Bare feet in the house

[sheepwitch]

Three people live together. I'll call them Ben, Grace and Norah. All like being barefoot when in the house.

Ben doesn't like the appearance of Grace's bare feet. Ben doesn't generally have any issue with bare feet but used to know someone many years ago that had similar feet and he didn't like those either. Ben says that Grace's feet have "creepy long toes" and that they make him feel uncomfortable and on edge - he likens it to when someone who doesn't like spiders spots one lurking in a corner. Ben acknowledges that it is irrational to have such a strong reaction to a persons feet but thinks that Grace should keep her feet covered at all times (socks/slippers) as an act of courtesy towards him.

Grace doesn't see anything wrong with her feet ("they're just normal size 6 feet!"). Grace resents being asked to keep her feet covered in her own home as if she is some kind of freak in the foot department.

Norah has bigger fish to fry and is not fussed about anybodies feet and just wants a quiet life. Norah can see both points of view and has therefore been lumbered with the role of referee.

So, wise mumsnetters, who is being unreasonable here?

Ben also needs to stop commenting negatively on his sister's body. Not just getting a grip and bearing it, he really needs to shut up about it.

either Ben gets over it or everyone has to wear socks or slippers, buy each other the silliest slippers you can find as a competition for christmas.

Why does the house rule have to be "all covered or all bare"? Can't the house rule be "stop trying to body shame your family"?

But everyone wearing slippers when barefoot was the norm before IS giving in to Ben's body shaming. Why should Grace hide her feet? Everyone in socks hammers home her feet are gross and in the interest of fairness everyone wears socks to hide Grace's hideous feet? I'd make an artful sculpture of them.

X post with boomboom.

My point Boom was that Ben needs to see that there should be parity - he can't ask someone else to cover up while having his own feet bare.

If he is truly made deeply uncomfortable (and I'm sceptical) by the sight of someone else's feet then he should be prepared to cover his own too.

But as I said in my post, the obvious answer is for Ben to get over himself.

Ben is being a cock. So he should get over it and let Grace get on with it.
IF he doesn't like her feet then he shouldn't look at them!

And if it's his sister, then he should definitely just STFU because he's only doing it to make her feel bad and that sucks.

Ben needs aversion therapy

Aversion therapy love it. Back to the bare footed hokey cokey with lots of thin toed women. Left foot, right foot, shake it all about and Ben is hit with a wet sock for every unpleasant remark.

Basket of artisanal slippers by the front door? [unhelpful]

Seriously though, 'Ben' is clearly a douchebag and needs to get a grip or seven...

Poor Norah
Yes, your son is being a twonk and should get a life.
Your daughter should wear slippers that he finds equally offensive IMHO
You should wear slippers with pictures of hobbit feet on the top

If Ben has a problem with one particular pair of feet, Ben has a bigger problem than that particular pair of feet. Poor Grace. Maybe she should dye them blue or something.

Slippers for Grace.

My sympathies lie with Ben, I know this to be entirely unreasonable but my ex and indeed my sons all have revolting feet. They are all aware of this and accept the no bare feet apart from me rule. Can just about stand the youngest with bare feet if not too near me.

Mine are lovely.