There’s a certain act that’s been sparking debates across the nation, leaving Aussies split down the middle.

What might seem like a harmless habit to some is considered shocking by others.

What started as a casual observation has now turned into a full-blown cultural debate, with opinions flying in every direction.

Is going barefoot while grocery shopping an Aussie tradition or a hygiene nightmare?

The Great Aussie Debate has resurfaced, sparking a heated discussion over whether letting your feet roam free in the aisles is an acceptable quirk or a habit in need of reform.

Some Aussies proudly bare their toes, while others recoil at the sight.

Are bare feet in stores a quirky Aussie tradition or unhygienic? Image source: Instagram/bunny_fitzgerald

It’s a topic that splits the nation right down the middle.

Through The Great Aussie Debate survey, Australians can weigh in on everything from fun topics to more serious issues, including this toe-tapping conundrum.

Everyone has to shop, so should we draw the line at bare feet or let them breathe?

One Bondi man said: ‘I don’t think it is gross’, admitting he’s no stranger to walking barefoot in supermarkets.

A woman, horrified at the thought, exclaimed: ‘Oh no!’ and urged, ‘Just put your shoes on!’

Another man confessed to being part of the barefoot brigade, while a microbiologist dismissed the habit as ‘unhygienic’.

One Cairns resident said going barefoot is normal in her tropical town but wouldn’t fly in Sydney.

‘Everyone in the grocery store is barefoot up there but down here is a different story,’ she explained.

She added, ‘A lot more people are out late at night, peeing on the streets and spitting. I’ve seen human faeces, guys, like on the street in Sydney!’

When asked to defend his shoeless habit, a man said he draws the line at public bathrooms.

‘I wouldn’t go to public bathrooms,’ he admitted.

He even confessed: ‘I have done it in the past, and I’m not very proud of that.’

He wasn’t the only one willing to show off his feet, as another Bondi resident revealed his trotters to the reporter and was labelled as having ‘the best feet in Bondi’.

Despite the sticky linoleum floors and potential hazards, some people simply aren’t fazed.

‘It wouldn’t bother’ me, one man said, if he spotted bare feet at his local Woolies or Coles.

For others, it’s simply a step too far.

Watch this video of a social media user walking barefoot inside a shop.

Source: Tiktok/@daisyevia​

Key Takeaways

• Aussies are divided over the act of going barefoot while grocery shopping, with opinions ranging from casual acceptance to shock and disgust.
• The Great Aussie Debate has reignited the conversation, prompting Aussies to weigh in on whether bare feet in supermarkets are acceptable or unhygienic.
• Some people embrace the practice, while others, including a microbiologist, argue that it’s not sanitary.
• Regional differences also come into play, with some areas more tolerant of barefoot shopping than others.

Where do you stand in this barefoot debate? Is it a harmless Aussie quirk? Or is it time to put an end to the shoeless supermarket trend?

Drop a comment below!

 

[Squizzy1]

The pride in how people present themselves is a lost art, may as well go the whole hog and abandon dress sense altogether, can only imagine the smell, cos you can be assured if they don't care about dress sense, hygiene will be last on their list. Must feel great though paddling in pee at the male public urinals, walking across bitumen in the car park must be a delight too on a hot Bondi/Cairns Day.

 

[Gunpark]

I have a wonderful story on bare feet, but too long for here, however I am bare feet all the time at home, but have more respect for my feet when I go out.

 

[magpie1]

It has always been a common sight especially around the beachside holiday areas....until shops start posting a specific dress code in order to enter their premises I guess the trend will continue to happen and others will just have to put up with it.....personally I think of it as a health issue where food is sold.

 

[Still Ebby]

Going round a food shop with bare feet after walking in the street or coming out of a dirty toilet is disgusting and shows a don't care attitude.Serves them right if they get something in their feet

 

[Luckyus]

Who cares I don't lick the floor

Well they do say there are more germs in your mouth, than their are in your arse

 

[SylviaK]

Doesn't really bother me too much as where I live half the shoppers at any time would be barefoot, and I don't have the time or interest to be constantly upset. However, the workplace is a different matter and many if not most workplaces would have rules in place about wearing suitable footwear at work. We certainly did in most of the places I have ever worked. It was based on safety, and included a ban on thongs in the workplace as well as the feet are very vulnerable to injury from falling objects, sharp objects on the ground etc. Money based on the business' part obviously, but valid nevertheless. There are some social places in my area that ban anyone not wearing suitable clothing or with thongs on their feet. These are usually run by committees or boards who set the rules. I always wear clothing that doesn't reveal parts of my body that should be kept private and I always have shoes on so none of this bothers me. I do understand that some people find being shoeless less than desirable though.

 

[Nevertiki]

What a load of nonsense! If you are worried about hygiene, how are bare feet any dirtier than thongs, shoes or boots? In fact people with bare feet are more likely to have cleaner soles than your shoes. When did you last clean under your shoes? I hope you don’t chase people down the street and abuse them for not washing their boots after walking on the public toilet floor?

Incidentally when did you outraged folk last wear gloves to hide your offensively bare hands?

 

[Kahlan28]

What a load of nonsense! If you are worried about hygiene, how are bare feet any dirtier than thongs, shoes or boots? In fact people with bare feet are more likely to have cleaner soles than your shoes. When did you last clean under your shoes? I hope you don’t chase people down the street and abuse them for not washing their boots after walking on the public toilet floor?

Incidentally when did you outraged folk last wear gloves to hide your offensively bare hands?

What a load of nonsense is right!!

 

[Maccaroons]

It's very insulting and derogatory to use the term "Karen's and Kens"

I guess your name is Karen or Ken ?

 

[rzolin]

Everyone should wear shoes or at least thongs in a store for safety in case there is some broken gass on the floor.