IS it more acceptable for a GUY or a GIRL to go barefoot in public?

Answer 1

If you are talking about a public beach, I would say both male and female. But, in a public place, such as city street, it wouldn't be acceptable at all. But, I do think that society would frown less on a female going barefoot than a male. Maybe it stems from the old saying, barefoot and pregnant? Years ago, it was more acceptable than it is now, and maybe that's because we are more aware of the dangers, or because there are more dangerous things we could step on now. In answer to your question, I would say that it more acceptable to see females barefoot.

Answer 2

It should be acceptable for both. Glad to see far less anti-barefoot bias here than in the fashion category but I'll copy the same I wrote there... people PLEASE don't get your health education from a bunch of signs in store windows! Loads of Americans believe bare feet are gross and/or dangerous because so many stores post these signs 'Shoes required by the Health Department' but that isn't even true (see source). The Health Departments in the US have NO rules for customers' footwear, regardless of whether food is served or not. Nor do insurance companies require or even recommend it. Bacteria don't jump onto products -nor would they be more likely to do so from the sole of a bare foot than from the sole of a shoe or the bare skin exposed in a flipflop. For the barefooter him-or herself, our skin was made to keep pathogens out and unless you have a cut, it does that job quite well, even in places like restrooms. We're at more risk from the things we touch with our hands; doorknobs, buttons, handrails, shopping carts, money, etc. With our hands, even if we wash our hands before sitting down for dinner we tend to eat snacks on the road, we touch our faces sometimes... chances are far greater we transfer those bacteria to a place where they can enter our body. Nor is glass a great risk; I've been barefoot for ten years, never divert my step even if I see broken glass on the ground, frequently run full speed at train stations and I get a tiny splinter *maybe* once a year. Never had a cut. Far most worms spread only by ingestion, only the hookworm can enter through the skin and it's been pretty much gone from the southern US since modern plumbing has replaced the outhouses. In cooler climates it's never been much of a problem. And even if you pick it up it's only a really big deal when you don't have access to modern medicine; the scary pictures of bloated, wormy kids are those who don't have that luxury; children get worms sometimes from playing in the sand box (where bare feet aren't the culprit either; after all kids stick their sandy *fingers* into their mouths more often than their toes, and often get sand all over themselves, not just on their feet!) and it's easily treated.

Only in the US with all those no shoes, no shirts no service signs do so many people believe barefooting is unhealthy; here in Western Europe, such signs are rare and people are not grossed out by bare feet either. It's very rare I hear anyone say 'gross'; most of the times people just wonder if it isn't cold and many times people say how healthy it is and that if it weren't so much against fashion they'd love to do it too! This isn't India or some place; this is in the Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Germany....

Answer 3

I think it is not a gender specific question, either male or female. Someplace like walking on the edge of the tide would be male or female. But in a city public park or other facility, I think it would be more acceptable for a girl to go barefoot.

Answer 4

In what country/culture?

In some places, it is acceptable for both men and women to walk around barefoot all the time. Nobody wears shoes.

In others, it is acceptable for both men and women to be barefoot in public, although some prefer to wear shoes.

In Western culture, it is acceptable for both men and women - and especially children - to be barefoot on the beach and in beachside establishments. And of course, it is acceptable for men and women to be barefoot in nudist colonies!

Answer 5

I'd say a guy because guys can also acceptably go shirtless. In today's societies you would probably appear to be poor or a beach-goer or both.

Of course for hippies all genders can go barefoot.

Answer 6

Girl

Answer 7

come on, dude.

in other cultures, what is considered to be "acceptable" or "offensive" may come in various forms. but in our society in GENERAL, TODAY, i would say its not an issue of gender. its probably a matter of the context as to whether its appropriate for guys or girls. no shirt no shoes no service. doesn't specify men or women.

Answer 8

well in a public school in ks neither because it's a state law that you can't. But in public a girl.

Answer 9

I think it depends on their age. If I see an 85-year-old man or woman walking barefoot, I would think "nutjob".

Answer 10

Women like shoes more than men.