Where did you go barefoot today?

Bummer - sounds like he lost his confidence.

When I first started going out barefoot in public I debated whether or not to take flip-flops with me "just in case." I decided that it would be too easy to lose my confidence and back out at the last minute, so I never take any type of shoes with me. Once I got over that early fear, I never thought about needing a "safety net." If someone won't let me in, there's little I can do about it. So far I've found 99+% of public places have better things to worry about than whether or not I'm wearing shoes.

I've gotta admit, every spring when I first venture out it takes a few visits to regain my confidence.

 

I've been barefoot basically all w/e at work as normal (work at a Harbour Masters at w/e's). My colleagues & the regular customers are used to seeing me barefoot with my ankle bracelets & toe rings (so it's not like I try & hide that I'm barefoot) plus I'm in shorts. Our uniform also consists of a blue short sleeved shirt with Epliettes. Where I'm going with this is that I was serving a middle aged woman at the office counter yesterday, when she said 'you looked really smart & professional, until I saw the feet' (she saw them went I went to the photocopier)! Instead of being embarrased, I was really annoyed as there was no need for that comment, however I was professional in my response & said that atleast I was cool & comfy, but underneath I felt like telling her where to go. I always thought I'd be embarrased if someone made a negative comment, never thought I'd be angry & that it would get to me that easily.

 

I think you handled the situation perfectly. If you had snapped back at the woman, she would probably be offended, likely complained to your manager, and you may have lost the freedom to work barefoot. As it is, she stated her piece, you swallowed your reaction, and that was it.

I'm certainly not defending her. There are some people who think their opinion must be known by everyone. What she did was boorish. Your bare feet did nothing to affect her; they probably just surprised her because she wasn't expecting to see them. She was probably in a bad mood because her shoes were too tight!

 

First post on here so here goes! Great forum by the way . To introduce myself.... Peter, 28 and from London.

Spent a great weekend barefoot around town and enjoying Regents Park. Finally some sun in London to enjoy!

 

Didn't go anywhere barefoot today (had to work....) but walked around Southampton yesterday.

 

At the weekend, took the train into Manchester and spent the day pottering around various shops, the Arndale centre, Piccadilly Gardens, Urbis art gallery and many other places happy toes all weekend!

 

I'm the same about going shopping barefoot for the first time in warm weather. Maybe it was his first time and he got scared?

 

Yesterday:
wal mart, dollar general, goodwill, and a gas station

 

i went around in my backyard

i love it!

 

The Hilton - Philadelphia Airport
National Car Rental (car return & shuttle bus)
Inside the Philadephia Airport
On the Plane
Inside the Denver Airport
On the shuttle bus to the parking lot
Starbuck's
Albertson's (grocery)
Post Office

 

Today:

Waitrose
Argos
Toys R Us
Sainsbury's

And all over Reading...

 

My backyard.

 

walked my happy self around my 'neighborhood'.
i say this, because this is where i hangout/go to school, while i like about 8 miles from that neighborhood.

but i walked around, walked through a few blockparties, had a dandy time

 

Cute sig babyjay! I walked barefoot in my backyard. Grass is wonderful!

 

Just back from the supemarket attached to the mall. Not only barefoot, but the pads on the top of my crutches had been causing my shirt to rub my sides near my armpits a bit raw, so I ditched the shirt as well. It was a bit cold crutching bare chested across the carpark- 10.30pm and 15 degrees, but walking on crutches does warm you up.

 

2 dollar generals, wal greens, and i tried to go into a walmart that i have gone into several times. the lady at the front said that she thinks i need shoes to shop in there. i told her that i'd just be a minute, and she was about to ask the manager if i could shop barefoot, but i didn't want to make a big issue of it so i just left. first time in a long time getting denied!

 

The above is an excerpt from a posting I made to this thread in April 2009. Well, yesterday I was back in Baton Rouge. I'd been looking forward to the visit because I wanted to see if Joe's Crab Shack was as barefoot friendly as I'd thought.

I pushed it a bit further - I'd never done a whole trip barefoot - usually I put on flip flops at some point in my trip "just in case." Yesterday, I woke up, drove to the Denver Airport, worked on my laptop while waiting, and got on my flight - all barefoot. I flew barefoot, rented a car, drove from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, and checked into my hotel - all barefoot. I walked over to the Joe's Crab Shack. I was sure I'd get busted. I walked in and the female greeter looked me in the eye and never glanced down. She seated me and that was that. The waiter took my order - all good. No comment, no awkward glance - nothing! I was sitting sideways in my seat to see the TV better, so my feet were more conspicuous. Nothing! Later I had some errands to run. I went to a few stores and felt very comfortable. No there weren't any other barefooters around, but no one was giving me that awkward glance either. It was as if it didn't even register that I wasn't wearing shoes!!

Tonight I'm in New Orleans with an early flight tomorrow. I wore my flip flops into a place for dinner, but quickly kicked them off. I was hungry and not in the mood to be hassled, so the flip flops were my protection. After dinner, I walked out barefoot and had a few items I was looking for. I hit about 4 stores plus a gas station and a convenience store. I had no concerns about a negative encounter. People in Louisiana just seem to be okay about people not wearing shoes. I love it!!

bkcmar?? Care to comment??

 

The dentist. I doubt that's sanitary.

 

gas station
ATM
video store
bakery
liquor store
pharmacy
farmers' market
back to the ATM....

 

that is very true, new orleans is barefoot friendly. most people know me as that "barefoot guy". it is especially nice to barefoot now that the temp's aren't 95 degrees with a 105 heat index during the day. i am glad you had a barefoot friendly experience in my home state.