How would you describe a barefooter?
Someone who habitually goes barefoot
How long have you been barefoot?
five years
Why did you decide to be barefoot?
To see how my boyfriend at the time would react
On a scale of 1 to 10, how “extreme” are you?
10
What is your opinion on shoes and socks?
Totally unnecessary
Do you think being barefoot is socially acceptable? Why or why not?
Yes. It is not really an issue here (New Zealand)
Have you ever not been able to go in somewhere/refused service because you didn’t have shoes on?
I haven’t but barefoot guy friends of mine have
What are the best and worst reactions you have gotten? How do you deal with bad reactions and unsolicited opinions?
Best “Wow, bare feet, that looks so good” Worst “Don’t you think shoes would be more appropriate?” I just laugh off any bad reaction and wriggle some dirty toes at them 🙂
How do you go about feet care?
Apart from always keeping my nails clean and short, with the occasional pedicure if I’m going somewhere formal, I don’t do anything with my feet.
Do you wear foot jewelry?
Yes, toe rings
Have you dealt with fetishers?
Yes, it’s all part of being 24/7 barefoot
Do you walk on everything or are there surfaces you don’t walk on?
I’ll wlak on anything
What is your favorite surface to walk barefoot on and why?
Mud, I love how it feels between my bare toes. or parking building floors, awesome for black bare soles
What are the worst things you’ve stepped on?
blackberry, and dog poo.
Have you had any mishaps?
Yes, I once slipped on a wet grassy slope and broke my ankle. Six weeks in a cast and on crutches
How do you handle cold temperatures?
My feet are used to it
In your experience, what season is best to be barefoot?
Winter. So many different sensations under my bare soles
How does being barefoot affect aspects of your life (love, career e.t.c)?
It’s a great conversation starter. Luckily my boss was very supportive of my decision to get rid of my footwear and live in bare feet. It took some time for some of my workmates to get used to me being barefooted
What challenges do you run into (physically, socially e.t.c)?
Physically, making sure my soles stay tough enough to cope with any unexpected challenges, especially at work. It’s expected that my bare feet don’t stop me from doing anything needed. Socially, it took time for my friends to stop worrying when we were going out that my bare feet might find it too tough/cold/dirty.
What are misconceptions about being barefoot?
That my feet smell, or there are surfaces which will be too difficult to walk on with bare feet
What are your fears that stem from being barefoot?
None really
What advantages of being barefoot have you experienced?
Bare feet go with every outfit. I’ve saved a fortune on shoes.
What disadvantages of being barefoot have you experienced?
Nothing really. At work I do need to be a little more careful about what I step on/in
What are things to NOT say or do to barefoot people?
Where are your shoes? Are you sure your feet are ok?
What would you like to say to barefooters?
enjoy it, it’s such a perfectly natural thig to do
Give tips to new barefooters and people looking to go barefoot.
Just do it. Forget what others say or think.