Gogglebox, the family who wear their shoes indoors

[RockYourSocksOff]

I like this family but I can’t help but wince when I see a plate full of biscuits on their foot rest surrounded by feet encased in trainers.

AIBU to think they should TAKE THEM OFF!

Sorry.

@longwayoff - *Perhaps we all have resilient immune systems? Oh, where can they have come from?

Exactly. The current obsession with avoiding germs has led to an increase in allergies. We also need exposure to germs to build up our immune system.

I can understand someone not wanting shoes on in the house to ensure that floors need sweeping/hoovering/washing less frequently, and while I think it's an inhospitable attitude, it does have logic to it. However, I think the germ avoiders are somewhat misguided and their attitude can do more harm than good if carried to extremes with anti-bac everything.

Any cases of people getting ill from ecoli that I've ever heard of have been traced directly to a food product or direct contact with an infected animal on a farm or something.

Completely agree theymademe, my daughter in law, PhD Biochemistry, won't have any antibac, wipes, deodorizers, scented whatever's, etc in the house.. They have young and very healthy children, no allergies.

I'm not a germ freak, but I won't allow shoes in my house, you stand in dog/cat/rat/bird urine and other stuff and then walk it through your home Puke

A random thought that just occurred to me: in films, dramas, soaps, etc, no one ever takes their shoes off at the door. To be fair, it would pretty much ruin the tension if someone was about to storm out of the house after a face-off, but had to stop at the bottom of the stairs to lace up their boots before they slammed the door behind them

They don't normally make films about the sort who take shoes off - possibly the 'kitchen sink 'grim up north stuff of the 50s.

"The sort who take their shoes off"?

They don't normally make films about the sort who take shoes off - possibly the 'kitchen sink 'grim up north stuff of the 50s

🙄 there we go again. Honestly we get it, you’re higher class than people who don’t like shoes in the house.

I'm confused. What's class got to do with it? In my experience, its more likely to be people from other cultures who prefer shoes off, class not entering into it.

I am definitely no germaphobe. Barely ever use bleach for anything, probably don't clean as much as I should but I can't have shoes in the house. All that muck you stepped in? urgh

Surely there should be some middle-ground in this shoes on/off debate?

I’ve always been one to take my shoes off when I come home. I might walk through into the kitchen with shoes still on with shopping/etc. Or sit down and look to look at my phone for a few mins before getting up and taking them off after 5-10 minutes.

What I can’t get my head around, is people who put their shoes on as soon as they’re dressed, and keep them on all day until bedtime?! Surely it’s more comfortable to be able to put your feet up on the sofa, and wiggle your toes after they’ve been trapped in shoes all day, I agree that it’s a bit excessive to expect people to remove shoes at a dinner party with high heels, etc (that don’t get worn as much outside as everyday, dirtier shoes). I also agree that you can’t have the same shoes-off expectations for older friends/relatives. But everyone else...? Just take off your flipping shoes and get comfy! Seems so silly to keep them on. Also more hoovering, etc.

Anyone else in the middle-ground?

Totally agree. I never do outdoor shoes indoors.

floral I am SO with you on this one! Comfort above cleanliness every time...

I agree with you Floral as well.

Ah I always forget how white MN is until one of these types of threads.
Hundreds of MNetters forgetting all about the other cultures of the world. And you get some of the weird slightly racist bent.
Poor Korean woman on page 1 needing to defend her culture
The entire Asian continent will be made up of shoes off people. That includes Korean Asian and Indian Asian like me. All those people funnily enough also inhabit the UK and don’t really appreciate being told their culture makes them gross and weird and lower class. Never knew it was a class thing
Well not for us brown people. I’m afraid it’s just who we are. Not that we are disgusting rude people apparently.

I always think a bit of understanding and common sense is required on these threads. But nope it descends into absolute madness.

I do thing shoes on are absolutely gross. I’m baffled by it. But I don’t think the people are terrible. I just don’t understand your (upper class?) British culture and upbringing just like you don’t get mine.

(How is it comfortable to wear boots at home? While eating dinner, washing up, relaxing in sofa? It’s so bizarre. I guess you think us Indians are bizarre too. Isn’t the world such a funny place )

It is totally a class thing for people from a white British culture, interesting that people think that it isn't.

"It is totally a class thing for people from a white British culture,"

I don't feel that it is, but I don't know any aristocrats, so maybe I am talking rubbish.

Well, I am quite posh and white and totally a shoes off person. But that's just me - so come to my house, keep your shoes on or take them off, either way that's absolutely fine - please just come in and be happy here.

How does it work if you have a shoes off house and have a party? A drinks party? Everyone all dressed up and standing in their socks/tights 🙈😆

I need a picture of Dave the Gorgeous Dog. For your friends across the pond.

"How does it work if you have a shoes off house and have a party? A drinks party? Everyone all dressed up and standing in their socks/tights "

I actually know a couple who couldn't have a party for this reason. It was not in the UK and the couple had different nationalities. The woman came from a shoes off culture and just refused to have a party because she couldn't be sure that everyone would agree to take their shoes off.
I think some people have slippers for everyone, like they'd have in a spa and this is what the husband suggested.

All these people have a bottom that poo comes out of, how do they reconcile THAT with their ‘issues’!

How do people cope with life living on such a knife edge of blind panic about germs. How do they eat in restaurants anywhere! A bunch of strangers preparing their food after potentially picking their nose or not washing hands after a deep trouser scratch.

Wow. Couldn’t imagine everyone standing around in matching slippers and party dresses. Feel like I’ve arrived on a different planet 😆

I can’t stand seeing the ones who have their bare feet stuck near the camera🤢