- The Never-Told Story -
PRESENTATION
A topic
increasingly addressed in the media, although not always sympathetically or knowingly,
is the people for whom being barefoot is an essential part of their daily life,
be it domestic or "casual" in
general, or even public and even professional or laboral.
But like
all information, it's always better that which comes from inside, in this case,
from the barefooters themselves, who can explain their motivations, relate
their experiences and present their expectations directly.
It's why
this questionnaire -originally intended as a guide for interviewing a fellow
barefooter- prepared according to my personal experience, but that each one can
modify so that it reflects as faithfully as possible his own subjective,
individual perception of this expression of cultural diversity, always more
valid than the usual social prejudices and conventions -because if you don't
explain what you do, another will do it for you, but AGAINST YOU!
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Hello!
What is your name?
2. Since
when have you being barefoot?
3. How did
you start doing it?
4. Did
something or someone in particular inspire you?
5. How did
you feel the first time you did it?
6. Going
barefoot regularly or frequently, has get your life changed in any way?
7. Do you
feel that it has opened new horizons for you?
8. Has it
influenced your relationships with others?
9. Does it
make you feel more esteemed, if not by all, at least by some?
10. Do you
know other barefoot people?
11. If
someone were interested in doing it, what advice would you give him (her)?
12. Do you
consider yourself a "expert" barefooter?
13. What
would you change in terms of social customs and uses to feel more comfortable
barefoot?
14. Do you
think that practically all daily activities could be done barefoot?
15. Why do
you think most people don't?
16. If
there were public places like parks, galleries, cafes, dance floors, etc. where
to meet and socialize barefoot, do you think more people would go barefoot
regularly?
17. Apart
from the ones you already master, what other environments and floors would you
like to try?
18. Does
being barefoot lead you to separate yourself from others almost necessarily?
19. Do you
previously design some kind of itinerary for your barefoot adventures?
20. Do you
know of any barefoot community in your environment?
21. How do
you see the barefoot movement today?
22. What is
missing it or where should it go?
23. Do you
think the time will come when being barefoot is as accepted as now wearing
footwear?
24. How do
you think this process will take place?
25. Aside
from persevering yourself in barefooting, what else could you do to become this
a reality?
Fernando Acosta Reyes
(@ferstarey) is founder of the Investigative Society of the Strange
(SIDLE), professional musician and student of social behavior.Image: Internet
