Page 13 | Sandals and crusty feet at work

Offherrockingchair · 2026-06-28T18:47:49+00:00

AIBU to think that walking sandals and flip flops are not professional workwear? Yes, it’s been ridiculously hot, but I don’t want to see brittle yellow toenails, crusty dry skin and, in one case, flakes and chunks of skin hanging off the manky trotters of my colleagues 🤮 At the very least, if we are going to be subjected to your toe cleavage, have a pedicure first. And don’t get me started on the smelly ones!

TheThirteenthFairy · 29/06/2026 12:05

Pinkflamingo10 · 28/06/2026 22:05

Not everyone is the time or money for weekly pedicures

Every three weeks is fine.

DappledThings · 29/06/2026 11:50

Overtheatlantic · 29/06/2026 11:28

I disagree. Obviously standards of self-care have a range but for many of us it’s very important to maintain care above what is considered basic.

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If my feet (or any part of me) were dry and painful then I would remedy that for my own comfort and health. Otherwise it's purely aesthetic. Same as a choice to wear make-up or not.

Melarus · 29/06/2026 11:46

Ceramiq · 29/06/2026 10:15

People's standards of foot care are often truly awful. Feet need as much regular care as teeth. Every single day feet need to be thoroughly washed with a specific product, exfoliated, moisturized (nails and skin require different products) and exercised, which includes properly fitting shoes so that toes do the work.

You buy a special kind of soap for your feet alone?

And another, separate product for your toenails, as well as whatever foot products you're already buying?

MaturingCheeseball · 29/06/2026 11:41

There should be standards of dress. That doesn’t mean suit and tie or in this case brogues or court shoes, but frankly feet can be pretty off putting. What if you were faced with a consultant in walking sandals with hairy toes? A solicitor who turned up in flip flops? The manager of a supermarket with peeling plasters on their feet?

Overtheatlantic · 29/06/2026 11:28

DappledThings · 29/06/2026 10:17

I have never exfoliated or mosturised my feet. I've barely moisturised any par tof my body bar a bit of handcream in winter if they get sore.

Those things are absolutely optional and in no way indicative of of a lack of self-care or cleanliness.

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I disagree. Obviously standards of self-care have a range but for many of us it’s very important to maintain care above what is considered basic.

Wishingitwaswinter · 29/06/2026 11:17

No-one asked you to look at their feet. Maybe they don't like the look of your face but ehat can they do about it?! Just mind your own.

Mnetcurious · 29/06/2026 11:14

I think sandals are fine for work IF your feet aren’t crusty and your toenails aren’t gross.

PropertyD · 29/06/2026 11:11

k1233 · 28/06/2026 21:51

I'm with you @Offherrockingchair Thongs in the workplace aren't on and poorly maintained feet in sandals is nauseating, regardless of gender. It doesn't take much to trim to nails and buff rough skin.

Quite agree. A bit like the people who say you can wear anything to a funeral and people turn up in joggers and looking like they need a good wash. Where is the pride in your appearance?

DaisyMayBojangles · 29/06/2026 11:05

I really, really hate feet.. all feet.. crusty/smooth/pedicured, it doesn’t matter. It’s the look/shape of them.. can’t explain it, they just give me the ick.
This includes my own, I do wear sandals and have no issue with anyone else wearing them.. it’s my issue to deal with, no one elses.

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 29/06/2026 11:05

Offherrockingchair · 28/06/2026 21:59

Couldn’t you just wear normal shoes or closed toe options, though? Why inflict your fugly feet on others? I wouldn’t walk around with hands peeling, dry bits of skin flaking off all over the place, so why would it be any different for feet?

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Will you would of you just a skin condition that caused that - be thankful that you don't!

My feet aren't terrible but they're not great either, I don't have time to do anything about it.

Jamtomorrowneverjamtoday · 29/06/2026 10:37

Can’t say I’ve looked at or noticed anyone’s feet during the heatwave, and I’d prefer my friends and colleagues dress for their own comfort during severe weather.

The idea anyone should have to dress to please me, beyond basic decency, is frankly entitled.

Obeseandashamed · 29/06/2026 10:23

I agree that walking sandals aren’t professional and feet shouldn’t smell but don’t believe you should criticise people’s feet in terms of the way they look. Where does it stop? Dry skin? Spots? Facial hair? Body hair? Everybody’s body and skin are different. My mum has terrible soles and no amount of pedicures or flexitol helps her with it. Her feet are always clean but are probably the type you’re horrified by as she doesn’t paint her toe nails and struggles with cracked heels and dry skin.

WeddingInvitation · 29/06/2026 10:19

Nope I agree with you. No manky feet in the workplace. I'm now inspecting mine as I wore sandals to work.....

AuntCatherine · 29/06/2026 10:18

Offherrockingchair · 28/06/2026 21:59

Couldn’t you just wear normal shoes or closed toe options, though? Why inflict your fugly feet on others? I wouldn’t walk around with hands peeling, dry bits of skin flaking off all over the place, so why would it be any different for feet?

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You’d hate me OP. Psoriasis all over my arms, dry flaking skin all over the place. Arms uncovered in the hot weather. How awful.

Blackcatahotcat · 29/06/2026 10:18

HumberSquid · 29/06/2026 10:13

What does your hr policy say about self care? Are the people you're talking about compliant?

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I’m not arguing with you. I’ve contributed to the thread with my observations. The feet were disgusting. Their overall hygiene was disgusting. You’re just nit-picking to score points.

PascalPony · 29/06/2026 10:17

Why don’t you try focusing on the positive aspects of people’s characters instead of fixating on the appearance of random body parts?

DappledThings · 29/06/2026 10:17

Ceramiq · 29/06/2026 10:15

People's standards of foot care are often truly awful. Feet need as much regular care as teeth. Every single day feet need to be thoroughly washed with a specific product, exfoliated, moisturized (nails and skin require different products) and exercised, which includes properly fitting shoes so that toes do the work.

I have never exfoliated or mosturised my feet. I've barely moisturised any par tof my body bar a bit of handcream in winter if they get sore.

Those things are absolutely optional and in no way indicative of of a lack of self-care or cleanliness.

Ceramiq · 29/06/2026 10:15

People's standards of foot care are often truly awful. Feet need as much regular care as teeth. Every single day feet need to be thoroughly washed with a specific product, exfoliated, moisturized (nails and skin require different products) and exercised, which includes properly fitting shoes so that toes do the work.

TheCurious0range · 29/06/2026 10:13

People are weird about feet. They're just feet. As long as they are clean I don't see a problem. I quite often wear leather sandals to work in summer. I use an electric foot file once a week and a good urea foot cream every night. It takes two minutes before bed.

HumberSquid · 29/06/2026 10:13

Blackcatahotcat · 29/06/2026 10:07

It’s about self care. No disabilities regarding who I’m using as examples. They just couldn’t be bothered

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What does your hr policy say about self care? Are the people you're talking about compliant?

Blackcatahotcat · 29/06/2026 10:11

Thirteenblackcats · 29/06/2026 10:10

Are you witness to their bathing routine? That’s a bit weird isn’t it

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I worked with these people for 16 years. You’ll have to take my word for it.

Thirteenblackcats · 29/06/2026 10:10

Blackcatahotcat · 29/06/2026 10:09

Oh and to add; these people didn’t shower or wash their hair all year round so the minging feet were standard.

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Are you witness to their bathing routine? That’s a bit weird isn’t it

Blackcatahotcat · 29/06/2026 10:09

HumberSquid · 29/06/2026 10:00

And so? Should only the young and beautiful be seen in public. No visible deformation, or disabilities, or imperfections due to age?

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Oh and to add; these people didn’t shower or wash their hair all year round so the minging feet were standard.

Blackcatahotcat · 29/06/2026 10:07

HumberSquid · 29/06/2026 10:00

And so? Should only the young and beautiful be seen in public. No visible deformation, or disabilities, or imperfections due to age?

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It’s about self care. No disabilities regarding who I’m using as examples. They just couldn’t be bothered

Seaitoverthere · 29/06/2026 10:03

I have nail psoriasis and a hammer toe but absolutely no way will I stop wearing sandals when it’s really hot as some people can’t cope with the sight of a foot. Frankly at this point I’m just delighted that biologic medication has meant I can walk more easily and anyone flapping about feet can do one in my opinion but each to their own.