For many of us, walking barefoot is a way of life.
When we’re not moving around in flip-flops (flip-flops, for dirty minds), we often forgo shoes to go for a quick trip to the supermarket, the gas station or Maccas.
But now the rest of the world has discovered that we are collectively shoeless, leaving many people stunned, even horrified.
A video montage showing Sydneysiders walking around barefoot has gone viral. TikTokaccumulating more than 4.4 million views, 200,000 reactions and 7,000 comments.
In one clip, bikini-clad locals can be seen walking barefoot through a Woolworths in Bondi Beach while shopping – dirty soles on full display.
In another, a group of teenagers were hanging outside Boost Juice on Campbell Parade, all also shoeless on the sidewalk.
Residents strutted down Hall Street walking their dogs, again, without shoes, and were seen wandering on pedestrian crossings, barefoot with their trotters on the asphalt.
The video exposes our dirty habit, with the poster saying: “POV: You’re in Australia” with a crying emoji.
Even though we pride ourselves on being a clean country, people still seem to take issue with our lackadaisical attitude towards the hygiene and safety of our feet.
“But why?? So many bugs, broken glass, urine, etc. ”, we read in a comment, with 1,500 likes.
“There’s glass everywhere in the eastern suburbs,” someone else said.
Even our compatriots spoke up, with one saying: “I’m from Melbourne and I can’t think of anything dirtier than being barefoot in public spaces.” »
“I don’t know which is worse, America wearing shoes at home or Australia going barefoot,” someone else said.
Other international commentators thought it was a joke.
“Can anyone confirm if this is real?” » asked a confused viewer.
“What?! Don’t people have shoes??” another shocked man wrote.
“Aren’t there bugs and snakes and weird plants everywhere?” » someone else responded.
However, a few locals have defended our national habit, saying it’s not as bad as it seems.
“As a born and bred Australian this is true, but just in the beachside suburbs more people wear shoes than not, but certainly have memories of hot barefoot days going to the supermarket to buy some ice cream,” one said.
“It’s only acceptable if you’re near the beach,” someone wrote.
Others have gone so far as to specify the exact radius of the beach within which it is acceptable to travel without shoes.
“10 km or less,” said one.
“No, it’s 5 km,” quipped a second.
Others did not see the problem and even claimed that it was our “natural state of being”.
“We weren’t born with shoes, why is it so strange for some people? » » we asked.
“It’s a ‘grounding,’” another joked.
Actor Jacob Elordi made headlines this time last year for putting our free-footed behavior on the world stage when he decided to go for coffee in Malibu with his huge feet pounding the concrete like he was back in Brisbane.
Chris Hemsworth is another star known for breaking out his flip flops when walking around Byron Bay, and his wife Elsa Pataky also enjoys some skin-to-skin time on the sidewalk.
There is no clear reason why it is so common to walk barefoot in Australia.
Some attribute it to the influence of our indigenous culture.
Others see it as a reflection of our relaxed, laid-back society.