Society. Disgust or fascination: why are feet so divisive?

They remain hidden in our shoes most of the time and receive much less attention than other parts of our body, even though they are essential: feet are adored by some but a source of embarrassment for others. According to a survey conducted by the Flashs institute for Poderm *, 42% of French people say they love their feet, compared to 61% of respondents who say they are indifferent to them. "I have neither attraction nor rejection for my feet. I'm lucky to have two that allow me to walk, run, dance, that's already very good and I keep them as they are," analyzes Philippe, a reader in the Rhône region, with humor.

For four out of ten French people, they are more of a charming asset. A part of the body that appeals more to men, since 44% see it as an element that can play a role in seduction, compared to 37% for women.

For others, feet are more than that, since foot fetishism is one of the most widespread! For Julien, from Wiesberg, in Moselle, it's even a work of art. "It's modern art! A well-arched foot, I compare it to a Pablo Picasso painting. Since I was little, I've been collecting those of the stars," he says. Dylan, from Sarrebourg, tells us he has a weakness for "women's feet. I find them magnificent, whether in socks or not."

For foot enthusiasts like Julien and Dylan, there's even a Wikipedia for feet, called "wikifeet." Created in 2008, this platform lists thousands of photos of celebrities, actors, singers, influencers, and other personalities with visible feet. The platform is collaborative, as users can add photos and rate them using a star system from one to five. Some celebrities even embrace foot worship. Quentin Tarantino , a fan of close-ups of this part of the body, has already admitted his obsession with feet.

Feet aren't just a seductive asset; they can also be a potential source of income. Facing the fascination of some, an online business has become popularized around the sale of feet photos. This practice has been made easier thanks to social media and platforms like Only Fans or Mym, which allow users to obtain photos in exchange for a subscription or payment, while remaining anonymous.

Mustapha, a reader from Moselle, admits to having already "bought photos of beautiful women's feet online; it's become a passion," without, however, sharing the amount of his purchases. Moreover, 21% of those surveyed by Flashs have already sent (3%) or considered sending (18%) a photo of their feet for money. This figure swells among 18-24 year-olds: 46% of them have done so or thought about doing so.

However, feet are also a part of the body that 18% of respondents have difficulty accepting: 14% of those surveyed say they don't like them and 4% downright hate them. Coralie, a reader from the Vosges, even has a phobia of them. "All feet disgust me, even my own, it's complicated. As soon as I touch my feet, even after getting out of the shower, I disinfect them and wash my hands again."

For others, feet are a source of embarrassment or self-consciousness (41%). When asked about the reasons for this embarrassment, 36% of them cite the shape and appearance of their nails first. This insecurity even pushes 32% of respondents to have already canceled an activity like the beach or the pool because they don't want to show off their feet.

Fanny, a resident of the Vosges region, has long had a complicated relationship with this part of her body. "Repeated sprains, fractures... and then I learned to take care of my feet. And today, I'm a reflexologist and mainly provide foot reflexology sessions," she recalls.

Isabelle, from Rosheim (Bas-Rhin), loves her feet and especially what they represent and allow her to do on a daily basis: "They are solid, faithful, a little dented perhaps, but valiant. They have carried me everywhere: on hiking trails, in the streets, in the corridors of everyday life. My daughter says they look like knacki balls . It makes me laugh. They are feet that tell a story. My life, in a way," she concludes.

*Survey carried out by Flashs for Poderm from March 11 to 14, 2025 by self-administered online questionnaire with a panel of 2,003 French men and women aged 18 and over, representative of the French population.