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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask MIL to wear socks?

98 replies

quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 11:24

I have namechanged for this so DH doesn't see.

MIL wears boots and shoes with bare feet. When she arrives at our house and takes off her boots I can see her feet look a bit slimy and she walks all over the carpets where the children are crawling and playing. I really hate this!

I'm going to have to say something (or get DH to as I'm a coward) but I have no idea if I'm being unreasonable and actually it is a perfectly normal thing to do?

It seems so revolting to me! Her sister does it too, she took her boots off once and she had a tissue wrapped round her toes obviously to soak up the wetness. Why not just wear socks?! Am I being unreasonable to find this unhygenic and gross? Is this a normal thing for people to do?

OP posts:
PrimalLass · 14/01/2014 11:26

I can't bear wearing socks under shoes. However, if going to someone else's house I'd take a pair to put on after taking my shoes off.

Iwillneverusethisnameforpostin · 14/01/2014 11:27

You are not going to have to say something. You may choose to say something but that's up to you. Nothing more intrinsically hygienic about socks over bare feet afaik.

chalchalchal · 14/01/2014 11:29

How can she be slimy? Is she a snail?

TimeToPassGo · 14/01/2014 11:30

This makes me feel like throwing up thinking about it Envy Either socks or could you get her a pair of those slipper socks? Having said that her feet are probably still much cleaner than walking round with outdoor shoes on. Plus kids put all sorts in their mouths.

I do understand the ick factor though OP!

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 11:32

But if you wear the boots a lot with bare feet surely the sweat soaks into the boots whereas socks would prevent that, and socks get washed after one wear?

When I said 'have to', I did mean to say 'want to', but I would only say something if people on here agree that I should. I am perfectly happy to let it go if it turns out bare feet and boots is perfectly reasonable :)

OP posts:
Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 11:34

chalchalchal, she is not slimy generally - just the foot area. Mainly the toes. They do dry out quite quickly, presumable because the greasiness has been absorbed by my carpets.

I'm glad I'm not the only one TimeToPassGo!

OP posts:
Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 11:35

*presumably

OP posts:
ENormaSnob · 14/01/2014 11:35

That would make me wince too tbh.

Gross.

DaftSkunk · 14/01/2014 11:36

This has made me feel a bit queasy. I'm not sure what you could do as I probably wouldn't say anything, as I wouldn't want to upset her.

Sorry that's not helpful in the slightest.

CSIJanner · 14/01/2014 11:37

Buy her slippers -jobs done

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 11:39

Good idea about the slippers. I will do that.

OP posts:
squoosh · 14/01/2014 11:40

Bleurgh.

I'd want to say 'get your sweaty, slimy trotters off my shag pile' but that might be slightly abrupt.

thankfeckthereischocolate · 14/01/2014 11:42

Go to her house instead

Iwannalaylikethisforever · 14/01/2014 11:48

Babies don't crawl for long
I also hate socks
You are being silly

Andanotherthing123 · 14/01/2014 11:49

I am a very relaxed, laid back person, but NO SOCKS? Why, why, why? That's so revolting I can't think about it long enough to offer any advice. YANBU.

girlywhirly · 14/01/2014 11:50

Given the amount of dirt that gets walked in onto your carpets on the soles of shoes, you are a bit U. But if she has obviously got athletes foot I would say something because that is contagious and unreasonable on her part.

I know a few families who adopted a no outdoor shoes in the house policy to keep their new carpets clean, it was socks or slippers only. Could you get your carpets cleaned and then start that, and MIL could keep a pair of socks or slippers there for when she visits?

MomsStiffler · 14/01/2014 11:50

YABU & being over protective I feel.

If it hasn't "infected" or "upset" your kids by now it never will....

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 12:22

We don't wear outdoor shoes in the house, I don't like that either Grin

OP posts:
GhostsInSnow · 14/01/2014 12:31

You aren't supposed to wear socks with real sheepskin boots, you don't need them as the sheepskin keeps the feet warm and not sweaty, if anything wearing socks with sheepskin will make feet sweat.

notso · 14/01/2014 12:32

You can't have your cake and eat it you know!

I was a bit Hmm recently when MIL came round, she always wears flip flops if she 'pops' because shoes are too faffy apparently. Anyway she was pottering round with the kids bare foot while I made a drink. Then we sat down for a chat and preceded to tell me about her septic toe, when I looked her uncovered manky toe was dripping around the place. Envy

Keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal · 14/01/2014 12:35

Eww that's weird and a bit gross…I can't imagine not wearing socks with boots…high heels on a night out, ok yes but still don't like the feeling of it!
Do you all wear slippers in the house? We do in our family and my mum has a drawer of cheap slip on (freebie hotel) type slippers at her house…not so much for this issue but because she has wooden/tiled floors so it's in case guests feet get cold

Seeline · 14/01/2014 12:36

I never wear socks in the summer, and wander round the house barefooted. I've never thought anything of it. I wear socks in the winter because shoes without socks are very uncomfortable and I get cold toes Grin

pianodoodle · 14/01/2014 12:39

I don't like the thought of it somehow with or without the baby crawling on the floor...

I probably wouldn't be brave enough to say anything though.

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 12:41

They aren't sheepskin, they are ordinary leather boots. I have seen them described as 'mum boots' on here before, ordinary black ones like the kind you get in Next.

I'm not worried about anything infecting the children either (she's not that bad!), it's the general revoltingness of it.

OP posts:
TimeToPassGo · 14/01/2014 12:46

How do people not wear socks in boots? My feet ache thinking about it! Does it not rub skin off?

NotSo the septic toe is giving me the vapours!