Don't feel shy about your bare feet!

As a kid I was embarrassed when my dad wore brown leather sandals with no socks.

 

:iagree: my Dad tends to wear thick grey socks with his brown Jesus sandals - and I'm supposed to be the one that's not 'normal'

 

Isn't it great to be not 'normal'?

 

oh yeah! 'Normal' is far too strange!!

 

I was shy when I first started going barefoot, about 17 years ago now. My family and friends are used to it and I am not 'militant' about it. I take a pair of shoes or flip-flops with me or leave them in the car just in case I am confronted. This has helped me to go barefoot a lot of places I might have been hesitant. The second anyone says anything I just say 'Oh, okay. No problem - I just dislike wearing shoes.' And put them on... then take them off the second I am out of that store or area. Haha! (I am also a lot less likely to spend any money in a place that asks me to wear shoes.)

 

When I first tried to go barefoot in public I felt out of my element and I would tense up at the sight of someone coming near me. I noticed that when I got tense people tended to pay attention to me and how uncomfortable I appeared. My lack of shows then became evident to them. Now that I have grown comfortable in my own skin few folks even notice and I have had 45 minute conversations with folks and they never even seemed to see that I was without shoes. Relax and let it happen.

 

Whenever I am Home alone I am always barefoot but for some reason I can't bring myself to be barefoot around my parents or my sister. But as for anyone else I don't care I have gone into stores barefoot before and really was not too embarassed about it. I know it's irrational but I really don't know what to do about it, anybody have any suggestions

 

I know it's hard for some and the fear is on the most part irrational. However a quote often used is 'it is better to not be liked for being yourself rather than to be admired as a fake'. You may get a bit of abuse at first if it is unusual in your family, but I'm sure that if love is present acceptance will eventually prevail

Madesh

 

I am always barefoot, I do carry my flip flops in the waist of my shorts for when society makes me put them on. But they come right back off once I'm out of the store.

 

In Britain, it's not uncommon to see people walking around barefoot in the summer, though it's more a girl thing than a boy thing: I suspect some men think it's a bit effeminite. Others, of course, might think the opposite: that it's tough and macho.

I occasionally walk around the streets barefoot, but I always feel self-conscious about it, wandering what other people will think - especially if I meet someone who knows me. In the park I'm more relaxed about it. It's lovely to feel the soft grass under your toes, but you have to watch where you're walking.

 

Over the years I have told different girlfriends and even a few close friends about my fondness for barefooting in public and after a bit of explanation I found that without exception they were all fine with it. One or two even thought it was cool as it was 'different' and were ok with me going about barefoot.
Its taken me years to become comfortable going bf in public and I can totally relate to the anxieties of newbies, you just have to go for it and you'll soon realize how little anyone else cares. dont waste time worrying about it!

 

Couldn't agree more, mate. No one cares, and the worry is all in one's head. Even my friends and family are used to it now and never a word said

 

:iagree:Barefootin' in the UK rocks! Very few care what you have on your feet!