'Is This Normal?': Viral Video Of Australians Walking Barefoot On Streets Puzzles Internet

A video showing people in Australia walking barefoot through the streets to run errands has gone viral on social media, leaving netizens both baffled and confused. “Is this normal in Australia?” reads the caption of the clip shared by a page called Censored Men on X. The video has already been viewed over six million times and is still gaining traction.

So, what is the reason behind this phenomenon? According to a report in the New York Times, Australians and New Zealanders don’t care about removing their footwear while going about their normal activities. They prefer to go barefoot rather than cover their feet when going to the supermarket or even the pub, for example.

“People walk around barefoot. On the streets. In supermarkets. Everywhere. It’s not everyone, but it’s a large enough minority to stand out and be a little disconcerting. Sure, city sidewalks are clean. But they’re still city sidewalks,” noted Seth Kugel, a New York Times writer, during a visit to New Zealand in 2012.

It’s not just normal for adults, but also for school children. In Perth, there is at least one elementary school where wearing shoes is optional. And what might be the reason for this? According to administrators, walking barefoot helps children improve their posture, develop their sensory perception, and strengthen their feet and bodies. But podiatrists are less convinced of this fact, reports the New York Times.

The Australian cricket team also made headlines on their 2019 tour of England. They preferred to walk around the field barefoot, citing that they capture “positive energy from the earth.” Meanwhile, there is no obvious reason for this trend. While some attribute this to the indigenous cultures of the two countries, others find it soothing.

Jordana Gray, a British expat living in the land down under, claims that walking barefoot makes her feet healthier. “I like to ride with my gorilla toes grabbing the pedals. It feels so liberating to be barefoot and my feet are so much healthier,” she said.

According to Gray, Aussies even leave their shoes at the entrance when they go to the beach. She initially found it a “culture shock” but was happy to do so in the name of convenience and a casual lifestyle.

Several people from Australia or who have lived there at some point confirmed the claims in the comments section of the viral post. She appreciates the casual barefoot fashion and the clean streets without nails and broken glass.

“It’s good for your legs and circulation and there are no broken glass or nails on the ground. It’s a clean country,” wrote one user.

Another user commented, “Yes, I’m Australian and this is quite normal in Australia.”

“It’s embarrassing,” added one user.