harsh with you being barefoot in town, here the people are mostly respectful even with waht the dislike or fear.. So, come back to Spain and enjoy barefooting! All the best sergebarefoot
I've never been to Spain, but the Canary Isles (Spanish owned) seem ok, though i saw very few other barefooters away from the waterfront.
I've been to Barcelona and Ibiza once each. I didn't go barefoot in Barcelona as I was there on a work trip, but I was barefoot when I was flying home. My shoes went in my main luggage that I checked in and I didn't have to worry about them until baggage reclaim back at Stansted. In Ibiza it was completely the opposite. I was there on a holiday, and was barefoot more or less the whole time. I think I had to wear shoes to get into one out of about 20 or so different pubs and bars I went into, but rather strangely I was made to put my shoes on by someone at the departure gate when I was about to fly home.
There goes my idea to be barefoot in Paris. But I swear last time I was there I saw a couple of young people (20s? 30s?) barefoot outside a bar, and they seemed to be locals and cool about it. Maybe I should just not care and do as I please...
Yep. Cafes too, and museums. I can't tell you much about fri/sat evenings and walking past bouncers - you may encounter the same problems there as everywhere else, but in general you'll be fine.
If you get any stick, the phrase "Je ne peux pas parler français, ni anglais" might come in handy. Unless they try and catch you out with German or something.
Haha. If for some reason they approach me in German, I'll have no trouble "pretending" I don't speak the language ;-)
Wow, I love being barefoot, I didn't know there was a MOVEMENT about it! Anyone wanna contact me and tell me more about it?
Yet, a grain of salt will be necessary, if you decide to join their "movement." More like a pinch, actually.
