For many people down there, going barefoot is a way of life.
When we’re not wearing thongs (flip flops for those with dirty minds), we often forget to wear shoes for a quick trip to the supermarket, petrol station or Macas.
But now, the rest of the world has become aware of our collective shamelessness, leaving many shocked and even horrified.
A video montage of Sydney locals walking around barefoot has gone viral tiktokOver 4.4 million views, 200,000 reactions and 7000 comments.
In one clip, bikini-clad locals can be seen walking barefoot around Woolworths in Bondi Beach while picking up their groceries – dirty soles on full display.
In another, a group of teenagers hung out topless on the pavement outside Boost Juice on Campbell Parade.
Residents walking their dogs strutted down Hall Street again without shoes, and were seen wandering across zebra crossings, barefoot with their feet on the asphalt.
The video exposed our nasty habit, with the poster writing: “POV: You’re in Australia” with crying emojis.
Even though we take pride in being a clean country, people still object to our careless attitude towards the hygiene and safety of our feet.
“But why?? So many insects, broken glass, urine etc,” read one comment with 1,500 likes.
Someone else claimed, “There’s glass everywhere in the eastern suburbs.”
Even our fellow countrymen chimed in, “I’m from Melbourne and can’t think of anything dirtier than being barefoot on a public floor.”
“I don’t know what’s worse, America wearing shoes at home or Australia going barefoot,” said someone else.
Other international commentators thought it was a joke.
“Can anyone confirm if this is real?” a confused viewer asked.
“What?! Don’t people have shoes??” Another surprised man wrote.
“Aren’t there insects, snakes and strange plants everywhere?” Someone else replied.
However, some locals defend our national habit, saying that it is not as bad as it seems.
One said, “As a born and raised Australian, this is true, but only in beachside suburbs, more people wear shoes, but certainly eating ice cream barefoot in the supermarket on hot days.” There are memories.”
Someone wrote, “This is only acceptable if you’re close to the beach.”
Others went so far as to specify the exact radius from the beach where it is acceptable to go without shoes.
“10 km or less,” said one.
“No, it’s 5km,” quipped another.
Others could not see the issue and even argued that it was our “natural state.”
“We weren’t born with shoes, why is it so weird for some people?” One asked a question.
“This is ‘grounding’,” joked another.
actor Jacob Elordi made headlines this time last year To put our free-spirited behavior on the world stage, when he decided to go on a coffee run in Malibu, pounding the concrete with his giant feet as if he was back in Brisbane.
Chris Hemsworth is another A-lister known for taking out his clip clappers while strolling around Byron Bay, and his wife Elsa Pataky is also fond of spending some skin-to-skin time on the sidewalk.
There is no clear reason why going barefoot is so common in Australia.
Some people have called it the influence of our indigenous culture.
Others see it as a reflection of our informal, laid-back society.
