Foot Cleanliness vs Bottom Of Shoe Cleanliness (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

Last Poll today.

The "Wear Shoes In The House?" post had me wondering something else.

For the AVERAGE person who might visit your home, what's worse? The sole of their shoes or their bare foot / sock if they're wearing socks. 

I realize this is all depends on where you normally walk. Thus the "average person". 

 

[[scooter]]

I'm not concerned about the dirt or the smell from bare feet, but I do get grossed out by the sight of crooked toes with long, yellowed nails on them.

 

[Jayrod]

Obviously the bottom of the shoe is worse than the bottom of the sock/foot.  However, the exposed foot is worse than the top of the shoe.

I went with "on the fence" here.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Obviously the bottom of the shoe is worse than the bottom of the sock/foot. 

Can you elaborate? 

 

[bigmarc27]

I’ve never walked into a public restroom in my bare feet. 

 

[AAABatteries]

How is this even a question - are you inviting people to your home who routinely walk around in pee, crap, spit, food, dirt and god knows what else?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Socks & feet carry lots of stuff for sure. But they’re not transferring what was on the subway / train station floor. That NYC sidewalk has fecal matter & pee on it. In my case, not the same thing by a country mile.

 

[AAABatteries]

My feet are immaculate - just ask @James Daulton  You could dinner off of my feet - just ask @Ned's Mom

 

[NewlyRetired]

I’ve never walked into a public restroom in my bare feet. 

this pretty much ends the thread for me. 

 

[El Floppo]

what on earth is happening in the @Joe Bryant household today....

 

[jon_mx]

Soles of shoes are nasty.  Urine, bird crap, gum, spit, along with dirt and other unmentionables.   Not even close unless the person lacks any hygene.  

 

[Terminalxylem]

It's kind of a trick question. There bottom of shoes almost certainly have more dirt, but microbes of medical importance don't thrive in that type of environment. They prefer the moisture and darkness of the feet in the shoes/socks.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I’ve never walked into a public restroom in my bare feet. 

Guy I used to work with would go in the work bathroom with his shoes off and socks on.  It was so gross people peed on that floor around the stalls all the time.  We used to tell him to put his shoes on and he thought we were the weird ones.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Isn't a nail that goes through the sole of your shoe and into your foot like infinitely more dangerous than one that you step on barefoot?  Because of the horror show that's on the bottom of most shoes?

 

[Juxtatarot]

It's kind of a trick question. There bottom of shoes almost certainly have more dirt, but microbes of medical importance don't thrive in that type of environment. They prefer the moisture and darkness of the feet in the shoes/socks.

More reason to routinely take the shoes/socks off.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Isn't a nail that goes through the sole of your shoe and into your foot like infinitely more dangerous than one that you step on barefoot?  Because of the horror show that's on the bottom of most shoes?

No, it just changes the expected microorganisms which may cause infection.

 

[Terminalxylem]

More reason to routinely take the shoes/socks off.

Skin is almost always a more palatable environment for microorganisms than shoe rubber.

 

[MAC_32]

I'm a runner.

So whatever is on the bottom of my shoe vs the sight of my foot is a legitimate consideration. They're both disgusting. 

 

[ShamrockPride]

I don't get what this poll is asking. Which am I more disgusted by if it gets into my household? Which I am more paranoid of infecting my household? Which one I'd be more willing to lick? Define "worse".

 

[jomar]

big difference between sock and bare feet.  I just don't want to see most people's feet.  in order, I'd probably prefer socks, shoes, then bare feet

 

[Galileo]

I need the "I couldn't care less option".    

 

[jon_mx]

I don't get what this poll is asking. Which am I more disgusted by if it gets into my household? Which I am more paranoid of infecting my household? Which one I'd be more willing to lick? Define "worse".

Wouldn't that be up to the individual to decide?  If you are paranoid about foot fungus, then that would weigh heavily into your choice.  

 

[jon_mx]

I need the "I couldn't care less option".    

I am guessing you would care if I recently stepped in a pile of steaming dog doo.  

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Guy I used to work with would go in the work bathroom with his shoes off and socks on.  It was so gross people peed on that floor around the stalls all the time.  We used to tell him to put his shoes on and he thought we were the weird ones.

What was his rationale? It makes no sense.

 

[Joe Bryant]

big difference between sock and bare feet.  I just don't want to see most people's feet.  in order, I'd probably prefer socks, shoes, then bare feet

True. But it all gets lumped into one category if you have a "please remove your shoes" thing for the house. 

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

I’ve never walked into a public restroom in my bare feet. 

/Thread

This actually got you thinking Joe?

 

[Joe Bryant]

This actually got you thinking Joe?

Yes. I don't have time to write things I don't actually mean. I thought the other thread about whether folks have shoes on or off in the house was interesting. 

 

[Galileo]

I am guessing you would care if I recently stepped in a pile of steaming dog doo.  

Well, of course, but most people are pretty aware of such occurrences and probably wouldn't attempt to track it through another person's house.  I don't really care about everyday, typical exposure to germs and dirt in relatively small amounts. 

 

[-OZ-]

How is this even a question - are you inviting people to your home who routinely walk around in pee, crap, spit, food, dirt and god knows what else?

Well, we do live in Alabama...

Socks >>> feet >> shoes

 

[-OZ-]

True. But it all gets lumped into one category if you have a "please remove your shoes" thing for the house. 

You could just supply socks which you then wash. Isn't it a Japanese custom to provide slippers? Smart people.