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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to walk barefoot in the summer (including into shops)

312 replies

nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 17:13

I don't understand why in this country it is considered so bad to be barefoot, I have been told I am not allowed to walk into Tescos barefoot, or Waitrose, they claim it is a 'health and safety issue' because something might fall on my feet. Well if that is the case shouldn't they be banning flip-flops too? Flip-flops are pretty dangerous things really, accountable for many broken toes, ankles and feet in the summer. I have a friend who broke his ankle so badly it was like he had been in a car accident and all he had done is twisted wearing flip-flops.

So why the intolerance to bare feet? They have been outside the same as shoes so it can't be a hygiene thing and they are much safer than flip-flops.

I am sick of having to have shoes in the car just so I can walk into shops, it makes no sense to me, if I want to be barefoot I should be allowed to be!

OP posts:
FindoGask · 14/05/2014 19:05

I was going to link to that guardian article! It really made me think about my assumptions and I can't now see what the problem is with going barefoot at all - why it might be disrespectful or attention seeking or anything like that. It's just... not wearing shoes.

expatinscotland · 14/05/2014 19:06

It doesn't bother me at all. If I didn't like the cultural norms where I was living, I'd find a place to move. Can't see any 'investment' in this other than a few posts in AIBU. I didn't start a thread about it, just answered on one in AIBU.

FleurDeHeadLys · 14/05/2014 19:08

Of course you make a statement when you go against the cultural norms.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 14/05/2014 19:10

YABU. Yuck. Some feet contain fungi so no, I wouldn't think barefoot for all is a good idea. Put some shoes on and stop being lazy.

PrincessBabyCat · 14/05/2014 19:11

Feet absorb germs and bacteria (and sometimes parasites). However, shoes tend to incubate more bacteria and disease than you can collect with bare feet.

It seems a bit odd to be going barefoot in anything other than a beach town, or somewhere you'd be regularly taking your shoes on and off.

I only tend to go barefoot or in sock feet if my shoes are uncomfortable. There's plenty of shoes made for comfort that you can wear.

mummytime · 14/05/2014 19:13

nomorerequotes - "Yes it doesn't seem to be a problem abroad at all. " That depends on where you mean by abroad, Australia = YES, and USA=NO.

ThatBloodyWoman · 14/05/2014 19:18

I'm of the opinion that its healthy for your feet to go barefoot where possible.

(Obviously not so healthy at 1am in a nightclub.)

My feet are often filthy.I don't mind admitting it.

Original poster
nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 19:18

Never been to the USA so couldn't comment, I can imagine it would be much like the UK though.

I have really never had any issues with fungus or anything like that while being barefoot, I can't imagine any infection could live on my feet for very long as I have quite thick skin there and any that did wouldn't have the right conditions to breed, I imagine it is far more likely to pick something up from being barefoot sporadically, like in the swimming pool or something and then incubating the nasties in shoes.

My feet feel most healthiest when I am barefoot and I am more comfortable barefoot. There is really nothing else to it. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy organic vegetables and I am certainly not this giant hippie that some of you seem to have painted me as.

OP posts:
Original poster
nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 19:19

expat 'just move' is a ridiculous thing to say to any argument, it is not that easy to move within the same town, let alone go and move to a different country. My family have work here and my children have nursery here. I would find it very hard to move right now.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 14/05/2014 19:22

K, well then, you will have to put up and put shoes on when you go into shops or don't go into them. Boo hoo. Naturists like to go naked. They have to put on clothes if not at home or in a naturist resort. Western women can elect to go about with their heads uncovered. If they chose to go to certain counties, they have to cover their heads. Meh.

Original poster
nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 19:24

expat That is what I do, I do wear shoes in shops just nowhere else if I can help it

Its just a conversation, it is okay - backing away from you now because you seem to be a tad volatile.

OP posts:
kaizen · 14/05/2014 19:24

Nomore - I have pm'ed you as I have some nearly brand new barefoot shoes you can have if they fit you - too small for me.

expatinscotland · 14/05/2014 19:25

Nice try. It's AIBU. Welcome to it.

Joylin · 14/05/2014 19:27

Some people feel more comfortable in a bikini/tight speedos, topless or fully naked. So what? The world doesn't revolve around an individual's personal preference, the local culture is not obliged to adapt to you, you will run into trouble if you disrespect it, it doesn't matter where you are.

The shoe thing is mainly to do with business owners avoiding lawsuits from people getting injured or picking up infection from whatever's on the ground. Other businesses may wish to demand a certain standard of dress from their customers so as not to offend/annoy/repulse others.

Sending your child to nursery without shoes is going to piss his caregivers off, they'll be held responsible if he hurts himself playing, he's more likely to be hurt because his feet are without protection, it makes him different to the other kids, he may feel embarrassed or upset at not having shoes like the other kids, he may have been picked on for it, it makes him appear neglected or suffering crazy parents who inflict their own personal preferences on their kids regardless of the consequences.

Be the crazy lady who walks barefoot in October if you wish but don't force your kids into that role. No child wants to be seen as weird.

fluffyraggies · 14/05/2014 19:27

The Happy Souls little kids shoes look lovely Grin Not as pricey as i was expecting either.

I will try to remember the brand when DD4 needs her first shoes.

ThatBloodyWoman · 14/05/2014 19:29

I am a complete hippy along with enjoying being barefoot.

So nicky nacky nah nah, all you new age haterz.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 14/05/2014 19:33

I'd be mortified if I had to look at people's feet. Some are fucking awful.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 19:36

"I looked at my own bare feet and announced that it was summer, it was hot and there is no need for us to wear shoes unless we are going to work or going into a supermarket."

Erm, it isn't summer where I live. It is late spring and has been warm today, but not hot. Not even warm enough to remove socks.

"Generally just a bit dusty as are shoes that are rarely taken off in the UK in homes (I've found)"

Not where I live. Everyone takes their shoes off, but I live in a damp climate and shoes are likely to be wet and muddy.

"Why is it 'attention seeking'? That is the bizarrest argument yet."

Erm, because it is the norm in our cool damp climate to want to keep your feet warm and dry, not to mention clean. I live in a "naice" area, but there are still places with broken glass, and many dog owners don't clean up after their dogs. It is also not the norm to go out in public in barefoot, so anything that isn't the norm tends to be a tad attention seeking.

Personally I don't care if you want to walk around with shoes on or not, but if I saw you walking around Meadowhall barefoot I would assume that you had just broken your shoes or you were being a little attention seeking.

OddBoots · 14/05/2014 19:36

I don't mind what anyone wears on their feet as feet don't bother me but a lot of people find the sight of feet uncomfortable, particularly if they have a lot of hard corns and calluses - there are often threads on here about people in flip-flops with 'nasty' feet.

SoulJacker · 14/05/2014 19:40

I was going to ask if you were from New Zealand. It's only ever been my kiwi friends who were really put out at having to wear shoes in shops (in the USA). Australian's were more familiar with the no shoes no service rules.

But yabu as it's not hot and not summer in the UK

Original poster
nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 19:41

I think its very strange to hate the sight of feet. That is probably more bizarre that the attention seeking argument.

I live in a very clean area, not very built up, very close to nature, never had a problem walking barefoot. I always look where I am going mind.

My son did have shoes, they just weren't on him, they were in his bag and the head of the nursery agreed that he didn't need shoes on today so he spent the day happily playing in the sandpit and I picked him up still barefoot at 6pm.

He doesn't really get picked on, or understand it, being only 22 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 19:43

kaizen thank you, I've replied to your email but I doubt you've got bigger feet than me (heres hoping though!)

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 19:43

I live very close to nature - sheep shit, cow shit, etc. There is no way I would walk through the fields without shoes.

ThatBloodyWoman · 14/05/2014 19:44

I wonder if there's a higher incidence in NZ of:

a) contagious foot diseases
b) people having an attack of the vapours because they've seen ugly feet ?

TequilaMockingbirdy · 14/05/2014 19:44

Well good for you, you live in a bare foot area. We don't. I don't want verrucas from other people's feet. I'm sure you wouldn't like glass in your feet either because that's what you'd get here.

And seeing foot fungus is rife I would rather people wore shoes.