Just went to a gas station c-store near my office that I frequent a number of times per week, for a snack, and noticed a sign taped in the window: Customers, Remember that a shirt and shoes must be worn. Management I had shoes on since I'm at work. I've never seen that sign before today, so I wonder if that went up because I went in there barefoot last Friday after work. Nobody really gave me any weird looks or said anything about it then, but still, makes ya wonder. I'm one to almost always follow rules if they're explicitly stated (non-confrontational I guess), so I guess I'll be wearing shoes or flip flops in there from now on.
I'm guessing (GUESSING) that stores REALLY want their customers to be covered up top (have you SEEN those men??? Brrrr). The "shirt and shoes" phrase is almost mechanical, like "always wear your shoes and socks" (until socks largely disappeared) or "Look left! Look right!" (which would be stupid on a 1-way street). I'd say give it a barefoot go; if somebody approaches you, well and good. See, another balanced phrase! It's just words.
I look for places that have signs like that so I can say its a free country and they lost my business when they confront me.
Did you ever read Catch 22 ? listen to a lawyer's advice since the written rule does not specify how to wear shoes, nor it prescribes to wear shoes 'properly' or 'over feet' if you enter the shop with shoes hanging round your neck, or like gloves, you are complying with the rule. it is just like wearng a tie like a bandanna... drag them into the swamps of interpretation and watch'em sink in ridiculous.
I think it's rather sensible. Plenty of idiots go wrong ways up one way streets - http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/?q=driving%20wrong%20way
Well, I am about to go to the supermarket as the batteries in my TV remote have just died. It is mid winter and bloody cold outside, but I will be be wearning neither shoes (but there is a cast on my left leg) nor a shirt. Bet I don't get thrown out...
Will it be like this? (except without shoes) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x19ea2_the-sarah-silverman-program-batter_fun
HEY, GUYS! REMEMBER: It's not the QUALITY, it's the QUANTITY!!! No. WAIT! It's the QUALIFICATION. no... that's not right. Fuck it. Go barefoot.
Must admit ive never seen one of these signs in my country. the only time i remember was when i walked into a restaurant on bournemouth seafront and the owner (very politely i must say) asked me if id mind putting some shoes on. but when i said i just wanted a coffee and that id sit outside she said oh dont worry then, no problem!
& Remember? When they did not have a sign before? Seems to me that someone at this gas station believes the common misconception it's against the law and thus a rule that must be followed everywhere and should be 'remembered'. Unless they had a sign posted some time in the past, there *is* nothing to *remember*. Perhaps you can ask and see if this is indeed the case, by asking something like 'I didn't see a sign before' or 'I did not know this particular place had this rule'. If you phrase it well, you may get them to say something like 'Oh, we wouldn't mind, but it's the law...' and *then* pull out the letter from the Health Department While some managers switch to different reasons when proven wrong about the Health Department, I have also read about quite a few cases where they genuinely didn't have a problem with bare feet and truly believed they had to post such a sign. You say you're non-confrontational but I would think it's at least worth a try, it can be done in a nice manner (point out it's a *very* common myth, so the manager doesn't have to feel dumb for believing it, you can even add 'I used to believe it myself until I came across this info'). Good luck!
