Finally went into a store barefoot!

Reason? I don't need a reason. It's legal. End of story. You don't want my business? I can go elsewhere. But first, are you saying this for this store or the whole chain doesn't allow barefoot? Why don't you have a sign? I am videotaping this conversation, please state your name because I will be following up on this. If you are ensuring only safe footwear is worn, what are the criteria for safe footwear in your store?

My plan isn't to be a jerk. My plan isn't to sign a waiver for each store I enter. (But I have mixed feelings here. I'd rather sign a Waiver than have to leave, but would they ask every woman with 3 inch heels sign a waiver?)
My plan isn't even to have a barefoot conversation, but just to be allowed to go into a store obeying the laws with the same expectations a person wearing an orange shirt would expect to be allowed to shop without being asked to change because "orange shirts are against our policy for our customers to wear".
 
In my limited experience. I have found that it comes down to a few arguments.

1. It's against the Health Code. It's not.
2. Do you have shoes with you? No.
3. It's a liability. So what are the exact specifications for acceptable footwear in your facility?
4. It's against our policy. There are other stores. Do you want me to give them my business?

Bottom line. I know the law, and I carry it in my back pocket. Stores are allowed to set their policies regardless of how moronic. As well, once they have asked you to leave, you have to or can be charged with trespassing.

But. I have been very pleased with the response so far.
 
It doesn't fit to my head that some shop wont allow me to be barefoot, and yes, as long as its not super expensive fancy fashion shop then its unthinkable here that someone dares to stop you, winky smile or funny comment is max you will get. It's probably something that only happens in America.

Nope. In Spain people freaked out if I even went barefoot in the apartments I was staying in. I mean, they were horrified.
 
Yesterday evening I went out to my Dad's hangar in a northern suburb airport with the kids. On the way home, the kids wanted ice cream sandwiches. I asked my dad if there was a place nearby, because the mom and pop place in our neighborhood had expressly prohibited me from entering without footwear, and I didn't have my back-up sandals with me. No problem, my dad said, we're out here in the country, no one will bother you. So we stopped by a nearby gas station with a convenience store before getting on the freeway, and right away I saw the NoSSS sign on the door, but ignored it, not wanting to contradict my dad's good faith in country (suburban working class) folk.

A gal immediately stepped out of the back office, perhaps warned by the cashier, and asked me to put on shoes. Or maybe she noticed voices without any attendant footstep noise? In any case, I told her I didn't have any footwear but promised never to come back if she'd just let me get some ice cream for my kids. She gave the old line about my safety in case something fell and broken glass cut my feet. I offered to sign a waiver then asked my kids, who were also barefoot, if they saw anything but plastic bottles on the shelves full of processed crap. The gal relented frowning, said alright, and went back behind her door. As my daughter changed her mind about the ice cream sandwich and was taking her sweet time deciding what treat to get, I told her to hurry up, we don't have much time before something breaks and cuts my feet open. The cashier smiled.
 
It doesn't fit to my head that some shop wont allow me to be barefoot, and yes, as long as its not super expensive fancy fashion shop then its unthinkable here that someone dares to stop you, winky smile or funny comment is max you will get. It's probably something that only happens in America.

Europe is no better.
In Italy: "no flip-flops or thongs in the bigger cities, no open shoes for men in the evening"

Going barefoot is out of the question :sour:
 
The people in McDonalds don't even bother looking anymore, I think theyre used to seeing me come for my morning cofffee by now. ive been going more places just to see what the reactions will be, Ive had no real confrontations to speak of. I did however get refused entry to the Zip-live over the weekend. its at a private camp facility. I was wearing xero shoes. I went the first time with only a "I think you're supposed to wear shoes" I just told the girl, "I really don't wear shoes much." It was good enough for her... The second time I went to get harnessed, an older woman stopped me and gave me the "you can't go with out shoes" blah blah blah thing.... I told her I don't wear shoes, I'll take responsibility for my feet etc, etc, I already went once with out shoes, I just hiked up the hill to the tower twice, It was a pretty rocky and muddy hill... about then, a guy behind me asked if I would fit in a 10 1/2... I didn't want to walk down... I did a flip off the deck and rode upsidedown just to get the last word... And a big thanks to the guy who lent me his shoes! (though I had to have em, didn't need 'em)
 
Italy is not Europe...

Ha Ha :D
OK then.
It seems like the more you go north in Europe the more acceptance you get being barefoot. This June I spent a month in my home country Czech republic going barefoot everywhere with no issues.
I even went to a treetop adventure park barefoot. I was told I would be first to climb here barefoot since the park opening in 2005.
They asked me first to cross over a steel rope barefoot and when I easily did I was allowed to climb everywhere with no shoes. No way this could work here in the States. I have tried. Liability issues. :confused:


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I've always worn my Sockwa or sandals in Lidls to do our Saturday shop. Today I was surprised to see a man and his daughter at the checkout in bare feet. No-one said a thing :)
 
I even went to a treetop adventure park barefoot. I was told I would be first to climb here barefoot since the park opening in 2005.
They asked me first to cross over a steel rope barefoot and when I easily did I was allowed to climb everywhere with no shoes. No way this could work here in the States. I have tried. Liability issues.

That looks so cool and so fun!
 
Ha Ha :D
OK then.

They asked me first to cross over a steel rope barefoot and when I easily did I was allowed to climb everywhere with no shoes. No way this could work here in the States. I have tried. Liability issues. :confused:


]


I agree. There are too many lawsuits in the US and even more people afraid of them. But the funny thing about fear is that it can have you stopping you from doing what you are allowed to do. With things like this treetop adventure, they'd have you sign a waiver of their liability. Meaning, you can't sue them. Once you've agreed to that, you have more freedom. "So I'm signing away my rights to sue you for my death, but you are afraid I'll hurt my foot? "
 
I was on vacation in Barcelona 2 weeks ago and got kicked out of 'Corte Ingles'. My Spanish is not good enough to start asking why etc. Just left the building. In Denmark where I live the only time I have had problems with being BF was in Tivoli. They apparently have a regulation against being bf. Funny thing on their website you can see several people sitting in the park bf.
 
I agree. There are too many lawsuits in the US and even more people afraid of them.

I'd modify this slightly: there is the myth of too many lawsuits. I've seen studies that say it just isn't happening. And the myths are propagated by misunderstood cases that seem to deliberately leave out important details (like the McDonalds hot coffee lawsuit).

And I'd also say that there is an unreasonable fear of lawsuits caused by the myth. Seriously, I was just kicked out of a Best Buy yesterday and the supervisor was utterly paranoid that I might step on something and sue.

Suppose I did step on a pin. What does he think my damages would be (assuming I could get past a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment and get it to a jury and get the jury not to say it was my own damn fault)? 10¢ for a bandage?

With things like this treetop adventure, they'd have you sign a waiver of their liability. Meaning, you can't sue them. Once you've agreed to that, you have more freedom. "So I'm signing away my rights to sue you for my death, but you are afraid I'll hurt my foot? "

Yes, this is utterly crazy. They make you sign a waiver. So why then doesn't that waiver cover doing it barefoot?
 
For me, it's only been female employees who've had a problem with my barefootedness. I've been thrown out of a 'Damnation Army' thrift store, which surprised me. The fact that it was by a female employee though was par for the course.

Whether I enter BF or with my treaded wool socks on, usually depends on the store. I planned to visit several stores today.

First I shopped at the big 'home improvement' super retail chain - BF, as usual for this type of store. I overheard a comment from a lone female shopper but, kept walking as if she wasn't there. I think some women have the impression that they are the reason which causes men to toe the line, regarding this dress code. If those women see you breaking the dress code, they want to confront you about it.

Next was the big sports equipment super retail chain. I haven't been to these types of stores nearly as much as I did back in pre-BF life. Still, it's kind of like the home improvement store, in that it's huge, allowing me to quickly go about my business without employees looking at my feet.

Finally was the Costco. These are huge "big box" stores that require a membership in order to shop. An employee at the entrance makes sure all people entering have their membership card. Because of that, I'd always put on my treaded wool socks before entering - until today. Today it occurred to me that I could pull it off. The way to get in the door is to be pushing a shopping cart, with it held close so as to reduce the chance that one's feet are seen. Have your card already out, as usual, so that you don't spend any extra time at the door. Once inside, it's pretty easy to shop without any trouble. The aisles are so big that, most of the time, employees see you from a distance and don't think to examine your feet. The nature of the store makes the chances of an employee stopping you for this very low. Most shoppers know what they're planning to buy and, the possibility of people shoplifting is small that, there isn't much need for employees to interact with shoppers. Nice shopping experience for BFers that get through the door.
 
Pretty long rant and story incoming so read at your own risk.

So today I went to play golf at the same club as usual in which I have gone barefoot several times before. The manager saw me a few times and never complained or said anything about it. He did however talk to one of my golfing partner and told he didn't mind it.

While waiting at the tee off, the clerk, an old lady, comes to me and tells me that she checked her information and that I'm not allowed to be barefoot on the course. Obviously, I asked her why and she replied that there was toxic fertilizer on the course and that I was not allowed to go barefoot. Naturally, I thanked her for warning me of such danger and told her I would still be going barefoot. Now she told me she couldn't allow it and that it was for protection against lawsuits. I told her I would gladly sign a waiver and that I would not take legal actions against them. She told me I still had to wear shoes. I told her I don't have shoes and that I'll wear shoes next time but that I'll play barefoot for today. She didn't have much other choice than to let me play and she retreated inside the club house. (Also note that I have paid a membership at this golf club). I do find it odd that me walking around with my barefeet on the course was not okay because of toxic fertilizer but everyone is free to touch their golf ball drenched in fertilizer. I do suspect the toxic fertilizer part to be made up.

After that, some random dude comes to me and gives me shit about no one else playing golf barefoot (yeah, me actually!) and blahblahblah there is a dress code for golf and stuff. Also note here that this golf club is known to be pretty loose about its dress code allowing people to play in jeans.

I was so frustrated I couldn't hit a ball for the whole game.

I have every intention of following this up with the manager. If I can't play golf barefoot, I just won't play golf. I won't go back to shoes for that. It will save me some money and keep me healthy.

Sorry for the rant and the bad translation, but I really had to take it out of me.
 
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I have every intention of following this up with the manager. If I can't play golf barefoot, I just won't play golf. I won't go back to shoes for that. It will save me some money and keep me healthy.

Sorry for the rant and the bad translation, but I really had to take it out of me.


If it's good enough for Sam Snead, it should be good enough for them.

Colorful Characters: Sam Snead
 
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