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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to expect host to let her party guests know that she has a no shoes policy?

691 replies

JustABitOfUncertainty · 15/04/2024 14:31

I went to a posh party with DH on Saturday. It was a fundraising event for a wheelchair and a hospital bed, hosted by a school mum who has a child in the same year as one of mine. (The fundraised wasn't for her child btw). We NEVER go to parties, certainly not posh ones. We are both shy introverts, but we definitely wanted to show our support for this one.

Anyway, I have this beautiful halter neck top and matching trousers from Reiss from about 20 years ago, still looks brand new, as I very rarely wear it. I am only 5.2", and the trousers drag on the floor until I put my Esska platforms on, and then voila, the whole outfit comes together and I feel a million dollars.

Upon arrival to the party I saw there was a huge pile of shoes and saw the people before us removing their shoes. The host stood there almost blocking the entrance until the guests were barefoot. I am not exaggerating when I say that I really wanted to turn around and leave. Instead, I had to remove my platforms and feel like a 5 year old in her mummy's clothes, constantly pinching my trousers upwards so I wouldn't walk on them.

I know that there was an episode in sex and the city about something similar and I detest the Carrie character, but I empathise with her on this one.

It could have been worse, as I contemplated wearing a cocktail dress which would have meant putting on my toeless tights, how embarrassing would that have been!!

AIBU that there should have been a note on the invitation so that guests could have chosen their outfit accordingly?

OP posts:
IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 16/04/2024 00:02

Runnerinthenight · 15/04/2024 21:58

Oh look who has posh friends 🙄

I know plenty of young professionals and they all wear smart shoes.

And as if that poster has spoken for that entire demographic.

If we're going to get into the minutiae of the British class system it strikes me, as someone originally from a rural, land owning middle class background and now an urban dweller in the historic part of one of the UK's cooler cities, as .terribly Hyacinth Bucket failing miserably to be upwardly mobile.

I appreciate the appalling snobbery in that, but basically my floor coverings are not more important than my guests.

Ihearyousingingdownthewire · 15/04/2024 23:53

It is absurd to expect guests to a largely formal fundraising party event to take their shoes off. Honestly. If you can’t host properly, don’t do it. Or host in a separate location. She has embarrassed herself by demanding guests take part of their outfits off.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 15/04/2024 23:50

Loulou599 · 15/04/2024 22:16

Christ the UK is such a bizarre place sometimes. Its absolutely not normal to have shoes off for a party. It's childish and weird.

No it's not the UK, it's Mumsnet. I've managed to reach the age of almost 65 in the UK and I've never encountered this.

MissTrip82 · 15/04/2024 23:49

It instantly became less posh when she did that.

Very rude. Why host a formal event if this is your rule?

RogueFemale · 15/04/2024 23:45

Delatron · 15/04/2024 22:21

It’s definitely not upper class or polite to care about your floors more than your guests comfort.

Yup. I literally don't know anyone in the UK who insists on shoes off indoors. My only experience of it is in watching shows like Clean It Fix It or Sort Your Life Out, and they often have ridiculous quantities of shoes piled by the front door, and I've wondered why would you do that - and now realise why.

SheerLucks · 15/04/2024 23:44

Minglingpringle · 15/04/2024 14:38

I think it’s bad manners to expect guests to take their shoes off. You’re basically saying you value your floors more than their comfort. (Or you don’t care about them enough to clean up afterwards- you’re basically super lazy.) Especially at a fancy event, when people will want to dress up. Also, it makes the event less fancy: like you say, people’s outfits are ruined so they might as well have turned up in a tracksuit.

This!

StarryNightAddict · 15/04/2024 23:41

Arconialiving · 15/04/2024 23:39

Surely you use shoe protectors/covers though to ensure you don't walk dirt into customers houses?

No one has ever asked me to, I have never been to a house with a shoes off rule. I’ve never met anyone with a shoes off rule.

Arconialiving · 15/04/2024 23:39

StarryNightAddict · 15/04/2024 23:37

I refuse to believe tradesmen take their shoes off when going to peoples
homes. Only on MN would you read that. 😆 most trades will be wearing steel capped boots for safety.

I work in people’s homes and I am not allowed to work without enclosed shoes. I’d have to turn around and leave if they wanted shoes off.

Surely you use shoe protectors/covers though to ensure you don't walk dirt into customers houses?

Toptotoe · 15/04/2024 23:38

Taking your shoes off in a house is not posh - quite the opposite I’d say.
I’d be really cheesed off if that happened to me without any notice.

StarryNightAddict · 15/04/2024 23:37

I refuse to believe tradesmen take their shoes off when going to peoples
homes. Only on MN would you read that. 😆 most trades will be wearing steel capped boots for safety.

I work in people’s homes and I am not allowed to work without enclosed shoes. I’d have to turn around and leave if they wanted shoes off.

99victoria · 15/04/2024 23:34

I'd have gone home too. In my friendship group we all often host parties and cocktails get togethers in our own homes. I have never once been asked to remove my (stunning Irregular choice) shoes.
The idea of a load of people all dressed up in suits and party frocks and standing around in their socks is hilarious tbh 😂Don't MNers ever dance at parties? Would that not be a bit dangerous in socks and tights? Especially with wooden floors 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:32

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:30

Do you mean on one of those Fatboy lounger/cup holder things that lift your legs up?

No i mean lay on your sofa and watch some telly and relax. Do you not let your kids lay on them either

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:30

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:29

It's your home, your sofa get comfy

Do you mean on one of those Fatboy lounger/cup holder things that lift your legs up?

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:29

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:27

No. It is for sitting on. Why would you?
The exception may be an ill child but they would be in pjs and wrapped in a duvet but an adult wouldn't need to put their feet up on a sofa.

It's your home, your sofa get comfy

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:27

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:25

You never lay on your sofa 😲

No. It is for sitting on. Why would you?
The exception may be an ill child but they would be in pjs and wrapped in a duvet but an adult wouldn't need to put their feet up on a sofa.

Greengagesnfennel · 15/04/2024 23:26

Minglingpringle · 15/04/2024 14:38

I think it’s bad manners to expect guests to take their shoes off. You’re basically saying you value your floors more than their comfort. (Or you don’t care about them enough to clean up afterwards- you’re basically super lazy.) Especially at a fancy event, when people will want to dress up. Also, it makes the event less fancy: like you say, people’s outfits are ruined so they might as well have turned up in a tracksuit.

I agree

It’s the fact it was a dress up event. It’s not a big deal to take shoes off normally (wearing jeans or casual wear). But for a special event you are not unusual to have your shoes as an important part of your outfit.

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:25

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:24

I wouldn't put my feet on the sofa- it isnt a bed?

You never lay on your sofa 😲

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:24

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:22

So do you wear shoes all the time in your house, like would you put your feet up on the settee with shoes on. Just curious

I wouldn't put my feet on the sofa- it isnt a bed?

Differentstarts · 15/04/2024 23:22

Geebray · 15/04/2024 22:16

Shoes off indoors is naff. Lower middle class. Can we all move on now.

So do you wear shoes all the time in your house, like would you put your feet up on the settee with shoes on. Just curious

BoneshakerBike · 15/04/2024 23:20

MermaidMummy06 · 15/04/2024 22:15

It's ridiculous. I have to have orthapedic shoes on. Standing on hard floors without some cushioned support guarantees a 2-3 day muscular tension migraine (completely debilitating). I'd have to sit for a bit then excuse myself & go home.

The only person I know who has a shoes off policy is SIL, who thinks she's it's upper class. She wears expensive indoor slides but expects us to go barefoot. She was unimpressed when I refused in her new (tiled) house. She knows about my issue too. I'm happy to bring my indoor slip ons if I know.

It is the total opposite of upper class!

I have a partially missing toe and wouldn't have been wearing tights/socks and so I would have turned around and gone home as it not something that I wish to share or discuss.

Notthatcatagain · 15/04/2024 23:19

The thought of having a houseful of people that I don't know really well, walking around my home without shoes makes me shudder. Only very close family and friends are allowed to take their shoes off and I offer them slippers. At a formal party its so rude not to give notice

sugarbyebye · 15/04/2024 22:46

BobnLen · 15/04/2024 20:53

Is this after a hike

No we just live in a northern village - it's very muddy!

Calliopespa · 15/04/2024 22:46

cerisepanther73 · 15/04/2024 22:36

that's athletes foot problems

That would be so embarrassing at such an event! All dressed up and your feet honking a pong!

cerisepanther73 · 15/04/2024 22:36

that's athletes foot problems

cerisepanther73 · 15/04/2024 22:35

What happens if people have athletes foot or and smelly feet 🤔 then if someone has a etiquette code such as this then at official or unofficial events L.o.l 🥰

Like myself has had ar times