Hi Tim,

.... I wanted to get to know the general state of barefoot acceptance in Germany and other countries, and I guess I'm taking a chance writing in English (it's all I know!). I'm particularly interested in the barefoot parks and how that may have triggered a further acceptance of barefooting in the cities. Has it?

We have founded a barefoot trail close our small city (15000 inhabitants) and made some events with barefoot activities. It seems this has favoured positive thinking about going barefoot. In summer you always can meet lots of barefoot children and even some unshoed grown-ups. And in the High School some students have organized a foot sensation path in a class room for the 20th school anniversary. Since then it is very common to go barefoot at that school -- I know it form my daughters who attend it and my wife who is a teacher.

And as for the cities, from Franco Spatz' webpage, one would get the impression that barefooting is very popular, especially around the universities.

Franco does not show shoed people who are still predominant

Thirdly, is there any provision for this forum already translated into English that I do not know about? I thought that if I found Germany barefoot-friendly enough, I might take a vacation there, also to meet up with other barefooters if possible.

Germany is barefoot-friendly, it is a very rare exception if anyone is criticized for his bare feet. I visited hotels, musea, churches, restaurants, shops, I went by train and bus -- all barefoot. I could imagine that it would be a nice vacation to combine visiting barefoot parks and some nice cities that are close to them. I did some travel of this kind myself.

Fourthly, are there any pictures of barefooters in the cities here so that I can get a better impression?

We had some barefooter meetings in nice cities, but some participants resisted against their publication. So we cannot show them, but it is most important to respect personal rights.

I made some information and pics available in englisch -- including barefoot parks- Perhaps you already know the site:

natural and healthy barefoot activities

Dear friend. I'm italian but I wish to remeber you that the German language parte of Switzerland is also a must for barefooters. Particularly the smallest Canton of Appenzell Innerhoden, ten miles from St.Gallen and not far from the lake Bodensee. THe very first barefoot path of all was opened at Appenzell say at least 15 years ago. It was not a closed park, but a looong (11 km about 7 miles) path in the mountains from Gonten to Appenzell you may reach with a narrow gauge train. You may leave your shoes directly to the train's attendant (and you find them again at the Appenzell station) or take the train shoeless. IT's fantastic. YOu may find very many boys and girls walking barefoot at Appenzell and also adults.
You may visit www.Appenzell.ch to get more news or contact the Tourist Office there (there is also a folder on the barefoot path with english captions that you may read also visiting www.bftravel.tripod.com clikking on Switzerland. I wrote something more there and there are pictures and part of the brochures.
In Italy barefooting is quite difficult due to people's mentality. You may see pictures and articles (sorry in italian only) visiting our site www.nati-scalzi.org (that means born shoeless). Bye

I thought that if I found Germany barefoot-friendly enough, I might take a vacation there, also to meet up with other barefooters if possible.

Nice to meet you here. If you like to come to Bamberg I can show you something. Bamberg is a more than 1000 years old town and world heritage. You can fly to Munich, Nuremburg or Frankfurt an than go by train to Bamberg. In Germany most it is no great problem to go barefoot everywhere.
What are you doing barefoot in the USA. By my visit there I found the USA very barefoot unfriendly. Everywhere I had problems. It was forbidden to enter barefoot holidayparks, ships, hotels, restaurants and shopping-malls. Everywhere was written no shirt, no shoes, no service or shoes required. In a great shopping mall in Florida I was clutched from four savety guards as I came from the restroom. They brought me outside of the building and told me, that it is for my own safety to wear shoes in the building. One men told with a mobile someone that they have caught a tourist who speaks no English. I think this was my luck.

Greetings to the USA

Lothar

Hi Tim! Glad you got up the courage to write to a forum written in a language other than your own. I myself am an American born and living in Germany and a passionate barefooter (member of the SBL). Barefooting is definitely accepted here, though you will get "the look" if not an indirect comment, especially if during a time of year such as now when barefooting seems to be "out of season". If summer 2004 is going to be as hot as 2003, I'm sure there will lots of bare feet to be seen. "Barefoot in the Park" is very common here and there are no 3NS signs on any shops. Most barefooters will younger folks. I have visited one of the BF parks Lorenz gave you info on in Bad Sobernheim and found it to be very stimulating. Unfortunately it doesn't open till April. Feel free to e-mail me privately if you'd like to know more.
Happy (BF) New Year! Don