A man who leads a barefoot lifestyle, shunning shoes, was asked to leave a branch of McDonald's after ordering his food. James Graham, 55, was in McDonald’s when he says he was told to leave the premises shortly after sitting down once he had ordered.
He said: “I went to McDonald’sand ordered my food. Minding my own business, I just sat down waiting for the table service when one of the service people came up and said that I could not be in there without shoes on.
"I questioned her about this and she said the words ‘No shoes, no shirt, no service’, to which I told her that this was an old saying from hippie times in the USA used to restrict people from going into places. But she was having none of it. She went to get the manager, who said I may cut myself.”
He said he thought the incident was a ‘bit silly’ as he added he was sitting right next to a play area, which James said was often full of barefooted children playing. He said: “I spoke to head office and emailed them. They said it was down to the franchise manager of that site.
"I think it’s strange to make these decisions in a split second when I’m doing no harm to anyone. In 2013 I had a life-changing experience. My wife passed and since then I have just been living life. Life is too short to not do things you think you might want to do.”
James said he has run 20 marathons in his bare feet. He ran the Eastbourne Half Marathon last Sunday and is planning to run the London Marathon this year in his bare feet.
He added his barefoot lifestyle has had mixed reactions from the public. James said: “Some are completely horrified and don’t understand it. Other people fully support it and say they wish they had the courage and freedom to do it.”
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “At McDonald’s we want to create a welcoming environment for all our customers to enjoy their experience. The Bexhill team informed the customer that for his own safety and for the comfort of other diners all customers are asked to wear footwear in the restaurant.
"When he refused, the customer was allowed to remain on this occasion and finish his food before leaving.”
