Outrage erupts after Woolworths shopper photographed breaking societal rules
- Replies 45
Everyone likes to dress in comfortable clothing when out running errands. But how comfortable is *too* comfortable?
Well, outrage has erupted on social media after a shopper was photographed in ‘unacceptable’ attire. But do you think it’s inappropriate?
A shopper took a snap of a fellow customer perusing the fresh produce aisle at his local Woolworths and posted it on social media. While the act of exploring the vegetable section of the store is harmless enough, it was the man’s particular choice of clothing that led to the explosive reaction of many online.
In the photo, the man in question can be seen wearing shorts, a singlet – and no shoes!
In the Facebook post, the shopper admitted that he was appalled to see the man shopping with no shoes on.
‘Is there a shoe shortage in Australia? How is this acceptable on a worksite, Woolworths?’ He asked.
The post prompted strong reactions from other social media users – with many defending the shoe-less shopper.
‘How does this impact you? He isn’t wiping his feet on the fresh produce,’ one stated.
Another agreed and asked why it mattered whether the man was walking barefoot in Woolies. ‘If he wants to walk about barefoot and risk any injury, that’s surely up to him,’ they added.
‘Well, he’s not putting his feet on the food, is he?’ A third asked.
Another said: ‘Are you wearing shoes? If so, why does it matter that he’s happy to walk around in other people’s filth?’
Some were confused as to why the shopper considered Woolworths as a ‘worksite’, while others added that what customers wear while out shopping is not the supermarket’s responsibility.
‘How is this a “worksite”? He’s shopping, not bricklaying,’ one said.
Another shared: ‘How does this affect you in any way? Also, I am betting staff aren’t going around looking at everyone’s feet to make sure they are wearing shoes.’
While your stance on this ‘debate’ may differ, wearing shoes in public places protects your feet from nasty cuts or diseases. It would also hurt less if you accidentally stub your toe or drop something heavy that lands on your foot.
Not only that but without the support of a good pair of shoes compromises our gait and might cause our foot to collapse. According to some podiatrists, our feet are naturally arched so we need something that supports that arch. Going barefoot in public places also exposes our feet to bacterial infections that cause athlete’s foot and other fungus diseases.
For people with diabetes, going barefoot in public spaces also makes them vulnerable to getting skin infections if they sustain a scrape or cut. But, ultimately, it’s up to the individual.
But is it legal?
When it comes to the laws surrounding foot attire in public establishments, the answer is complicated. It largely depends on which state you are in, as some have different footwear laws than others. For example, Queensland requires that all people wear shoes when inside a public business such as a supermarket, however a person with medical needs may enter barefoot with a doctor’s certificate.
Victoria, however, does not require that shoes be worn unless requested by business owners for food safety regulations, so long as the customer follows regulations regarding footwear for the specific store.
This lack of uniform laws across the country has been a source of confusion for many shoppers.
While it may stress some to witness barefoot shoppers in supermarkets, Australian laws currently allow for this in some states.
Do you think it’s important that we adhere to certain standards in public? How does this differ from personal preference? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Well, outrage has erupted on social media after a shopper was photographed in ‘unacceptable’ attire. But do you think it’s inappropriate?
A shopper took a snap of a fellow customer perusing the fresh produce aisle at his local Woolworths and posted it on social media. While the act of exploring the vegetable section of the store is harmless enough, it was the man’s particular choice of clothing that led to the explosive reaction of many online.
In the photo, the man in question can be seen wearing shorts, a singlet – and no shoes!
Do you think this is acceptable? Credit: Facebook
In the Facebook post, the shopper admitted that he was appalled to see the man shopping with no shoes on.
‘Is there a shoe shortage in Australia? How is this acceptable on a worksite, Woolworths?’ He asked.
The post prompted strong reactions from other social media users – with many defending the shoe-less shopper.
‘How does this impact you? He isn’t wiping his feet on the fresh produce,’ one stated.
Another agreed and asked why it mattered whether the man was walking barefoot in Woolies. ‘If he wants to walk about barefoot and risk any injury, that’s surely up to him,’ they added.
‘Well, he’s not putting his feet on the food, is he?’ A third asked.
Many defended the shoe-less man. Credit: Ray Piedra/Pexels
Another said: ‘Are you wearing shoes? If so, why does it matter that he’s happy to walk around in other people’s filth?’
Some were confused as to why the shopper considered Woolworths as a ‘worksite’, while others added that what customers wear while out shopping is not the supermarket’s responsibility.
‘How is this a “worksite”? He’s shopping, not bricklaying,’ one said.
Another shared: ‘How does this affect you in any way? Also, I am betting staff aren’t going around looking at everyone’s feet to make sure they are wearing shoes.’
While your stance on this ‘debate’ may differ, wearing shoes in public places protects your feet from nasty cuts or diseases. It would also hurt less if you accidentally stub your toe or drop something heavy that lands on your foot.
Not only that but without the support of a good pair of shoes compromises our gait and might cause our foot to collapse. According to some podiatrists, our feet are naturally arched so we need something that supports that arch. Going barefoot in public places also exposes our feet to bacterial infections that cause athlete’s foot and other fungus diseases.
For people with diabetes, going barefoot in public spaces also makes them vulnerable to getting skin infections if they sustain a scrape or cut. But, ultimately, it’s up to the individual.
But is it legal?
When it comes to the laws surrounding foot attire in public establishments, the answer is complicated. It largely depends on which state you are in, as some have different footwear laws than others. For example, Queensland requires that all people wear shoes when inside a public business such as a supermarket, however a person with medical needs may enter barefoot with a doctor’s certificate.
Victoria, however, does not require that shoes be worn unless requested by business owners for food safety regulations, so long as the customer follows regulations regarding footwear for the specific store.
This lack of uniform laws across the country has been a source of confusion for many shoppers.
While it may stress some to witness barefoot shoppers in supermarkets, Australian laws currently allow for this in some states.
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