I’ve been a little out of sorts lately, so I thought I’d visit my friend’s party last Saturday, to try to perk myself up. I actually showed up on time, which must be some sort of faux pas, around these parts, as everyone arrived at least 25 min. late.

Now believe me, I understand it was hot, 90’s with high humidity/dew points. I also understand Minnesotans are not used to such heat. I recognize the need to come dressed in comfortable attire. But what I did not expect was that a solid third of the attendees either arrived barefoot, or shed their footwear completely, at the party.

When did this become a thing? Are Minnesotans a backward people for not adopting this behavior before? Are Minnesotans so used to -30 F temps that they simply cannot wear footwear in higher temps/humidity? When did the customary donning of shoes and socks while out and about loose its luster? I might expect such behavior in San Diego, or Houston, but in Minneapolis?

A Poll.

Question:
Would You Show Up At Your Friends Party Barefoot?

Choices:
I always wear socks and shoes while attending a party.
I wear socks and shoes while attending a party, except for pool parties or were it is not appropriate.
I sometimes forgo the used of footwear depending on weather.
I have no problem shedding my footwear in the right circumstances.
No socks or shoes is the way to go! It is always in style.

 

Beach party = barefoot

Go to someone's house for party = shoes, sandals, whatever, but not barefoot

Do you mean people drove their barefoot and didn’t even bring shoes? Or just left their shoes at the door when they entered?

Taking shoes off is a common practice and many hosts ask you to do that. If people are wearing socks, those usually stay on.

quote:

Originally posted by G-Man:
Do you mean people drove their barefoot and didn’t even bring shoes? Or just left their shoes at the door when they entered?

Taking shoes off is a common practice and many hosts ask you to do that. If people are wearing socks, those usually stay on.

No, I'm talking about arriving barefoot, or at least removing shoes and socks on entering someones domicile.

H&K-Guy

Everybody wears at least sandals or flip flops to pool parties in the Jerkwater metro area. There’s too many grass burrs and goat head stickers in the lawns here to go barefoot. Eradicating those weeds is almost impossible for some reason.

I'm weird. There are only two places I'm ever barefoot. On a boat and on the beach and I will wear foot coverings until my feet are about to get wet too.

When people come over to my house I would really prefer they keep their shoes on their feet.

If your host(s) and the majority of the guests are OK with it, and nobody says, "Look at that guy wearing shoes! What a dumbass!" no harm, no foul.

I do not personally go barefoot, or even wear sandals (closed-toed, lace-up shoes only), but that's for a different reason you don't need to know about.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
If your host(s) and the majority of the guests are OK with it, and nobody says, "Look at that guy wearing shoes! What a dumbass!" no harm, no foul.

Well, there is that. Both the host and his wife were also barefoot.

H&K-Guy

Could be a cultural thing.

I recently had dinner at an Indian colleague's home. As the party was ending, our host gave us a tour of the house. I happened to notice that both he and his wife were barefoot, although none of the guests were.

I've been to some homes where it's expected to remove footwear at the door prior to entering. This point is usually made by the hosts at the outset, though.

May be violating one of the Sig forum rules here, sorry:

First weekend in October a fellow gun guy host the East Coat Ruger Forum gathering near Lake Lure N.C. I'm a boot guy myself, even in summer when wearing shorts... but the host of that event always goes barefoot... this is at his gun range out in the country....seems the only time he wears shoes is when it is required by law.
So, as for the folks showing up bare.... well be thankful it was just their feet.

Oh, and you don't have to be a Ruger Forum (.com) member to attend.... all gun folks are invited.

I used to go barefoot pretty much whenever I could, then I graduated to sandals, now that I live in Central Florida, there's too much that can bite, stick, itch or cut you, so I wear shoes.

I'm totally ok without footwear.

My wife and I are generally barefoot in our own house. Shoes get donned before we step outside our front door, and they stay on except for things like beach, pool, etc.

Of course they would be removed if we were to visit somebody who preferred no shoes in the house.

The last time that I remember being shoe-less in public, was at a restaurant in Tokyo.

Flip flops when I’m in shorts or boat shoes....

Indoor or outdoor party? Pool/ lake accessible?

I grew up in MN, it’s SOP to take your shoes off entering a home in the area I grew up. Being temps are in the 90’s, most partygoers were probably wearing boat shoes or sandals without socks, and slipped them off when walking in there. I typically keep my sandals or socks on if at all possible because I don’t polish my toenails too often, and don’t find my own feet particularly pretty... but yeah, it was an indoor/outdoor casual party, the shoes are the first thing to come off as we get comfy . As someone else mentioned, no burrs or fire ants, etc, to hurt your feet, esp at a well manicured lawn in MSP.
Also not sure of the age group you’re referring to, but the younger, the more likely no shoes..

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Beach party = barefoot

Go to someone's house for party = shoes, sandals, whatever, but not barefoot

This. I Florida, lot of beach or pool parties so sometimes, it is necessary, but I never would show up barefoot.

When I’m not at work or working around the yard (boots only) I wear Keen Newports damn near year round. Even in winter unless there is more than a few inches of snow on the ground. A good middle-of-the-road between shoes and bare feet. If the gathering calls for bare feet, they’re easy to kick off. If not, my dogs are comfortable.

But to answer the question, I wouldn’t walk through the front door shoeless.

Show up barefoot? No.

But most months in Texas, I'll be in boat shoes or flip flops, which can easily be shed IF the situation calls for it.

quote:

Originally posted (in part) by V-Tail:
The last time that I remember being shoe-less in public, was at a restaurant in Tokyo.

When in Rome ...

Yes, if the host/ess were barefoot, or told me to "make myself at home" upon a grassy shady back yard spread with lawn chairs, absolutely, if I felt like it.

I'm big on loafers, no socks, so it is easy to kick off the kickers. Sneakers, always socks, though.

At a friend's backyard party last month, everyone had their shoes on. Except the little kids, who were running all over the place, and I think most of them were barefoot.

I wear whatever seems appropriate and is comfortable for the weather.

Last Saturday, at a pool-side engagement party, I wore sneakers and socks. If I'd gone into the pool (too crowded for me) I'd have switched to water shoes when out of the water.

Sometimes I'll wear sandals in the summertime.

I rarely go barefoot in my own yard, much less anybody else's house or yard.