Finally went into a store barefoot!

Mayka

Barefooters
Mar 22, 2013
29
47
13
Michigan
Well. I finally did it. I walked into a store barefoot. :happy: I've been gradually transitioning into being barefoot more and more since last August (I know, I'm super slow!!!) and although I am getting more comfortable being barefoot out in public I haven't had the nerve to do so in a private establishment where I might actually be confronted about it. But I finally did!!! Albeit, it wasn't even in my hometown and I was wearing very long jeans and still had flip flops stashed away in my purse, but still, it's a start! Better slow progress than no progress at all, I suppose. :joyful: Maybe next time I'll wear shorts. ;)
 
I still find it strange how people get offended by bare feet in public. Years ago when I dressed as a punk we would get banned from pubs and followed around in shopping centres by security but now it's all mainstream and acceptable. You can wear offensive t-shirts as long as you keep your shoes on!!!!
keep up the subversion.

Neil
 
i still cringe when i see people in my restaurant kicking off their shoes. then i remember i would like to be bf too.
 
Been doing this for a while. The most resistance I have received is from two Wal-Mart workers in two separate stores. Neither store had a posted policy, and when they confronted me, I asked to see the manager. On both occasions I informed the managers that Wal-Mart doesn't have a corporate policy against patron's shopping barefoot, and if they wanted to post a policy, it would go against their published "Diversity & Inclusion" policy. That said, I told both managers that if it made them feel better, I would not hold them responsible for any injuries I incurred in their stores that was attributable to me being barefoot, and that I would be willing to sign a statement to that fact. That seemed to satisfy them.

The key is to know your rights, and not be afraid to stand up for them. Be ready to offer a solution like mine that disarms your adversaries, and allows you to exercise your freedom. If they aren't willing to listen, take your business elsewhere, and inform them that you are doing so because you do not do business with companies that do not support your rights.
 
I've never been confronted at Wal-Mart or Target for being barefoot, and I hope I never am. Those are my most comfortable stores I go into.

Love what inakilt wrote here.
 
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Mayka, you're such a rebel;)
 
I've never been confronted at Wal-Mart or Target for being barefoot, and I hope I never am. Those are my most comfortable stores I go into.

Love what inakilt wrote here.
Target is cool with bare feet.

The Kroger grocery stores around here have the nicest concrete floors. They seem to be heated from underneath.
 
I have recently started going into stores barefoot. I feel like a bandit' or like I'm running from the law. I have gone from point A to point B then out. Yesterday was my longest excursion. I was on vacation in Rhode Island and a manager confronted me. I have since downloaded the PDF that there are no Health Code regulations against lack of shoes for patrons in this state.

I informed the manager that there was no posted sign against it only against shoes with wheels. I informed her that I know the laws and there are none against it. Then her story changed to "it's against our policy".

I plan to come armed with 3 documents in the near future (maybe I'll double side them). 1. Letter from State Health inspector stating no laws or regulations. 2. Letter from store chain regarding requirements for footwear. 3. Letter of waiver of Liability for myself and my dependants.

I argued for about 1 minute before giving in and getting flip flops from the car which I brought just in case. Really felt upset with how it ended. Glad I didn't have kids with me' I don't feel I handled it as well as I could have. I stayed mostly calm, but wasn't really ready with good arguments.

I ended up asking for the manager's name, but asking for her name earlier and threatening to video tape her comments might have gotten me some traction as well. I really don't blame managers for continuing the status quo. They don't know and more people think its against the law than think its legal. So' she was doing her job. But I'd be much happier if I could inform someone of my rights and be allowed to use my rights.

My wife said that she felt I was making too big a deal of it, so I gave her a scenario. You go into a store and a worker says "you can't wear an orange shirt in here". You know this isnt a Health Code regulation, you know it isn't a Law and you know it isn't a posted policy. But you have another shirt in the car that you could easily put on over your orange shirt. So you give in and leave the store, put on a different shirt and comply with someone who is wrong. How would that make you feel knowing this person was wrong, but you did what they said?
 
I only went into a corner store/gas station, but one gotta start somewhere. The idea was just to go in, pay the gas and get out. However turns out their interac machine was not working so I had to wait for the ATM along with three other people. We joked about, but I didn't get a single comment on my lack of footwear.

I'll have a look when next I go to Wal-mart to see if they have a sign prohibiting barefeet. Most groceries or shopping malls don't allow barefeet here.
 
I only went into a corner store/gas station, but one gotta start somewhere. The idea was just to go in, pay the gas and get out. However turns out their interac machine was not working so I had to wait for the ATM along with three other people. We joked about, but I didn't get a single comment on my lack of footwear.

I'll have a look when next I go to Wal-mart to see if they have a sign prohibiting barefeet. Most groceries or shopping malls don't allow barefeet here.


It's amazing how few places have signs prohibiting it. I haven't found one sign since I started looking.

I've seen, "no smoking", "no propane tanks", "no shoes with wheels", "no pets other than service animals".
 
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It's amazing how few places have signs prohibiting it. I haven't found one sign since I started looking.

I've seen, "no smoking", "no propane tanks", "no shoes with wheels", "no pets other than service animals".
Over here, I'd say most common ones are "no pets", "no shirtless customer", and well no smoking is everywhere (it is regulated by the law).

Most small stores don't have signs. It's just groceries and shopping malls. Though, I think I'll a look at the shopping mall again when I get there since I'm not so sure anymore.

I'll be happy to eventually go to Wal-Mart barefoot and bring the arguments posted herein should they ever give me trouble. Without my girlfriend though, unlike me, she does care what other people think.

Barefoot golfing is amazing though... I don't think I can ever play golf shod again.
 
Hulahooper,
According to this article :
http://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news...97-hes-fighting-for-the-right-to-go-barefoot/
it seems there is no law against being barefoot in public places in the UK. Though, as usual, a shop can choose to have its own dress code. Also, barefoot driving is legal.

I couldn't really find much more. It's more difficult to find a non-existent law than an existing one. Also note the article is from 2011.
 
Barefoot golfing is amazing though... I don't think I can ever play golf shod again.

Definitely true. A golf course is one of the best barefoot experiences around and it's amazing how much better it is to play the game with bare feet. About the only hazard I have to worry about with the course I play is goose poop, and in some of the tall brushy areas, there can be some stinging nettle. But walking on greens is delightful and I think it helps with putting, because you can actually feel to some extent what pace the ball will roll with over the green.
 
I don't know, be warned: I've had a manager at Meijers (a midwest US chain) go apesh*t on me, called security, threatened to call the police. I happened to just walk into the store right when he was there, I'd been ok in there before. But, even though I tried to be calm, and politely ask to see a policy of some kind, he wasn't having any of it, and actually lied to me, saying if I put on shoes he'd show me. I did, and he did not, and still called security.

And I was wearing jeans. But, I have long hair, so you know those long-hairs....

And, while Ann Arbor, Michigan was barefoot freindly, Portland, Oregon is not. I've had two incidents in cafes, with regular employees, and the managers back them up (see my blog for the whole sordid mess).

So just be prepared for anger. I'm not sure what causes the anger, but some people freak out. They seem to think it's rude of us. Or, that we're spreading anthrax spores or something....

John