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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no stilettos?!!

98 replies

RosieLig · 01/11/2015 21:51

I'm in a quandary.....

We have a lovely original wooden floor in our house. Last time we had a Christmas party someone wore really spikey shoes and you could see where she had been standing as there were dents all over the floor.

We take the rug up as it's pale and we don't want wine splashes on it.

I really cringe at putting something on the invite but equally I don't want my lovely old floors trashed.

WWYD? Am I being too Hyacinth?! First world problem, I know....

OP posts:
Eebahgum · 01/11/2015 21:58

Just put it. So what if you're being hyacinth? You won't enjoy the party if you're stressing about your floor all night.

whois · 01/11/2015 22:02

I think you have to say on the invite/email.

It's not like people are going to think "I can't believe Rosie is banning me from damaging her floor, what a bitch"

Tuiles · 01/11/2015 22:05

Can you get some of those plastic stiletto covers and discretely hand them to any offenders?

flixybelle · 01/11/2015 22:10

YANBU Just tell people to take their shoes off or not to wear heels at all. I have a friend who has a beautiful wooden floor and she asks everyone to take high heels off before going into that room. Never had an issue with it, I would be mortified if I damaged her floor with my shoes.

Pipbin · 01/11/2015 22:11

Didn't we have exactly the same question last year?

I agree with saying it in the invitation so people make sure that they don't have holes in their tights.

Littlefish · 01/11/2015 22:12

I wish we'd done it. A friend of ours completely ruined our brand new and expensive rubber floor with her stilletoes.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 01/11/2015 22:12

Get some of those cheap hotel-freebie slippers and put them by your front door. Everybody leaves their shoes by the door and wears the soft slippers.
No damage. No offence.

CruCru · 01/11/2015 22:14

I wish I'd done it. We had a party and the next day you could see where one guests shoes had been. Ugh.

petitdonkey · 01/11/2015 22:14

I'm going to disagree! I am a stiletto wearer and would hate to get all dressed up for a Christmas party and have to take my shoes off. Would you allow heels but just not stilettos???

We entertain a lot and have never asked anyone to take their shoes off - I love all the marks in my floor - its a sign of a party house!! (and we laid that floor new, wenge so shows everything!)

whois · 01/11/2015 22:19

I'm going to disagree! I am a stiletto wearer and would hate to get all dressed up for a Christmas party and have to take my shoes off. Would you allow heels but just not stilettos???

But if you knew in advance, then you could get all dressed up in shoes that wouldn't damage the floor couldn't you?

shutupanddance · 01/11/2015 22:19

I would'nt. i think lots of people would be annoyed at having their outfit ruined by taking shoes off. However, my shoes usually cone off when they hurt anyway!

shutupanddance · 01/11/2015 22:20

But if you knew in advance, then you could get all dressed up in shoes that wouldn't damage the floor couldn't you?

I think lots pf women wear heels for parties?

Pipbin · 01/11/2015 22:23

Would you allow heels but just not stilettos???
Block heels don't damage a floor like stilettos because stilettos concentrate your weight in one area.

susielovessocks · 01/11/2015 23:05

I'd just pop a note on the front door explaining. I've done it myself...to my own floor...not my finest hour.

specialsubject · 01/11/2015 23:23

cover the floor.

they'll take the fugly things off in 20 mins because they hurt so much (look what happens at weddings!) but too late by then.

Original poster
RosieLig · 01/11/2015 23:28

Thanks all... Now thinking I might just text the two most likely offenders and keep it off the invite. One is a good friend and will be totally cool about it, not so sure about the other one.....

I can't cover the floor - it's a big room. We did put down temporary parquet for our 40th as we had had dancing but it was pricey and was mainly due to the dancing.

OP posts:
Original poster
RosieLig · 01/11/2015 23:29

ps yes normal heels are fine just not those drawing pin sized ones.

OP posts:
sky1010 · 01/11/2015 23:34

I would send a breezy text to a few of the women attending 'glad you can make it! sorry to be all hyacinth but last party our floor got damaged by spikey heels, if you could avoid wearing stiletto heels it would be massively appreciated xxx'

It's not a big deal. People will be cool with it if you are upfront and give them a bit of a warning. You would be U if you expected people to get dressed up for a party then take their shoes off at the door in exchange for a pair of slippers.

Original poster
RosieLig · 01/11/2015 23:36

Think I'll do that sky, thanks. No way am I dishing out slippers at the door- don't even wear them myself!

OP posts:
Nettletheelf · 02/11/2015 00:16

There was a similar question on Graham Norton's 'grill Graham' agony aunt spot last year (on his radio 2 show).

Listeners get to call in with answers. The best replies said, why put something so precious and delicate on your floor where people are going to walk on it?

I wouldn't feel relaxed going to a party at a house with strict footwear restrictions. I'd assume that the hosts were a bit anal, sorry!!

Original poster
RosieLig · 02/11/2015 06:52

Hi yes fair point but actually we didn't put it in the floor! It's the original beautiful over 200 year floor boards! They are lovely.

I am relaxed about everything else. We've had wine splashed up the wall and poured on rugs. The dog has chewed plenty in our house. But I definitely clench at the thought of those floor boards Grin

OP posts:
noeffingidea · 02/11/2015 06:58

Can't believe some people are selfish enough to deliberately wear shoes that will damage someone elses floor.
I'd just text them or put it on the invites. If they still turn up with them on I'd ask them to remove them and if they didn't I'd just tell them to piss off.

Pseudo341 · 02/11/2015 06:58

I know plenty of people who just insist everyone take their shoes off at the door. Why do people need to wear shoes in someone's house? Nobody walks round their own house in shoes. Personally I wouldn't invite anyone to a party who was going to be an arse about not being allowed to damage my property. I do see the point about not buying new floor coverings that are so fragile, but surely everyone can show some respect for something that's 200 years old?!

WipsGlitter · 02/11/2015 07:21

Fe some of those heel covers and give them to people. As long as people know in advance.

TooSassy · 02/11/2015 07:21

YANBU.

I'd be mortified if I ruined a friends floor. Pop it on the invite (unless you're really sure you know who the exact offenders are going to be).

One night leaving stilettos at home is NOT going to ruin anyone's night out.

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