Flying Barefoot
Apr 3, 2008 | 10:48 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 66
I don't mean to judge you, but...
Feet do generally carry a hundred or hundreds of pounds of pressure and, as such, are a odor-producing part of our bodies.
Wouldn't you want to show decency and respect to your fellow travellers by at least offering a sock and shoe's worth of a protective barrier between your odors and their noses?
You should be able to run around barefoot all you want in your own home but the aircraft isn't your own to do that.
I feel the same way about people who travel in tank tops and expose the rest of us to their armpits, by the way.
Feet do generally carry a hundred or hundreds of pounds of pressure and, as such, are a odor-producing part of our bodies.
Wouldn't you want to show decency and respect to your fellow travellers by at least offering a sock and shoe's worth of a protective barrier between your odors and their noses?
You should be able to run around barefoot all you want in your own home but the aircraft isn't your own to do that.
I feel the same way about people who travel in tank tops and expose the rest of us to their armpits, by the way.
Apr 3, 2008 | 11:04 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sydney, Aus
Programs: QFF Gold, Velocity + Miles & More
Posts: 1,172
Man that is Filthy 
No shoes at all! I am the first to take my shoes off when I am in my seat but you never have shoes on? You are one brave person to walk into an airport/airplane toilet with no shoes !!!
No shoes at all! I am the first to take my shoes off when I am in my seat but you never have shoes on? You are one brave person to walk into an airport/airplane toilet with no shoes !!!
Apr 4, 2008 | 3:08 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
the whole lav thing would be the deal-breaker for me. no way i walk into one of those barefoot.
also, what do you do when you go home? do you wash your feet before going inside? i never understood people that wear shoes inside their homes, and barefoot all the time is basically the same thing. we're a "no shoes inside" family. i might actually make you put clean shoes ON before walking into my house, lol.
also, what do you do when you go home? do you wash your feet before going inside? i never understood people that wear shoes inside their homes, and barefoot all the time is basically the same thing. we're a "no shoes inside" family. i might actually make you put clean shoes ON before walking into my house, lol.
Apr 4, 2008 | 3:22 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Lahaina, Hawai'i
Programs: HA Pua. Platinum WP, PR, QF, UA, AA, DL, NW Prince Preferred
Posts: 4,786
I'm one of those "morons" who like going barefoot. I'm flying to Maui later this month and was dreading the long flights as well as an eight hour layover in DFW. Then I remembered past times when I've flown barefoot (to/from Aruba and Hawaii) and how much better it made the travel time go. So I fully plan to do so this time as well. I was only really hasseled about it once by an AA gate guy. And he was quite rude about it, so as soon as I was at my seat off came my sandals for the rest of the long trip and stopovers.
I realize there are a lot of up tight bare foot phobics out there but they don't bother me. I keep my feet to myself and unless you looked down you wouldn't even notice. And if dirty feet disgust you well, tough. I have my own pet peeves about others that I can't do anything about either. I'm not wearing shoes just because someone out there doesn't like to see bare feet.
I've seen others do it and have read posts on FT about seeing others do it. But my question is is there anyone else on FT that does it and what have been your experiences??
I realize there are a lot of up tight bare foot phobics out there but they don't bother me. I keep my feet to myself and unless you looked down you wouldn't even notice. And if dirty feet disgust you well, tough. I have my own pet peeves about others that I can't do anything about either. I'm not wearing shoes just because someone out there doesn't like to see bare feet.
I've seen others do it and have read posts on FT about seeing others do it. But my question is is there anyone else on FT that does it and what have been your experiences??
Last edited by kaukau; Apr 4, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Apr 4, 2008 | 3:56 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
I don't mean to judge you, but...
Feet do generally carry a hundred or hundreds of pounds of pressure and, as such, are a odor-producing part of our bodies.
Wouldn't you want to show decency and respect to your fellow travellers by at least offering a sock and shoe's worth of a protective barrier between your odors and their noses?
You should be able to run around barefoot all you want in your own home but the aircraft isn't your own to do that.
I feel the same way about people who travel in tank tops and expose the rest of us to their armpits, by the way.
Feet do generally carry a hundred or hundreds of pounds of pressure and, as such, are a odor-producing part of our bodies.
Wouldn't you want to show decency and respect to your fellow travellers by at least offering a sock and shoe's worth of a protective barrier between your odors and their noses?
You should be able to run around barefoot all you want in your own home but the aircraft isn't your own to do that.
I feel the same way about people who travel in tank tops and expose the rest of us to their armpits, by the way.
That's not to say bare feet don't collect odors of their own
Apr 4, 2008 | 3:58 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: American Advantage, United Miles Plus
Posts: 5
the whole lav thing would be the deal-breaker for me. no way i walk into one of those barefoot.
also, what do you do when you go home? do you wash your feet before going inside? i never understood people that wear shoes inside their homes, and barefoot all the time is basically the same thing. we're a "no shoes inside" family. i might actually make you put clean shoes ON before walking into my house, lol.
also, what do you do when you go home? do you wash your feet before going inside? i never understood people that wear shoes inside their homes, and barefoot all the time is basically the same thing. we're a "no shoes inside" family. i might actually make you put clean shoes ON before walking into my house, lol.
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:02 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: American Advantage, United Miles Plus
Posts: 5
Rubbah slippahs, or "flipflops", as you call them on the mainland, are the "de rigeur" footwear here in the Islands: everyone wears them; all the time; everywhere; they are our "shoes". Barefoot, however, is only at the beach or inside the hale (house). On long flights, (trans-Pac; not inter-island), everybody settles into their seats, kicks off their slippahs, and puts on a pair of socks for the flight. When using the lav., one puts the slippahs on over the socks, pressing the sock in between the big and neighbor toe to accomodate the slippahs. When deplaning, one removes the socks (or not, if it cold at the destination!), and puts on da slippahs. If you see someone walking around the airport or plane barefoot, everyone thinks they're a little kapakahi: "Put on your slippahs, bruddah; what, you tink you're at da beach?"
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:18 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 57
I think cultural attitudes toward bare feet vary, and am willing to accept that to a degree. Personally, I don't wear shoes in my home, and prefer open-toed shoes for anything outside of the home. I kick my shoes off in my office, but only if no one else is present. That being said, I would never walk barefoot in any public place.
As far as others taking their shoes off...as long as there is some semblance of proper grooming, whatever... I don't want to see long, nasty toenails, cracked heels or dirt. Barring that, I don't care what others do.
As far as others taking their shoes off...as long as there is some semblance of proper grooming, whatever... I don't want to see long, nasty toenails, cracked heels or dirt. Barring that, I don't care what others do.
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:33 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dallas, TX/NYC
Programs: AAdvantage EXP (5.8MM Airpass) Delta Gold Medallion Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,330
Greyhound
To say that air travel hasn't declined to the level of bus transport, simply read the OP's post. There is little consideration for anyone but himself and not a bit of concern for health and well being of fellow passengers. I hope AA and other airlines do something about dress codes...at least where health issues are involved. To the OP:
1. Would you want FAs to go barefoot too? Should they wash their hands before handling your food? Do you bother to wear shoes/socks to the lav?
2. Should passengers bother bathing that sit next to you?
3. Do you have any decorum when you visit a restaurant? Food is handled there too.
4. Do people go barefoot in your home? Well, maybe given your post.
It is sad some care only about themselves. Selfish and boorish behavior abounds.
1. Would you want FAs to go barefoot too? Should they wash their hands before handling your food? Do you bother to wear shoes/socks to the lav?
2. Should passengers bother bathing that sit next to you?
3. Do you have any decorum when you visit a restaurant? Food is handled there too.
4. Do people go barefoot in your home? Well, maybe given your post.
It is sad some care only about themselves. Selfish and boorish behavior abounds.
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:36 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, Hertz PC, Marriott Lifetime Plat, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 44,374
Rubbah slippahs, or "flipflops", as you call them on the mainland, are the "de rigeur" footwear here in the Islands: everyone wears them; all the time; everywhere; they are our "shoes". Barefoot, however, is only at the beach or inside the hale (house). On long flights, (trans-Pac; not inter-island), everybody settles into their seats, kicks off their slippahs, and puts on a pair of socks for the flight. When using the lav., one puts the slippahs on over the socks, pressing the sock in between the big and neighbor toe to accomodate the slippahs. When deplaning, one removes the socks (or not, if it cold at the destination!), and puts on da slippahs. If you see someone walking around the airport or plane barefoot, everyone thinks they're a little kapakahi: "Put on your slippahs, bruddah; what, you tink you're at da beach?"
I've had them from FAI to LIH, SEA to EYW, BOS to SNA... all over the states - flying, hiking, sunbating, fishing, even clamming.
It does not matter if its 129 degrees in Bullhead City, AZ or zero in ANC! I've worn them everywhere, rain, snow, or shine! However if there is more then half an inch of snow on the ground I switch to hiking boots, since I don't like my feet melting a path.
I dunno about that. Your foot smells not from the weight put upon them, but from the bacteria that grows in the sweat your foot emits because you bind them up tight in the little incubators you call shoes and socks. I'll bet the op's feet smell less like a gym than yours do on any given day.
That's not to say bare feet don't collect odors of their own
That's not to say bare feet don't collect odors of their own
Apr 4, 2008 | 4:53 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Programs: IHG Plat, HH Gold, EZ Pass Plat, Starbucks Gold, Whatever flight is cheapest
Posts: 7,035
I attempt to keep my floor urine free. Can't say that for a plane. I love walking barefoot as much as the next person, but airports/planes aren't really the place for it.
Apr 4, 2008 | 5:00 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 10 months VLC, 2 months everywhere else
Programs: *A
Posts: 3,770
I've had the head FA make people put their socks back on three separate occasions. This is due to your smelly feet.