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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think wearing shoes indoors is disgusting?

542 replies

CJ2010 · 07/03/2011 20:24

I have a 'No shoes worn in the home' rule at my own house but I have noticed that a lot of people are not fussed if peps walk into their houses with their shoes on. Why do they allow this?

Last night when I arrived at my mum's, she ordered me not to enter the living room, as she had accidentially trod dog poo through the room and was busy scrubbing the floor. All because she bizzrely wears her shoes in her home. How hard is it to take your shoes off in the hallway, once you get home?

I tried to hide my annoyance as it is her home, but I wouldn't allow DD to crawl about on the floor. The room stunk of poo and i felt sick.

AIBU?

OP posts:
EmptyCrispPackets · 07/03/2011 20:25

YANBU.

gordyslovesheep · 07/03/2011 20:25

well if I had dog poo on my shoes I'd take them off!!! otherwise well what is the problem? Rather that than smelly feet smell in the rugs

chandellina · 07/03/2011 20:26

not if there is poo involved but a bit of dirt can actually be good for developing immune systems. I think it's nicer to take off shoes but don't freak out if they are worn downstairs.

My mother insists on wearing shoes in her house and at mine because she finds it painful to walk barefoot.

GeorgeEliot · 07/03/2011 20:27

yes

PigValentine · 07/03/2011 20:28

YABU.

Some people's feet are much more disgusting than my shoes.

If it is raining / you have muddy shoes, etc, then of course you would take them off. But I would never dream of asking an adult to remove their shoes when they come into my home, and I hate it when people do it to me. And it is a million times worse when they offer you "guest slippers" worn by other visitors. Now that is disgusting!

onepieceoflollipop · 07/03/2011 20:29

I can tell you now that you will get 2 main responses to this.

Some people will say that you are absolutely right, that people should immediately remove their shoes in your hall and keep them off regardless of if they have cold feet/holey socks or indeed any disability or age related grounds which makes it terribly difficult for them to remove their shoes.

Other people will say that you are rude to expect such a thing, that if you are truly hospitable you will trust that friends will wipe their feet adequately and enjoy their company even if they do keep their shoes on.

I am on the fence. Dh and I don't wear shoes. Visiting children don't tend to as my own dds show them wear to put their shoes. I never ask visiting adults to remove shoes. Our home is user-friendly in that we have washable floors downstairs so the worst that will happen is they go up one stair carpet to the bathroom.

TheVisitor · 07/03/2011 20:29

YABVU. I have my shoes on right now and I care not. Walking barefoot is bad for my knees.

winnybella · 07/03/2011 20:29

YABU

We don't take shoes off and DD(2) has never had a stomach bug.

Good for your immune system.

5DollarShake · 07/03/2011 20:30

Oh God, this topic again....

I really do not have strong feelings either way in this. I rarely wear shoes at home, but would never make guests take theirs off. Their comfort, and being genial and hospitable is more important than a fucking floor.

said · 07/03/2011 20:30

"Why do they allow this?" Because they value people's comfort above things?

YABU - especially when it's not even your own home you're getting all het up about

HumphreyCobbler · 07/03/2011 20:30

You can find it disgusting if you want, but I disagree with you. It is not disgusting at all. If you have dog shit on you shoe then take the shoe off and clean it.

I really hate it when I visit people who want me to take my shoes off. I don't say anything, and I always do it, but I think they are strange. I don't want to get my socks or tights out in public, especially in winter.

onepieceoflollipop · 07/03/2011 20:30

Ah yes PigValentine I forgot about the "shared/communal slippers" option that some mners seem to prefer. Wink

ShavingGodfreysPrivates · 07/03/2011 20:30

Generally we take our shoes off in the house (rented property, cream coloured carpet)

Agree about the smelly feet/socks comment from Gordy though - some people's feet smell worse than dogshit IMO

oxocube · 07/03/2011 20:30
Biscuit
MrsLevinson · 07/03/2011 20:30

YABU. As long as the shoes are wiped on a doormat what's the problem? I've always worn mine in the house - upstairs and down. The carpets are fine!

preghead · 07/03/2011 20:32

Yanbu it's gross

AitchTwoOh · 07/03/2011 20:32

i certainly don't like having cold feet, so if you are asking people to take their shoes off i hope you have fresh slippers for your guests. ( at communal slippers)

onepieceoflollipop · 07/03/2011 20:33

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/985924-to-not-want-to-take-my-shoes-off

further reading for you, op :)

ddubsgirl · 07/03/2011 20:33

i hate shoes worn in the house,esp when you have los crawling around,got told i was stuck up when i ds1 and would let anyone have shoes on in the front room.
just had new carpet in the front room and no-one is allowed shoes in there.

Bogeyface · 07/03/2011 20:34

This again?!

You do what you want to do in your house and stop worrying about other people do in theirs.

And if you prevent your dd crawling where shoes have been, I hope you have plenty of old towels and dettol for when she is ill through having no immune system!

onepieceoflollipop · 07/03/2011 20:36

And another one. I think the op here would agree with you. :)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1033557-To-exeect-people-to-take-off-their-outdoor-shoes-before

onepieceoflollipop · 07/03/2011 20:38

Dh and I have some acquaintances that have a large, new house. They were fortunate in that they were able to refurbish/redecorate it from scratch. They opted for very pale cream carpets throughout and you are practically bellowed at if you try to enter with outdoor shoes on. Rarely have I felt so unwelcome.

It's entirely their choice of course.

MaryMungo · 07/03/2011 20:41

My DH used to work in a professional kitchen, and is very firm on the wearing of shoes when preparing food, even at home. I'm more comfortable without, personally, but would never make a guest go au naturel....

valleyqueen · 07/03/2011 20:44

Doesn't bother me but I don't have carpets, I never wear shoes indoors as I am more comfortable in slippers or socks. Never ask guests tontake shoes off though.

valleyqueen · 07/03/2011 20:45

To take I mean.