Dear Doc,
When we hear about people being attracted to another’s feet, for example, the foot fetish, it always seems to be men who are into them. Do women, in general, find men’s feet sexually attractive?
—Bill

Dear Bill,
In general, there’s the stereotype that men’s feet aren’t attractive, especially if he’s past a certain age, and that men’s feet smell in large part because of a lack of attention. While your average female is not expecting him to become a metrosexual with the regular pedicure, or to have attractive feet per se, her biggest expectation/hope is that he will keep them clean. She wants him to wash them with warm soap and water, to trim his toenails and clean under them, and to make efforts to reduce dirt and the chance of fungal infections.

That said, women do notice men’s feet, but are usually more caught up in gauging his facial expressions and other body language when it comes to reading his potential attraction/feelings for her. Unkempt feet aren’t a dealbreaker for most, as she’ll excuse that he’s “just being a guy,” and add it to her mental checklist of things to touch up about him as they get more serious.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Dr. Yvonne,
I am having an issue – basically a foot fetish – where I have a desire to give a sexy lady a foot rub and suck her toe in a building urge to do oral on her. Unfortunately, my wife’s feet sometimes smell and they’re in rough shape, for example, she has calluses. I love my wife with all my heart and soul and do not want to ruin our marriage – nor do I know how to tell her of both my issues –  and hers.
 - Horace

Dear Horace,
Communication is the cornerstone of a healthy and enjoyable sex life. As such, be it via letter, counselor or face-to-face, it’s time you let your wife in on your secret fetish for feet. Perhaps she is simply unaware that you have an interest, thus she doesn’t dote on her feet as she should. Chances are that if you reveal your secret yearnings as you did in this letter, your wife might treat herself to a pedicure. Better yet, you should treat her to one.

Other ways of taking care of the foot issues… incorporate a footbath as part of foreplay. Take to the shower or bath before you play footsie. Basically, use any mean you can to clean her up before indulging. She’s likely to love this type of worship. Alternatively, you could come clean in telling her she needs to clean up a little bit. It’s hard to deliver this kind of tip without offending, but if you can frame it as better for her ultimate pleasuring and good, she may listen. Let her know that you want her and long to be more intimate with her, but that you’ve noticed this smell. While she may be upset, many people would rather know they have an issue than be in the dark about it.

The fabric of marriage and adult relationships is honesty and exposure. Fear is a natural part of revealing and becoming vulnerable, and a necessary component of intimacy, which we all know enhances sexual and sensual enjoyment for both sexes. Give your wife a chance, and set your foot fetish free!

Dr. Yvonne Kristin Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”