Does anyone else find some places intimidating when they are on the way to being barefoot in them? Like no shoes no service stores? Or notoriously hostile places like Wallmart? Or "sober" locations like banks or maybe places where there are lots of people like malls or subways?
i try to be mellow whenever i walk around barefoot. you must remember that in this culture most people are trying to pretend not to notice you anyway, so even if they stare at your feet chances are most people won't say anything. http://www.barefooters.org/key-works/BarefootRights.html that talks about how the no-shoes-no-shirt rules are bogus. that site has lists of state lawmaker's replies to emails regarding going barefoot, and i like to print them out and keep them with me. but i've only been challenged about my feet once.
Home Depot has "No Shoes No Shirt" signs, but I've gone barefoot in plenty of their stores and have NEVER had a negative comment. I think it's just a "cover your ass" posture so they can say you were in violation of their policies if you get hurt. Banks are great places for bare feet! I don't think they can challenge you as banks have to provide access to your money. Trying to kick you out would be a violation of this requirement. One of my favorite things is the few times I've gone into a Fidelity Investments office without shoes. I can tell the "suits" are thinking I'm a struggling guy who has little value. Then they open my portfolio :rofl:
In the beginning I indead found it very intimidating to go into a bank or another 'official' place. But I got used to those places, now I refuse to put on shoes to get into them. After a while, I got great self-confidence on that part of living in town. Most people on my way to college know me by now as 'the crazy barefoot guy on his recumbent'. In Europe however, I have the impression you're allowed a lot more than in the US...
I agree the no barefoot signs mean not much anymore with this economy. I noticed my local CVS still has one but it moved to a discrete location at the bottom of the door. And yes, banks need to do their commerce, but i get a little apprehensive with the one in town that is old and has a 3 story lobby. But maybe as an illustration....I can and have gone shopping in Macys but I am less eager to shop barefoot in Nordstrom's. That maybe has less to do with it's poshness as it does with my anticipation of all around snobbery.....Neiman Marcus or Saks or Tiffany's might fit the category on a heightened snob meter. What I am saying, I guess, is there are degrees... places I won't hesitate and in between the nob places there is a sliding scale of discomfort I sometimes think about.
I find it easier to visit fancy places bf if I'm wearing confortable relaxed clothes and my feet tanned and a bit grubby. Feel more confident like that, sort of expressing 'I'm always like this -what about you?' After some time, all the hesitation wears off.
