From: JPW

Date: 4-28-2018

Informal Survey of Barefoot Tolerance

[In response to another SBL member’s question about differences in barefoot tolerance depending on the region, JPW responded:]

I can only comment on my own experience, which is anecdotal.

USA

I would say a great deal of Americans suffer from delusional fears of skin contact. There is an, ironically, unhealthy attitude towards dirt. People would rather drink bleach than eat dirt. As a consequence bare feet are seen as a health hazard to the barefooter and others around him/her. There is a mysterious association with bare feet and food, as if being barefoot in a restaurant would lead to an extinction level epidemic…. this… in spite of the fact that literally billions of people prepare and consume food in their bare feet every day.

You can add certain cultural factors such as America’s unique Puritanical values which is against any form of hedonistic behavior, hangovers from the early Post-War era (Better Living Through Chemistry!), biases against the counterculture movements of the sixties and residual Victoria Age social mores.

Across all regions, bare feet seem to have the most trouble in:

Restaurants. It isn’t just about establishment owners. It is just as likely that customer complaints or fear of customer complaints.

Gas Stations: I see more “No Shoes” signs in gas station doors than anywhere else, which is stupid. I think it has to do with exposure. People take their shoes off on long road trips and, rightfully, see no reason to put them back on for a quick trip to get a snack and soda from a “convenient” store so gas station attendants probably see more bare feet and shirtless men than other businesses.

Libraries: Though not universal, this seems to be a thing. I have been kicked out of libraries pretty much everywhere. I find it the most egregious of nonsense. Libraries tend to have carpeted floors and are very much hazard free. Notable exceptions are places like the tiny library in Rico Colorado. They actually had a sign asking people to take their shoes off during wet weather. My friend in Virginia City Montana assures me that they would never kick me out of their library.

Bars and Night Clubs. Not universal either and I get a pass because I mostly to go to clubs when I am performing. I feel there is some sense in this, at least. There tends to be broken glass.

Retail Shops with security. Security personnel are usually bored and looking for trouble. With or without instructions to do so, they will often find trouble with bare feet.

Regionally:

Midwest. I grew up in suburban Chicago. I lived out in the country and went barefoot all the time. I was a bit surprised that it was such a problem when I started going to the malls and such. Perhaps because I was a young man, I was kicked out of nearly everyplace I went. I usually had to pass money to my friends to buy things for me and wait in the car or parking lot.

Southwest. Maybe a little more relaxed. I have had my share of run-ins but, at least, I could get groceries and mostly shop for things I need without any shoes. I lived in Flagstaff for over a year and didn’t put on shoes other than during blizzards in the winter. It only takes one confrontation at a place that you really want to go to ruin things though. I met a bookseller in Alamosa, Colorado who claimed he hadn’t worn shoes in four years. I am in SLC Utah now. I generally don’t have to fight over my feet though I wouldn’t call it barefoot friendly here.

Florida. I lived in Southeast Florida for a time. For being near tropical, it really wasn’t much more barefoot friendly than anywhere else. Being barefoot led to a lot of police harassment, which even led to me getting arrested once.

Alaska. I lived there in the more pleasant months. I cannot remember being bothered for being barefoot. My girlfriend and I went out quite a bit to shop or whatever, in our bare feet. I feel like Alaskans are a bit more into leaving people alone so that they too are left alone.

Portland. Weirdness is supposedly valued in PDX. I really didn’t have much trouble there compared to other places. The icy rains in winter were more trouble than establishments. Still America though. My worst encounter was at a Greyhound station. A lady confronted me as I was leaving. As I was leaving anyway, I ignored here. She blew all the fuses because I wasn’t willing interrupt my exit to put on shoes. I am willing to be kicked out for being barefoot but they cannot force me to put on shoes as I am leaving.

Europe:

Much more anecdotal. I traveled there as a musician. As such, I was much less a tourist than most people who travel there. I was typically hosted and chaperoned by locals. In general, people are more forgiving of artist’s quirks. I have probably spend only about two months total through my two tours so far. I have never been kicked out of anywhere. I think overall there is less fear of liability and they lack the bizarre notions that Americans have about bare feet.

Denmark. I only spent a week there but I was without shoes. I went out a lot with my friends in Copenhagen. People thought I was odd but no one had a problem with it. Some Germans gave us a ride through Germany. They asked about my bare feet. I said it was a lifestyle choice. They seemed to understand.

Belgium. I spent most of my time in Belgium because I have some good friends there. Again. They found it odd but also didn’t feel like it was their business to interfere with me. My friends once pointed out a barefoot young woman waiting for a bus in Brussels and suggested that I ask her out. Riding the train out of Ostend, a town on the sea, I saw a lot of young people getting on and off in their bare feet.

The Netherlands. I hit several towns there. Again. No one really bothered me about it.

France. I spent about three weeks there crisscrossing the country. I am not sure how they felt about bare feet. I don’t speak French. Still, people were always welcoming.

-JPW