It is this kind of behaviour that arouses suspicion in Canada, the nation of Us v. the Elements. But Winkler, a pharmaceutical representative and folk dancer, has watched with fascination as his feet have grown stronger and healthier. You never twist an ankle. In fact, his biggest problem with the switch from shod to shoeless has been a security guard at The Bay, who called headquarters for instructions on how to deal with the barefoot guy. Ultimately, the reason few of us go barefoot, even in the woods, is because no one else is doing it.
Civilized people prefer, say, stiletto heels.
In fact, it was a sociology project in breaching social norms that launched Marian Rosenberg's shoeless career. She went barefoot 24 hours a day, seven days a week, only ending her sans souliers stint when snow blanketed the Washington College campus near Baltimore. I mean, just take off your shoes. Lucas is telling me to take a hike. And so, this late-winter morning, my body is wrapped in three layers, my hands stuffed in gloves, my head amply fleeced.