Barefoot on the plane

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Nov 12, 2011 | 9:34 pm

#211

_kurt

Join Date: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,583

Quote:

Originally Posted by anabolism

why is it worse to have bare feet on a bulkhead than shoes? Shoes are certainly dirtier.

Thank you! This thread was getting rather one-sided

Yes, going to the lav without shoes is gross, but beyond that I don't have a problem. Being in close quarters with barefoot strangers is not any more objectionable to me than being in close quarters with shodden ones.

But then again I really hate wearing shoes. So I guess I don't have the most objective opinion on the subject

Nov 13, 2011 | 12:15 am

#212

anabolism

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Quote:

Originally Posted by _kurt

Thank you! This thread was getting rather one-sided

Me too. My feet hate being cooped up. In California, at least, flip-flops are accepted pretty much everywhere. In beach towns, bare feet are common (but, since I don't like my feet getting dirty, I tend to wear flip-flops when outside the house).

Nov 13, 2011 | 12:28 am

#213

Science Goy

Join Date: Nov 2011

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Quote:

Originally Posted by anabolism

In California, at least, flip-flops are accepted pretty much everywhere. In beach towns, bare feet are common (but, since I don't like my feet getting dirty, I tend to wear flip-flops when outside the house).

Sure, plenty of my colleagues wear flip-flops to work and it doesn't bother me. And it seems that we're more or less in agreement that resting feet (shod or not) on armrests and bulkheads is rude. But why are people bothered by, say, witnessing a complete stranger walk into an airplane lav barefoot? My guess is it's a sympathetic reaction of sorts. Person A would feel incredibly skeeved out being barefoot in a lav (or perhaps even in an airplane aisle), person A sees person B walk into a lav barefoot, so person A feels personally disgusted even though it's someone else's feet coming in contact with unmentionable substances.

Anyway, think I've reached my armchair psychology quota for the day

Nov 13, 2011 | 1:09 am

#214

gegarrenton

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: ORF

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Quote:

Originally Posted by anabolism

I am with y'all. I am a beach guy, born and raised, I wear flops everywhere I go, including my own wedding, and occasionally in the snow.

Nov 13, 2011 | 9:59 am

#215

JDiver

Moderator: American AAdvantage

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This has taken on a very general cast and is not really applicable to AA or a specific airline in this direction - therefore it will be moved for greater congruity and participation. /Moderator

Nov 13, 2011 | 11:54 am

#216

Jinxy

Join Date: Apr 2011

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Having to look at un groomed feet, long toe nails etc is gross.

And it's not just on planes. Lounges and other seating at airports you see it all the time. Some people just don't care!

Nov 13, 2011 | 5:15 pm

#217

anabolism

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxy

Having to look at un groomed feet, long toe nails etc is gross.

And it's not just on planes. Lounges and other seating at airports you see it all the time. Some people just don't care!

Are long toenails more gross than long fingernails? Or long hair? How about long, greasy-looking hair? Or facial hair? Is 2-day stubble gross? Many people go around with bare elbows, and a lot of people have nasty, scaly, dirty elbows. Is that more or less disgusting than clean bare feet?

It's quite clear that many people, for whatever reason, have a strange fixation/fascination with other people's feet. A fetish, I'd say.

Nov 13, 2011 | 8:53 pm

#218

emma69

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How can it be deemed unsafe when women are specifically told on safety cards to discard their shoes (if they wear heels as many do) in emergency situations?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDiver

Well, would you really like these feet on an armrest / bulkhead near you?

(Not to mention it's quite unsafe for taxiing, takeoff and landing in case a speedy exit should be required.)

Nov 13, 2011 | 10:00 pm

#219

FlyMeToTheLooneyBin

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: LAX

Posts: 6,769

Quote:

Originally Posted by anabolism

Well, my biggest concern is if the feet smell and the odor is coming towards me as opposed to being contained in socks and shoes. I have a very sensitive olfactory system. Even bare socks, if smelly, should be pointed away from me!

Nov 14, 2011 | 2:15 am

#220

anabolism

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyMeToTheLooneyBin

But you only care about stink if the source is feet and not, say, armpits?

Nov 14, 2011 | 7:40 am

#221

dchristiva

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxy

Having to look at un groomed feet, long toe nails etc is gross.

And it's not just on planes. Lounges and other seating at airports you see it all the time. Some people just don't care!

So don't look?

I'm not a fan of folks going barefoot, but I can tolerate flip flops. I suppose there's not much of a cosmetic difference, but at least the soles of one's feet aren't touching the floor. And I don't care for anyone putting his/her feet on the bulkhead, regardless of footwear (or lack thereof).

Nov 14, 2011 | 7:42 am

#222

njx9

Join Date: May 2008

Posts: 599

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxy

Having to look at un groomed feet, long toe nails etc is gross.

Wait, you *have* to look at my feet? You can't just like, look elsewhere?

Nov 14, 2011 | 7:53 am

#223

anabolism

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Quote:

Originally Posted by njx9

Wait, you *have* to look at my feet? You can't just like, look elsewhere?

They're drawn to them, moths to a flame. It's that foot fascination thing.

Last edited by anabolism; Nov 15, 2011 at 7:25 am Reason: missing 'h', extra "'"

Nov 14, 2011 | 8:08 am

#224

joelfreak

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It seems we go over this at least once every six months. Many people have a problem with feet. It's something in the American psyche that has what I would call an anti-fetish with feet. Other cultures have problems with blowing noses, or coughing, etc...Americans have problem with toes. Its the same thing as any other part of the body...they can be clean, they can be dirty. Clean feet should cause you no problem at all, unless they are ON you. And if they are on you, just ask nicely that they be moved...just like if someone had their hand on you.

Nov 14, 2011 | 10:28 am

#225

FlyMeToTheLooneyBin

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: LAX

Posts: 6,769

Quote:

Originally Posted by anabolism

But you only care about stink if the source is feet and not, say, armpits?

Oh. I do care if they're armpits, or even just body. I hate stink!

But from my experience, feet tend to be the high probability offenders.