However, in some places (particularly the US, it seems), some stores, restaurants, museums and the like turn away barefoot customers, telling them to put shoes on. "No shoes, no shirt, no service." There are no laws, OSHA regulations, etc. against bare feet in these places: the bans are generally based on misinformation, fear of lawsuits in case of injury, or simply prejudice against barefooters.

Barefooters handle these confrontations in different ways. Discussing the reasons for the ban with the staff or manager can help change their minds when it's based on misinformation, while offering to sign a waiver accepting responsibility for injury can also help. However, when the ban is based purely on prejudice or podophobia, these tactics rarely work.

In such case, some barefooters just give in to avoid hassle and wear shoes next time, some try to fool the staff by wearing 'barefoot sandals' (straps that make it look like you're wearing sandals when you aren't), some stop shopping at that store.

I'm lucky to live in New Zealand where barefooting is relatively accepted, but if I found a store where the manager banned barefoot customers purely out of prejudice, I might be in the mood to go back wearing my Shoefoot Shoes.

These shoes are handmade, based on a photo of your feet. The sole is made from tough, supple leather or vegan leather, while the rest of the shoe is made from thinner, more flexible material, coloured and designed to look like a bare foot. Not just any bare foot, but yours - we can add hair and freckles based on the photo you send us.

The toes have artificial nails, again designed to look as natural as possible. (You can even apply nail polish to these nails if you want to!)

A discreet flesh-coloured zip on the back of the heel helps you to easily slide in and out of these shoes. Now, when you go to the shop and the manager comes rushing over to tell you to put some shoes on, they'll be in for a surprise!

If they still insist on you leaving the store, when you *are* wearing shoes (albeit unusual ones), just because your shoes *look* like bare feet, their podophobia is clearly revealed to all and sundry.

After a few visits wearing the Shoefoot Shoes, you can return to going barefoot, since the staff will assume you're wearing your Shoefoot Shoes. But that's a side-benefit. I just like the idea of catching the manager out - making them storm across angrily, yell at you, and then be taken aback when you unzip and show them your Shoefoot Shoes.