I live a barefoot life but McDonald’s asked me to leave
I never wear shoes or socks and have run 50 marathons without sneakers – but McDonald’s asked me to leave even though there were kids in the play area with bare feet
A man who lives barefoot was asked to leave a McDonalds branch after ordering his food.
James Graham, 55, was at McDonald’s in Ravenside Retail Park in Bexhill, Sussex, when he said he was told to leave the premises shortly after being seated after ordering.
He revealed that a service person approached him and said “no shoes, no shirt, no service.”
He explained, “I went to McDonald’s in Ravenside and ordered my food. I was minding my own business and was just sitting down to wait for table service when one of the servers came up to me and said I couldn’t 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 this was an old saying from the hippie days in the US, used to forbid people from going places.
James Graham, 55, from Sussex, who leads a barefoot lifestyle, was asked to leave a McDonalds branch after ordering his food
But she was having none of it. She went to get the manager, who said I can cut myself.’
He said he thought the incident was a “little silly,” adding that he was right next to a playground, which James said was often full of barefoot children playing.
He said, ‘I’ve spoken to headquarters and emailed them. They said it was the franchise manager of that site.
“I think it’s strange to make these split-second decisions when I’m not harming anyone.
“In 2013, I had a life-changing experience. My wife passed away and I’ve been living life ever since. Life’s too short not to do things you think you’d like to do.”
James said he has run 20 marathons barefoot. He ran the Eastbourne Half Marathon last Sunday and plans to run the London Marathon barefoot this year.
James was at McDonald’s in Ravenside Retail Park in Bexhill, Sussex, when he said he was told to leave the premises shortly after being seated after ordering
James said he has run 20 marathons barefoot. He ran the Eastbourne Half Marathon last Sunday and plans to run the London Marathon barefoot this year
James said he had a life changing experience in 2013 when his wife passed away and since then he has been living life the way he wants, saying ‘life is too short’
He added that his barefoot lifestyle has garnered a mixed response from the public.
James said, “Some are completely shocked and don’t understand. Other people fully support it and say they wish they had the courage and freedom to do it.”
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: ‘At McDonald’s, we want to create a welcoming environment where all our customers can enjoy their experience.
‘The Bexhill team have informed the customer that for their own safety and for the comfort of other guests, all customers are asked to wear footwear in the restaurant.
“When he refused, the customer was allowed to stay on this occasion and eat his food before leaving.”