.git ignored regardless of --git-dir value

Hi All --

Is it expected behavior to have the .git directory ignored, even after specifying an alternate location with --git-dir? For example:

$ git --git-dir=.foo init Initialized empty Git repository in /home/sferris/work/t/.foo/

$ mkdir .git $ touch .git/filea

$ git --git-dir=.foo --work-tree=. add .

$ git --git-dir=.foo --work-tree=. status # On branch master # # Initial commit # # Changes to be committed: # (use "git rm --cached <file>..." to unstage) # # new file: .foo/HEAD # new file: .foo/config # new file: .foo/description # new file: .foo/hooks/applypatch-msg.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/commit-msg.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/post-update.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/pre-applypatch.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/pre-commit.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/pre-rebase.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/prepare-commit-msg.sample # new file: .foo/hooks/update.sample # new file: .foo/index.lock # new file: .foo/info/exclude # # Changes not staged for commit: # (use "git add/rm <file>..." to update what will be committed) # (use "git checkout -- <file>..." to discard changes in working directory) # # deleted: .foo/index.lock # # Untracked files: # (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed) # # .foo/index # .foo/objects/

Notice that .foo was added, but .git was ignored. I would have expected .foo to be ignored and .git to be added? (right, wrong or indifferent..)

Thanks for any info!

Shawn