In today's day and age, shoes have become a necessity in the everyday working world as part of the business dress attire. It would be utterly laughable if a CEO of a major corporation strutted into his important business meeting devoid of shoes. It is curious that the we consider going to work without shoes to be so taboo, so barbaric, even if one only works in an office cubicle where shoes are hardly necessary. People don't think practically when it comes to footwear in general. Many spend more money on shoes than they do on any other article of clothing - I know I did on my pair of shoes. It is the trend of sophistication and of style that trumps practicality in today's popular culture. People have enough money in this culture and many richer cultures around the world so that they can afford to spend money on shoes, whereas in poorer and developing countries many show up to work without shoes every day. I don't think people realize how silly it is that we care so much about shoes and our appearance like that in general - I didn't realize it until this topic was brought up in class today.
I think as much as it would be practical to allow people to go barefoot, it is not going to happen. People, especially those with "bigger" jobs such as wealthy bankers and the like, have too much to lose to take the risk needed to venture outside the norm, outside the arrogance of being "sophisticated". Yes it is ridiculous, yes it is impractical, but it is how the world works as of right now. The issue of shoes versus no shoes is very small compared to the issues of today, and it would be foolish to raise attention to this issue in particular because in the end, it really doesn't matter that much.
I admit that it would be very interesting if this was allowed. I believe people would divert back to barefoot more vigorously than people might think - I know I would consider it. But, until this trend appears, I am afraid it will continue to be: "NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE."
