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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask house viewers to remove shoes before going upstairs?!

224 replies

HollieHelen · 18/09/2013 09:43

I am really new to this as have never sold a house before. We are having the first estate agent round today to value our house, and then I want to get it on the market as soon as. Just thinking ahead to viewings ... would it sound awful to ask prospective buyers to take their shoes off before going upstairs?! It's bound to be terrible weather when they view and muddy etc. We have beige carpet ... fairly forgiving but does show marks. As a family we do no shoes upstairs but I know that might not be fair on visitors!!

OP posts:
geekgal · 19/09/2013 13:24

Anyone remember that Sex and the City episode where Carrie's shoes got stolen at that party? Just make sure if you ask people to remove their shoes you don't have any other light fingered guests and you have a minimum of $450 to cover each pair!! Grin

pixiegumboot · 19/09/2013 13:24

ok so it's rude to ask people to remove their shoes, but not rude to leave mud or dirt on someone's carpet. weirdos.

froken · 19/09/2013 13:25

People also take shoes to parties, I wouldn't take any with a sharp heal as I wouldn't want to dammage my friend's floor.

chenin · 19/09/2013 13:29

But pixie, what if you guarantee not to leave mud and dirt on someone's carpet because you have brought pristine shoes with you to put on inside the house?

As much as you find it weird to not take shoes off, I found it doubly weird to be asked to, especially when I am ultra careful to not leave anything whatsoever on a carpet. If my shoes were muddy, of course I would take them off.

squoosh · 19/09/2013 13:32

'Oh, what IS strange though is going round to someone's house and just taking your shoes off without being asked, I would find it weird and uncomfortable, like they were trying to make themselves at home in my place...'

Exactly. I'd be all 'put your shoes back on chum, this isn't your house'. So presumptuous.

exoticfruits · 19/09/2013 13:34

Do people really want bare feet over their carpets?

cantspel · 19/09/2013 13:35

My friend has a big new years party every year and we take our slippers.
I am going to enjoy the company of my friends not admire their shoes.

I think there is a clear divide on the issue of shoes indoors which will never be settled. Unless a few of the shoe wearers have a party and someone lovely, clean high heals leave marks on their very expensive wooden floors or not so lovely and clean shoes walks dog shit into the carpet their child is crawling on.

squoosh · 19/09/2013 13:39

Slippers to a New Year's Eve party? Ummmm, bizarre, no thanks.

The only time I'll wear slippers to a big New Year's Eve party is when I'm 101 and shuffling around my old people's home.

squoosh · 19/09/2013 13:41

'I think there is a clear divide on the issue of shoes indoors which will never be settled. Unless a few of the shoe wearers have a party and someone lovely, clean high heals leave marks on their very expensive wooden floors or not so lovely and clean shoes walks dog shit into the carpet their child is crawling on.'

Think you've forgotten a few options there.............

chenin · 19/09/2013 13:44

So you've spent ages getting ready, you've chosen what dress to wear, you have done your hair, you slip your lovely dress on and..... don your slippers???! The day I give up making the best of myself and what I look like, take me outside and shoot me.

cantspel · 19/09/2013 13:48

I tend to wear boots but take them off at the door and don my slippers. I dont see anything strange in it nor do my friends. It is just our accepted practice.

We dont take our slippers if we are going to the curry house, local pub or other public place but we do in each others homes.

Snelldog · 19/09/2013 13:53

Squoosh - your comment: " Exactly. I'd be all 'put your shoes back on chum, this isn't your house'. So presumptuous."

This is exactly the reason why you should take your shoes off in someone's house who wants/requests it - you should not presume you can walk on their carpets in shoes which have been on dirty pavements.

squoosh · 19/09/2013 13:57
Confused

Snelldog I've already said I'd take my shoes off if requested and smile whilst doing it.

Is that ok with you?

wordfactory · 19/09/2013 13:57

I can absolutely honestly say that no one has ever brought dog poo or mud into my house. Nor has anyone ever ruined our wooden floors.

People have sense. Muddy boots following a dog walk get removed. Otherwise, no.

And I am gobsmacked at the idea of socks and slippered feet at a party!!!

I'm having eight people over for dinner tomorrow night. I haven't met three of them. I simply cannot imagine asking them to remove their shoes. I simply cannot imagine anyone will offer. How odd!

Original poster
HollieHelen · 19/09/2013 13:59

So this polemic has definitely made up my mind: I will follow the viewers' lead on this one!! Keen to sell and don't want to alienate any potential buyers.

The agent who visited yesterday to value didn't take his shoes off, and I didn't mention it either! Wanted to punch him for being a patronising misogynist, but that's another post ...

OP posts:
motherinferior · 19/09/2013 13:59

I would, automatically, WF.

Sometimes I keep my shoes on at parties. Sometimes not. I look pretty nice, actually, I am not some kind of bizarre slob. I just don't like wearing shoes.

wordfactory · 19/09/2013 14:07

Well obviously I wouldn't take offence if you slipped off your shoes mother Wink...mi casa, tu casa...

Original poster
HollieHelen · 19/09/2013 14:14

Had no idea this would call my class (middle) and regional (northern) identities into question ...

Downstairs we have a tiled hallway and board floors elsewhere - slightly marked by a previous childrens' party guest (mum not child!!) wearing killer heels ;)

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 19/09/2013 14:22

Well if they track in dog shit (and it happens to the best of us, it's not a working class thing at all, more a London thing) you can't say you weren't warned, word Wink
I don't even have carpets anymore; still can't stand shoes that have been walking on London pavements on my floors.

Floggingmolly · 19/09/2013 14:23

Ah... So good I said it twice, apparently Blush

wordfactory · 19/09/2013 14:25

See now you lot have made me paranoid Grin.

I'll be checking for dog shit! I'll be looking under the table to see if anyone is barefoot! I'll be assessing the soft soles of expensive high heels! I'll be asking if anyone is from Sweden!

Tobagostreet · 19/09/2013 14:26

Couldn't you buy these: www.amazon.com/Vktech-Disposable-Plastic-Cleaning-Overshoe/dp/B00CRYETUO/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1379597118&sr=1-4&keywords=shoe+covers

Cheap and cheerful. I've been in show homes where these appear to be the 'norm'.

squoosh · 19/09/2013 14:28

Tobago they're certainly cheap but I'd debate whether they're 'cheerful'. 'Crime scene chic' I'd call them.

exoticfruits · 19/09/2013 16:55

No one has given their views on the barefooted.

NotYoMomma · 19/09/2013 17:34

do people really automatically remove shoes in other peoples homes?

I can't understand how people think asking prospective buyers to remove their shoes would NOT colour their first impression.

I would ve in an arsey mood all the way around and God forbid there be ANY mark on the floor.

I would be sure to mention it to dh in earshot