It is beginning to feel more natural to be barefoot. Sounds kind of silly when it is actually unnatural to wear shoes. Unfortunately I was also told I had to wear shoes in a third store today. You really can't change their minds. They do not believe you should be barefoot in the store. It doesn't matter if it is legal or not. This time I was asked to wear shoes next time I visited the Price Rite store in Manchester. Since it is not a religious believe, nor do I need to go barefoot for medical reasons I believe it is not possible for me to be barefoot 100% of the time.
I have not given up on being barefoot. Rather I realize that most people do not believe it is something legal I can do. When I went to the barbershop on Saturday I carried my shoes and put them on before entering. The couple who run the shop are very nice, but I didn't feel like I wanted to test the waters and cause a stir because I had the right to be barefoot. The shop feels like it is part of the couples home with games and things for their kids. At some point when I visit and they are not busy, I may ask if I can enter their shop barefoot but until then I will put shoes on before entering.
My local hardware store seems to be a safe haven still, we visited there again on Saturday and had no problems or even a single comment. I'm sure they will someday bring it up. So I'll continue visiting their establishment barefoot. Maybe I'll get some of them soleless sandles and give them a try someday.
Showing posts with label encounters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encounters. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
A Theory for People's Negative Reaction to Barefoot Shoppers
I've been doing a lot of thinking about how the two people on Saturday reacted. The first gentlemen's reaction, I have already discussed, but basically he was uncomfortable with someone walking around in bare feet. He thought he could catch athlete's foot or some other fungus from my lack of shoes.
The second person, the store employee, I've been running through my head trying to figure it out. When I walked in, he noticed I was barefoot and then after a bit came and found me in the store to ask me if I had forgotten something. Then he told me I couldn't do that, referring to shopping in bare feet. I told him I didn't see any signs but he didn't seem to change his stance. But he was kind enough to let me finish shopping.
After much thought regarding my own limited experience to people's negative reaction to me being barefoot and reading other people's posts on confrontations with employees when shopping barefoot, I have a theory.
My Hypothesis
1) Most people believe that shopping or dinning in bare feet is against the law.
2) This law is per their State Health Department,
3) The law is for their own health safety.
Therefore, people who shop in bare feet are law breakers and may be putting our health at risk.
Results
They say first impressions as very important. So when an employee has a regard for the law and they see someone breaking the law in their store, they get upset and confront the barefoot person. It most often does not turn out well. Unless of course the barefoot person has a trump card like a disability, that requires them to be barefoot.
Barefooters Response
I'm thinking educating the general public on barefoot people is probably our best defense. How to do that is the big question. Perhaps contacting our favorite stores ahead of time with some education to clear the way for our visit. I realize this could backfire and they could formally disallow all future visits to the store while barefoot. But it is one thought.
A second option that could be used in conjunction with the International Barefoot Running Day and that is to use that event to educate the general public in not just barefoot running but shopping and dinning as well.
The second person, the store employee, I've been running through my head trying to figure it out. When I walked in, he noticed I was barefoot and then after a bit came and found me in the store to ask me if I had forgotten something. Then he told me I couldn't do that, referring to shopping in bare feet. I told him I didn't see any signs but he didn't seem to change his stance. But he was kind enough to let me finish shopping.
After much thought regarding my own limited experience to people's negative reaction to me being barefoot and reading other people's posts on confrontations with employees when shopping barefoot, I have a theory.
My Hypothesis
1) Most people believe that shopping or dinning in bare feet is against the law.
2) This law is per their State Health Department,
3) The law is for their own health safety.
Therefore, people who shop in bare feet are law breakers and may be putting our health at risk.
Results
They say first impressions as very important. So when an employee has a regard for the law and they see someone breaking the law in their store, they get upset and confront the barefoot person. It most often does not turn out well. Unless of course the barefoot person has a trump card like a disability, that requires them to be barefoot.
Barefooters Response
I'm thinking educating the general public on barefoot people is probably our best defense. How to do that is the big question. Perhaps contacting our favorite stores ahead of time with some education to clear the way for our visit. I realize this could backfire and they could formally disallow all future visits to the store while barefoot. But it is one thought.
A second option that could be used in conjunction with the International Barefoot Running Day and that is to use that event to educate the general public in not just barefoot running but shopping and dinning as well.
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