[bryce's-mummy]

It really irks me when you see young children (or anybody really) walking out and about with no shoes on. I live relatively near to Boganville, I am convinced of it. This is something commonly seen in one of our local shopping centres. Not just in summer- all year long.

Today for instance it was about 20 degrees (and chilly with winds) and I was picking up DS from school. It had even rained a little today. When I got out of the car I noticed another mother (wearing shoes) with a baby in a pram (also wearing shoes) and next to her was her toddler- perhaps 2 years old walking down the street. And he was wearing NO SHOES!! They walked about 100 metres up the road from the car to the school gate. Now sure enough the mum could have been running really really late and forgot her toddlers shoes. So okay, point taken (I would have picked up my toddler though- no way she is walking without shoes on her feet).

But it also got me thinking about all the times I do see kids without shoes. Why do parents let their kids walk around with nothing on their feet? It's disgusting- god only knows what you'd get (or step on) with no foot protection. Unless you are walking on a really hot day near the beach (down the esplanade) or at the local pool, I don't think there's any justification for NOT wearing shoes.

Reminds me of a time when I was in the city coming home from work- cold rainy day (umbrella weather) and about 3 teens are walking up the road in the middle of the city streets complete with boardies, t shirts and no shoes!! Ummm... we don't live in Califormia people- put some shoes on your feet!

One of my absolute pet peeves... What do you think?

This post has been edited by bryce's-mummy: 03/12/2012, 10:52 PM

[Me+2]

I agree with you OP. I don't understand why people choose not to wear shoes out.

They're not that expensive people!



This post has been edited by DH+Me+2: 03/12/2012, 10:58 PM

[Tyrone Finkelmey...]

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This post has been edited by Tyrone Finkelmeyer: 26/03/2013, 08:52 PM

[Kwyjibo]

Maybe the toddler threw a hell on earth tantrum and the mum thought '**** it. Can't be a*sed with this sh*t' and let the toddler go out with no shoes.

Some mornings it is easier to throw in the towel.

[babatjie]

Why does it matter? And so what if your feet are dirty, you don't use them to eat? The germs you will find on your hands are a thousand times worse and you touch your or your children's faces with it. Outside, is mostly clean, it is 'disinfected' daily by UV from the Sun.

[**Xena**]

I often don't wear shoes. I just prefer not to have anything on my feet.

If I come down with some horrendous foot disease I reserve you the right to say "Told you so you dirty bogan!" I'll even let you spank me.

[Swahili]

My 3 year old frequently refuses to wear shoes when we drop off/ pick up DD from school. I couldn't care less if people think it's disgusting. I look out for glass etc and wash his feet when we return home. I don't get the angst.

[RobotFerretOfDoo...]

You want to wear shoes? Wear shoes.

I grew up in a beach suburb and was barefoot for most of my childhood. I prefer being barefoot.

I'm in for a spanking after Xena if they're on offer.

[fancie]

I'm with you OP.

Having once stepped on a small piece of glass (about half the size of a pea) I never go out without shoes on nor do I allow DD to go out withou them.

The piece of glass I stepped on went straight in, left no easily seen sign (had to pull at the ball of my foot to see the entry slit) - but hurt like billy-o! The doctor worked up quite a sweat trying to get the mongrel of a thing out too.

[rabbit hyde]

I don't really care. I didn't wear shoes until I moved to Australia and that was because we thought everything was going to kill us.

Maybe the child really doesn't like wearing shoes and like Kwyjibo suggested the mother just couldn't be bothered.

When you consider the amount of germs on doorknobs, money, touchscreens etc etc. It makes more sense for people to wear gloves rather than shoes. People touch their face and mouth with their hands a hell of a lot more then they do with their feet.