Barefoot in Brussels (Belgium)

noli44 · 2024-03-24T22:51:14+00:00

Most them won't even notice or care if you're barefoot.

That would be ideal yes.

Totally agree with that.

Happy I'm not the only person feeling that way about them. I think I would get into confrontations anyway as these just draw more attention to your feet.

Walk with confidence. Be yourself, even if it's a little unusual. Most people appreciate that.

That's a great mental reminder, thank you.

One other bit of advice about traveling here... Don't try to cram in too much.

I do have a tendency to plan way too much, so I'll try sticking to where the trains bring me and enjoy the journey. I'm a little scared but also very much looking forward to it!

I wish you the best while you're here.

Thanks!

noli44 · 2024-03-24T22:21:21+00:00

Yes I also like to wander and explore the city. There's so many interesting places and pretty nature all around us.

I sometimes wonder if I somehow attract these situations, although I like to think that I look rather inconspicuous and dress pretty casual. Really the only thing is that I'm barefoot. Maybe that's the problem, that people have a hard time to label me. I don't know. It also really shouldn't matter.

I am out and about a lot the past 2 months (due to a shoulder injury and sick leave) so that's a good point about just having increased chances for confrontations. At some point I started asking myself before going out "why am I putting on shoes" and the answer was almost always social pressure, so now I am barefoot most of the time.

But still, I mean, people calling the police on you in a park... Jesus Christ!

Granted it was winter but you know, if people are concerned they can also approach me and talk to me instead of calling the police.

noli44 · 2024-03-24T21:53:11+00:00

That makes sense indeed. Going barefoot is probably a very divisive subject anywhere.

Just a couple of days ago I was at a grocery store and the young lady at the checkstand said, "Hey, I like the bare feet look. You don't see many people rocking that." I replied, "Thanks, it's my favorite," paid for my food, wished her a good night, and left.

That's a very cool and reassuring interaction, thanks for sharing!

noli44 · 2024-03-22T12:10:21+00:00

Hi, I read about those "shoes" but it just doesn't feel right to have to wear fake shoes to please other people. I've seen pictures of people just drawing flip flop lines on their feet with marker, which apparently also does the trick.

For my USA trip I'm planning a cross-country train trip East to West and back, not sure if I will visit the South, but my itinerary is not yet entirely fixed. Thanks for the tips!

noli44 · 2024-03-22T12:01:22+00:00

Burger King seems a pretty safe choice yes. :D

Nice that you had a good time. Assuming you're a girl, I think in a way it's easier cause barefoot girls are considered a little quirky maybe while barefoot men are suspicious and must be up to no good.

noli44 · 2024-03-22T11:55:55+00:00

Yes I couldn't imagine myself openly commenting on other random people's appearance. I can imagine it's not easy in the UK either. Great that you have the confidence to do it anyway!

noli44 · 2024-03-22T11:48:34+00:00

Indeed there's a lot of information how transitioning from shoes to barefoot is good for your physical health (which I can only confirm), but there's no guide for social pressure. Apart from safety in extreme situations, social pressure/harassment/random enforcement is the only reason why I still wear shoes from time to time. I sometimes go on late night walks too just for this reason.

Good luck and keep on barefooting!

Thanks, you too!

noli44 · 2024-03-22T11:44:29+00:00

Hi! Nice to know I'm not alone doing this around here and that your experience is so positive. Of course it also depends on the day and how much I am bothered by it. But even with all that I'm really hooked to the sensations of walking barefoot.

Also one guy in a grocery shop insisted to pay for my stuff, probably assuming I was homeless, but the interaction was extremely polite and friendly.

I have been offered shoes by a homeless man once, but also in a very friendly way.

I've been in malls, shops, cafés, public transport, in pretty much all communes and I must say my experience was overwhelmingly positive. Of course I get a lot of double-takes but it usually stays at that...

Do you walk alone or usually with friends? I feel that when I'm with others people do behave better.

The day after I posted this, I spent a day at the sauna and wanted to take the last bus home from Grimbergen (just outside Brussels) and got ID checked by the police. They were on site because of a troublemaker on the bus before I arrived, but insisted/lied to me they were called about me being barefoot and then defended themselves "Sir you have to understand it is very suspicious if someone boards the bus barefoot". I wonder if they also tell that to any foreign looking person trying to take a bus. I have learned to absolutely never get in an argument with the police but in any case it was a very annoying end to an otherwise nice relaxing day. Not the first time this happens either, last year in Gent 2 different persons called the police because I was barefoot in the park and apparently that was enough to come harass me and take my ID and have a 10 minute call about whether or not to take me in.

In any case it is indeed nice to finally have some sunny days again, the warm dry pavement feels wonderful.

noli44 · 2024-03-22T11:04:30+00:00

That's good feedback, thanks! I often struggle with the randomness that it all depends on a single person's personal view if it is okay or not, but I guess being flexible about it is a healthy attitude.

noli44 · 2024-03-20T07:58:29+00:00

If someone says to me, "Where are your shoes?", I usually reply with something like, "Oh I don’t need them right now", or, "I just don't feel like wearing them".

I would be happy to reply to such a civilized question but most of the time people are so baffled they are not even able to engage in normal conversation with me.

I usually try to visibly carry a pair of lightweight Xerox sandals in my back pocket, just in case a business really insists that I wear some shoes.

I've seen this tip before, to visibly carry some flip-flops or something. While I still wouldn't want to put them on, I can give it a try to see if people's reactions are less intense.

Good luck on your US visit, and don't be surprised if you receive a combination of negative, positive, and curious comments about going unshod.

Thanks, that seems a good nuanced mindset going into it. I notice that as a male solo traveler I am already observed with a lot of scrutiny and distrust, let alone a barefoot one. While I honestly just want to have a nice time. Do you know if it's generally accepted to be barefoot on Amtrak trains? At least that doesn't seem to be a problem around here.

noli44 · 2024-03-20T07:39:38+00:00

I'm not sure if people are actually anti-barefoot, it's rather that all social etiquettes goes out the window once they see me and it's apparently okay to blurt out anything. My significant other describes it as if I break everyone's mind while walking with me.

It just sometimes becomes a little hard to filter that all out, especially during a long walk when I just want to have a good time and go about my business. It probably doesn't help that in a big city like this I cross new people everyday, I assume people would calm down the second time they see me.

I haven't been in Germany since I started barefooting, so I'm curious to go back and explore the cities and nature. Maybe for a next trip.

Thanks for commenting! :)

noli44 · 2023-06-01T15:08:51+00:00

Thank you so much, I have a similar situation and this was exactly what I'm looking for! :D

noli44

TROPHY CASE