I get regular pedis, wear an anklet and have a toe ring. I certainly am not wearing them as a 'secret sign' to anyone. I don't have a foot fetish! I enjoyed pedis long before my foot-loving husband came into the picture.
This is what it means: I like having painted toenails because they're pretty. I enjoy getting someone to clean/scrub my feet and paint my toes so I don't have to do it. I like my ankles, I think they're dainty, and so I got an anklet years ago. It's cool and funky and nobody else has them. Same goes for my toe ring. It's cool, it's funky, and I think it's pretty. That's it. I'm pretty certain for most women, it's the same sort of thing. Painted toes are considered pretty, so we get pedis. The jewelery is because we like it or it was a gift.
However, if someone told me my anklet was pretty, or my toes were a nice colour, or that they thought my toe ring was cool, I'd be flattered and say thank you. Complimenting shoes are the safest bet. Every lady likes her shoes being noticed!