Is it impolite to wander round the office with no shoes on?

Question

My feet don't smell.

Answer 1

Yes, even if your feet don't smell.

Answer 2

No. It's sad there is so much anti-foot bias in the US, but bare feet should really just be another choice of dress. They're not that different from hands, they're NOT ugly and only smell bad if you keep them cooped up in closed shoes all day long. Nor is it dangerous or gross to walk around barefoot; feet get very tough very quickly so injuries are unlikely, and you're not going to pick anything up through the skin of your feet either. Pretty much all of the anti-barefoot attitude in the US is based on myths and greatly exaggerated fear of germs or injury. See source for an article about going barefoot at work, countering most of the arguments regularly made.

Answer 3

Depends on what sort of office it is, I would say. I've worked in some places where there was no dress code, so everyone came in jeans and kicked off their shoes... despite this, it was a relatively serious type of work (in publishing). I've also worked really stupid jobs in retail that had ridiculous dress codes for no good reason.

Ask someone who's been there longer, or see what other people do. At your own desk you could probably get away with taking your shoes off, but be attentive to nasty looks, which would tell you even that little liberty is not yours at that office.

Answer 4

Not if its your office and depending on the informality of your office. However it does look very tacky and is not good ettiquette if you see people staring at you. also I think it makes you more lapsadaisical....you are there to worjk not feel comfortable or look good. So put on your office shoes and do your work. Buy some more comfy shoes if they bother you that much. sorry but i have seen people like this and I have thought they look really unprofessional and complete tramps. Sorry about the tirade but if you are tired then go home to bed and let another person( who is more professional than you ) do the job. DOPEY>




P.s you obviously think the same or you would not have asked this question...!!!!!!

Answer 5

I wander around my cubic with my shoes off if I'm wearing flats but when I leave my cubic I make sure I have shoes on...don't want people thinking bad things about me...so be careful if you do. I don't think its impolite if you really know your co workers or you been on the job for along time.

Answer 6

depends what kind of office, if its just a few of you then i wouldn't see a problem, if its a massive tele-sales office then maybe it would be a bit impolite. I used to work in a shop as deputy mananger, we had no air-con and myself and my 4 staff didn't wear shoes as it was too hot. if you've got back pants and socks on, most people probably wouldn't notice!!

Answer 7

I don't think so. Saying that at my last company I had some shoes that ruined my feet walking round town at lunch time so I took them off when I got back to my desk and got told off by my manager for having bare feet! Apparently it contravened health and safety (mine don't smell by the way either).

Answer 8

There are worse things, I used to work with someone who used to walk around the office with no trousers on! (he wore very tight cycling shorts - we didn't know where to look!). I often walk round with no shoes on, people don't tend to notice, but what I would say to you is that it is quite dangerous for you, (a health and safety issue) as offices are full of booby traps, and you could easily get something dropped on your foot, someone might step on you etc. This is more likely to happen to you at work than at home as your colleagues are unpredictable. How sympathetic are your employers going to be if you hurt yourself and have to take time off?

Answer 9

I don't have any shoes on nor does about 1/3 of this office.

Answer 10

Lots of people at my place of work (tax office) wander around with no shoes on. Unless you actually get told not to do it, just pad around.

Answer 11

You wouldn't want to be bare foot on the Command Bridge of an Imperial Star Destroyer. Who knows whats on the floor in here and do you want people with size 8 or 9 feet to be steeping all over you in tall black boots. And plus its part of our dress code along with the silly hats and the Grey uniforms. Be thank full your not in the land army you have to wear silly helmets. Believe me i know.