Talk:Foot/Archive 2

Images
I would like to include a couple of images of interesting/various types of feet. Specifically this image: File:Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) -feet.jpg. But there isn't enough material about non-human feet, I think. Any ideas? Mahalo. --Ali'i 17:58, 27 March 2009 (UTC)


 * No ideas but it's a great image! --UnicornTapestry (talk) 16:27, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Joe's Face

The anatomy pictures (esp Image:Foot.png) show really deformed feet. They're from a time when the damage shoes can do to feet was generally neglected or unknown. Of course images should show the variety of feet people have and not an idealized type, but what this choice of image does is present a deteriorated variant as the typical foot.--94.223.167.143 (talk) 21:01, 16 May 2010 (UTC)

Which came first?
Hands or Feet? Did feet come from hands or hands from feet? Notice that Apes have four hands, and quadrupeds have four feet, except bears and raccoons. Anyone knowledgeable enough? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.113.49.114 (talk) 01:58, 11 May 2009 (UTC)


 * That’s a false dichotomy. They were the same, and came to existence at exactly the same moment in time. Then their functions and therefore forms slowly drifted apart. Look back trough evolution, until you see an animal where they both are the same. That's the split point. Then look back until there are no hands or feed on that animal anymore. That's the start. :)
 * — 88.77.140.123 (talk) 17:17, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Forensics
Found in isolation, remains of human hands and feet are easily confused with bear paws. Incorrect identification of a bear paw as a human remain commonly results in use of search and rescue and criminal investigation resources. Instances reported in the media include: Russellville, Alabama in September 2008 and Belen, New Mexico in June 2009. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has published an identification guide to distinguish black bear paws from human hands and feet.

As far as I can tell, the section above is off-topic and/or out of context, so I removed it from the article. The actual information might possibly make more sense in the article if assisted by a wider context. --Fama Clamosa (talk) 17:44, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

In culture section
The section below has been challenged for more than a year and its content is either trivial or off-topic (i.e. should be added to articles such as shoe or footwear instead). If someone find this information useful enough, find an appropriate article and credible references (see WP:V). --Fama Clamosa (talk) 15:40, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Worldwide, different cultures treat and perceive feet very differently:
 * Many societies have "foot taboos":
 * In countries strongly influenced by Buddhism (e.g., Thailand, Nepal), feet are the least respected parts of the body and strong taboos obtain against touching with feet, pointing with feet, or exposing the sole of the foot toward someone. In Thai custom, feet should not be in a higher position than someone's head and must never face someone or an image of the Buddha. In Nepal, sleeping on the floor with someone's feet oriented toward another sleeper is considered entirely unacceptable.
 * Traditional Arab culture also has the same anti-foot bias as in the Nepal or Thailand cultures.
 * In traditional China (10th through 20th Centuries), the practice of female foot binding stunted the growth of the feet of young girls, resulting in a very tiny, intensely painful, and aesthetically desirable (though deformed) foot- this was often nicknamed 'Pink Socking' as it left the foot bright pink.
 * Within several Christian denominations, foot washing is a religious ritual possibly originating in the hospitality customs of the Levant.
 * Foot fetishism is a sexual interest and preoccupation with feet and hosiery. Playing footsie is also a term dealing with rubbing each other's feet, and can have sexual connotations, while a foot job is a sex act involving the feet.

Footwear customs
Customs about footwear while indoors vary significantly from place to place and usually depend on climate, weather, and other factors:
 * It is customary to remove one's footwear when entering a home: o no it isnt
 * in some homes in Europe especially the United Kingdom; as well as countries in the Commonwealth including Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It is generally to keep the carpet clean.
 * in Asia the custom is so widespread that floors are often made of materials that are too soft to survive being walked on with shoes.
 * In some cultures, bare feet may be considered unsightly or offensive. In Thailand, it is considered extremely offensive to show someone the sole of your foot, although the practice of going barefoot is common, due to various reasons including hot climate and tradition.
 * In many religious subgroups of Uzbekistan, touching another's foot is a sign of affection. However, more conservative families consider this to be an act of promiscuity.
 * The feet are one of the most common places to be tickled on the human body. The soles generally tend to be sensitive to tickling.
 * In some regions it is customary that the wearing of toe rings in public be limited to close shoe toes.

Customary measurement
One way to measure short distances on the ground is by placing one foot directly in front of the other; this led to the adoption of the foot as a unit of length, even though not all human feet correspond to this measure.

It is a myth that the Imperial "foot" (304.8 mm) is about the length of the average European male foot. The average today is less than 280 mm and 90% of the population is within 20 mm of that. Although many men today have feet that are 11.5 inches long (size 12-13): most are less than size 11. In the past, the average length would have been even less. The overall length of most shoes however, is above one "foot". Tradition has it that the Imperial foot was based upon the size of Hercules' foot or the size of the king of England's foot.

Instep
I badly need references about insteps for an article I'm working on. The word 'instep' redirects to 'foot', but the foot article has zero mention of instep. Can someone help with that?

--UnicornTapestry (talk) 16:42, 11 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Indeed, this article still needs some work, but you might find some related information in Arches of the foot. What information are you looking for? --Fama Clamosa (talk) 17:19, 11 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Thank you, Fama! We need to work 'instep' into one or the articles. As you say, the articles need work!


 * Thank you! --UnicornTapestry (talk) 16:47, 15 January 2010 (UTC)

Joe's Face — Preceding unsigned comment added by Basketballdude765 (talk • contribs) 15:29, 26 September 2011 (UTC)

Spelling and metrication
See a discussion under the same heading at WT:Manual of Style (dates and numbers). Jc3s5h (talk) 17:30, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

UK customs
Ther is no general custom in UK of removing footwear when entering private houses —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.85.143.129 (talk) 10:26, 26 March 2011 (UTC)