Barefoot experiment

[pandora_parrot]

chirik has been doing the barefoot thing lately, which has rekindled my desire to do so myself.
There are a lot of reasons to go barefoot, but for me, it's a matter of experience. Unshod, I can actually feel the ground with all those wonderful nerve endings that are in my feet.

So, on Saturday, I began my barefoot experiment. I'll record my experiences of this here.

Day 1 (March 6, 2010):
Barefoot for the night only. Ground was cold and hard. Uncomfortable in spots, but nice in others.

Day 2: (3/7/2010)
Did a bunch of climbing and went shopping at Fry's. It was neat to feel the differences in textures in the different places at Fry's. I also noticed that I feel a lot more sure of my step when doing minor hopping around while barefoot.

Day 3: (3/8/2010)
First day at work barefoot. A few coworkers asked about my lack of shoes, and I explained the benefits of being barefoot. A little girl at REI asked me why I was barefoot, and I didn't know how to respond right away.

It was really nice to walk around barefoot and feel the ground, especially at work and in the gym. It really sucked when I was walking through the gravelly parking lot at Planet Granite, though. Not because of the gravel, which normally wouldn't be that big of a deal, but because of the rain, all of the gravel was sticking to my feet and making it impossible *NOT* to walk on it constantly.

I'm hoping that as I do this, my feet will become more resistant to this sort of thing.

Day 4: (3/9/2010)
Walking around today has been really nice! The ground is more comfortable, and I'm really starting to enjoy the feel of it in places. There were several moments today were I was really just enjoying feeling the ground as I stood. The different textures can be rather interesting and enjoyable.

I'm starting to get the feel for how to walk barefoot. It actually takes a bit of relearning to learn how to take shorter strides and land with fore-strikes or mid-strikes instead of heel-strikes.

A few more questions from coworkers. My explanations seemed to make them think I'm completely sane and rational for doing this. Fascinating. :)

Comments

[kalen-serenity.livejournal.com]

Just beware any place that serves food.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hear they get pissy about that sort of thing sometimes due to myths about health codes. I haven't run into any problems yet, and chirik, who has been doing this longer, hasn't had any problems where she was forced to reshod herself.

[chirik.livejournal.com]

I've had no problem with food service places, so far. That isn't to say I expect none will ever give me issues, but I've had no problems - including two places that had no shoes, no service signs (no comment, service without issue)

I've had people are two places comment, but neither requested I leave. At my local grocery store, one clerk said it was against the law to go into a grocery store unshod (this is untrue) and against store policy (possibly, although I contacted corporate and they haven't been able to validate that so far), but her comment did not come at the level of asking me to actually put on shoes. At a warehouse store, one person told me I needed to have shoes on to shop there, but did not ask me to leave, and simply left it at that, and I had no problem with going about my business there. While they may have a policy requiring footwear, and may even have legitimate reasons for safety, I'd argue that in a warehouse store, anything short of steel-toed boots is insufficient if you feel there is a safety issue.

A pair of real sandals have sat in my car this whole time, so I do have footwear available if needed, but it hasn't reached that point. They'd only provide absolutely minimal protection from dangers, anyways. But they'd satisy pretty much anywhere I'd end up.

[kalen-serenity.livejournal.com]

Most the time, speaking from retail experience, they just say the rules so they don't get in trouble.

[chirik.livejournal.com]

Oh, I absolutely expect that's the case. Or what they think are the rules, which I suspect may be more common. I don't know. I haven't worked retail. Maybe they give you a sheet of rules that says things like 'customers must not be barefoot' 'customers must wear pink hats' 'no smoking indoors' etc.

[voiceofanangel.livejournal.com]

i think it has a lot to do with general hygiene issues and the fact that public floors get pretty gross and they can't guarantee that you won't step on something/pick up something germy, so they'd rather not risk someone suing.

[kalen-serenity.livejournal.com]

Was at a coffee shop and a friend was asked to put her shoes back on. Really it's their call. "No shoes, no shirt, no service"

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Damned anti-hippie stuff.

[parmonster.livejournal.com]

Is the userpic you chose for this post an indication that you're going to do this route barefoot this year?

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Probably not. I doubt my feet are up to the task just yet. I'd rather have protection on my feet for something that intense. At least until I get my strength up more.

[peaceofpie.livejournal.com]

YAY FEET LIBERATION!

also, I love that song.

[voiceofanangel.livejournal.com]

I just recommended those to my g/f for her sister, who loves to go barefoot on their parents' farm.