How would you describe a barefooter?

Someone with common sense, critical thinking, and an appreciation for their NATURAL INSCTINCTS.

How long have you been barefoot?

8 years

Why did you decide to be barefoot?

Ever since I was a kid, I have hated shoes.

They hurt my feet.

My feet are more sensitive on hard ground after wearing them.

I have to ALSO WEAR SOCKS, IN ORDER TO WEAR THEM AT ALL.

They cost an absurd amount of money when they only cost like $3 to make.

if you look at the shape of the human foot, virtually no shoe in existence actually matches the shape of the foot.

you wouldn’t wear mittens all day every day, and expect to have healthy functioning hands, would you? Same shit with stupid ass shoes.

But as a kid, I had to wear shoes because my parents and teachers told me I had to.

I am a veteran, I feel like I did my part on behalf of american citizens and actually defending our american rights. So, I damn well feel entitled to have control over this ONE FUCKING ASPECT OF MY LIFE. If you weren’t a veteran, I’m sorry. But I did more than you, in the name of “freedom”, so you can fuck right off.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how “extreme” are you?

9

I walk everywhere I possibly can barefoot. There are only 2 circumstances where I will wear shoes.

1. if the ground is too hot or too cold for me to walk on.

2. If an over-zealous, dipshit employee, with no critical thinking inside of a place of business, is convinced that “the floor is lava”. Is also not open to a discussion about it, and threatens to call the cops.

What is your opinion on shoes and socks?

Shoes can be useful. think boots in the winter time or for a dangerous job. If they have a specific purpose, then yes they are useful.

In general though, they are the cause of many foot injuries in the world. For example, “fancy” high heeled shoes that rich women like to wear, do in fact cause bunions and make their feet look disgusting and mangled.

This is with every style of shoe that is made for the purpose of “fashion”.

Why do you think being barefoot is deemed as socially unacceptable?

Because a long time ago, a lot of people from the EAST COAST, relocated to california. At the time, in california, everyone was essentially a beach bum. Didn’t wear shirts, or shoes at the beach. So there wasn’t a particular reason to wear shoes inside stores.

When the “sophisticated” and “civilized” EAST COAST FUCKS, or [ECF] for short, moved into california… Seeing half naked bodies inside places of business, just made them super uncomfortable. Unfortunately though, the [ECF] were very rich.

So, in order for stores to cater to the richer customers, and not the local californian beach bumb locals. They had to show solidarity with the the stupid [ECF].

They started putting up signs. “No shoes. no shirt. no service” Which would impress the [ECF]. Of course, catchy jingles are really easy to spread, you know, because they’re catchy. Eventually it became the standard for other places of businesses.

As humans, especially Americans, aren’t the greatest at critically thinking about the world and how the things we take for granted, came to be… Everyone just assumes that because the rule exists, there must be a reason for it. So We are now a bunch of dumb human monkeys, reinforcing a rule for reasons we IMAGINE to be true. If you’ve ever heard about the monkey, hose and banana experiment? Pretty much the same thing.

There is also the fact, that our american schools don’t develop critical thinking. Instead, training humans to get the answer right, whether it makes sense or not. This manifests itself as people seeing something “wrong” and feeling anxiety at the thought they will get “in trouble”. Also, getting a dopamine rush at the opportunity to TELL SOMEONE ELSE, that they are wrong. Somehow “being right” means that you have moral superiority, and therefore can treat someone else like they are less than human.

It’s all absurd, I know. But it’s definitely true.

Have you ever not been able to go in somewhere/refused service because you didn’t have shoes on?

Yes. plenty of times. It happens in some states more than others.

As far as places of business, the number one place it happens is inside restaurants.

What are the best and worst reactions you have gotten? How do you deal with bad reactions and unsolicited opinions?

I have had a woman scream at me while I’m trying to order food in a Five Guys restaurant, for me to politely inform her that she is wrong. She went to go cry to the manager about it, who then also informed her that she was wrong. There was nothing she could do because it wasn’t against the law. – I’m pretty sure she spat in my hamburger.

I have had other people “tell on me” when going into stores or other restaurants.

I’ve had one man, in a gas station refuse me service. Yell at me and threaten to call the cops.

How do you go about feet care?

I was my feet at least twice a day. which, shoe wearing people don’t seem to do, ever. and is probably why the majority of human’s feet stink.

I massage them when they are sore.

I do mobility exercises for my feet to increase intrinsic foot strength.

I use my fingers or therapy devices to spread my toes out in order to UNDO THE DAMAGE that wearing shoes has done to them.

I massage in between the tops of my metatarsals to stimulate the fascia.

and plenty more.

Have you dealt with fetishers?

no

Do you walk on everything or are there surfaces you don’t walk on?

goat head weeds.

extremely hot ground.

snow.

What is your favorite surface to walk barefoot on and why?

really fine sand. it sort of, grinds your skin, but very softly. If you walk in fine sand, like in the “colorado sand dunes” for an hour or so, your feet will be THE SOFTEST THEY’VE EVER BEEN IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

What are the worst things you’ve stepped on?

a nail – with shoes on.

goat head weeds.

How do you handle cold temperatures?

Unless it’s snowing, my feet get better circulation without shoes on. So they handle the cold pretty well.

In your experience, what season is best to be barefoot?

Depends on where you are. I’d say spring and autumn.

How does being barefoot affect aspects of your life (love, career e.t.c)?

It has a polarizing effect on people. If I walk into a room barefoot, a lot of people will hate me for it. a lot of people will repsect me for it. So I am easily able to identify the people I shouldn’t waste my time trying to get along with. and identify “my people”.

love life – not at all.

work – I will always inevitably have some asshole come around for his dopamine rush by telling me that “you have to wear shoes”.

I can’t really work anywhere in the united states without shoes, unless it’s a yoga studio, martial arts studio, forward thinking gym, etc. So it limits my choice to that sort of community.

What challenges do you run into (physically, socially e.t.c)?

over-zealous walmart door greeters.

idiotic people in restaurants.

I’ve already listed the problems I get.

What are misconceptions about being barefoot?

1. it’s unsafe and that shoes keep your feet safe from broken glass and other things on the ground.

2. It’s unsanitary

3. IT’S AGAINST THE LAW

4. IT’S AGAINST OUR POLICY

What are your fears that stem from being barefoot?

?

What advantages of being barefoot have you experienced?

I have better balance.

my feet are healthier than most people.

I feel a lot more grounded than I used to.

I don’t waste a lot of money on shoes, or socks.

I don’t have to wash my socks.

I can walk through a puddle or muddy water with my barefeet, and not have it cause a problem with my shoes later down the road.

my plantar fasciitis has gotten better and completely disappeared.

What disadvantages of being barefoot have you experienced?

1. stupid people with zero critical thinking skills, feel enough moral superiority to come and try to correct me. Sometimes they come pretty close to getting violent.

2. I can’t walk on hot ground or in deep snow.

What are things to NOT say or do to barefoot people?

Say “IT’S ILLEGAL AND YOU CAN’T BE IN HERE WITHOUT SHOES”.

Say “YOU NEED TO WEAR SHOES, IT’S FOR YOUR SAFETY.”

How do you feel about how barefoot is portrayed in media? What are some of your favorite pieces of media with authentic representation?

I can’t particularly say I ‘ve seen being barefoot portrayed in the media. Oh wait, yes I have. Duh. LORD OF THE RINGS. Hobbits don’t wear shoes.

It’s pretty accurate. If you go barefoot for a while, your feet adapt. You can walk on most surfaces. Most people that walk barefoot and pretty chill and are, in fact the ones who would be willing to carry the one ring into mordor to destroy it.

What would you like to say to barefooters?

Fuck yeah!

Give tips to new barefooters and people looking to go barefoot.

The softer the bottoms of your feet are, the easier walking on hard surfaces and “sharp rocks” and the like, will be.

Your blisters and calluses, which come from wearing shoes, WILL GO AWAY. But until they do, your feet will be slightly sensititve.

How do you wish our society would perceive and treat barefoot people?

1. like humans, who are making deliberate health-conscious decisions, based on critical thinking.

2. like law-abiding citizens, who are NOT in fact, criminals.

What would you like people to know about being barefoot?

1. it’s better for your body. in too many ways to list here.

2. the reason you THINK it’s illegal or against store policy, is actually because of a marketing campaign, catering to stupid fucks from the american east coast. And who likes those people anyway?

3. The reason you feel justified in attempting to correct my behavior is because the american education system to SO USELESS, that nobody graduates high school with well developed critical thinking skills.

Tell your story, opinions, experiences.

I have too many fucking stories, I can’t list them here. Also I’ve answered a lot of questions, so I’m pretty tired of typing.