Hi Barbara, I think bare-footing is a generational thing. When I first started dancing 20+ years ago (back in the hippy days) all my friends were dancing barefoot, as was I. Now with foot problems showing up, sensible dance shoes are my choice. These lessons we learn in the course of time! ( I still dance shoeless on hot summer nights) another aside: the best rhythm makers are shoes with hard leather bottoms and they are becoming hard to find. (at least in my area) :-) Thanks Gale