Why Are Bare Feet Offensive But Flip Flops Are OK?

I have always wanted to know why people get mad if they see you barefoot.But everyone it seems wears flip flops.Why does a thin piece of rubber and a thin strap make such a big difference?





Also,if you sit in a restaurant and have flip flops on, people are cool with it.If you take your toes out of the strap people get pissed?The tops of your feet can touch the chair or table leg.You can even put your table or chair leg between your foot and sandal that never gets complaints.But if you don't have your toes inside the strap people are offended? Why?

Why Are Bare Feet Offensive But Flip Flops Are OK?
Two main reasons. One is that people MISTAKINGLY believe going barefoot is dangerous or unhealthy -however, please who believe this please see source. Our soles get very tough very quickly, there's very little risk of injury even if there's broken glass present. I've been barefoot for well over ten years, I walk and run in places with lots of litter and I've NEVER had a cut. Sure, injury can happen but it's very rare; I get minor scrapes on my hands far more often and no one ever thinks it's strange I don't go through life wearing gloves all the time. Also for germs, our skin is made to keep pathogens out and we're at far greater risk from the less visible but no less germy things we touch with our hands than from the visible dirt on our bare soles. With our hands we touch our faces and food, so the germs can enter our body, while on our feet the dirt is pretty much harmless unless we lick our toes or prop our feet up on the table. Nor can germs jump off our bare soles any more than off the soles of someone's shoe, or indeed off the exposed skin from a sandalled foot. These concerns are totally based on misconceptions and greatly exaggerated fear for minor risks.





(The insurance companies know there's no great risk, barefooters called many companies and found none that require or even recommend footwear for customers, and managers who claim it is required by their insurance have never yet been able to show the clause when asked. It's also ridiculous that if this was truly the reason, a barefoot customer would be banned but would be welcome back in platform shoes or 6" heels, as is the case in many US restaurants that have a 'no bare feet' sign.)





The second part is that going barefoot is far more unusual, and unfortunately many people equate an alternative habit or way of dress with lack of respect. I think our differences make life more interesting and colorful, and as far as bare feet in particular are concerned, I find the gentle, soft step a much *more* respectful way of walking than stomping around in a heavy shoe. It makes us aware of our surroundings and of Mother Earth, even on man-made surfaces.





Most other countries don't have this problem; I've never even SEEN a 'no shoes, no shirts, no service' sign here in the Netherlands, nor on my trips to Belgium and Scotland. Whatever I'm wearing or not wearing on my feet is generally of no concern of employees and managers, even in expensive restaurants and for formal events. Nor have I ever encountered anyone in Europe who was offended about someone putting their feet on top of the flipflop straps as you describe, that must be a US thing.





I do have the advantage over men in this; there are places where exposed feet, sleeveless dresses etc are acceptable for women but men are expected to wear suits. Since there's little foot-phobia, in fancy places, I can enter with a fancy short-sleeved dress, a long, flowing skirt and bare feet but guys have less options to show skin when it comes to dressing up. Men and women alike would probably get ugly looks or even be refused access wearing T-shirt and jeans, and bare toes (in sandals or totally bare) that look fine with a long skirt look out of place under a suit.
Reply:what you have is law suit.


if you enter an establishment barefoot and cut your foot or slip and fall you could sue the owner. flip flops which i absolutly hate cover the bottom of the foot as a measure of prevention...
Reply:Manners aren't logical.
Reply:That's do to with the soles of the feet being offensive in certain places like Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Muslim Nations. The soles of a persons feet are viewed as being unclean and it's considered to be insulting or offensive to prominently display a bare sole.
Reply:because people are all retarded and have strange priorities. p.s. where i come from we call flip-flops thongs :)
Reply:it is for lawsuit prevention and society has banned it as a faux pas
Reply:i don't know about toes in straps but restaurants don't want you barefoot because you could step on something or otherwise injure you foot and sue them.



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