Why is being comfortably barefoot a social taboo in western culture ?

Question

Being barefoot is comfortable, convenient, fun, and certainly not illegal (in U.S.). The health benefits are overwhelmingly in favor as evident in both medical studies and anecdotal testimonies. So why is it frowned upon?

Answer 1

On one level, it's a trade-off of health for safety. While people who never wear shoes avoid health problems that plague many shoe-wearers, the current trend of litigation is all for safety in many aspects of life. It would not surprise me much if bare feet in public were to be made illegal in some municipalities, or indeed if they already are.

On another level, being barefoot is a sign of leisure, which is equated to, if not absolutely idleness, at least Not Being Hard At Work 24/7. In an increasingly workaholic society/culture, leisure is becoming something private. Bare feet don't feet the image of a lot of desirable positions, such as elected officials or CEOs of major companies. I'm reminded of that TV movie from a few years ago about the founder of Apple computers, and the scene in which he came in (to interview some corporate type) wearing a shirt and shorts that might lead to his being taken for a surfer, sat down and then put his bare feet up on the conference table - quite a powerful statement. But the Anti-Corporate Image isn't so much in vogue these days.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

being barefooted has a lot of advantages like improved neuro stimuli, better peripheral circulation, good exercise to the whole body etc. Basically humans are also meant to be barefooted but the convenience of preventing leg sore over a long travel, the comfort of having a soft cushion cover etc made the man wear footwear. In the cold climates of west and subzero temperatures, humans had to cover their body from head to toe for comfort and this gradually developed to pants, suits, shoes, stockings etc. and later they were considered as civilised. Moreover the environment around the places a person traverse is so polluted so that barefoot walking gave more harm than good(ringworms, tapeworms, fungi. acids, thorns, syntheticsetc.) and thus this culture progressed. There is still no harm if a person walks barefooted for some distance everyday but you have to be careful that it should be through a clean surface.l

Answer 4

I don't know. Most people in the UK don't seem to have any hang-ups about kicking their shoes off. Maybe it goes back to years ago, when poor families couldn't afford shoes. To have shoes was a sort of status symbol. My parents always made a big thing of us kids taking care of our shoes and if the shoes fell apart, we'd have to stay home until a new pair could be bought. With 7 of us, no easy task

Answer 5

Perhaps, in the past it indicated a lower class of person who would have been considered uneducated, poor and ignorant. Social mores take a while to change and form. Hang Ten !

Answer 6

i live in florida by the beach, so people go barefoot all the time, not looked down upon. you have to wear shoes when you go into a store, but that is probably for your safety so you cant sue the store when you break your toe or get some foot fungus

Answer 7

Being barefoot is akin to poverty (can't afford to buy shoes) and/or some people have a problem with feet.

Answer 8

I wouldn't say it's completely frowned upon. It is actually against policies and laws in some places (that's why so many establishment have "No shirt, no shoes, no service" signs).

And, feet are dirty and germy.

Answer 9

well some people have sweaty feet and that's not cool..if u keep your feet clean..what is the problem? i like to be barefoot at home.

Answer 10

It's only frowned on in shops and restraunts.

Two reasons - health reasons, germs, dirt etc in restraunts

Litigious society, if you hurt your foot in an establishment, you can sue the owner(s)