Walking Barefoot on the Bowery, Redux

Posted on: September 27th, 2012 by Elie

A few weeks ago, we spotted this tank-topped dude sans footwear walking up the east side of the street, kicks in hand. Is walking barefoot on the Bowery a mainstream thing now?

Look, we totally understand the general medical merits of going barefoot – good for posture, strengthens foot muscles and lower body circulation, etc. There are even barefoot societies that aim to educate the masses and promote shoelessness. Yet that still doesn’t make it any less narsty to let loose on some of the most disgusting, garbage-strewn sidewalk space this side of the Mississippi.

Streets

Bowery

t b

Who cares. Judge much? The lady in platforms sure knows how to walk. Keep doing what your told, keep buying those fancy shoes!
LiberationNYC

The only thing move skeevy than walking barefoot on the city streets are the kids who sit in the gutter to eat, smoke, talk, etc. It’s THE GUTTER.
Own2Feet

Actually, the insides of some shoes are more disgusting than NYC streets. At least the soles of the feet are not softened and dampened and made more susceptible to bacterial penetration when barefoot, as they are from shoes. Also, barefoot people are more mindful about where they step, so they won’t be stepping in as many nasties as the shoe-wearers, who will then track the “crap” they step in everywhere.
Own2Feet

Actually, the insides of some shoes are more disgusting than NYC streets. At least the soles of the feet are not softened and dampened and made more susceptible to bacterial penetration when barefoot, as they are from shoes. Also, barefoot people are more mindful about where they step, so they won’t be stepping in as many nasties as the shoe-wearers, who will then track the “crap” they step in everywhere.
MartinM

Aside from the bin-bags, which are unsightly, what is the problem?. If the streets really are as disgusting as people suggest, then the question is not why this person walks naturally with bare feet, but why the citizens of Bowery allow their environment to get so disgusting.
Joey

omg item! slow blog day.
Lowereastsider

Stop stalking people who, for whatever reason, choose to go barefoot. It doesn’t harm anyone, and apparently doesn’t harm them either.