A word to the wise:

[conuly]

Healthy feet don't smell. Feet smell because they're kept in dark, damp, enclosed spaces. Your hands would smell too if you kept them in gloves all the time!

Healthy feet don't hurt either. Feet only hurt when there is something wrong - often the result of being kept in tight enclosed spaces with no ability to move.

With a small number of exceptions, it is safe to say that bare feet = healthy feet.

Comments

[theshiversbaby.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm...modern surfaces such as asphalt and concrete were not designed to accomodate bare feet. If one were spending most of one's time on natural surfaces, I would agree completely. Hard surfaces hurt my feet after awhile, and yes, while sidewalks aren't strewn with debris it can at time be a worry. Furthermore, I'd much rather be free to look around than be forced to constantly check the ground to make sure my bare feet could make it safely. True, I do look down from time to time even in shoes to avoid tripping hazards, gum, random debris, etc., but I'd have to do it much more often in bare feet.

I'm a sandals-wearer whenever possible (i.e., as soon as it hits 60 degrees, if I can even wait that long). True, sandals don't allow your feet to move "naturally," but asphalt, cobblestones (common wear I live), and concrete aren't exactly "natural" surfaces, either. I think it's a good compromise, and there are many sandals that let your feet be as close to the ground as possible. Plus, the more you wear them, the more the soles wear out!

Finally, I think shoes = bad moreso than bare feet = good, if that makes sense at all. High heels with poor support = fallen arches, aching backs, weak ankles. And that's just one example, albeit a big one.

[theshiversbaby.livejournal.com]

Did you catch my amazing, er, typo in the second paragraph?

Is that a Fruedian slip? ;)

[conuly]

True, I do look down from time to time even in shoes to avoid tripping hazards, gum, random debris, etc., but I'd have to do it much more often in bare feet.

That's a misconception. I can promise you that once you get used to it, you're not looking down that often.

[ladytalon.livejournal.com]

I look down almost all the time. I have this klutz gene that causes me to trip on nothing and is only held at bay by me staring at my feet as I walk. Makes me look very uncertain of myself.

And it doesn't matter if I'm shod or barefoot, heh. I am both in plenty of amounts.