Going to the shop barefoot

[Lemonmaid]

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?

I've been kicked out of supermarkets before for not wearing shoes. Hope you didn't grass her up.

Wouldn't rate a second glance in NZ. I also ask what is so "grim" about it? Do you really think the soles of your shoes are squeaky clean?

Summer 1969 (I think). 17 years old. Me and my friend walking barefoot in South London, cos we aspired to be hippies. Only in dry weather, can still feel the warmth of the pavement under my feet.

I hate wearing socks and shoes but never been in a shop barefoot. Wouldnt bother me seeing someone else do it tho.

@MiniMum97 NZ isn’t really a hot country! Especially if you live down South, where the climate is similar to Scotland. It’s just part of the culture.

@PickAChew I have seen UK pavements - I’m UK born and raised - and they’re really not much different to NZ pavements. There is a bit less litter here I suppose. Possibly because people are less likely to drop their litter on the ground if they’re going to be walking on it barefoot 😉

signs on shop doors over here saying no shirt, no shoes, no service
They mean it too

So what happens when you get home? I always wipe my shoes on the doormat and then take them off before walking through the house. How do you walk through the house without getting the floor/carpet dirty?

ineedaholidaynow - I should imagine people walking in bare feet pay a bit more attention to what they are walking in than shoe wearers do. They are unlikely to come home with chunks of mud falling off their feet, and most people have access to warm water, soap and a towel in their homes!

I also guess you have no pets - they walk through houses in bare feet every day.

Thirty odd years ago, in London, a woman who lived near me used to go barefoot to work each day including travel on public transport. She wasn't a 'hippy' type either she was middle aged wearing crimplene slacks. Her feet looked disgusting and I often wondered what kind of employer would allow this.

I have completely see through plastic sliders I've been wearing lately from afar I look like I have no shoes on. I've seen a few people have funny looks until they realise it's a shoe! I can't imagine going barefoot though what if
You stepped in dog shite?

[quote TuMeke]@MiniMum97 NZ isn’t really a hot country! Especially if you live down South, where the climate is similar to Scotland. It’s just part of the culture.

@PickAChew I have seen UK pavements - I’m UK born and raised - and they’re really not much different to NZ pavements. There is a bit less litter here I suppose. Possibly because people are less likely to drop their litter on the ground if they’re going to be walking on it barefoot 😉[/quote]
The pavements are better maintained in NZ, less uneven and broken paving slabs to stub your toes on.

Has he ever driven up to Dundee, funtime?

It's minging yes, but on holiday near the beach I often see lots of people walking barefoot, assuming their feet are too sandy to put shoes back on?

@mumwon

I grew up overseas & we use to go bare foot or wear flipflops (& there were loads of poisonous spiders & insects!) The only issue was when the tarmac started to melt or walking over the lawn (dried up grass) with bindi! Wouldn't think of it now though!

You must be my lost twin! Exactly the same here, although I do go barefoot indoors and in the garden in the summer in the UK. If I nip over to the neighbours I rarely wear shoes, still got feet like a rhino!

If I remember rightly, you can't go into DIY shops like Bunnings without something on your feet, my friends dh was refused entry with bare feet.
Oh happy days, hot weather and no shoes on at school!

There was well known man, Pete the Feet, in Birmingham, who went barefoot for decades until he sadly died last year. Here's an article from the local newspaper:

Pete the Feet

We have one in Hull. He walks around with a wizards staff and never speaks. Pretty normal behaviour here though tbf.

Another one here who can’t work out what’s grim about it. I can’t see how her feet have been anywhere her shoes had she been wearing wouldn’t have been?

Did she pick up the groceries with her feet? If her feet remained on the floor at all times then it is not grim for anyone apart from her and I'm assuming she didn't seem to mind.

I suppose for me it feels grim because her feet will look dirty, it’s not necessarily that she will be bringing dirt into a shop.

Do people do this if it is raining or after it has rained so the pavements are wet. If a shop has something to wipe your feet on before you enter then I would if it had been wet, what do you do if you have bare feet?

My physio runs barefoot

It’s not grim but really not recommended in the U.K. unless you are in your own garden or at the beach!

I love walking bare feet and it was quite normal in places like Australia - but maybe not in a supermarket...

Ugh. Naice gels cover their legs and feet.

Ew!

I think it’s grim. Most people have unpleasant feet frankly - I don’t want to see them, let alone whilst they’re extra dirty with black soles because they’ve been walking around barefoot on the streets. It’s unhygienic for the person too.

I wouldn’t walk around barefoot in my area. There’s plenty of muddy patches, uneven/loose ground, leaves/twigs, dog shit, litter (particularly discarded tissues, face masks & gloves). Your feet would be filthy, and that’s the best outcome! Worst outcome would be you step on broken glass or discarded drug needles/syringes. Even in shops, there’s risks of stepping on something painful like discarded security tags

I used to hate when passengers on trains would take their shoes off and rest their dry/crusty/dusty feet on the seat opposite them 😷