Velvetee, what exactly are these people going to pick up? It's one of those common paranoia about hygiene, akin to thinking you're going to pick up diseases from sitting on a public toilet. I don't do it because of a personal "ickyness" factor, but there is no valid, medical reason why you shouldn't. I agree with JNO there. I walk barefoot all the time in my flat, and I have a cat (although she's a house cat and doesn't go out). She sleeps in my bed. Whilst I wouldn't expect someone else to put up with it, I have no problem with it. I haven't been any sicker than anyone I know, and I hardly ever get a cold (haven't one this winter, actually).