Some people think wearing shoes makes you more “civilised.” But that’s not really true
Last February, some people online made fun of Vivek Ramaswamy for being barefoot at home. They called him “uncivilised.” But if wearing shoes means being civilised, then many modern offices would seem quite the opposite. Some American startup companies like Cursor and Replo have a rule: no shoes inside the office.
Why do they do this? Some say it’s because people got used to being barefoot while working from home. Young bosses say it makes the office feel friendly and relaxed. But the real reason might be simpler — offices without shoes are easier and cheaper to clean. It could also just be a young people’s trend. Even the famous scientist Albert Einstein often walked around in socks when he was young.
As people grow older, they often stop trying so hard to look different. The same happens with offices. Some companies that once allowed bare feet now don’t anymore. But interestingly, very old cultures have always believed shoes should stay outside. In countries like Japan, Korea, and India, shoes are seen as dirty because they touch the streets. Long ago, a British woman visiting Japan wrote how surprised she was that people thought wearing shoes inside the house was rude.
In history, shoes even caused arguments. British officials in Burma didn’t like removing their shoes in front of the king. When they didn’t get their way, it led to serious conflict.
Shoes can also be bad for our bodies. Long ago, humans didn’t wear them at all. Modern shoes, especially high heels and very soft soles, can hurt feet and knees. Shoes are useful in dirty or dangerous places, but not wearing them doesn’t make someone rude or uncivilised.
After all, even the great thinker Socrates walked barefoot.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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