“A picture you can smell.”
A viral social media post showing shoes scattered across a floor as a result of the ‘No Shoe Policy’ at tech startups has amused Indian netizens.
Cupertino-based developer Andre Landgraf shared the image on X, which fellow tech experts quickly identified as Cursor.
The startup based in San Francisco is famous for its artificial intelligence tools and a very unique rule.
Many users from India found the sight of piled footwear quite interesting, given their own cultural traditions.
A user commented: “A picture you can smell.”
Another individual stated: “I’m from India, and even we don’t do this at workplaces.”
One user joked: “Looks like a Hindu temple.”
Interestingly, one of the four founders of this successful startup is an Indian origin professional named Aman Sanger.
He is one of several alumni from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who launched the company four years ago.
Cursor is not the only modern tech company asking employees to leave their footwear at the door.
Several other startups, such as Replo, Spur, and Flowhub, are also embracing this growing trend to create a relaxed environment.
Sneha Sivakumar, who serves as the chief executive of Spur, defended the policy.
She claimed that the shoeless environment “makes it feel like a second home” for her entire office team.
She also noted that the lack of formal footwear “positively disarms you” during a workday.
Despite these positive intentions, some critics are still worried about the practical aspects of working without shoes.
One of them asked: “Are there slippers for the bathroom???”
Another person pondered: “Imagine bringing around a client like this.”
This unconventional approach aims to improve focus and create a comfortable environment as people return to the office.
The shoeless office trend has even crossed the ocean to reach the United Kingdom.
A skincare startup founder named Natalie James introduced a strict sock-only policy at her UK office.
She believes that taking off shoes helps her employees feel much more comfortable and creative during their day.
James said: “Offices are, by their very nature, stressful environments.
“If a little thing like taking off your shoes makes you feel more comfortable – and thus be more creative – then that’s a no-brainer.”
Some netizens found the concept deeply refreshing, while others could not get past the idea of smelling many sweaty socks.
It remains to be seen if more traditional corporations will ever adopt the ‘No Shoe Policy.’
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