Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Going to the shop barefoot

130 replies

Lemonmaid · 20/06/2020 15:58

Apologies for the possibly pearl clutching thread. I went to my local shop today (small supermarket) and the woman who went in just before me was completely barefoot, and remained barefoot around the shop.

Is this grim or is it just me who thinks so?

OP posts:
GrumpyHoonMain · 20/06/2020 15:59

It is grim and the big chain supermarkets usually do something about it. Did you complain?

Spied · 20/06/2020 16:00

Grim. Are you sure she didn't have on those flip flops that have a very thin strap?

Livedandlearned · 20/06/2020 16:01

She'd be the first to complain if she stepped on something sharp or slippery

Soubriquet · 20/06/2020 16:02

I walk barefoot around the house and even sometimes in the street (whilst I’m at home. I don’t wander around the town centre like it...sober anyway) but I would never do it in a shop. Too many cases where a glass container has been dropped

FunTimes2020 · 20/06/2020 16:04

I agree it's grim, and also quite foolish. I wouldn't complain though. I think my feet are too delicate for walking around outside bare foot. Some people seem to have more hardy feet as evidenced on shingle beaches! My DH often drives with bare feet...

Connie222 · 20/06/2020 16:07

Eww.

Original poster
Lemonmaid · 20/06/2020 16:12

@GrumpyHoonMain

It is grim and the big chain supermarkets usually do something about it. Did you complain?
No I didn't, with hindsight perhaps I should have.
OP posts:
RedCatBlueCat · 20/06/2020 16:12

I cant see why its grim for anyone other than potentially the bare footed shopper. Her feet will have been everywhere your shoes have been. It's her risk that she might step on something sharp.
That said, in the UK footwear is usually worn unless on the beach, in the pool or at home. Other countries would have much less of an issue with it.

Original poster
Lemonmaid · 20/06/2020 16:14

@Spied

Grim. Are you sure she didn't have on those flip flops that have a very thin strap?
She was definitely barefoot and when I was walking behind her it was possible to see the dirty soles of her feet and yellow skin 🤢
OP posts:
RosieLemonade · 20/06/2020 16:15

Yes. You are the only person who finds it grim despite the fact the vast vast majority of us wear shoes to go shopping.

BlessYourCottonSocks · 20/06/2020 16:16

Agree that it's only grim for the shopper. I grew up abroad where as children we went barefoot most of the time. We must have had feet like leather!

Now if I haven't got shoes on and I nip back to the car for something, I'm wincing and prancing like a lizard.

namechangenumber204 · 20/06/2020 16:17

@funtime2020 I think that may be illegal.... certainly used to be.

Abbccc · 20/06/2020 16:19

Why is it grim? I am fairly certain she washes the soles of her feet more often than you wash the soles of your shoes.

MaverickDanger · 20/06/2020 16:19

DH has been known to do this if he’s just popping in to grab something. He grew up in a country where this is completely normal so he doesn’t see it as a thing.

He didn’t actually have a pair of shoes until he was 6.

GreyishDays · 20/06/2020 16:21

I don’t see how it’s grim. Her feet are no worse than what you’ve just walked in from the pavement.

FunTimes2020 · 20/06/2020 16:22

[quote namechangenumber204]@funtime2020 I think that may be illegal.... certainly used to be.[/quote]
Not recommended but not illegal, which of course does not make it right

safariboot · 20/06/2020 16:27

I agree with those saying bare feet are no dirtier than shoes. Some (not many) people do it routinely. Don't be so judgey.

dappledsunshine · 20/06/2020 16:29

Eww why would you do this? Her feet must be a festering pool of dirt and germs 😱

RiftGibbon · 20/06/2020 16:32

I have done it in the past... but it was an ice cream shop about 100m from the beach, and I'd been on the beach all day shoeless.

HansBanans · 20/06/2020 16:32

Oh that's disgusting! It would have been slightly more acceptable if she went in her slippers but in her bare feet?! That's honestly given me the boak!

june2007 · 20/06/2020 16:33

Well I don,t think it will effect you in the slightest, it,s more grim for her.

WanderingMilly · 20/06/2020 16:35

It must be utterly grim for her, I can't bear the germs and muck on my shoes but at least I take these off and leave them at the door....you can't do that with feet. Ugh!

GreyishDays · 20/06/2020 16:36

@dappledsunshine

Eww why would you do this? Her feet must be a festering pool of dirt and germs 😱
I presume she has a shower every so often though?! You know germs need food and water to live, pavements won’t have that many harmful germs. It’s things like raw chicken, or other people with tummy bugs that will make you ill, generally.
DisplayPurposesOnly · 20/06/2020 16:37

Why is it grim? I am fairly certain she washes the soles of her feet more often than you wash the soles of your shoes.

Quite!

I went barefoot a lot when i was younger. I daresay my feet were vastly cleaner than most people's shoes.

DontAskIDontKnow · 20/06/2020 16:38

The best breeding ground for germs is a warm shoe.