It was fairly cold here yesterday but I decided to go barefoot anyway. At one point whilst running my errands I was approached by a group of lads, one of whom asked me why I was barefoot. Although he asked quite politely, it irritated me that I then felt obliged to explain myself (back to the old issue of us not asking others why they are not wearing a coat/gloves/hat etc so why should shoes be any different). I found myself simply saying "because I want to" and walking on. They walked away obviously talking about me which made me feel uncomfortable for a while. What do others say in these situations, and do you feel obliged to justify your behaviour? (It's not like we're doing anything wrong, but these encounters make you feel like you are).
I reckon your answer was fine. While you shouldn't have to give an answer it is best to keep your answer short and to the point and show you mean it. The more detail you give will lead to more questions. You should never fee uncomfortable about going about you business barefoot if that's what you want to do.
I do occasionally over-react, so the best response is to be civil. One can be civil as well as brief ("Because I enjoy it")...OR...you can ignore the dumb fucking dickhead/****. Just be civil.
This is something I never understood. Why do you think you felt "obliged to explain" yourself? Did you not think that perhaps they were simply curious? Why is it that for so many of us, our first reaction seems to be defensive or even downright hostile? I see questions like this as a teaching opportunity, myself. I greatly enjoy going barefoot, and that includes the chance to expound upon the health benefits I get, and how I feel about it, to others. I understand getting bent out of shape when someone is hassling you, because no one likes that. But if someone is asking you politely, they are most likely really just trying to understand your reasons for being barefoot. As such, its no different than if they ask you about a T-shirt you're wearing, or when a man wears a kilt, or any number of things that are slightly outside of cultural norms. They're not trying to interrogate you! I liken it to this: When we go barefoot in public, we are displaying that we live in a slightly different way (at least in many cultures and societies). When people ask about our lifestyle choice in a polite fashion, they are glimpsing into our world a little bit. I know that most of us would prefer that we aren't seen as living behind this window, and that our lifestyle were as inconsequential to everyone as whether or not we have hair or not, but it's not and that's just the reality of the situation. So for now, people are going to see our behavior as something different, and some people will want to "look into our world" just because it IS different. If we slam the window into that world shut in their face, well then we're losing the chance to invite them in, not so that they can live like us, but so that they can live WITH us. I believe that one of the ways we'll get there is to greet polite inquiry with enthusiasm and engage them. I don't know, maybe I'm just too :sunny:. LOL
If people ask "Where are your shoes?" they want to know why you are so idiotic as to be outside your home without them. They are NOT going to think, "Hmmmm, maybe it WOULD be nicer to be barefoot." Of course, there's ALWAYS the exception. But this does appear to be the rule. It's tantamount to "When did you stop beating your wife?"
I certainly don't feel like having to justify my pedal nudity - and my replies to questions depend on the tone of the person asking... if someone inquires about my reasons for barefooting in a polite and non-hostile manner, I will answer in kind. If someone just asks something along the lines of "Hey, lost your shoes?" or "Why barefoot???" in a mocking way, or makes some rude or derogative comment, I won't grace that person with an answer, but just ignore him. Wiggling bare toes, ~*Ganesha*~
Better to give them the benefit of the doubt and be polite than assume they have devious intentions. Angered reactions just beget angry reactions. If one wants to promote acceptance, both of the shoe-less practice and oneself as a rational human, the smart approach is to be polite and give an honest answer. In this case it would be "I'm barefoot because I like the freedom and the sensation of being in touch with the ground I walk upon." Nothing more is required.
most the time with me, its general curiosity .. "aren't your feet cold?" "No".. simple answer will do. I do miss bowling barefoot .... cute stock pic I found btw.. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5294707259_f648b0f1c7.jpg trying to get ours reopened, but they like you to be barefoot, than wear street shoes on the lanes. your shoes will damage the floor.. I really do miss the place,
Should get yourself over here and play barefoot lawn bowls Not all green are grass some are synthetic surfaces. Many clubs are using it to try to attract younger bowlers to the sport.
I have to try it barefoot the next time I go bowling. Sometimes I loose my form when I deliver the ball on the lane, perhaps my feet can get a better grip shoeless. Funny thing about bowling, no one ever seems to object putting their feet in a pair of shoes that dozens of other people have worn previously.
If people ask nicely or comment in a positive way, I'll always take the time to reply. One lady on the bus was sat next to me and said nothing for 20 mins. Then she said 'Sorry, I've got to ask, why don't you wear shoes ?'. I was happy to take the time to explain it was a personal choice and then went through the benefits (no back pain, no knee pain, no smelly feet, better foot posture, etc). She was genuinely interested. Sure I get the odd idiot shouting out some distance after I've passed them hollering 'where's ya shoes' - I usually just turn around and smile nicely and carry on. Other times, esp. at the moment, it's the old 'aren't your feet cold ?' routine to which I answer 'on the contrary, my feet are warm' (they are). I don't wear my shoes at my desk, but none of my colleagues have even commented - they just see it as me being me, which is incredibly refreshing. Most of the time folks are too polite to say anything. Mostly it's confined to nudges, stifled giggles, and surreptitious glances. My favourite questions come from children - never afraid to speak their mind, I genuinely enjoy satisfying childrens' curiosity by answering their questions.
The other interesting thing to note is that some people genuinely think I'm barefoot because of religious reasons ! I'm happy to set that straight and point out I'm just a tree-hugging hippy exercising my free will for the good of my feet and my soul
