Is it okay to go barefoot on a train?

Question

I am going to visit my girlfriend on a day off work and was planning to go barefoot as it is more comfortable.
However I have to catch a train during the busy morning rush when commuters are going to work in smart clothes.
Is it okay to wear bare feet on the trip or is this completely out of place?

Answer 1

I'm barefoot on the train almost every day and I have been for over ten years. NOT ONE conductor has EVER had a problem with that. Then again, people here in the Netherlands don't generally believe it's dangerous or unhealthy anyhow. Only when walking between carriages I take a bit more care where I place my feet.

Even in the US, contrary to popular belief, there are NO health laws against bare feet, insurance companies don't require or even recommend footwear for customers, and there are NO laws against driving barefoot. Individual stores may have a dress code but there are many stores even in the US that don't care; in other countries it's rarely an issue at all. Here in the Netherlands I've never even seen a 'no shoes, no shirts, no service' sign, nor on my trips to Belgium & Scotland, it's just a non-issue with store and restaurant management.

Feet get very tough very quickly so injury is unlikely; I never divert my step no matter how much glass I see and I get a tiny splinter maybe once a year, never had a cut, never had even the slightest splinter indoors. Just in the rare case it does happen, tetanus has had a vaccine available since the 1920's, which everyone should keep up to date since there are other ways of catching it apart from stepping on a rusty nail barefoot.

Disease is unlikely since our skin is made to keep pathogens out; unless you put your feet up on the table or lick your toes, the more visible dirt on our feet is far less risky than the less visible but no less germy stuff we pick up with our hands from door knobs, railings, handle bars, etc. Even if we wash our hands after using the restroom and before dinner, there's still more chance to transfer those germs to our food and/or face where they can enter our body; on our feet, the dirt just sits there until we wash it off.

Athlete's foot is a fungus, you can pick up the spores from going barefoot in a place where many others go barefoot, but they can only grow if you put your feet in closed shoes afterwards -especially if you then start playing sports so you sweat more and get hot. A fungus loves a warm, dark and slightly damp place to thrive; on the outside of the bare skin, it just dries up. Even the place where you pick it up should be a little damp and warm, like a locker room floor or even a shower or pool; on a sidewalk or the floor of a store or mall, the spores won't live long so the chance of picking it up from another barefooter is very small there. Athlete's foot is ringworm of the foot; ringworm isn't a true worm.

The *hookworm* is the one non-tropical worm that can enter through the skin but it's pretty much gone from the South since modern plumbing replaced the outhouses, never was a problem in cooler climates.

Ethically speaking, too many people confuse anything outside the social norm with a lack of respect. That's unfortunate; differences in appearance and dress make life more interesting. Imagine we'd all be wearing the same thing, that'd be terribly boring! And bare feet in particular can also be a sign of *respect*; it's a gentle, quiet, natural way of walking, doesn't make noise like clicking heels, slapping flipflops or stomping boots, does less harm to plants when walking outdoors... As shown above the concerns of injury, disease, etc are based on myths and exaggerated fears rather than fact, and I find the gentle barefoot step far more respectful than the careless, unfeeling step of a thick-soled boot.

Answer 2

Light rail usually isn't a problem. Transit security may look, but usually doesn't say anything.

Otherwise, it's up to the conductor, but I wouldn't recommend it unless already seated and not planning on changing cars while the train is moving. With no buffer at all, not even a flip flop sole, it's possible to catch a toe or multiple toes under the moving plates inside the vestible between two train cars, leading to serious injury or loss of the toe(s).

Also, if the conductor wants shoes put back on at any time during the train ride, make sure to have them ready to put on. In my area, on the commuter rails they can write a citation for violation of transit ordinances or rules--shoes and shirt must be worn at all times is one of them.

Answer 3

Well I have never had any issues with it, no one has shot me a glance that makes me feel different. When I use the train often I will slip off my flip flops until we reach the destination.

Some days I will be in bare feet completely no one ever criticizes me and the conductors do not mention it either but it could vary on certain trains. On personal opinions I believe there is nothing wrong with it unless the train system is a known haven for discarded needles for addicts.

Answer 4

I have two kids and my kids have been barefoot on the subway in new york city and no one has said anything about them go barefoot and their is also times that they have gone shirtless and barefoot to the beach on the train and i never wear anything i my feet always barefoot

Answer 5

No I would not do it , If you need to go bear foot wear some flip flops then you can take them off when you get ready, you never know when an emergency will come up and you might need to run over rocks to save your life, hope this helps,

Answer 6

I wouldnt do it. Not only is it dirty and unhygienic (you don't know what might be on the floor!) but you could easily get trodden on, particularly if the train is very crowded. Why not wear a pair of flip flops instead? Although your feet could still get trodden on, your feet will be cooler and you won't step on anything dirty or dangerous.

Answer 7

Dirty and dangerous. Don't go barefoot. Flipflops are a bad choice, also.
If I were the conductor, I would not even let you aboard.

Answer 8

i would wear shoes..dont know the last time they cleaned the floors..

Answer 9

well 50 years ago ok but not in todays world

Answer 10

Out of place. Unhealthy, and rude.