Let's update the list of barefoot okay places

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

Let's update the list of places where bare feet are not a problem--I'll
start:

* Albertson's
* Stater Bros.
* The Home Depot.
* Vons.

[{:-])))]

I assume that outside is not a problem.
Sidewalks and streets, parks and beaches.
Roads and trails, forests and meadows.

Any place that has doors
would not surprise me if it were a problem.

A funny place, to me, would be a church.
Holy ground, I would think, requires bare feet.

Cultures vary.

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

"{:-])))" <being@.... --- -- .> wrote in message
news:lqs2i8p414ao21rfd...@4ax.com...

> Daniel wrote:
>
>>Let's update the list of places where bare feet are not a problem--I'll
>>start:
>>
>>* Albertson's
>>* Stater Bros.
>>* The Home Depot.
>>* Vons.
>
> I assume that outside is not a problem.
> Sidewalks and streets, parks and beaches.
> Roads and trails, forests and meadows.
>

Outside is kind of obvious, so let's also add swap meets/flea markets.
Potentially hot parking lot ground in the summer, but no problem paying
admission and shopping there.

Also, I was looking for places of business for the list.

> Any place that has doors
> would not surprise me if it were a problem.
>

Not always so. See the updated list below. Have seen both male and female
barefooters, so no gender discrimination either.

Adding Starbucks Coffee and Jamba Juice to the list. Even if just the beach
area, I recall being barefoot in a local Jamba Juice near Huntington Beach.
Also saw a barefooter walk into the local Starbucks.

So we have:

* Albertsons.
* Jamba Juice.
* Some churches.
* Stater Bros.
* Starbucks Coffee.

* The Home Depot.
* Vons.

(Soon enough I'll have to try Lowe's, CVS, and Winco Foods someday.
Presumably, if I enter with a shopping cart, they know I will buy something.
Any problems, of course, I will choose between taking my business elsewhere
or taking flip-flops out of the waistpack I will also have with me. For
Lowe's, they probably would not be happy knowing I would shop at their
competitor The Home Depot. That should cover all the major name businesses.)

My goal is not to cause a scene, rather, I find that going barefoot actually
eliminates the heel and arch pain I've had from wearing shoes each year,
even with arch supports.

I also prefer to go barefoot out of town just so locals don't give me any
crap about I wore shoes in the past, why barefoot now?

> A funny place, to me, would be a church.
> Holy ground, I would think, requires bare feet.
>

Though many enter with shoes on I saw at least one lady go up for communion
in bare feet, thus she removed her shoes after entering church. Good enough
to be added to the list above.

> Cultures vary.

The oddest place of business I have seen is a beach area surf shop posting
No Shoes/No Shirt/No Service. At the beach! A surf shop intended for surfers
and bodyboarders--wow, just wow.

[{:-])))]

Daniel wrote:

> {:-]))) wrote:
>> Daniel wrote:
>>
>>>Let's update the list of places where bare feet are not a problem--I'll
>>>start:
>>>
>>>* Albertson's
>>>* Stater Bros.
>>>* The Home Depot.
>>>* Vons.
>>
>> I assume that outside is not a problem.
>> Sidewalks and streets, parks and beaches.
>> Roads and trails, forests and meadows.
>>
>Outside is kind of obvious,

That was my assumption.

> so let's also add swap meets/flea markets.
>Potentially hot parking lot ground in the summer, but no problem paying
>admission and shopping there.
>
>Also, I was looking for places of business for the list.

In my experience, it's individual employees
and individual managers of establishments
more than the chain itself in particular.

I'd heard, some time ago, in this group, that Target Stores
were barefoot friendly. Turns out that whether it is or isn't,
one near me was not approving.

>> Any place that has doors
>> would not surprise me if it were a problem.
>>
>Not always so.

Not always so.
Not always not-so.

One usually takes one's chances
if that is what one cares to do.

> See the updated list below. Have seen both male and female
>barefooters, so no gender discrimination either.
>
>Adding Starbucks Coffee and Jamba Juice to the list. Even if just the beach
>area, I recall being barefoot in a local Jamba Juice near Huntington Beach.
>Also saw a barefooter walk into the local Starbucks.

I've been in and out of a great many places
during the last 44 years. It doesn't amount to much tho.

One time I might not get hassled.
The next time I might.

>So we have:
>
>* Albertsons.
>* Jamba Juice.
>* Some churches.
>* Stater Bros.
>* Starbucks Coffee.
>* The Home Depot.
>* Vons.
>
>(Soon enough I'll have to try Lowe's, CVS, and Winco Foods someday.

I was never bothered in a CVS in Camarillo.
But I wouldn't think that means I would never be.

Sometimes I'll run into a local Rite Aid.
Normally nobody seems to notice nor care.
One time a cashier did notice, but didn't say anything.
I was happy for that. But I don't know if there's a policy
about being okay or not okay chain-wide.

>Presumably, if I enter with a shopping cart, they know I will buy something.
>Any problems, of course, I will choose between taking my business elsewhere
>or taking flip-flops out of the waistpack I will also have with me. For
>Lowe's, they probably would not be happy knowing I would shop at their
>competitor The Home Depot. That should cover all the major name businesses.)

I can think of more major names.
I used to get kicked out of malls regularly.

Cops, be they store cops or mall cops,
might think they need to be shoe police.

>My goal is not to cause a scene, rather, I find that going barefoot actually
>eliminates the heel and arch pain I've had from wearing shoes each year,
>even with arch supports.

Shoes often tend to be a pain.

>I also prefer to go barefoot out of town just so locals don't give me any
>crap about I wore shoes in the past, why barefoot now?
>
>> A funny place, to me, would be a church.
>> Holy ground, I would think, requires bare feet.
>>
>Though many enter with shoes on I saw at least one lady go up for communion
>in bare feet, thus she removed her shoes after entering church. Good enough
>to be added to the list above.
>
>> Cultures vary.
>
>The oddest place of business I have seen is a beach area surf shop posting
>No Shoes/No Shirt/No Service. At the beach! A surf shop intended for surfers
>and bodyboarders--wow, just wow.

Brings back lots of memories
of things I'd wear when necessary
to get past some knuckle-head who felt obliged
and prohibit me from entering some place.

Anything from newspaper to cardboard boxes
served a purpose from time to time.

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

"{:-])))" <being@.... --- -- .> wrote in message

news:3973i8p8tt4kdnlgn...@4ax.com...

>>Outside is kind of obvious,
>
> That was my assumption.

> I'd heard, some time ago, in this group, that Target Stores
> were barefoot friendly. Turns out that whether it is or isn't,
> one near me was not approving.
>

It varies, apparently. Some Target stores did not have the security guard
near the entrance, while others do.

This is where I would enter barefoot but with a shopping cart, carrying the
flip-flops in a waistpack in case of being told to put on shoes or leave.

Same goes for Walmart, which has a reputation for not being barefoot
friendly.

> One usually takes one's chances
> if that is what one cares to do.
>

As would I, as well. The carrying of flip-flops in a waistpack would be a
backup, not intended to be worn unless asked to leave by management or put
on shoes.

> I've been in and out of a great many places
> during the last 44 years. It doesn't amount to much tho.
>
> One time I might not get hassled.
> The next time I might.
>

It depends. In my case I might get hassled because the place is used to
seeing me wear shoes. Thus why I would start barefooting out of town first.

> I was never bothered in a CVS in Camarillo.
> But I wouldn't think that means I would never be.
>

CVS stores tend to be carpeted anyway, in many cases. Can't imagine that
bare soles would be any dirtier than the shoes that walk on the carpet.

> Sometimes I'll run into a local Rite Aid.
> Normally nobody seems to notice nor care.
> One time a cashier did notice, but didn't say anything.
> I was happy for that. But I don't know if there's a policy
> about being okay or not okay chain-wide.
>

Same with Food4Less. A clerk (not a manager) quietly told me "you can't be
in here without shoes on", and that was it. I finished my shopping, bagged
my own groceries, proceed out to the car across a hot but still tolerable
parking lot... I still call that a successful barefoot shopping trip.

> I can think of more major names.
> I used to get kicked out of malls regularly.
>

Haven't tried shopping malls just yet. I'd need to see proof of at least one
barefooter before I would. Knowing that, like I said before, I distinctly
saw two different barefooters at different times at West Covina mall. Should
I find myself there, I'd definitely start out barefoot.

[{:-])))]

Daniel wrote:
> {:-]))) wrote:
>

>>>Outside is kind of obvious,
>>
>> That was my assumption.
>> I'd heard, some time ago, in this group, that Target Stores
>> were barefoot friendly. Turns out that whether it is or isn't,
>> one near me was not approving.
>>
>It varies, apparently. Some Target stores did not have the security guard
>near the entrance, while others do.
>
>This is where I would enter barefoot but with a shopping cart, carrying the
>flip-flops in a waistpack in case of being told to put on shoes or leave.
>
>Same goes for Walmart, which has a reputation for not being barefoot
>friendly.

Having to sneak around
is not something I'd prefer to be doing.

Being invisible, for me, is much better.

>> One usually takes one's chances
>> if that is what one cares to do.
>>
>As would I, as well. The carrying of flip-flops in a waistpack would be a
>backup, not intended to be worn unless asked to leave by management or put
>on shoes.

I'd just as soon wear them in that case.
To avoid any hassle to begin with.

>> I've been in and out of a great many places
>> during the last 44 years. It doesn't amount to much tho.
>>
>> One time I might not get hassled.
>> The next time I might.
>>
>It depends. In my case I might get hassled because the place is used to
>seeing me wear shoes. Thus why I would start barefooting out of town first.
>
>> I was never bothered in a CVS in Camarillo.
>> But I wouldn't think that means I would never be.
>>
>CVS stores tend to be carpeted anyway, in many cases. Can't imagine that
>bare soles would be any dirtier than the shoes that walk on the carpet.

In one local library
the excuse they have for not allowing bare feet
is that the carpet people say bare feet track in
more dirt than shod feet do.

In another local library
they have wood floors, but still require shoes.

Libraries are strange places in that sense.

I think one barefooter had a court case
trying to get past the shoe police.

>> Sometimes I'll run into a local Rite Aid.
>> Normally nobody seems to notice nor care.
>> One time a cashier did notice, but didn't say anything.
>> I was happy for that. But I don't know if there's a policy
>> about being okay or not okay chain-wide.
>>
>Same with Food4Less. A clerk (not a manager) quietly told me "you can't be
>in here without shoes on", and that was it. I finished my shopping, bagged
>my own groceries, proceed out to the car across a hot but still tolerable
>parking lot... I still call that a successful barefoot shopping trip.

I am still enjoying my mock-top
bottomless sole free foot-gear. Being invisible
is the best of most worlds, for me.

>> I can think of more major names.
>> I used to get kicked out of malls regularly.
>>
>Haven't tried shopping malls just yet. I'd need to see proof of at least one
>barefooter before I would.

When indoor malls became fashionable
being inside the stores was safe
but the mall cops would kick me out
if I wasn't in a store. Kinda funny in ways.

> Knowing that, like I said before, I distinctly
>saw two different barefooters at different times at West Covina mall. Should
>I find myself there, I'd definitely start out barefoot.

If there's no sign on the entrance doors
then that's a good excuse for being barefoot
since it isn't clear what to wear
or what the rules may be.

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

"{:-])))" <being@.... --- -- .> wrote in message

news:3973i8p8tt4kdnlgn...@4ax.com...

[snip...]

> I'd heard, some time ago, in this group, that Target Stores
> were barefoot friendly. Turns out that whether it is or isn't,
> one near me was not approving.
>

[snip...]

Generally speaking, if the store has no greeter or security guard at the
entrance, it's going to be somewhat barefoot friendly.

Target varies. Wal-mart varies.

I have seen barefooters in a local Target at least four times. Both genders.
Then again, no greeter, no security guard at the entrance.

The local Wal-mart only has a "greeter" at the exit. I have noticed only one
barefooter on one occasion. Another woman who had her flip flop break while
she was walking into the store said she was going back to the car and "I'm
just going to go in barefoot". The assumption is that she did not get asked
to leave. In fact, I have seen a shopper (obviously male) who was shirtless
but carrying his shirt on his shoulder, and they let him shop that way.
Presumably, as long as the shopper does not specifically call attention to
being shirtless or shoeless, they can shop that way.

I also noticed one barefooter entering a CVS store. Most CVS stores I have
been to are carpeted, instead of floors, so a minimal possibility of adding
any extra dirt to the soles of the feet. Carpet is also a nice surface to
walk on, with or without shoes. CVS stores never have a greeter, just
cashiers at the front, but one might be a store manager.

Simply put, a barefooter in a place where it is accepted that most shoppers
are usually wearing shoes does stand out among the crowd to some
degree--look, no shoes! Same goes for someone not wearing a shirt.

If I go barefoot in a place where it is accepted that most shoppers are
usually wearing shoes, some will make the same observation. I'll have to
just tell anyone judgmental enough to criticize me about it that "it's my
feet, deal with it".

[{:-])))]

Daniel wrote:
> {:-]))) wrote:

>

>[snip...]
>
>> I'd heard, some time ago, in this group, that Target Stores
>> were barefoot friendly. Turns out that whether it is or isn't,
>> one near me was not approving.
>>
>[snip...]
>
>Generally speaking, if the store has no greeter or security guard at the
>entrance, it's going to be somewhat barefoot friendly.
>
>Target varies. Wal-mart varies.
>
>I have seen barefooters in a local Target at least four times. Both genders.
>Then again, no greeter, no security guard at the entrance.
>
>The local Wal-mart only has a "greeter" at the exit. I have noticed only one
>barefooter on one occasion. Another woman who had her flip flop break while
>she was walking into the store said she was going back to the car and "I'm
>just going to go in barefoot". The assumption is that she did not get asked
>to leave. In fact, I have seen a shopper (obviously male) who was shirtless
>but carrying his shirt on his shoulder, and they let him shop that way.
>Presumably, as long as the shopper does not specifically call attention to
>being shirtless or shoeless, they can shop that way.
>
>I also noticed one barefooter entering a CVS store. Most CVS stores I have
>been to are carpeted, instead of floors, so a minimal possibility of adding
>any extra dirt to the soles of the feet. Carpet is also a nice surface to
>walk on, with or without shoes. CVS stores never have a greeter, just
>cashiers at the front, but one might be a store manager.

There's a CVS in Camarillo in which I was never questioned.
My local Rite Aid has never been a problem either.

On the road over the holiday, stopped in Mendicino for gas
and was told inside the food store I had to wear shoes.

Lady said it was for insurance reasons.
Feeling confrontational, I informed her that isn't true.

Her reply was that, " it's a rule."

Questioning a guy at the register if that was true,
he said it was a company rule.

I kinda think they made the rule up, which is, actually,
their right to do. It's their establishment.

Wearing my invisible bottomless foot-gear works best
for me to avoid any need to, "educate" people who have
absolutely no desire to be educated.

In my experience, most people have minds
that are already made up.

They don't want to change.

No matter the logic, the information,
the explanation, they hold to their world-view.

Such is life, in my experience.

>Simply put, a barefooter in a place where it is accepted that most shoppers
>are usually wearing shoes does stand out among the crowd to some
>degree--look, no shoes! Same goes for someone not wearing a shirt.
>
>If I go barefoot in a place where it is accepted that most shoppers are
>usually wearing shoes, some will make the same observation. I'll have to
>just tell anyone judgmental enough to criticize me about it that "it's my
>feet, deal with it".

Customer to customer, it's a push or a draw.

Neither one's right is greater than the other's.

Confrontations are, imo, best when avoided.

Apparently I have grown tired of the comments
and prefer to be unseen most times in most places.

Being able to feel the ground is enough for me.

I don't need to see the tops of my feet.

- in the process

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

"Daniel W. Rouse Jr." <dwro...@nethere.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:t62dnTtgTOlR77zM...@o1.com...

Not all Vons. I went to one in Mira Mesa and they had a security guard
there. One lady leaving the store (in flip flops) complained he wasn't
allowing bare feet.

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

"{:-])))" <being@.... --- -- .> wrote in message

news:9grkj8dsq6lqk7clh...@4ax.com...

> Daniel wrote:
>> {:-]))) wrote:
>>
>>>>Outside is kind of obvious,
>>>
>>> That was my assumption.
>>> I'd heard, some time ago, in this group, that Target Stores
>>> were barefoot friendly. Turns out that whether it is or isn't,
>>> one near me was not approving.
>>>
>>It varies, apparently. Some Target stores did not have the security guard
>>near the entrance, while others do.
>>
>>This is where I would enter barefoot but with a shopping cart, carrying
>>the
>>flip-flops in a waistpack in case of being told to put on shoes or leave.
>>
>>Same goes for Walmart, which has a reputation for not being barefoot
>>friendly.
>
> Having to sneak around
> is not something I'd prefer to be doing.
>
> Being invisible, for me, is much better.
>

[snip...]

Why sneak around? Either choose to wear shoes or don't wear shoes.

I did wear flip flops in Home Depot and Wal-mart stores today--I could have
just as easily gone barefoot shopping with flip flops either in the
waistpack or outright left in the car. The reason was not due to questioning
the lack of being barefoot friendly in those places--I would take the
attitude that I would enter, not even look down at my feet, and then
continue shopping until hassled. Right to the point, I was not ready for
smooth asphalt style parking lots around 3:15 pm at 81 degrees F and mostly
sunny. That's much heat tolerance I lost after a three years break from even
weekend barefooting.

However, nothing stops me in the future for having flip flops in a waispack
in case of the too hot parking lot and just not taking them out until store
staff admantly insists I put on shoes or leave. Once I gain back all the
heat tolerance, I can even consider just leaving the flip flops in the car
altogether and do absolute barefoot shopping.

What actually made me laugh in the Wal-mart today was overhearing someone
saying "that's against the law" when someone else asked if they could remove
their shoes. That's how anti-barefoot some have been trained to be.

[snip...]

[{:-])))]

Daniel wrote:
> {:-]))) wrote:
>>
>> Being invisible, for me, is much better.
>>
>[snip...]
>
>Why sneak around? Either choose to wear shoes or don't wear shoes.

It has nothing to do with sneaking, for me.

It has to do with having become weary
of all the comments I've heard for 45 years.
I would rather go without hearing them.

The reason I go barefoot is not for the attention.

The reason I go barefoot is to feel the ground.

[jamesl...@gmail.com]

Hi Daniel I m jay I went to stater bros wal-green ups post office barefooted and did nt have a problem with them I thought you should know about this thanks jay

[{:-])))]

On Sat, 26 Mar 2016 jamesljowitt wrote:

>On Sunday, February 17, 2013 Daniel W. Rouse Jr. wrote:
>
>> Let's update the list of places where bare feet are not a problem--I'll
>> start:
>>
>> * Albertson's
>> * Stater Bros.
>> * The Home Depot.
>> * Vons.
>
>Hi Daniel I m jay I went to stater bros wal-green ups post office barefooted and did nt have a problem with them I thought you should know about this thanks jay

Hi Jay,

Haven't seen Daniel for at least a year or so.
Kinda wonder what happened to him.

Glad to read there are still barefooters out there
going barefoot into places as they please.

I'm comfortable in Post Offices, UPS, banks and
a few other places without being shod.

Thanks for writing!