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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In being annoyed at being asked to take my shoes off, when there are dogs and cats in the house.

46 replies

lesley33 · 19/04/2011 17:31

Okay I know lots of people have strong views on whether it is rude to ask people to take their shoes off when they enter your house or rude not to automatically take off your shoes when going into someone else's house.

But I was annoyed to be asked to take off my shoes in a friends house when there were 3 dogs and 3 cats downstairs. Surely the dogs and cats will have far more germs and dirt on their paws than I have on my shoes? And of course I ended up with animal hairs all over my socks.

So AIBU to be annoyed at this?

OP posts:
maighdlin · 19/04/2011 18:32

YABU. I say for people to take off their shoes for them to be comfortable, nothing to do with hygiene, but if it is for hygiene then dogs and cats are far worse than shoes!

Original poster
lesley33 · 19/04/2011 18:34

I hate the idea of wearing slippers or shoes worn by anyone else.

OP posts:
Ephiny · 19/04/2011 18:37

I'm not going to get into the shoes on/off debate as we had a whole thread about this recently and I just can't do it all again! But I don't think there's any inconsistency as my dog doesn't wear shoes - if he did I'd take them off when he came in. I do wipe his paws when we come in if it's wet/muddy outside.

FabbyChic · 19/04/2011 18:38

My child minder always asked people/kids to take off their shoes in her house, she lived in a rented house, was normally clean and tidy, had coloured carpets. Was just her thing, she didn't like shoes in the house. When you visit someone in their home you do as they do, not as you would like to do.

It caught on with my children as they always then took their shoes off when they came into their own home, I always asked kids to take off their shoes not the adults, because I didn't want their size whatevers stomping all over my furniture!

hocuspontas · 19/04/2011 18:47

I wish it was like the old days when everyone had green or blue floral carpetting throughout. None of this post 2000 uneasiness incase a visitor brings in a speck of dirt. The world's gone mad.

CheshireDing · 19/04/2011 18:49

Flaming - no, do you?

That would be a never ending task, I'd wipe them, he'd decide he wants to go back out, he'd decide he wants to come back in etc etc.

Also cat feet are teeny, our dogs feet are like a dinosaur and have twigs, mud and God knows what else stuck to them.

There is no continuity I know but it makes us feel better.

usualsuspect · 19/04/2011 18:55

yanbu

Take your shoes off or leave them on in my house. I'm not bothered

and at the thought of wearing other peoples sweaty slippers

notapizzaeater · 19/04/2011 18:59

I have a hairy dog and don;t expect people to take their shoes off but I always take my shoes off in other peoples houses, its how I was brought up. But as people before - I always take a pair of slipper socks with me to pop on ....

edam · 19/04/2011 19:02

YANBU. Hate being told to take my shoes off anyway but had never thought of your excellent point about it being especially galling where there are cats and dogs.

usualsuspect · 19/04/2011 19:03

I can't believe people take a pair of slippers or socks out with them

FlamingJamie · 19/04/2011 19:04

Cheshire - no I don't but they are the main culprit of germs, so I'm basically agreeing with lesley that it is a bit of a double standard to expect people to take off their shoes. Mind you, my cat is so lazy she rarely goes out so I could make more of an effort

Katisha · 19/04/2011 19:05

I agree with OP.

NinkyNonker · 19/04/2011 19:08

Hell, I'd ask you to keep them on in mine!

Bumblequeen · 19/04/2011 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request.

exoticfruits · 19/04/2011 19:16

I don't know how people manage to ask people to take their shoes off-it seems very rude to me.

Tarlia · 19/04/2011 19:18

Over here it's rude no to automatically take your shoes off when entering a house. At baby music class we all take our shoes off at the door. You even do so when viewing a house or the estate agent gives you blue plastic shoe covers, this I found odd.

MerylStrop · 19/04/2011 19:26

Doormats are marvellous inventions, they get around this issue rather well.

I am totally with the idea of respecting the wishes of people in their own home (and don't really object to taking my shoes off unless it's a party or something) BUT I think it is SOO much more important that guests feel comfortable than carpets stay clean.

The thought of guest slippers makes me feel a bit ill.

OP, YANBU in the least.

exoticfruits · 19/04/2011 19:45

The idea of guest slippers is vile-no way!

BatFlattery · 19/04/2011 19:48

I hate having to take my shoes off in other peoples' houses and find it rude TBH. I keep a pair of slippers at my Mum's as I'm there a lot and they like shoes off.

I actually really hate it when people come to my house and take their shoes off - what makes them think I want their sweaty feet all over my nice clean floor?!

exoticfruits · 19/04/2011 19:50

I hate people taking them off too BatFlattery-I really wish they wouldn't-especially when I ask them not to.

exoticfruits · 19/04/2011 19:51

Now that it is hot weather and I have bare feet in shoes I'm really surprised that people want me without them.

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