Barefoot Holiday Shopping

Society for Barefoot Living became wholly intolerant of those who didn't adopt the attitude of a few older routine posters. Those new to barefooting were discouraged because those few who posted with any frequency were Our Way or the Highway. This forum has been showing similar tendencies.

 

I think robust debate is fine, as long as personally directed abuse and unpleasant name-calling are firmly left out. To paraphrase something the Australian art writer Robert Hughes once said: you've got to have a decently developed critical side, otherwise the world becomes full of anodyne Pollyannas, proclaiming every leaf of clover to be a rose. Strongly-stated opinion is one of the things that makes discussion interesting!

 

That's all this forum is: preference and strongly stated opinion. We like to go barefoot. You don't. Both are valid. Why do you insist on fucking with it? You've made your points. Now shut up. This is a BAREFOOTERS forum.

 

As I've said before (in a post probably lost in the rejig); I think you're insisting upon a false division. Everyone with two feet (or one foot - apologies to any unilateral amputees!) has gone, goes, or will go barefoot, just as they have worn, wear or will wear shoes (albeit if only to a funeral, a job, or a job interview). That's the salient point to be made, here. Questions relating to the degree to which something gets done are as counters, passed among train-spotters. I'm interested in thinking about this and developing ideas about it as a "state of mind" - that's the reading of this approach, if you like, that lets the most people in; that doesn't divide up into the unenlightened masses and "we, the blessed few." To insist upon this being a literal practice leads to the setting up of factions, and back to a situation where someone (yes, usually you, nusp!) submits a little zen-like utterance that is met either with silence or a shrug of indifference. I like to think that this place can remain a (sub)forum, rather than becoming a haven.

 

This is all so fucking off-topic.

 

show shoes

 

You're correct...thedope.

 

Well, barefoot is a state of mind; that's my jumping off point. I shan't be persuaded otherwise. It's the most inclusive reading; the most flexible.

 

Nobody is trying to fucking persuade you! You don't like it? No problem. But stay off this forum then---this is for people who DO like it.

 

Nobody is trying to fucking persuade you! You don't like it? No problem. But stay off this forum then---this is for people who DO like it.

 

Quodlibet, you obviously have well-considered views (about something, though I'm not sure what), but frankly, you've lost me. I do agree with your statement about robust debate being fine, as long as "personally directed abuse and unpleasant name-calling are firmly left out". My point is that the kind of "robust debate" going on here can soon degenerate into just that kind of abuse and name calling, at which point I'm out.

Anyway, to try (again) to get back to nuspieds' original topic, HAS anyone gone barefoot Christmas shopping yet? Come to that, has anyone done any squelching through leaves? I certainly have, just last weekend, and enjoyed it immensely!

 

Well, someone might not be too far away from that sort of thing:

I don't think I've said I don't like it; I'd just like to be allowed to define what it means for myself (and that will sometimes involve questioning perceived assumptions). Still, maybe we can draw a line, and start afresh.

 

Charlie, barefoot squelching thru leaves is another current indulgence! Wow!!!

 

Just been barefoot Christmas shopping and it great. Nothing more than a usual trip to the big shops
I had a usual conversation with a lady in the bakery who asked 'am I cold', and had a very pleasant conversation about my dislike of shoes. I had two children state 'oh that lady has no shoes and it's raining' followed by the hushed parental comments of 'no don't stare..'
So to sum it up a pretty typical day shopping

Shayla x

 

Nice work!
The trolls and morons here have taken over.
This tarheel has abandoned ship.....
Glug.....

 

Hi ya. Yep same in new Zealand. Just another day barefooting.but bloody enjoyable esp When accompanied by someone sex who admires My barefoot freedom

 

yes, have been shopping barefoot here in New Zealand ( Auckland also). Never wear shoes when shopping

 

Did all my shopping barefoot as I always am

 

Lol nuspieds He such a nob !!! And yes barefoot a state of mind of course as is everything we do in a day mostly we have a choice and we use our mind to make that choice. Ohh let's just Pitty him if he has nothing more to do than make weird ass comments about those of us who enjoy sharing our small and at times life changing barefooting events and days.
Pitty you quodlibet!!
And yes I'm absolutely happy and proud to share I shopped barefoot all December and all holidays.