why stores won't let you in, barefoot?

Answer 1

NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE> is an old anti-hippie policy left over from the 60's. It never was, nor still is, a real law or regulation. As far as the rest of the world goes I can't really say, but in the US, I know its not against any state health department for customers to be in any store or resturaunt without shoes. OSHA only enforces rules and regulations, they don't make them. The reg.'s OSHA enforces are written by NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and they only have rules to protect Employees from hazzards such as falling heavy objects, and bio hazzards. They have no jurisdiction over customers in stores. The few stores that won't let you in barefoot are usually making up the policy on thier own right on the spot thinking that they're enforcing a regulation that does not actually exist. If a person hurts themselves in a store, by being barefoot or for any other reason, the store had to be neglegent in some way to cause or create a dangerous situation. A barefooter assumes all responsibility and the establishment would be found free of liability as long as they kept a reasonably safe environment for all its patrons.

Answer 2

Many stores do let you in barefoot, even in the US, and in other countries it's rarely an issue. Contrary to what many people believe, there are NO laws requiring footwear in stores, regardless of whether food is served or not. OSHA regulations (and similar rules in other countries) apply only to employees, not to customers. Insurance companies don't require footwear for patrons nor even recommend it, many barefooters I know have written many companies and none of us have EVER found even a single company that did.

Bare feet are NOT risky; you don't get athtlete's foot or such unless you go barefoot only briefly & then put your foot in a closed shoe which is a perfect breeding ground for fungus & bacteria. It's very rare to get a cut from glass, I've never cut my feet in ten years of barefooting and I don't ever divert my step even when I see glass laying around. Other types of footwear like high heels, platform shoes and some types of loose slippers are more risky on slick floors -and a twisted ankle takes longer to heal than a splinter or small cut- but few if any people ban those from their property. Here in Europe I rarely if ever hear 'gross' or 'dangerous' and loads of people comment how healthy it is to go barefoot. Somehow, in the US the myth started that it's against the law and/or dangerous to go barefoot, possibly in the 60's when people wanted to keep the hippies out and thought a sign claiming the rule came from the Health Department would look more official and be followed more easily than if it was only a store dresscode. Since then it's grown to where many US folks actually believe it's a law, and believe that if the HD requires footwear, it must be unsanitary, dangerous or both. However, as the website in the source will show, this Health Department law is a MYTH. People, please don't get your health education from store windows... thank you :)

Because feet may smell? Why are sandals/flipflops okay then, they're not exactly air-tight, nor do they provide a lot of protection against getting stepped on?

Answer 3

Let me just chime in and say that most stores WILL let you in barefoot without incident. At least that is my experience and that of many if not most of the people who make going barefoot a regular practice. The "reasons" given for those instances where there is a problem are close to the (no offense) ignorant reasons given by some of the posters above. Foot fungus - only a problem if you put shoes on right after you are barefoot in a fungal area.... health dept regs., flat out wrong, etc. etc.........
In short FEEL FREE!:-) Nothing wrong with it, and sure, you will have SOME stores that will have problems, but I'll bet you MOST will let you in without problem.

EDITION: Also, many kinds of shoes are in fact more liable to get one hurt than bare feet. high heels, slippery soled flip flops, untied shoes of any kind. Many folks that were shod in this manner have hurt themselves BECAUSE of their shoes.

Answer 4

It's a matter of liability.
You're more likely to injure yourself while you're barefoot. You could easily cut your foot on broken glass, you could stub your toe or slip on spilled liquid.
The store doesn't want to be sued if this happens. By imposing this rule, it puts responsibility on you for your own safety.

Answer 5

I seen a show about a woman who lost her arms, so she has to do everything using her feet.
She drives, writes checks and buys groceries. Everything!

I have been in places wearing roller blades.
Some will let you in, others won't.
Some make an issue out of it, other's don't.
Those that make issues and don't allow it,
I just say bye and go somewhere else.

It is just a general health and safety issue.
Safety on your own part should be of primary concern.

Answer 6

It's a safety hazard. If you step on something that hurts your foot, the store can be held responsible for the injury. It has happened time and time again. One bad apple spoiled the whole barrel.

Answer 7

Health and Safety issue. Also looks more respectful to others.

Answer 8

Easy answer: liability. If you hurt yourself in their store, they're liable. Shoes are protective wear. You are less likely to fall, trip, stub your toe, etc. if you're wearing shoes.

Answer 9

Possibility of injury and cleanliness, you may have clean feet, but what about other people?

Answer 10

Liability if something cuts you. If there is a fire what are you going to do? What if something falls off the shelf on your foot? Who wants to see feet? Last I checked we didn't have bones in our noses and have baskets on our heads.