I'm not sure what this was in response to, but you do mention you're in college and "in the know." College is a unique environment in which students are encouraged to "test the waters," "be themselves," challenge authority, etc. Unfortunately, upon graduation, much of that comes to a screaming halt. One hopefully lands a "decent" job with a "decent" paycheck, but in return sacrifices much of the free-spirited behavior they enjoyed as students. This includes things such as abandonning all-night partying (except on weekends), unscheduled hours, and adopting restrictions on how we dress. The result is that many of the so-called "establishment" haven't completely sold-out, we just have to be somewhat selective on what we do, when, and who we do it with. Comments such as it not being a true barefoot experience if one carries flip-flops with them may be true on a college campus, but not if one has the restrictions of a work environment. In the case of carrying flip-flops through an airport, it would be career suicide if I, or anyone else, missed a business flight because we were adamant about not donning some type of footwear if a gate agent demanded it. Seohsreven enjoys the cultural benefit of being able to do everything barefoot in his business life. I'm sure that even he has people he must answer to at certain times, so it's not a free-wheeling, I'll do everything as I see fit lifestyle. It's one of compromise and playing with the system. Sorry, I don't mean to give a lecture. I see barefootjamie's perspective as a student. Enjoy it while it lasts! I did! It all comes to a halt far too soon. Just understand where some of the rest of us are coming from.
right on!! great thoughts, i agree with you. well guess what kid, i am 22 and went to college, and i know chill younger people and "hippies" who think barefooting is great no matter what you're wearing... the "hippies" i know aren't going to laugh at anyone for being barefoot and dressed formal, casual, business casual, beach-bum, or whatever other style of dress you're talking about. it doesn't matter. peace love and acceptance for everyone eace:
Really, you have to think what's right for you, and not give a toss what others think of your barefootedness. I have to pop out to the cornershop, about 20 mins walk away. I will be well wrapped up and even wear a hat as it'll be cold out there, but my feet will be bare.
I thought part of being hippie was to dress as you wanted, to be free from the constraints that society sometimes has? Barefoot in jeans, barefoot in shorts, barefoot in suit - so what?
In the late 60's early 70's being a hippie was more a lifestyle/mindset where changing how we interacted with society (theirs and ours) was the main aim. Being barefoot was somewhere between being anti-establishment and being poor. It was just a self identifying thing we did. if kids showed up with clean feet we knew they were being cultural tourists (weekend hippies). And if you are barefoot all the time, what trials and tribulations could you possibly encounter? At least that was my experience this past summer after I tossed my shoes. And I do apologize about my advanced age....
People posting in this forum range in age from their teens to their 60s and probably beyond. If you do any PMs, it's probably a good idea to keep in mind that people may not be who they seem. Look not only at what people say their age is, but also how they write and what they write about. As far as being for hippies, that would exclude you as a "true" hippie. The "true" hippies were in their teens and 20's in the Woodstock generation. That excludes me as well by a few years. It's still a place where barefoot hippies of all ages can come to discuss the positive or negatives of going barefoot. It's just that the true hippies are now in their 60s and many of us had our moment and now have full-time jobs and families.
This forum has become obsessed with attitutude and labels. Who's a hippy, and who's not? Who's old, and who's young in spirit? Who's free-spirited, and who's a nazi/fascist? JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!!!!!!
QFT "To be truly alternative, you must wear black and listen to the same music we do"; let's not allow ourselves to fall into this trap, shall we?
I believe we are all hippies - to some extent countercultural and open-minded - out of the box, free and hopefully still personally growing. Let's enjoy one another! Coexist! None of you are entirely correct about the genesis of "hippie". Check it out on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippie Peace dudes!
Barefootjamie... As a serious suggestion, have you considered starting a Social Group within the Hip Forums and restricting it to the circle of folks you're interested in having exchanges with? If I understand, you're mostly interested in exchanges with barefooters in their 20's and 30's. The Barefoot Forum is more wide open than that. A Social Group may be the answer. I don't have experience with them, but someone else might be able to point you in the right direction.
Hip Forums does not have a dress code. Another option that you have is to donate $15 and gain the right to set up your own personal forum here and be its moderator. It can be run however you wish. Delete posts from people you don't want in there.