Barefoot couple propping feet on movie theater seats stirs controversy online

A photo of two moviegoers resting their bare feet on the headrests of the seats in front of them has stirred controversy online.

The image was submitted to the official social media account of the online community Bobaedream, along with a tip reading: "Young women put their feet up on the seats in front of them at a movie theater."

The photo shows two audience members stretching their bare feet up onto the headrests of the seats ahead, shoes and socks removed, as they watch the screen — their feet in full view of those around them.

The image sparked a split reaction online. Some users argued there was nothing wrong with the behavior since the seats in front were empty, while others said it was uncomfortable for fellow audience members to have to look at someone else's bare feet.

The majority of commenters, however, were critical. "The next person to sit there will be resting their head on that same spot — they have absolutely no sense of hygiene," one user wrote. Others called the behavior a sign of poor upbringing, noted that such people are far from rare, said the photo alone was enough to make them uncomfortable, and accused the pair of having lost the basic etiquette expected in public spaces.

Placing one's feet on seats, armrests or other fixtures in public spaces rarely constitutes a criminal offense, but it is widely regarded as one of the most inconsiderate things a person can do, causing discomfort and hygiene concerns for other users.

Calls are growing for a more considerate and mature culture of public conduct — one that takes into account the visual discomfort and hygiene concerns that arise in shared spaces used by large numbers of people.