The Barefoot Friendly retailer thread

Well I noticed that people were complaining alot about not being able to go into certain stores such as Wal Mart barefoot so I thought how about talk about the good stores and talk positive instead of negative so please post the stores that you have gone in barefoot and have never had a problem.

Here's mine

Albertsons
Vons
Ralphs
Blockbuster
Michaels
Local Comic Shop
Post Office
Auto Parts stores (Pep Boys, Kragen,Auto Zone)

Ill update if I think of more.

 

Most local stores in local towns, but not all.
Post offices
Auto parts stores
Plant nurseries
Booze shops
About half the "convenience stores" for fuel and quick items.
Some, but not all, grocery stores. I declare, some grocery stores are actually looking for this barefoot "problem."
I haven't tried any of the big brand name stores yet, but I will.

I maintain that we all should make it clear to stores that we absolve them of whatever risk (suing, in this sue-happy culture) that they are paranoid about. Their infernal "No shoes, No service" signs could be replaced by something like "Bare feet at own risk." Covers it all, if word would spread. It's going to take all of us. And of course we all know there's no "health department" rule against this.

Massive psychological barrier to break though for all of us. I can wear my flops into any restaurant I would ever care to patronize, kick them off once seated, and probably range freely after that. I'll have to see about this. I can wear them into stores, then carry them around, probably still OK. Again, I'll have to see.

Also I maintain that we've got to convince store owners, management, and public that this lifestyle isn't dirty. That's why I avoid the dirty sole look, espoused by some groups. This look is a definite turnoff to many people, if not most. It doesn't help our cause with those who might be swayed to our side. I stay as clean as it is possible to be, knowing that there will be some street dirt, but I never let it build up. The pressure to conform in this culture is crushing, and the last thing we need is to provide ammunition to those who don't get it. This is another reason on top of many why I like toe rings and anklets---shows our barefoot condition is normal to us, not a mistake, and adds a touch of appeal, I think, not just to me but to other observers.

 

Where I live there are no NSNSNS signs except at Mc Ds and BK but some stores do make a deal but none of the big name markets.

The one that realley surprised me was a big health food store called Henry's. I mean they are suppose to be a health food store but the manager said very mad like " NEXT TIME WEAR SHOES". Not a good image for a store that is suppose to stand for a healthy alternative.

 

Well... I don't go barefoot anywhere out because I can't drive without shoes and I have arch problems and falling down in the middle of the store in pain is NOT my idea of fun, but my boyfriend is too lazy to put on shoes for his late night runs so he's had a few interesting experiences lately.

Walmart at midnight apparently doesn't care. The lady at the convinience store tried to kick him out but the guy in front of him bought his stuff for him, which was cool.

 

I'll try the local Walmart then. You embolden me. We don't have Safeway. I've heard a lot about them, good and bad. Grocery stores here are Shaws and Shop & Saves. I sort of have a bad feeling about them.

The few times I've been hassled, I never let them get away with pulling the lying sacks of shit trick of "health department" law. I state confidently that there is no such law, and it stuns them. I tested the last two by asking them, "Is this because of some health department law?" to which they said yes. When I told them NO, they believed me and invented their own: they invoke some friggan store policy BS, or "Well, you hafta wear shoes in here---" and then I'm less confident. I do not like confrontation, and the secret weapon these wazoos love to use is public humiliation. I don't like creating a scene, unless I'm in full control of it, and I never know beforehand whether I will maintain control. Ugh.

America is a free country, BUT---

 

Considering these stores are used by the public even though theyre still privately owned businesses. They should be required to have a practical reason for having a rule that requires patrons to wear shoes or not have the rule at all and not just the typical "well its store policy" or "we just feel like it". I beleive these guys should pretty much have the freedom to run their store the way they wish but theres gotta be a point where they cross the line. The only reason I could imagine a store would need to deny a customer service is if theyre harming someone, breaking the law or causing a disturbance. Otherwise the law should require these places to serve the customer because anything else would just be wrong.

 

I don't have much experience in yet, but I have been to Kmart, Autozone, and Aco Hardware without any problems and Murray's Auto where 2 of 3 store locations didn't care. I know for a fact that the customers at Kmart noticed but didn't care and the employees at Aco noticed but didn't say anything to me.

 

I have never had any problems at an auto parts store...they don't seem to care at all. Convenience stores are usually good too,in my experience. I don't think I had any trouble at the local Dollar General store either....I've never tried at a Wal-Mart or a K-Mart though.

 

citizens bank... i always go in there to cash my check. they notice and have never said anything to me.

 

I saw a strange thing at Chilli's restaurant. this woman and 3 kids; girl about 6 another about 10 and a boy about 5 were just ahead of me. the boy was barefoot and the "greater" said he couldn't enter barefoot unless the mother wanted to carry him in, which she did.

I thought it was kinda strange that they would let the kid come in barefoot only if his mom carried him to where they would be seated. After the meal, they walked all walked out .. even the boy.

 

I haven't had any problems with Subway, any gas stations, the local movie theater, Target, never had a problem with anyplace at the University of Kentucky, and the one I was most surprised by was Woodfield. I've walked past security in there, and all they did was nod and smile. In fact, the only place that I have had a problem is Best Buy, and they asked me not to come back without shoes. So I just don't go back

 

This surprises me since I have been going there many times and I know the managers at both stores I go to already noticed but said nothing. Must be the Albertsons in the area are cool with it.

 

dear Ilovemyguitar.

we shop at the same mall. we might even live kind of close. maybe in the same town. that would be really cool. i live in barrington. i should pm, but i'm inept.



and lazy.

 

Today I went to Top Food and Drug, Albertson's, and Safeway barefoot. No one said a thing, or gave me any funny or retarded looks. I even encountered a couple managers, and security guards, and they noticed my feet, they smiled and kept to their business.

So far the public places I have been barefoot with no problems are:

Albertson's
Safeway
Fred Meyer's
Big Lots
Top Food and Drug,
Rite-Aid
2 different gas stations
Home Video Express

 

I was shocked... I had never gone barefoot anywhere in a small town near where I live until last week, I stopped at a gas station... This town is small, maybe 30,000 people and it's the location of the state university, so I didn't expect any problems... I was told I had to wear shoes next time... no sign or anything...

Anyway, I've really only gone barefoot in the post office and in gas stations, and with the exception of two gas stations, I've never had a problem... One of the stations has a NSNSNS sign, the other doesn't, and I've been in a couple that have signs with no comment at all...

 

Here's a rough draft of a small blurb I'm thinking of carrying around to hand over when needed. I used to carry a business card explanatory note in my wallet describing to the unbelievers in public about my insistence on wearing shorts, expressing my individuality and personal discomfort at long clothes. I can see now the barefoot issue is far more serious. Few people even in Maine ever question my shorts any more.

As I say, it's a draft, and I will keep improving it as the summer finally starts here. It isn't going to fit on a business card, however. I'll have several copies on me and give them to those few who harass or bother me on this. This is a hard balance between diplomacy and assertiveness to strike. Comments welcome. Anyone who likes it, feel free to use it as your own, and make modifications as your own personality and situation calls for! The statement:

"I hereby absolve and release this place of business (which I’m patronizing) of responsibility for anything that may happen to me on account of my attire, or lack thereof, (unshod.) I can and do protect myself from threats---I’m barefoot at my OWN risk. I assume full responsibility, thus, any “no barefoot” rule derives from this place only. A denial of service is discriminatory. I am meticulously clean and no pathogens will be spread by my feet to threaten others, (yet I must protect myself from the unsavory influences of the un-gloved hands of others.) I mean to offend no one. People more offensive than I pass through every day. The best thing you can do is not make an issue of it; it’s what I do, I’m me, and I’m not the only one. There is NO “health department law” against bare footing; (please don’t try that one.) I look forward to being your customer in future.Thank you for your cooperation."

As I say, I've tweaked it already, and will undoubtedly tweak it a lot more. But it's a start. I'm struggling with the need to be more forceful and assertive, or toning it down and being more diplomatic. I'm open to your thoughts.

 

You ever seen those signs some places have that say "We Reserve The Right To Refuse Service To Anyone."

Discriminating or not, it IS their right, If you don't like it, you DON'T have to shop there.

I am a barefooter too, but I don't think I have any place to try to bend other peoples rules. I wouldn't want people coming to my place of business trying to screw with my rules. It's MY business, I set MY own rules. I don't let customers Set MY rules.

 

Discrimination is discrimination and its wrong wherever it happens. Weither its a private business or not, they dont have the right to discriminate against people. Im all for them being able to run their business as they wish but there is a line and when a business discriminates in this manner, theyre crossing that line.

Of course you do, youre the customer and its not right for any business to discriminate against you and deny you service just because your exercising your right to freely express yourself. All the business should care about is that youre there and you want to buy something from them and they profit from you doing this. Thats all that should matter to them. The only reason they should have a problem with you is if youre breaking the law or causing some big disturbance or doing something you shouldnt be doing to their property, otherwise it shouldnt matter.

Then you go out of business! For the most part a business should have the ability to set its own rules but since it provides a service to the public then it needs to be somewhat considerate of how the public feels and do its best to please the customer and make them feel comfortable and welcome there so theyll want to continue coming there. If you have a hateful attitude and say you dont care about what the customer thinks then theyre not gonna wanna come there and buy any of your stuff anymore.

 

I'm always surprised whenever this subject comes up on Hip Forums or a couple other usenet groups about this---how many people come to the aid of unfriendly stores. You MAY have a point here, but I need definition; where it stops.

Although I don't see this coming, there are enough control freaks here in the US that I can almost imagine a day when stores will tell us we can't shop in shorts, long pants required---shoes only, no sandals. I imagine there are already some places which do this. A line can be drawn somewhere. I honestly don't know where. Many folks younger than I appear to be OK with these stores forbidding barefootedness. We haven't come as far as I'd hoped .

 

You expressed this much better than I did in my last post. I don't know why I have such a hard time spelling out why I feel the way I do. You did it for me. Thanks! They're in business, they take our money, we honor them by giving them our business, there are far worse things than bare feet coming thru the doors of most stores every day. Tolerance indeed! Thanks for the post.