I’ve met people (online, not on the road) trying to convince me that my barefoot lifestyle is actually “offensive” IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT. My habit of walking barefoot is “a sign of disrespect” considering that I’m obviously able to “afford shoes” - that’s how they argue
Living barefoot 24/7/365 I’m spending lot’s of time travelling, and I’m ALWAYS travelling barefoot. It’s an exciting experience to roam around without any footwear in my backpack, trusting in my leather-like soles toughened over many years. And it’s definitely the most environment-friendly way of travelling. For the last few month, my leathery soles got exposed to the hot streets of South India! It’s true: Black tarmac can get quite hot on a sunny day. But being an experienced long-time barefooter, I’m even able to stroll around at noon or in the early afternoon without feeling uncomfortable. And obviously, I’m not the only one: Visit Kerala or Tamil Nadu and you’ll see loads of barefoot people in the streets, especially in rural areas but also in the cities! I’ve met people (online, not on the road) trying to convince me that my barefoot lifestyle is actually “offensive” IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT. My habit of walking barefoot is “a sign of disrespect” considering that I’m obviously able to “afford shoes” - that’s how they argue
Well, I feel: THAT’S CRAP! Fortunately, freeing their feet from imprisonment isn’t a privilege of the poor! At least in South India
Many people down here CAN afford footwear - buying a pair of flip-flops isn’t a big deal anyway, except you’re virtually penniless - but opt for a barefoot life ‘cause they feel more comfortable, consider the therapeutical aspects (high blood pressure, reflex zones
) or simply don’t see a point in using a few straps of leather or plastic to confine their feet. Let me remind you what M.F. Hussain, India’s celebrated modern painter (a multimillionaire - crorepati!) says about his OWN habit of going barefoot EVERYWHERE: “It started for purely health reasons. As acupressure is great for the feet I opted out of footwear. And as a result even today I can sit for long hours on the floor .It is almost 40 years now that I am barefoot. Earlier people laughed. Now they have accepted me as I am. I even go to Parliament without shoes. In fact in our country removing your footwear is a mark of respect. Be it at home or a place of worship we go in barefoot.” By the way: In India itself I’m hardly encountering ANY negative reaction! People are only curious if they see a foreigner strolling around barefoot. Some ARE concerned, but only because they think I’m not experienced enough! It’s not that difficult to convince them
What do you think: Is it “offensive” for someone who can afford shoes to walk barefoot in a country like India?
Reply to this NO. Of course not. Thats very silly of people to accuse you of that, why would it? if you wanna walk barefoot that is your own choice. If you would do it in the middle of winter when its freezing n snow people might find you silly if you can afford shoes but otherwise? hm.. no, we dont think so.
Reply to this > Is it “offensive” for someone who can afford shoes to walk barefoot in a country like India?
Who accuses you of offending people? - you say in India it's not a problem...
I lived barefoot in Malaysia on Perhentian Kecil for about 2 months - then I got a foot worm! - I started wearing my flip flops (thongs/slippers) again after taking the tablets to kill the worm - for the bathrooms and walking through the jungle anyway. Still a mostly barefoot lifestyle and I loved it...
Would be cool if you could post a blog entry explaining some of the hazards and benifits of life bare foot - does it work in snow? dirty cities?
One thing strikes me though: if it is a sign of respect to remove shows on entering a building - is it a sign of respect to walk in with dirty bare feet? - or would you have to wash them to show respect?
Reply to this In many temples Ive been to you need to wash your feet before entering... aswell as your hands and face to be as clean as possible in respect to the temple.
But isnt that one reason why you should take off your shoes? that they are dirty? or has that to do with something else perhaps?
A friend of mine got a worm aswell... iiiihhh... not to pleasant.
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