Where I grew up,
Auckland,
New Zealand (
Titirangi, actually), every single child went barefoot until about 12 or older. We prided ourselves on having tough dirty feet, and deplored the idea of shoes. I was barefoot until I was 10, at which point I moved to the USA. Instant shoe problem over here... With the exception of a few lost places (colleges, hi tech offices, parks), you are not presentable, possibly because cities at least are not a safe place for the
10 little piggies.
I make a point, when hiking, to always take some time to wash my feet, if the occasion occurs. In southeast asian countries, the washing of the feet is considered a standard offer "Tea, footbath?" This is highly refined, very pleasurable, and we could learn something from it.