Going barefoot is the practice of walking without shoes or socks. This practice is a sensory experience but is uncommon outdoors or in public places in industrialized countries and affluent societies where shoes are generally affordable. Several groups exist to promote a barefoot lifestyle.

Activities

Barefoot hiking

On natural soil (and with some training on pretty much any surface), it is possible to take off the shoes and to hike barefoot. The United States as well several European countries have some barefoot hiking groups which organize shoeless excursions. Several German-speaking countries have barefoot parks which are designed to be ideal for going barefoot. There is one main book on the topic: "The Barefoot Hiker" by Richard Frazine. Here is an article detailing the author's pleasure in this activity.

Barefoot sports

Most martial arts are practiced barefoot, as well as many gymnastics and dancing disciplines. Barefoot beach volleyball and beach soccer have become the favourites of many young people.

Barefoot lifestyle

A significant portion of the population even in developed countries enjoy going barefoot and a few of them are resisting the taboo against doing this in public. They defend their barefoot lifestyle as completely harmless to other people and desire tolerance of their choice not to wear shoes.

Religious and cultural aspects

Sign of godliness

Many religions consider removing shoes as appropriate when approaching holy places. In Exodus, Moses had to take off his shoes before approaching the burning bush. Muslims must be unshod for praying or to attend services in a mosque. Some Christian churches practice barefoot pilgrimage traditions. In the Hindu religion, the preference to go barefoot is due to the worship of holy animals and the ban on wearing leather products.

Symbol of peace

In ancient times, shoes predominantly served as military equipment. Therefore Isaiah announced that For every boot... will be for burning, food for the fire. For to us a child has come, to us a son is given. (Isaiah 9:5-6). Jesus advised his disciples to go out for preaching the Kingdom of God without taking along shoes -- and Jesus is shown barefoot on most paintings to demonstrate his peaceful mission. Mahatma Gandhi, famous for his non-violent campaigns for human rights, is commemorated by a barefoot course around his monument. Even the Pope John Paul II paid him this honour.

Barefoot on stage

In dancing, theatre, and opera performances, bare feet are frequently used as a means of very directly expressing emotions, fears, or vulnerability, but also a down-to-earth attitude. Many singers and artists like to appear barefoot to create a familiar atmosphere for their performance.

Myths

There are many myths and popular misconceptions regarding regulations against bare feet.

Driving Barefoot

In the United States, widespread belief in the existence of laws against driving barefoot has been debunked as an urban legend.

In Germany, traffic laws definitely do not forbid driving barefoot. For thorough study see this page on German traffic laws (in German language).

In Belgium, the driving code does not explicitly ban barefoot driving, but article 8.3 requires drivers to be "constantly able to perform any maneuver". According to the federal police, this implicitly bans barefoot driving.

In Hong Kong, laws require drivers to be driving with appropriate footwear. Driving barefoot, or with sandals, is not allowed.

No Shoes, no shirt...

In the United States, it is also frequently believed that OSHA regulations prevent people from going to stores, restaurants, and the like without shoes (or a shirt.) In fact, the law (such as it is) refers specifically to employees and is designed to protect employers from lawsuits. There are no state health codes that ban customers from going barefoot in establishments, as is demonstrated by a project undertaken by The Society for Barefoot Living. Individual businesses, however, are free to refuse to serve customers without the footwear they deem appropriate. Individual cities and towns may also require certain footwear in public places.

Health issues

There may be regional risks like poisonous plants or animals, or parasites that can enter the body through the skin or cuts on bare feet. For instance, the intestinal parasite hookworm may infect humans who walk on soil containing hookworm larvae. (However, the chances of this actually happening are actually extremely small in those parts of the world with reasonable sanitation, as transmission would require standing in relatively fresh human fecal material infected with human hookworm, plus a suitable opening in the soles of the feet to allow their entry.) Some physicians who espouse natural healing traditions recommend going barefoot as a measure against flat feet, varicose veins, and dorsal pain. Physicians who suggest this practice believe that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks, although there is no peer-reviewed literature to support this. In the Far East, reflexology paths have been established to promote public healthcare. Some evidence for the health benefits of going barefoot has been collected on the page Parents for Barefoot Children, although again this is not a peer-reviewed, "scientific" study. People who promote a barefoot lifestyle, such as Richard Frazine and members of The Society for Barefoot Living maintain that habitually going barefoot makes the feet tougher and far less susceptible (though not immune) to commonly feared hazards; this is echoed by former NJ health commissioner Len Fishman.

Celebrities

MEN

• Model Travis Fimmel not only does most of his modeling in bare feet, but says he goes barefoot almost exclusively.
• Singer Henry Rollins often performs barefoot on stage.
• Singer Lenny Kravitz has said he feels no need to wear shoes or socks.
• Singer Richard Ashcroft appeared barefoot on stage at Live8.
• Actor Sean Astin arrived at a film premiere in bare feet.

WOMEN

• Actress Julia Roberts is known as a person who loves to be barefoot. She has appeared barefoot in several of her movies.
• Actresses Liv Tyler, Nicole Kidman and Cameron Diaz have walked barefoot on the red carpet at their own movie-premieres.
• Model Pamela Anderson is often seen in magazines, walking around barefoot in her hometown.
• Singer Shakira is often barefoot on stage, as well as in her music videos.
• Singer Deana Carter performs barefoot.
• Singer Joss Stone performs barefoot.
• Singer Kelly Clarkson is performing barefoot on her current tour.
• Singer Mandy Moore sometimes performs in bare feet.
• Singer Britney Spears gained some notoriety by going barefoot into a public restroom. She has since frequently been seen going barefoot.
• Designer Genevieve Gorder almost always went barefoot during the series Trading Spaces on TLC.
• Runner Zola Budd often ran barefoot in competition.

References

B.F., Tongs au volant : gare ! in La DerniГЁre Heure, August 6th, 2003

External Links

• BeingBareFoot.com - New supportive and friendly Forum for meeting and talking about being barefoot
• Natural and Healthy Barefoot Activities
• Society for Barefoot Living
• RunningBarefoot.org
• Parents for Barefoot Children

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