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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

kiwiscantfly · 14/05/2014 21:00

I love that people have mentioned NZ, I was going to as well! When I used to live in London (had only just arrived mind you) I walked into Brent Cross bare foot and got loads of strange looks!

Some places in NZ have more barefoot people than others, tbf, not all kiwis give up shoes. My mum had only one clothing rule when were kids, you must wear something on your feet when I go out with you.

Nowadays (in NZ) I wear flip flops or jandals as we call them from Oct to May (at least) but I do need regular pedicures cause my feet get dirty.

Each to their own I say.

Gennz · 14/05/2014 21:02

Ha! I just came on to this thread to say move to NZ!

Tbh I wouldn't do it walking through the city centre but I've definitely done it popping into a shop on my way home from the beach or something. It wouldn't even raise an eyebrow over here.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 21:04

"I don't want verrucas from other people's feet."

I wouldn't have thought that you could get verrucas from the pavement or a supermarket floor as people don't tend to walk around in bare feet there. Surely it is most likely at school (where DD caught hers) or at the swimming pool.

I think most people haven't got hobbit like feet like you have nomore. I walk about in bare feet in the house and garden only in very hot weather, and it certainly hasn't been hot today.

Our road doesn't have a pavement and the road surface isn't comfortable enough to walk on in bare feet and the local dog population uses the grass verges as a toilet so I am definitely walking on them in bare feet.

I don't feel safe driving in bare feet either and certainly wouldn't wan to ride my bike without shoes on.

KeinBock · 14/05/2014 21:05

Not just N.Z - it's quite common in Aus, too, especially among teenagers and young peoplle

HoneyTits · 14/05/2014 21:10

Urgh, i just couldn't walk round barefoot outside of my home, the road down to ds2's nursery you have to do a dog shit slalom, that and hockle (especially when its full of snot) Id rather wear my shoes thanks.

AWombWithoutARoof · 14/05/2014 21:11

OP, do you wash your feet before getting into bed?

fflonkl · 14/05/2014 21:15

OP I'm from Malaysia and I can say categorically that nobody there would go barefoot unless they couldn't afford shoes! As for not giving you strange looks, we Malaysians are masters at muttering about people without actually looking at them. Certainly when I was growing up whenever we saw a Western tourist dressed inappropriately (and it was always someone from the West!) we would nod and smile politely and then as soon as we were safely past them would start giggling hysterically over their lack of clothing/strange headgear etc.

Whilst I agree with you that going barefoot toughens up the feet, and our feet were designed for walking barefoot, I don't think our modern way of life is compatible with going around barefoot. I shudder when I see people walking barefoot on the pavements, I don't care how nice/manicured their feet are, it just looks rank. Plus I keep thinking of all the crap that's on the ground! And ... ugh, the smell!

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 21:19

"And ... ugh, the smell!"

I would have thought going barefoot would ensure that your feet didn't smell. Enclosing them in footwear makes them smell.

LividofLondon · 14/05/2014 21:32

YANBU, nomorequotes. I don't go barefoot myself but I do love my Vibram FiveFingers, and feel more "connected" to the ground when I wear them compared to normal shoes. I love how my toes can move over things and how my feet felt stronger after a while. I can imagine the sort of comments you get because even with my VFFs I get a lots of "what if you tread on a stone or a thorn?" type questions. I don't think you're attention seeking at all, just enjoying the sensation and freedom of going barefoot. I bet you have really strong, healthy feet (which, from my research is the norm with barefooters!)

For some reason we seem to really hate people going against the grain in this country, even when the individual's actions don't hurt others. I'm not a psychologist or sociologist so can't explain why though unfortunately.

"...I don't feel safe driving in bare feet..."
Funny, because I love driving barefoot, Bunbaker, because I can feel the pedals better. My feet have never slipped off them either. I only do it if I have heels or flip flops on as I really can't drive safely in them!

Original poster

nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 21:36

No smell, smell comes from socks and shoes not from being barefoot.

I have to say fflonk that I thought Malaysia was the friendliest country in the world, the people were so lovely and so kind, it was really wonderful to travel round and be embraced by the locals. I really hope to return one day with my children.

OP posts:

Original poster

nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 21:37

I think I'm very lucky and I live in a place with minimal dog-poo, it seems to be a real issue in some places in the country.

I actually went to London once barefoot but I didn't like it as much as being at home, everything seemed dirtier.

OP posts:

ThaneOfScunthorpe · 14/05/2014 21:44

I find it fascinating how polarised people are on this issue! I'm from NZ and it is so normal to be barefoot there. Never got my feet out in the UK and I'm glad about that, it sounds like I would've been run out of town with pitchforks.

TheKitchenWitch · 14/05/2014 21:58

I actually don't care whether you walk barefoot everywhere (fondly remembering walking through the City of London barefoot one summer's day when I was young and didn't really think about all the dirt and gunk and whatnot), but I do have a question:
Why only barefoot? Why doesn't this apply to all clothing/coverings?

SoulJacker · 14/05/2014 21:59

i wonder if it's more common in nz because of the weather, warm but not too hot. Where I lived in the USA you generally needed shoes in the summer so you didn't burn your feet on the sidewalk.

MrsKoala · 14/05/2014 22:06

When i was 16-17 (20 yrs ago) i went thru a phase of not wearing any shoes for the summer. It was quite a good one if i recall and i went everywhere bare foot. I met my mum for lunch at High Street Ken Station and she was horrified and frog marched me into Red or Dead and bought me a pair of clear plastic jellies and insisted i wear them out of the shop

My mum has permanent hard feet from walking everywhere barefoot in Sicily, when she was living there in her early 20s. The soles of her bare feet feel like she has shoes on.

expatinscotland · 14/05/2014 22:11

I had a flatmate at uni who was a general minger. She fancied going barefoot as often as possible. Fair enough. Our other two flatmates were from Vietnam and found it all vile but kept quiet.

She was also, however, a soap dodger and this is where they drew the line.

Maria-Elena finally ordered her to at least wash her feet, which were admittedly filthy.

So she went to the . . . wait for it! . . . toilet and sluiced her feet in the bowl whilst flushing it.

PMSL!!!

Even I was gagging.

She soon moved on, we were too restrictive, apparently, and we spent a good few days airing out and cleaning her room before being able to get another girl in there, who was more carefully vetted.

MrsKoala · 14/05/2014 22:13

oh. my. that's rank. i feel a bit unwell now Expat. eeewwwww

everlong · 14/05/2014 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 22:25

Kitchenwitch I feel more comfortable without shoes on, I wouldn't feel more comfortable without clothes on - though I do go skinny-dipping whenever I can because that just feels wonderful.

It is about how it feels, not about portraying something to anyone else or making a statement. I don't wake up and think 'today I won't wear shoes just to make a point' It just doesn't cross my mind to wear shoes, I have to return to the house to get my trainers most mornings because I know if they aren't in the car I will end up unable to go to the shop!

OP posts:

proseccoco · 14/05/2014 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PaintedLady2014 · 14/05/2014 22:33

I hate wearing shoes/socks etc. I'd rather spend my whole time bare foot. The only reason (in my opinion) we get foot fungus etc is because of keeping our foot in shoes/socks etc.

Barefoot is a spiritual thing.....honest....

vrtra · 14/05/2014 22:36

Just as an aside I was actually researching this today! People in countries where shoe wearing is less frequent have MUCH lower frequency of verrucas and fungal infections than shoe wearing countries. However data is unclear whether this is due to the shoe wearing or genetics as white people / Caucasians are also more likely to get verrucas. However the tougher foot skin and drying effect of air also probably helps stop the hpv infection that causes the warts.

Encyclopedia out :)

vrtra · 14/05/2014 22:37

And also I used to go barefoot a lot as as kid as we lived by the sea in the countryside.

I had RAGING verrucas for about 2 years caught from the local pool!

Gennz · 14/05/2014 22:40

More common in NZ b/c of the weather but also because of proximity to beaches I think. I'm sitting in my office in the CBD of NZ's biggest city and I could drive 5 - 10 minutes in either direction and be sitting on the sand by the sea.

PersonOfInterest · 14/05/2014 22:40

Yes there is an underclass a cross section of barefoot Aussies but its def not 'the norm' and I think there are an increasing number of places that don't allow it.

There can surely be only one think worse than treading in dog shit... Treading in dog shit with bare feet

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