dining barefoot

Entering and eating barefoot at a restaurant is comfortable, relaxing, and just as sanitary and safe as entering and eating with shoes.

It's always a great time when we can go out to eat with friends or family. Good food, lots of laughs, and a relaxing time are had by all. What could make the experience even more enjoyable? Eating out barefoot!

When the idea of dining barefoot is brought up, many people bring up the issue that it's against health codes. In fact, it's not. No health code in the United States prohibits patrons of food establishments from going barefoot.1

"But it's still unsanitary," is usually the next concern. In reality, bare feet have just as much influence on the food you eat as the shoes you might wear. Feet are no dirtier than shoes. Both have walked on the same surfaces, but both also stay far away from what you put in your mouth -- unless you have a habit of putting your feet on the table.

The last concern about barefoot diners is safety. There are lots of glasses and pointy objects in restaurants and a lot of opportunity for them to fall on the floor. Even so, this is a rare occurrance and the mess is usually cleaned up quickly and thoroughly. What's more, feet that are wearing sandals are also vulnerable to cuts, like tennis star Serena Williams experienced when she lacerated a tendon in her foot years ago.2 Despite that incident, restaurants haven't banned open-toed footwear.

Give bare feet in restaurants a chance. If a diner enters without shoes, there's no reason to prevent them from eating without shoes.

1. "Bare Feet and the Health Department" The Society for Barefoot Living (Link)
2. "Serena Williams details foot injury" USA Today, Sept. 2, 2010 (Link)