Woman gets kicked out of shopping centre for being barefoot
- Replies 97
A Queensland woman has caused massive debate online after claiming she was asked to leave a shopping centre because she'd chosen to go barefoot.
The woman took to Facebook to share her experience at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, writing that she'd 'been told to leave' because she wasn't wearing any shoes.
The woman wrote, 'Was at Sunshine Plaza today and was asked to leave as I wasn't wearing any shoes.'
She added, 'Since when has being barefoot been illegal? Has anyone else been told this?'
The woman further responded to some of the hundreds of comments on the page questioning why she would go shopping without shoes.
'I find it more comfortable with bare feet. (I) only wear shoes at work or where I really have to. Dust and soot just washes off,' she said.
She said that she had been wearing no shoes at ‘shopping centres and walking on city streets for over 30 years’ and had never had any issues.
‘I do it all the time, even in Brisbane city, never had a problem before,’ she said.
‘I couldn’t believe it...I’ve never had a problem before, even in the big Brisbane shopping centres.’
The woman further rebutted a commenter’s claims that some diseases can be spread via bare feet saying, 'Can’t be that easy. I’ve been going barefoot into shopping centres and walking on city streets for just over 30 years and never got anything.'
A lot of people in the comment thread had mixed opinions, with others critical of her shoeless habit, while a handful of others lamented anti-barefoot policies as restrictions imposed on personal freedoms.
To that effect, one person said, 'Why go barefoot? Because it’s natural. Why make the choice? Because it’s mine to make.'
Sunshine Plaza’s manager, Michael Manwaring, issued a statement, saying, 'In line with our centre policy, all visitors to Sunshine Plaza are required to wear suitable attire and footwear at all times. As always, maintaining essential standards to support the health, safety and well-being for all our customers, retailers and staff is our number one priority.'
Walking barefoot in public is a trait some Aussies practice fearlessly, even at times leading to curiosity—and criticism—from those unfamiliar with the cultural quirk.
It's great being out in the sun, breathing the fresh air and feeling the warm grass or sand between one’s toes. Not to mention that biomechanists and physical therapists argue that going barefoot is good for health and posture.
But with this recent incident, it would seem that some places on home soil have taken a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to footwear.
Should we have the right to go out barefoot in certain places, or should businesses continue to require us to wear shoes and other clothing? Let us know in the comments below!
The woman took to Facebook to share her experience at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, writing that she'd 'been told to leave' because she wasn't wearing any shoes.
The woman wrote, 'Was at Sunshine Plaza today and was asked to leave as I wasn't wearing any shoes.'
She added, 'Since when has being barefoot been illegal? Has anyone else been told this?'
A woman claimed she was asked to leave a shopping centre for being barefoot. Image: Instagram
The woman further responded to some of the hundreds of comments on the page questioning why she would go shopping without shoes.
'I find it more comfortable with bare feet. (I) only wear shoes at work or where I really have to. Dust and soot just washes off,' she said.
She said that she had been wearing no shoes at ‘shopping centres and walking on city streets for over 30 years’ and had never had any issues.
‘I do it all the time, even in Brisbane city, never had a problem before,’ she said.
‘I couldn’t believe it...I’ve never had a problem before, even in the big Brisbane shopping centres.’
The woman further rebutted a commenter’s claims that some diseases can be spread via bare feet saying, 'Can’t be that easy. I’ve been going barefoot into shopping centres and walking on city streets for just over 30 years and never got anything.'
A lot of people in the comment thread had mixed opinions, with others critical of her shoeless habit, while a handful of others lamented anti-barefoot policies as restrictions imposed on personal freedoms.
To that effect, one person said, 'Why go barefoot? Because it’s natural. Why make the choice? Because it’s mine to make.'
The woman also claims she has been walking barefoot in shopping centres and city streets without a problem. Image: Pexels
Sunshine Plaza’s manager, Michael Manwaring, issued a statement, saying, 'In line with our centre policy, all visitors to Sunshine Plaza are required to wear suitable attire and footwear at all times. As always, maintaining essential standards to support the health, safety and well-being for all our customers, retailers and staff is our number one priority.'
Walking barefoot in public is a trait some Aussies practice fearlessly, even at times leading to curiosity—and criticism—from those unfamiliar with the cultural quirk.
It's great being out in the sun, breathing the fresh air and feeling the warm grass or sand between one’s toes. Not to mention that biomechanists and physical therapists argue that going barefoot is good for health and posture.
But with this recent incident, it would seem that some places on home soil have taken a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to footwear.
Should we have the right to go out barefoot in certain places, or should businesses continue to require us to wear shoes and other clothing? Let us know in the comments below!
.png){kind=icon}
