Finally went into a store barefoot!

went into McDonalds barefoot yesterday. An older guy, who came in at the same time I did, asked me what happened to my shoes. I told him I try not to wear shoes very much. His response made me laugh. He said its not as safe to go barefoot as it used to be with all the germs we have these days. I explained I work in a lab so I'm not really afraid of germs, so much. Then I went on to remind him that we probably touch as many or more germs and viruses with our hands. Then...Without washing our hands, we touch our eyes, and noses, or our food and put it into our mouths. kinda freaked him out I think. After McDonald's I went to the gas staion then to the gun store and a sporting goods store. No one else even seemed to care.
What gets me is when people bring animals into the grocery store. Nobody ever says anything about that, and there ARE laws against non-service animals in grocery stores!
We are however, allowed by law, to carry guns here. I wonder what would happen if I started wearing my gun while barefoot?
 
We are however, allowed by law, to carry guns here. I wonder what would happen if I started wearing my gun while barefoot?

Try it. I occasionally open carry my pistol while hiking barefoot in Arizona, around Sedona and Prescott typically.
I think (or at least hope) many "Zonies" are fairly libertarian-minded and cool with people doing their own thing.
At least, I've never gotten any comments or dirty looks (that I noticed).
 
I reminded a festival promoter last year that he was forced to back down on his "no open carry" rule the year before, and that us barefooters are just as large a group that can be mobilized. Thanks to members of the BRS and SBL responding to his Facebook page we convinced him that the NRA is small time compared to us. He backed down on the barefoot restriction as a result.
 
I reminded a festival promoter last year that he was forced to back down on his "no open carry" rule the year before, and that us barefooters are just as large a group that can be mobilized. Thanks to members of the BRS and SBL responding to his Facebook page we convinced him that the NRA is small time compared to us. He backed down on the barefoot restriction as a result.
I've seen it mentioned a couple times, what is the SBL?

Sorry for being off-topic
 
I definitely feel... "something" when I attempt to walk into an establishment barefoot. Vibes ranging from "I wish I could do that" to "what a redneck!".

Yes, it's good at times not to be too concerned with the thoughts of others, but I think many people have been so shut off from common sense that they have almost no other recourse than to get angry.

It is a pity, for sure; because I love feeling new sensations with my feet. So, I mainly just sport my huaraches around when I have to go into an establishment. It allows me to still have most of the benefits (sans the best part: sensuality) of being barefoot, and keeps me from dealing with the hassle of trying to argue individual rights with someone who clearly doesn't care about mine, let alone their own.
 
I definitely feel... "something" when I attempt to walk into an establishment barefoot. Vibes ranging from "I wish I could do that" to "what a redneck!".

Yes, it's good at times not to be too concerned with the thoughts of others, but I think many people have been so shut off from common sense that they have almost no other recourse than to get angry.

It is a pity, for sure; because I love feeling new sensations with my feet. So, I mainly just sport my huaraches around when I have to go into an establishment. It allows me to still have most of the benefits (sans the best part: sensuality) of being barefoot, and keeps me from dealing with the hassle of trying to argue individual rights with someone who clearly doesn't care about mine, let alone their own.

I met a barefooter a few year back who carried documents stating he is barefoot for medical and religious reasons.
He had no problem debating any and all store employees who might confront him, using the documents as additional ammunition when necessary.
Said he won the majority of the time and was kicked out of very few places (he did not carry backup footwear with him)
I certainly don't have the personality to debate store employees, most likely with curious onlookers, over bare feet - flip flops are much easier.

PS - Kudos to the OP for having the gumption to go barefoot in a store.
Keep it up!
 
I met a barefooter a few year back who carried documents stating he is barefoot for medical and religious reasons.
He had no problem debating any and all store employees who might confront him, using the documents as additional ammunition when necessary.
Said he won the majority of the time and was kicked out of very few places (he did not carry backup footwear with him)
I certainly don't have the personality to debate store employees, most likely with curious onlookers, over bare feet - flip flops are much easier.

PS - Kudos to the OP for having the gumption to go barefoot in a store.
Keep it up!

I respect his decision to do so, totally. I just find it not worth the time or the trouble, personally.

Though, I guess if I'm looking specifically to make a statement, walking through a department store shoeless is definitely one way to do it.

Even better, haha, how about walking into a Famous Footwear or a Shoe Carnival with no shoes? You'd have to go with a friend of course, otherwise they might get suspicious when you're just walking around, twiddling your toes as you wait for the first courageous store clerk to approach so that you can school them on the advantages of an unshod lifestyle. Might be a life-changing moment for them. Hehehe.
 
I met a barefooter a few year back who carried documents stating he is barefoot for medical and religious reasons.
He had no problem debating any and all store employees who might confront him, using the documents as additional ammunition when necessary.
Said he won the majority of the time and was kicked out of very few places (he did not carry backup footwear with him)
I certainly don't have the personality to debate store employees, most likely with curious onlookers, over bare feet - flip flops are much easier.

PS - Kudos to the OP for having the gumption to go barefoot in a store.
Keep it up!


The SBL site has a link to every state Health Code response (its not illegal for Patrons in any state in any establishment) - However, stores are allowed to set their own policies. I like the Medical / Religious paperwork. I am sure that took some time to prepare, but is a tough argument to come back at for a manager. "So you are discriminating against my religion?" - "So you are a doctor and are advising me to go against MY doctors recommendations?" -

I am new to this experience. Going into stores. But I first know (1) its not against any health code. (2) I have the paperwork on my phone - but I will start to carry it. (3) The stores have the right to set a policy, regardless of how stupid, but if they cant be bothered to post it, how am I supposed to know it?

Although my experiences are new, I plan to start carrying business cards that include "I take total responsibility for the personal choices I make which include any potential risks associated with being barefoot." - Maybe its enough for some, and maybe its not. But I think other than "looking weird" the main issue is "what if he gets hurt?" - When you really think about them just trying to cover their own butt, I think it makes it easier to work with them. (usually)
 
I have had no problems in my area with being approached by management. On the other hand, other customers might give you a few glares. Kids are funny, they will make a big fuss and point it out to the parents. I just consider it entertainment and a way to endure the agony of shopping. If ever approached by management, I won't cause a big scene and demand health code papers, I will calmly state that my shoes are in the car and if I have to go get them I will shop somewhere else and your staff with have to put back all of these items in the cart.

On a side note, after a big long run in the heat, going shopping barefoot in a cool store feels great on the feet.

Also had no problems being barefoot in places in Southern Germany for 3 weeks. Stores, cafes, bars, festivals, trains, subways, and even the airport, nothing was ever said. (At least in English, a few German words might have been said).
 
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Did some more adventuring this week. Went to the Farmers Market, the Mechanic and the Cupcake place all barefoot. This week wife surprised me by taking off her flip flops and running on the HS track barefoot for 1 mile. She is doing C25K. She'll probably bring shoes next time.
 
Did some more adventuring this week. Went to the Farmers Market, the Mechanic and the Cupcake place all barefoot. This week wife surprised me by taking off her flip flops and running on the HS track barefoot for 1 mile. She is doing C25K. She'll probably bring shoes next time.

Hey! I recently got my girlfriend to run barefoot on our HS track too! Haha. After a lap she said it felt like the bottom of her feet were put through a meat grinder. We've been walking more regularly together, and she is toughening up them soles! I told her, after awhile you not only get used to the rough surfaces, but you can walk on them nigh indefinitely.

It really is like how they put it on the Society for Barefoot Living (I think that's where I saw it), where they say [paraphrasing], "When you first remove your shoes, the ground feels like nothing but static, nothing but NOISE. But, after you start getting used to it, it's like music for your feet."

So true. So true.
 
Stores, cafes, bars, festivals, trains, subways, and even the airport, nothing was ever said. (At least in English, a few German words might have been said).

Impressive. That sounds like a lot of places! And I've not ever tried to go into anywhere barefoot yet (except my place of work, and only on the nights / weekends).

So cool y'all are doing that. I can't say that I've ever seen anyone else barefoot at stores, cafes, bars, festivals, trains, subways, and even the airport not even once that I can recall, and I hate being the first lol. Well Yvonne and I did go into a small bbq joint out in the country, and she didnt wear shoes (but I wore my Unshoes) so technically I did see 1 barefooter in a business, though being a fellow forum member isnt as much of a 'sighting'.
 
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tristan,

you're not the first. that's why you're reading about it here. :)
 
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I would think that you would get a lot less hassle. I sometimes think that the lack of any comment I get while running barefoot is the fact that I have a 90 pound German Shepherd dog attached to my wrist..... so I guess the theory would be that if people are less likely to confront me 'cause I have a dog - sure as tootin' won't hassle someone with a 38 or 45 strapped to their side!!
 
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Good week. Added more attempts at barefoot. Went into Ace Hardware alone, went in got lightbulbs, paid and left. Kids with me to library, one without shoes (and me unshod) I stayed near them and I heard a library worker ask my son if he had shoes "with him" I spoke up and said no. She said "ok" she was just worried about tacks on the floor and the wheels of the book carts. I smiled and continued my day. We went to Grocery store (Big Y) and kids chose to go in the cart (same 1 shod, 1 unshod) and me unshod. Got about 10 items - spent about 20 minutes, but no comments. - That is my goal. No comments. - Anyway - Went into Home Depot today. A little nervous. Brought kids for Kids Workshop. Nervous because - my plan is to have a plan. Before I go in, whats my plan? If there is a confrontation and it comes down to "get shoes or leave" what do I do with the kids?? As it turned out, no issue. We did the workshop (1 kid with shoes) and the staff were taking photos of all the happy families doing projects. I asked for a photo on my phone as we were leaving the craft area. Then we walked around to get a couple items and left. No comments. Very happy. Oh- then we went into Karate barefoot, but that is getting to be so "low stress" that I barely think about that one.
 
Well, the plan might depend on your reason for going barefoot. There are plenty of articles in the studies forum on the hazards of shoes.

I've thought about if I was ever questioned, to discuss the problems with being shod, talk about my former foot problems, then invite them to take off their shoes to look at their feet in comparison.
 
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