Dirty Feet

On a regular Tuesday afternoon I took my boys to our local library.  We thought we were going for story time but it turns out they are taking a break from story time.  I was happy that I remembered and got there on time to find the place nearly empty and only the grouchy librarian within sight.  She informed me rather curtly that story time will resume in June.
My boys didn't really mind.  They would really rather play on the train and with the puppets.  Sweet Henri went over to the train, took off his Crocs, and climbed up into the upholstered seats of the train.  Joel began to play with the puppets.  I searched for audio books and more Raffi Cd's which my boys can't seem to get enough of.
I am going to completely derail here and tell you about the life of my sons shoes and often the life of my own.  They are dirty.  Really dirty.  There is a good chance they have been through sand, a myriad of animal manure in our own backyard or on a farm we have visited recently, street salt, garden soil, and definitely mud.  I ingrain in them to take their shoes off at the door.  I have been known to say with some urgency rather boldly, "Take those dirty manure boots right back to that door sir!".  I love for my boys to play in these things.  I am not really bothered at all by mud, sand, and even manure.  But I do not want it on my kitchen floor or furniture.

Back to the library:
My 3 year old Henri left the train and joined his brother at the puppets.  I said, "Henri where are your shoes?" He answered, "Beside the train". I thought I'll go get them in a minute and went back to perusing the Cd's.
Maybe 2 minutes later, grouchy librarian arrives with shoes, and says, "Whose shoes are these?  This is a public place and it is the law to have shoes on."  This was said in a quiet but very grouchy tone.  My little guy diligently put his shoes back on and my heart hurt.  He had sadness in his eyes.  He was just trying to keep the train seats clean and got in trouble for it.  I said out loud in as friendly of a manner as possible, "I am pretty sure his feet are cleaner than his shoes. " I realize this was inappropriate.  I should stay quiet, but it just came out and it was the nicest thing I could think of at the time.

Amongst rain sprinkles tonight my 80 year old neighbor was talking about her weekly visit to the library with her granddaughter.  I told her the story.  She had a completely different reaction than my own.  She said, "Oh yeah, feet are so dirty, all kinds of diseases...that's why you have to wear them in grocery stores...". I smiled thinking am I really ignorant.

As I sat in the rocking chair between the beds of my little guys tonight, I thought of their feet.  One asked me to rub his feet another his hand.  While caressing their little beautiful feet, I thought, "Really... What can they spread or get from going barefooted."

Not much.

I googled "Foot diseases passed by walking barefoot".

Wiki has an interesting read on the many things you can do barefooted, sand volleyball, swim, water sports, martial arts, gymnastics.  It also states the two things you can pass or contract, Athletes foot if you have feet that are overly moist and week crevices in your feet from wearing socks and shoes all the time and hook worm if you walk in the human excrement of another person infected with hookworm.

So why the fear?  Really?  I really want to know.  This is the kind of thing that infuriates me.
Sure I should teach my children to follow the rules.  I am more than happy to, but I will make sure they think for themselves as well.
I want to know why people think feet are so dirty... dirtier than their shoes...