Walking Barefoot in Public, Why is it socially unacceptable?

[homelessdisabledguy]

I walked around in public, completely barefoot, no vibrams. I've done this on occasion... but usually away from the larger city, where people tend not to care much.

I've done it hiking and playing ultimate frisbee in the park. But the second I step off the grass... I get weird looks.

I decided to press the issue, and spent a day completely barefoot, going into businesses and seeing how they reacted.

Luckily all I got were a lot of weird looks, and despite those, was not asked to leave.

But I dont really understand... why is it socially unacceptable?

why would people think its not ok to go into a restaurant barefoot? My feet are cleaner than most shoes... its not like im going to put them up on the table...

Tell me about your purely barefoot in city life experience and your theory as to why its socially unacceptable to be shoe less.

[WindAtMyBack]

I never understood it either. In the 70s millions of people went barefoot. I went barefoot everywhere. I still go barefoot at home and around the neighborhood, but I wear shoes when I go out. On very rare occasions I've gone to stores or something barefoot. I don't remember getting weird looks but I wasn't paying attention. People in the neighborhood are used to seeing me barefoot and never say anything.

Back in the 70s when it was super common, stores and restaurants commonly had signs that said "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service". They just didn't like hippies or anything remotely associated with them.

Nowadays it's very rare to see someone barefoot in public, so of course it's going to stand out.

[ArtieWhitefox]

People cannot edit anything. Devils are saying, ack. I see a thing that God made. Cover it with a thing that people make.

[Oigit]

Some people are just weird about feet. I can say for sure that I am. In general I'm not a fan of feet. But I won't give you a dirty look or anything. I'd just do my best to ignore them. Though if I catch a wiff it might trigger my gag reflex.

[Aerissa_Jade]

Do you have Hobbit feet?

I would never do that, nails, glass, needles and worse is why I would never go barefoot like that.

The bottom of your feet are just as dirty as the bottom of shoes that walk on the same ground.

Businesses usually require shoes, pants, shirt for service, as per their choice for a private business to avoid lawsuits.

Socially frowned on, cause someone walking into a business barefoot seems like someone wanting to find something to cut their foot open on so they can sue them.

[Guy13]

Just you, man !!! You have to do something with those nasty feet. Can you "drive through" and get a foot transplant yet?

[Saltystardust]

I don't know about it not being acceptable, but going barefoot in\ any public establishment is risky, if someone was to cut their foot on their property, they (the establishment) doesn't want to to be sued

[ArtieWhitefox]

Devils are saying, ack. I see a thing that God made. Cover it with a thing r-that people make.

[MCheetah]

That's just dirty hippie BS. That's nasty AF, considering how much filth is on the ground.

[BJP21]

If your in SoCal coastal cities, its a norm. It depends on society.

[In_Trance]

Good way to get Hep