We read alot about the situation in the US, but what about the attitude towards barefooters in other parts of America? What about Canada? What do people think about going barefoot in South america? I know many people go barefoot in South america due to lack of money, but what about people going barefoot as a personal choise? I am no expert, but to me it seems like Argentina are quite uptight in the way of dress and Honduras more casual.
From what I hear, Australia and New Zealand are very open to bare feet. In fact, in some of the coastal towns, it's downright common, even in places like shopping malls. The only place I've heard of barefooters having a consistent problem in AUS/NZ is in airports, in particular that outside stretch where you're boarding the plane. You have to wear shoes for that. I have no idea the rationale behind that. In Europe, or at least the UK, bare feet in public are not exactly smiled on, but at the same time because of the British menality of everyone minding their own business, I hear it's virtually unheard of for barefoot persons to actually be confronted in establishments as we are here in the States. They'll get all kinds of scornful looks, maybe some laughs, but no one will say anything! And of course, I'm sure third world nations would present no problems at all. =0) The US seems to be the only country I know of (then again, I know nothing about Canada on this) that seems to have its head stuck up its arse about bare feet in public. It's the only country I know of that not only is it frowned up, but those in power will force you to not be barefoot in their public places. In stark contrast to Britain, this is part and parcel of the uniquely American need to know what is best for everyone and to impose this "good" from the top-down. It is, in fact, very imperial. [/end rant}
As a UK barefooter, i can assure you that there are no problems here. I've never been criticized in any way, the worst comment i've ever had was "get some shoes on!" from a passenger in a passing car. (didn't dare say it to my face!) Most people seem quite happy with it, and it's not unusual to see other "part time" barefooters in hot weather in country parks.
QFT. I've travelled extensively throughout North America, Asia, the Pacific and Europe and can state authoritatively and unequivocally that the US is by far the worst in terms of discrimination against bare feet. The Pacific, especially Micronesia, is the absolute best.
from the other thread... i think the date was august 28 of 2006. that makes the 28th of this month a year and a half shoe-FREE! if i never had to wear shoes ever again, i couldn't be happier about it. i've only been told i can't be in a store three times so far. infact, when i was kicked out of the library, i went back the very next day BAREFOOT of course.. and did what i needed to do. no one said anything this time.
arty: congrats to your wonderful milestone. hopefully, i can attain a 100% barefoot lifestyle in the future, rock on sister.
Yeah, as I've written elsewhere, this makes me absolutely crazy about my country, supposedly, the freest country on earth. Not so much. As I say, it makes me crazy. But it's a big country and there's wide variation throughout it. Often within one town. Summer in Bar Harbor is about as good as it gets here in the stuffy northeast. Only good thing I have to say is that at least there are many more "alternatives to bare foot", like flip flops--- now more widely accepted across the US for the warm half of the year, or longer. I've worn sandals and flops since I was a kid. Used to seem I was the only one. Now, about half the summer visitors I see here wear them.
Hehe - well I think the problem is that lately we have become the United States of Liability. The bare feet issue is just one facet of that. As an example - I recently went on a flight to San Francisco, and we ended up delayed by 2 hours. So when we finally landed at the airport, we were all very eager to get off the plane. About half the rows had left, when suddenly the jetway became partially dislodged, requiring a step up no larger than an ordinary step on a stairway. However, rather than allow us to use our ability to traverse such an obstacle, the flight attendants stopped us all from disembarking, and held us in line on the plane, inches from freedom, for over five minutes while they fixed and reoriented the jetway. /sacrcasm Who KNOWS what might have happened if we had been allowed to actually step UP onto the jetway! Why, we could have strained a calf muscle! /*sarcasm ;-P
As they say here in Maine, "You got that one right!" We're the United States of Liability, we sue for almost anything, as if that money grows on trees, and courts and juries seem to rule favorably in these cases, to the plaintif. Additonally, as someone on this forum once said, we've also become "America the Offended." Too damn bad! It could be so much more fun living here. It used to be like a breath of fresh air, coming here from almost any other country, no matter how nice the other country might be. It's still a great country in so many ways, but there are serious flaws, this being one of them. I get away with the outrageous freedom that I have because I'm self employed and make my own rules. It has worked for a long time. I assume personal responsibility for anythng that may happen to me on a client's property for not being "properly" attired or shod. Why would I blame a great client if I cut my foot on a rock---it's my own doing. But there you are. I'm an independent contractor, and, while quite liberal about most things, I'm old fashioned about taking care of myself. Probably another thing we brought over on the Mayflower with us, along with all the baggage!
Most in Canada don't care. Many stores may not allow you in, but I very seldom see any signs that indicate "No shoes no service" anymore. British Columbia is probably the most barefoot friendly province here.
Perhaps that's one reason you're making the shift across country? And, the climate is different, I'm sure you know.
Climate is the main reason I'm heading west...This year pushed me over the top and just got fed-up with the snow and cold...I'll gladly put up with more rain to get away from this.
