How do I maintain a completely barefoot lifestyle?

Question

I love going barefoot but there are some times when you have to wear shoes, like going to restaurants and so on. What do I do if I want to be barefoot but I know that during the day I will need shoes sometimes? What do others who go barefoot do?

Answer 1

Print out your state letter from the website in the source showing that there are NO health laws requiring shoes. Some stores and restaurants that object to bare feet do so based on the unfounded belief that they are required to do so by Health Department regulations. I'm sure it will be harder in the US to go barefoot full-time than it is here in the Netherlands, where I've never even SEEN a 'no shoes, no shirts, no service' sign, but even in the US you can find many stores and restaurants that do know there are no laws against it and that won't care. Just shop around -oh, and don't ask.. when asked ahead of time, many people will say 'no bare feet' but when you just go there barefoot there's very little chance anyone will say anything... asking ahead shows you're insecure, and also when asked people will usually go with what they think is the 'safest', mainstream option, while when presented with a barefooter they'll take the paying customer as he or she is. Only when someone confronts you, and especially if they use the Health Department excuse, tell them there is no such law, show your letters, and if that fails go to another restaurant.

Answer 2

I am a full time barefooter and there is a web group with over 1100 members who barefoot as well. They have done a lot of work gathering information regarding the health benifits of being san-shoes, as well as researched the health codes acquiring letters from State Health Departments confirming that they dont care if customers wear shoes or not into establishments. They also checked with the Secretary of States and found there are no laws regarding driving barefoot. This is a great place to be if you wish to be a barefooter because of all the info gathered so far and the continuous discussions about this topic.

Answer 3

I have been going completely Barefoot for over 27 years now, since I was 16 years old. It takes some determination, to show the world you're a true Barefooter, but I have been successful in remaining completely Barefoot for a few practical reasons. First, I have a job that allows it, where it's actually cool to go Barefoot. Second, I frequent stores and Restaurants that allow Bare Feet. Restaurants near beaches or other lake view places seem to work best for me. You will probably encounter the "shoe Puritans" as I myself have, but just take your business (or your Girlfriend) to a Barefoot friendly establishment. You'll find them by trial and error, but I can tell you that, even Restaurateurs whose places I frequent, are happy to have my business. You need to develop Thick Calluses not only on your Feet, but also to close minded, stupid remarks. You will also find alot of people who are envious of your Barefooting courage, and just think, you might encourage others to go Barefoot also... I have many times.

Answer 4

God I would love to go barefoot all the time.

Keep a pair of flip flops or slip on shoes in the car so when/if you have to go into a place the makes you wear shoes.

Answer 5

I keep a pair of flip flops in my car if I am going to be barefoot all day. While there is nothing wrong with having bare feet (I am barefoot most of the time) I don't like to make a scene because of it (in case I am going to a place with a dress code).

Answer 6

I suppose it is, but most barefooters do not go barefoot 24-7. I wear shoes to work and am selective about going barefoot at local businesses. During the winter, I generally wear shoes outside. Thus, I am not completely barefoot. I am only barefoot when the pleasure of being barefoot outweighs any inconveniences associated with it. This is quite often, so I am happily barefoot much of the time.

Answer 7

Keep the feet bare unless a workplace or place of business has a policy of no bare feet, even if there aren't any laws. It's their business, and barefooters are not a protected class of people.

Keeping a pair of flip flops in the car is a great idea. Not needed unless the business is absolutely no bare feet to enter, but I've never yet been asked to leave even when they told me shoes were required.

Also a good idea is keeping them in a carrying bag but not wearing them for extended hottest afternoon hours on mostly unshaded asphalt, such as a large flea market or an almost all asphalt county fair, in case the feet start to blister. I wouldn't even consider walking all 15 miles of a flea market and car shows on mostly asphalt, including much darker drag strip asphalt in August 100 degree temperatures during the hottest afternoon hours, or my feet would blister soon enough and they'd stay blistered for the rest of the walking even if they didn't start to get third degree burns.

Feet getting dirty is normal. Know the risks and assess them based on the condition of the feet: snow is like walking on a popsickle and can numb the soles over longer distances risking frostbite, rougher surfaces can and will scrape and roughen the soles, asphalt can get hot enough to blister the soles during the hottest afternoon hours in sufficiently hot weather, unlaminated wood surfaces can make the soles get splinters if there is any sliding motion of the foot, much smaller glass splinters too hard to see can get stuck in the sole.

Answer 8

Sling a pair over your shoulders, and stay away from sharp objects and hot macadem.

Answer 9

Keep a pair of flip-flops handy, for those times.

Answer 10

keep a pair of flops in case there is a problem