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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:
littlepeas · 14/05/2014 22:42

I like being barefoot - I never wear shoes at home or in the garden during summer - but I wouldn't generally be out and about without shoes. That said, when we went to Maldives we took our shoes off when we arrived and put them again on when we left - it was amazing.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 22:45

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

Erm, righto.

Barefoot is a physical thing with me. Below 21 degrees and my socks stay on. I hate having cold feet.

aquashiv · 14/05/2014 22:48

My podiatrist tells me shoes are to blame for so many back hip knee and feet problems and to go barefoot as much as possible.

It's just walking in dog shit or slugs that bother me.

Original poster
nomorequotes · 14/05/2014 22:54

Amazed how much vitriol there is on this thread towards barefooters

'sanctimonious' 'attention seeking' 'dirty' the list goes on.

It is Just someone not wearing shoes, nothing more, nothing less.

OP posts:
CrystalSkulls · 14/05/2014 22:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 23:23

It is because going barefoot in UK streets and in public areas doesn't have the same appeal as going barefoot on the beach.

everlong · 14/05/2014 23:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OooOooTheMonkey · 14/05/2014 23:30

Ugh I bet your feet need a good scrub and a pedicure OP! If one of my friends did this they wouldn't be coming in my house with their filthy calloused trotters! How dirty and unhygienic. Shock

MurkyMinotaur · 14/05/2014 23:49

I like the liberal feel of it. But, I've also fixed many a puncture in my bike tyres from thorns and glass on pavements, paths and roads.

BarbieCan · 15/05/2014 00:08

I am from a hot country and used to go barefoot a lot as a child and young person.
But now I absolutely love socks and I love to feel and know that my feet are safe and protected. I love sensible shoes.
And I love my feet to look nice and feel soft for my own enjoyment.

Guess I got old to quickly.

HowsTheSerenity · 15/05/2014 00:08

The makers of the vibram barefoot shoes have had a huge lawsuit against them and have to repay the cost of the shoe purchase to customers. I'm too lazy to find the link but their claims were dodgy and that's why they were sued.

Oh and I'm Australian and people go barefoot to the beach etc. Im yet to see a well dressed person in the Queen St Mall with no shoes. No shoes, no shirt etc in public places like the shops is just grotty.

Cuteypatootey · 15/05/2014 00:20

that's actually pretty gross. what about broken glass on the sidewalk etc?

Cuteypatootey · 15/05/2014 00:25

What about toe jam?

ThaneOfScunthorpe · 15/05/2014 00:38

Where I'm from in NZ (south) it is cold most of the year and you still see barefoot people in the street.

Runesigil · 15/05/2014 00:52

The Vibram lawsuit was because they made health claims that were not substantiated when tested.

^"...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!^

Can you stamp as hard on the brake barefoot as you can in shoes for an emergency stop? There's not as much friction between a bare foot on the pedal and a shoe on the pedal, surely?

I'm barefoot around the house and would love to be so in the garden but having a large hawthorn hedge scuppers that idea, the thorns can pierce the soles on wellies.

proseccoco · 15/05/2014 05:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gennz · 15/05/2014 06:20

An underclass of Australians PersonOfInterest How charming Hmm

Most of the Aussies I knew in London were well educated professionals good to know the ridiculous British class systems is still alive and kicking

Original poster
nomorequotes · 15/05/2014 07:04

Well we went travelling because we wanted to see the world, had we wanted to 'find ourselves' we would probably just have stayed at home.

First time I've seen the fact someone has travelled been used as such a negative, and frequently too, you are not the first on this thread to put your nose up at people who have dared to leave the country proseccoco

OP posts:
Ememem84 · 15/05/2014 07:06

Another barefooter here (well as much as I can get away with it). Shoes have to be worn at work. And in shops (although sometimes I flaunt this rule).

Nothing to do with finding myself. I just like not wearing shoes. At a push if I have to I'll pop a pair of flip flops on in the summer.

Original poster
nomorequotes · 15/05/2014 07:13

Nothing to do with finding myself either Ememem seems some people have very odd views here as to why people don't wear shoes. They also seem to be absolutely surrounded by dog poo, I can probably count the amount of times on my hand that I've had to avoid dog poo and I've never ever stepped in it. People are acting as if they are surrounded by it. To be honest I think it would be just as annoying to stand on dog poo in shoes as barefeet, because though its slightly worst to stand on dog poo in bare feet, you can wash them a lot easier and a lot quicker than you can shoes.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/05/2014 08:00

Would you argue for someone to be able to walk around naked of the wanted?

Original poster
nomorequotes · 15/05/2014 08:20

Why are people struggling to understand the difference between nudity and being bare foot? Seems a strange correlation to make.

FWIW, although I think that the situations are completely different and have completely different contexts, I see nothing wrong with nudity, I think that the insistence that we cover up elements of ourselves due to them being 'sexual' is indicative of a lot of problems we have with sexuality and understanding of body types. I don't understand why men can be topless but women cannot, I am very much live and let live, as long as it isn't hurting someone else and I cannot see how the viewing of a naked body is such an issue.

But this thread is about bare FEET not bare genitals or bare legs or anything else. I can understand why due to the massive oversexualisation of society that people are horrified by the thought of a naked body but I don't like it, nor do I think it is healthy. Bare feet neither shows your genitals nor causes anyone to see anything they wouldn't see if you were in sandals anyway so it makes no sense for people to be so horrified of bare feet. They are just feet, they are probably the least sexual part of the body (unless you're really into that) and therefore completely incomparable with viewing whole naked humans including genitals.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/05/2014 08:22

Both are against social norms though. Both are something a lot of people would feel uncomfy seeing around the shops.

kinsorange · 15/05/2014 08:58

op. The bottom line is your attention seeking. It may be best to know that a few people do know that that is indeed what you are doing. You most probably even know why you re doing it.
I dont personally know the answer to it, but I suggest you google about it for starters.
It doesnt mean that you are badly behaved, but it does mean that you feel that there is something missing in your life.
It may or may not be overcomable for you. I hope that it is Thanks

proseccoco · 15/05/2014 09:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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