Finally went into a store barefoot!

I wasn't suggesting ASKING the establishment owner to display the 'shoes-over-money' logo Sid ;)
 
Not endorsed by corporate. If you challenge the sign, it will come down.
Walmart and Sams Club are barefoot friendly at the corporate level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JEFF CT
Not endorsed by corporate. If you challenge the sign, it will come down.
Walmart and Sams Club are barefoot friendly at the corporate level.
How would you suggest challenging it? Walk into the store and when confronted ask to see the manager and tell them that Wal-Mart doesn't have a policy against going barefoot in their store and that it would create a conflict with their diversity and inclusion policy? Or contact Wal-Mart in the hope they will contact my local store and have them remove the sign?
 
Go in barefoot. When a lower level associate informs you of the shoe rule tell them that they are incorrect, and that corporate does not approve of the sign. Tell them a quick check with the regional/district manager will confirm this. Continue shopping and if they stop you again demand to see the manager on duty. Hopefully it won't be an assistant, but the real deal. Introduce yourself using your full name, shake their hand, look them in the eye and NON-CONFRONTATIONALY say " I'm surprised you still have that sign on the door! It was the decision of Walmart's chief legal counsel that due to conflicts with the Americans with Disabilities Act, religious freedom concerns, and some stores in the rural South where customers were habitually barefoot that ALL Walmart stores world wide would be friendly to barefoot customers regardless of the reason for their bare feet. Check with corporate, they will explain it to you in greater detail. Nice meeting you" Shake their hand and say" If you have any more questions feel free to contact me, would you like my email address?"
Many people have a problem with this method because it involves invoking a few "white lies", and that goes against the ethics and morals we are taught. I justify it because: Corporate DOES NOT have a shoe rule, the manager is un-informed of that, now he is informed. The inclusion of the made-up stuff makes the challenge more effective, and since we know that it is better for us to shop barefoot and that corporate agrees with the plan the ends justify the means. (In my opinion, obviously not everybody agrees with this whether for religious or moral reasons) .
I've however boosted my success record tremendously by including white lies that are based on truth but much easier for the shoe police to understand.
 
Many people have a problem with this method because it involves invoking a few "white lies", and that goes against the ethics and morals we are taught. I justify it because: Corporate DOES NOT have a shoe rule, the manager is un-informed of that, now he is informed. The inclusion of the made-up stuff makes the challenge more effective, and since we know that it is better for us to shop barefoot and that corporate agrees with the plan the ends justify the means. (In my opinion, obviously not everybody agrees with this whether for religious or moral reasons) .
I've however boosted my success record tremendously by including white lies that are based on truth but much easier for the shoe police to understand.
Basically, the only true part is that Corporate does not have a shoe rule? :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: Josh16
I feel it now clear that I have lost my battle against the management of the golf course as they haven't replied to me since last time. I am however, extremely happy to announce that I have received email confirmation from another local golf course, that despite the fact they don't advise going barefoot as it is not "safe", I am allowed to play golf barefoot at their club. Oh, and I just want to mention this is the club that has the most strict (or is it strictest?) dress code around. I'm very happy right now!
 
Something funny happenned last friday. I was in a regional corporate Golf tournament, so I felt a little uncomfortable not wearing shoes for golf. So I brought my old pair of golf shoes (very thick shoes with soft spikes and a non flexible sole). I put them on, and when I got out of the car to get to the trunk, I couldn't walk. I sort of hobbled around to the trunk of the car to get my golf bag. Basically, I couldn't feel the ground and my body just didn't receive the propriception and signals it needed to make me walk properly.

After a few steps, things went back to normal and I could walk, so I proceeded to play golf. But I did notice how they restricted my natural movement when swinging and how I came close to twisting my ankles in some places I never would have had any issue if I were barefoot.
 
I feel it now clear that I have lost my battle against the management of the golf course as they haven't replied to me since last time. I am however, extremely happy to announce that I have received email confirmation from another local golf course, that despite the fact they don't advise going barefoot as it is not "safe", I am allowed to play golf barefoot at their club. Oh, and I just want to mention this is the club that has the most strict (or is it strictest?) dress code around. I'm very happy right now!


Hey, that's good news. Just prepare yourself with some one liners for the golfers that think they need to get in your business (I would come up with something that has to do with toxic balls:)).

On the Walmart issue, I don't think you need to white lie. Odds are you won't be approached. Are they saying anything to the people in their pj's, cutoffs, tanks tops, with their fat hanging out? (not that there is anything wrong with that, I kind of like it). I haven't had any problems in big stores, I don't think anyone cares.

Yesterday's adventures:

Jimmy John's - a sign by the register "We would love to see you NAKED, but state code requires shoes and shirts". Manager looked down at my feet as I was leaving and said have a nice day.

Orthodontist's office - a sign at the door "please check your shoes for mud before entering", had a chuckle at that. My wife must have pre-warned him when she arrived earlier because not much was said. While leaving he warned me that there might be a few metal wires on the floor. I said, couldn't be any worse than the goat head stickers at home. Quote was over $3000 for my daughter to get braces. I don't think he is going to turn that down for me being barefoot. Had a lot of looks from the assistants, gave them something to talk about later.

Bank - one look from a customer was all.

Smith's grocery store - nothing, they are used to me.

Health food store - One odd look from an employee. Again, they are not going to turn down any business. I can't believe they stay in business in my area.

Was going to try my luck in a restaurant but my girls started fighting so we headed home.
 
school is trying to suddenly tell me that after a year walking around bf i''m a liability. i sent them a nice long reply. have yet to hear from them but i know they had a meeting about me. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Josh16
school is trying to suddenly tell me that after a year walking around bf i''m a liability. i sent them a nice long reply. have yet to hear from them but i know they had a meeting about me. :)
A meeting about you being barefoot? Talk about a wonderful way to waste everybody's time.

Edit: Somehow, I do expect that my local golf club that has authorized me to play golf barefoot will eventually change their position as customers complain or the board of administrators decide to take matters in their own hands.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JEFF CT
Go in barefoot. When a lower level associate informs you of the shoe rule tell them that they are incorrect, and that corporate does not approve of the sign. Tell them a quick check with the regional/district manager will confirm this. Continue shopping and if they stop you again demand to see the manager on duty. Hopefully it won't be an assistant, but the real deal. Introduce yourself using your full name, shake their hand, look them in the eye and NON-CONFRONTATIONALY say " I'm surprised you still have that sign on the door! It was the decision of Walmart's chief legal counsel that due to conflicts with the Americans with Disabilities Act, religious freedom concerns, and some stores in the rural South where customers were habitually barefoot that ALL Walmart stores world wide would be friendly to barefoot customers regardless of the reason for their bare feet. Check with corporate, they will explain it to you in greater detail. Nice meeting you" Shake their hand and say" If you have any more questions feel free to contact me, would you like my email address?"
Many people have a problem with this method because it involves invoking a few "white lies", and that goes against the ethics and morals we are taught. I justify it because: Corporate DOES NOT have a shoe rule, the manager is un-informed of that, now he is informed. The inclusion of the made-up stuff makes the challenge more effective, and since we know that it is better for us to shop barefoot and that corporate agrees with the plan the ends justify the means. (In my opinion, obviously not everybody agrees with this whether for religious or moral reasons) .
I've however boosted my success record tremendously by including white lies that are based on truth but much easier for the shoe police to understand.

Wal-Mart Corporate has a policy of Diversity and Inclusion - My suggestion would be, go in with flip flops. Ask to speak with a manager. Ask if this store is operating against the Diversity and Inclusion policy of Wal-Mart Corporate. I wouldnt recommend going into a store against a posted policy. Legally every time you go into a business, you are agreeing to their policies. If you are not willing to follow their policies, you are trespassing.

Alternately, you could just write to the store manager stating the same information, and maybe include "other stores will accept my money and dont care about my footwear.I will take my business elsewhere if this Wal-Mart store chooses to set policy about my personal appearance."

http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/diversity-inclusion/
 
I was walking through a Rite aid barefoot today, and one of the employees confronted me about it. She said, "Sir, you need to have shoes on to be in here." I look her in the eye, gave her a big smile, and said in a very nice voice, "Its ok, I have every right to do this." She just looked at me, extremely confused, but didn't say a thing. After a couple of seconds of silence, I repeated, "Its ok" then walked away. And that was all that happened.
 
Alternately, you could just write to the store manager stating the same information, and maybe include "other stores will accept my money and dont care about my footwear.I will take my business elsewhere if this Wal-Mart store chooses to set policy about my personal appearance."

http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/diversity-inclusion/

Interesting.

The feeling I've always had whenever I've set foot in a Wal-Mart is that they could care less about what individual customers think, especially when it comes to customer service. I wish anyone a healthy dose of luck if they have to take matters to the level of writing a letter that threatens to take one's business elsewhere. My intuition tells me Wal-Mart cares about their bottom line, and that's about it. Hell, just talk to one of the lower echelon staff members that haven't been brainwashed by the corporate rigmarole yet and ask them how great it is working for the company.

Here's an interesting fact sheet: http://edit.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/Paywatch-2014

I only trust statistics so much, so I take those numbers with a grain of salt, but, it's interesting nonetheless.

Anyway, just my two cents. This whole thread irks me because I personally feel that corporate greed and subsequent social policy has sort of driven these inhibitory policies such as not being allowed to be comfortably barefoot in a good number of places.

In my mind, it is living in disharmony with the natural way of things. Here we have these bad-ass evolved feet, that, with the full use of such, we are able to enjoy a lengthy span of foot and leg health, but, we are denied this basic right in most places, and the ubiquitous use of shoes seems to just further contribute to all these various ailments of the legs, feet and hips that many people start to find later in their lives; I attribute this mainly due to growing up in a culture that has purposely perpetuated the use of poorly designed footwear and people not knowing any better.

Okay... I'm gonna stop writing now. :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Josh16
Interesting.

The feeling I've always had whenever I've set foot in a Wal-Mart is that they could care less about what individual customers think, especially when it comes to customer service. I wish anyone a healthy dose of luck if they have to take matters to the level of writing a letter that threatens to take one's business elsewhere. My intuition tells me Wal-Mart cares about their bottom line, and that's about it. Hell, just talk to one of the lower echelon staff members that haven't been brainwashed by the corporate rigmarole yet and ask them how great it is working for the company.

Here's an interesting fact sheet: http://edit.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/Paywatch-2014

I only trust statistics so much, so I take those numbers with a grain of salt, but, it's interesting nonetheless.

Anyway, just my two cents. This whole thread irks me because I personally feel that corporate greed and subsequent social policy has sort of driven these inhibitory policies such as not being allowed to be comfortably barefoot in a good number of places.

In my mind, it is living in disharmony with the natural way of things. Here we have these bad-ass evolved feet, that, with the full use of such, we are able to enjoy a lengthy span of foot and leg health, but, we are denied this basic right in most places, and the ubiquitous use of shoes seems to just further contribute to all these various ailments of the legs, feet and hips that many people start to find later in their lives; I attribute this mainly due to growing up in a culture that has purposely perpetuated the use of poorly designed footwear and people not knowing any better.

Okay... I'm gonna stop writing now. :D


Your opinion is interesting. You present facts but then interpret them in an odd way. (1) if Wal-Mart only cares about profits, why would they care about bare feet? (2) if Wal-Mart doesn't care about customer service, complaints of bare feet shouldn't matter.

I have had great success with Wal-Mart being barefoot and with my family barefoot as well.

While the company may or may not care if one individual chooses to shop elsewhere, there are large enough to care about lawsuits. Should they adopt a policy that discriminates against any person or group, it could become quite costly, quite quickly.
 
Your opinion is interesting. You present facts but then interpret them in an odd way. (1) if Wal-Mart only cares about profits, why would they care about bare feet? (2) if Wal-Mart doesn't care about customer service, complaints of bare feet shouldn't matter.

I have had great success with Wal-Mart being barefoot and with my family barefoot as well.

While the company may or may not care if one individual chooses to shop elsewhere, there are large enough to care about lawsuits. Should they adopt a policy that discriminates against any person or group, it could become quite costly, quite quickly.

Oh dear. I'm sorry you misconstrued my opinion. I was referring more to the idea of it being a futile effort attempting to threaten a mega-corporation to take your business elsewhere based solely on them enforcing their own written policies.

I don't really understand what you're trying to say with your comment Jeff. It doesn't quite make sense.

I didn't really post any facts in regard to my argument. That fact sheet was just there for anyone curious enough to check out some startling numbers on corporate greed and the imbalance of wealth.

My previous comment was mainly just my own personal opinion on the matter.

I'm glad you've found success with your own hometown Wal-Mart. I've found that most people are inclined to find the opposite up here in Northern Illinois. Well, at least as far as the feedback I've gotten from friends, family and coworkers.