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Original poster

Nanny wearing my slippers when I'm not there

398 replies

SilverDoublet · 26/11/2025 15:48

This is a bit of a weird one - so I popped home today unexpectedly while the nanny was in my house with the kids. Everything seemed fine, but then when she was talking to me I looked down and saw that she was wearing my slippers. It made me feel sick. They're not the cleanest or newest of slippers, but I didn't know what to say. I don't know if she's been doing this the whole time or what but I feel like binning the slippers and hiding my slippers in future. I also feel like letting her go over it. It just makes me wonder what else she might do when I'm not there. She's from Brazil. Is this normal in Brazil to just wear someone else's slippers? Am I being weird to have a total icky feeling about this?

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 27/11/2025 14:25

Buy her two of the same pair for Christmas, insist that she leaves one pair at work.
It might have been a once off, maybe she forgot her indoor shoes.

Shedeboodinia · 27/11/2025 14:23

I think ahe probably assumed you dont want bare feet or shoes in the house and saw the slippers and put them on.
I would provide a pair of cheap slippers for her to wear in your house if you are otherwise happy.

wineosaurusrex · 27/11/2025 14:23

Andromed1 · 27/11/2025 14:21

My guess is that she's used to there being a rack of slippers by the door that guests help themselves to, and your slippers were sitting in the 'communal' area as far as she's concerned.
I'd wash the slippers and put them back where they usually live, then buy yourself a new pair and keep them upstairs. No need to shame her for a misunderstanding.

Yeah - like this. Slippers in a rack are given to visitors to the house.

wineosaurusrex · 27/11/2025 14:22

It is really normal in a lot of countries for slippers to be offered to guests to be worn as shoes are taken off. It would be bizarre to walk around barefoot or in socks in someone elses home. Certainly true where i live. Not a big deal. Just buy her some for christmas!

Andromed1 · 27/11/2025 14:21

My guess is that she's used to there being a rack of slippers by the door that guests help themselves to, and your slippers were sitting in the 'communal' area as far as she's concerned.
I'd wash the slippers and put them back where they usually live, then buy yourself a new pair and keep them upstairs. No need to shame her for a misunderstanding.

PinkyFlamingo · 27/11/2025 14:18

It's weird you never said anything to her

Slightyamusedandsilly · 27/11/2025 14:15

SilverDoublet · 26/11/2025 22:48

Maybe, I've never heard of this sort of thing before. But obviously things are different in different countries.

Show quote history

It's a VERY wide spread thing. Most countries think the UK are dirty for wearing shoes indoors.

WearyAuldWumman · 27/11/2025 14:10

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 27/11/2025 13:59

I don’t know about Brazil but in Turkey there is a pile of slippers by the front door. People take their shoes off and put a pair of slippers on, whichever ones happen to be nearest.
Maybe bin the old ones and buy a new pair for yourself plus a cheap pair to leave by the door in case she want to wear them.

Or leave the old ones for the nanny?

WearyAuldWumman · 27/11/2025 14:10

Linzydx · 27/11/2025 14:02

It might be normal in Brazil. My in laws are Turkish and all households over there have slippers/ flip flops in door ways for all guests to just wear inside.

I would buy her a pair for your house:

That makes sense to me, given my Yugo experiences.

WearyAuldWumman · 27/11/2025 14:09

NoKnit · 26/11/2025 15:51

It could possibly be normal in Brazil for people to be provided with slippers if they have to take their shoes off. Do you make her take her shoes off? I honestly dont see this is worth sacking the Nanny over. But telling her you'd prefer she didn't wear them and offer her a pair to wear at your house is totally fine

I know that when I visited relatives in former Yugoslavia, they'd offer me a pair of their slippers to wear, rather than having me go around in my stockinged feet.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 27/11/2025 14:07

We have spare sliders by the door.

In lots of countries you offer house slippers to people if you expect them to take their shoes off.

She probably thinks very badly of you! hahahaha

Buy her some house slippers and get yourself some new ones.

Sidebeforeself · 27/11/2025 14:06

”basket of communal slippers” 🤢

surprisebaby12 · 27/11/2025 14:05

Have you noticed your internalised racism about her? The disgust is a bit much! It’s probably normal in her mind that house slippers are worn inside. You should let her go if she’s otherwise expected to work with that kind of prejudice and disgust being directed towards her.

Linzydx · 27/11/2025 14:02

It might be normal in Brazil. My in laws are Turkish and all households over there have slippers/ flip flops in door ways for all guests to just wear inside.

I would buy her a pair for your house:

AzureFinch · 27/11/2025 14:02

Bit odd but I'm sure if you ask her to not wear them she will stop 🤣

Get yourself some new ones

VeronicaRaven · 27/11/2025 14:01

But her, and yourself, a new pair 'for Christmas'. Problem solved.

BetterWithPockets · 27/11/2025 14:00

Andepeda · 26/11/2025 23:09

I can't imagine someone else putting their feet in my well worn slippers.

Slippers are just so personal.

This! My adult cousin once borrowed my slippers (weirdly, in order to go into the garden because he didn’t want the faff of putting his shoes on!) and I sprayed them afterwards and even then felt squeamish about wearing them. And no (before anyone comes at me), I didn’t think they really needed disinfecting — but it made me feel marginally less squeamish about wearing them.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 27/11/2025 13:59

I don’t know about Brazil but in Turkey there is a pile of slippers by the front door. People take their shoes off and put a pair of slippers on, whichever ones happen to be nearest.
Maybe bin the old ones and buy a new pair for yourself plus a cheap pair to leave by the door in case she want to wear them.

SwisswolvesLilley · 27/11/2025 13:58

Storm in a teacup. Buy her a pair to wear at yours, problem solved.

Archymum · 27/11/2025 13:52

Your nanny never goes upstairs in your house? How is that possible?

Sally2791 · 27/11/2025 13:51

Crazy over reaction. Offer to buy her some!

WitchesCauldron · 27/11/2025 13:49

PInkyStarfish · 26/11/2025 15:59

You shouldn't wear someone else's slippers due to hygiene risks, as they can transfer bacteria and fungi like those that cause athlete's foot. Slippers can harbor various microorganisms, and sharing them can lead to infections or other health issues for both the wearer and the owner.
Hygiene risks

  • Bacteria transfer: Shoes and slippers can carry a high number of bacteria, including harmful strains like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause intestinal and urinary tract infections or pneumonia.
  • Fungal infections: Sharing slippers increases the risk of transmitting fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, and nail fungus.
  • Allergens: Slippers can track in allergens from the outside, and these particles can then become airborne in the home.
Other considerations
  • Comfort and fit: Slippers may not be a good fit for your foot, potentially leading to discomfort or injury.
  • Cultural and personal beliefs: In some cultures, sharing footwear is considered inappropriate or disrespectful. Some people also have superstitions about wearing another person's belongings, which can be rooted in hygiene concerns.

Jeez.

WitchesCauldron · 27/11/2025 13:46

SilverDoublet · 26/11/2025 15:48

This is a bit of a weird one - so I popped home today unexpectedly while the nanny was in my house with the kids. Everything seemed fine, but then when she was talking to me I looked down and saw that she was wearing my slippers. It made me feel sick. They're not the cleanest or newest of slippers, but I didn't know what to say. I don't know if she's been doing this the whole time or what but I feel like binning the slippers and hiding my slippers in future. I also feel like letting her go over it. It just makes me wonder what else she might do when I'm not there. She's from Brazil. Is this normal in Brazil to just wear someone else's slippers? Am I being weird to have a total icky feeling about this?

Oh give it a rest. That's a bit over the top. Why don't you buy her a pair of her own.

RoxyRoo2011 · 27/11/2025 13:44

YANBU for getting the ick but I really don’t think you can sack someone for wearing your slippers. That’s a tad of an over reaction. Just ask her not to!

misablue1 · 27/11/2025 13:41

OK so she is from Brazil, a hot country. She is probably freezing in your English house.
I would buy her a new pair and say: I've noticed you wore my slippers, your feet must be freezing, here are new slippers for you to wear when here.

Done, no big deal. Zero need to post on mumsnet about it.

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