Newspaper Profile — Alan Bruens

The Advertiser-News (North) in northern New Jersey recently had a very nice story about fellow barefooter Alan Bruens.

We got a glimpse of Alan from when he visited the Grand Canyon a few months ago and had an issues with their shuttle buses.

Alan Just Below the Grand Canyon Rim

The article, Vernon man advocates barefooting, uses that photo, but also had much, much more about Alan and barefooting.

The writer seems quite sympathetic to going barefoot and gives some decent information, but really the best parts of the article are quotes from Alan.

While he is a confirmed barefooter, his family is not completely sold on the idea. “My wife is quite supportive and in fact goes barefoot around the house and grounds. My daughter is married and does as she wishes. My son would not be caught dead in bare feet. Go figure. I’ve never gone out of my way to convert anyone. I live barefoot for myself.”

That is pretty much the same way I feel, too. I can set an example to help give others the idea that they too might go barefoot, but all I really want from them is the freedom to make my own choice.

Another quote:

As far as encountering difficulties in a business or restaurant, Bruens says, “I’ve never felt the need to make a statement. If an establishment puts up a fuss, I will take my money elsewhere.” He has, however, kept a pair of flip-flops in his vehicle for initial meetings when showing a home to prospective buyers who are unfamiliar with him. Once they know him, however, the flip-flops come off.

Here we’re a bit different. I will try to get a restaurant to relent. But if they won’t, just as with Alan, they’ve lost my business. There are plenty of other businesses without the hangups or the hassles.

Another good quote:

Is he bothered by others’ reactions? “At my age I make decisions to enhance my quality of life. Most of my life is behind me, less is in front of me, unless I live to be 130, which is not likely. Recent trends range from tattoos, piercings and multi-colored hair, none of which is my style. Going barefoot is my choice. So I don’t really pay much attention to the odd stares, strange looks or perhaps silent mumblings of others, if any. And I also think that with my silver dollar grey hair, few have come forward to challenge me.”

Finally, here’s another picture from the article.

Living Barefoot

[Update: I’ve replaced the picture with a full-color version. The original was black-and-white from the online article.]

Go read the whole article.