Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Toes out at work?

146 replies

CheekyFuckersDontGetPastMe · 14/05/2019 19:52

Yes or no?

The men don’t turn up in sandals sans socks. Company dress code only mentions no flip flops.

It’s customer facing.

I can’t decide if IABU or not but I think yuck every time I see someone else’s toes at work.

OP posts:
RottnestFerry · 15/05/2019 07:16

If I were a client visiting a supplier's premises and witnessed staff wearing sandals, they wouldn't be a supplier for very long

This made me laugh.

NaturalBornWoman · 15/05/2019 07:17

See, I agree that it is your problem Struggling, but I have personally known so many people who have an aversion to feet that I think it is quite selfish to wear open toed footwear in an office setting. It's like very tight cycling shorts for men, or very low-cut top for women.

Showing toes is nothing whatsoever like showing genitalia or breasts. I don't agree at all that there is the same issue with feet being visible in public or in an office setting. I understand that some workplaces have health and safety considerations, and there are still areas in which a more formal code exists, but discomfort about seeing another person's feet cannot be equated with discomfort about seeing a body part which is generally expected to be covered according to societal norms.

RiversDisguise · 15/05/2019 07:20

I think it's somewhat similar as a lot of people really feel nauseated by feet. I don't get it myself.

ScreamingValenta · 15/05/2019 07:23

Smart sandals (not flip-flops) are fine where I work. I don't see an issue unless there are health and safety considerations. You don't have to look at people's feet if you don't want to see them.

ChodeofChodeHall · 15/05/2019 07:23

Life must be horrible if you're offended by toes... Especially in the Summer!

LakieLady · 15/05/2019 07:27

Perfectly fine, as long as they don't have smelly feet.

We have no footwear restrictions, and no dress code, but no-one comes in inappropriately dressed because we're all adults. Birkenstocks and Fit Flops are quite commonplace.

Shorts are allowed too, and no-one takes the piss by coming in wearing "beach" type shorts or hot pants.

I'd hate to have to keep my feet enclosed all bloody summer.

Groovee · 15/05/2019 07:28

I wouldn't as I work in a nursery and one member of staff has had a broken toe from the big bricks when a child dropped one on her toe.

edgeofheaven · 15/05/2019 07:36

I live in a place with a proper hot summer, it's completely acceptable to wear smart sandals in an office setting.

Having an aversion to toes is absurd, good luck if you ever have to relocate to a warmer part of the world.

LaurieMarlow · 15/05/2019 07:40

The way you dress at work is a sign of your attitude and respect for your company and employer. Wearing toeless sandals is a sign that you don't really care quite frankly.

Choked laughing at this. Do you work in an accountancy firm from the 50s perchance?

My sector is very relaxed about dress. No issue at all with nice, smart sandals and well looked after feet.

Strugglingtodomybest · 15/05/2019 08:14

I see what you're saying RiversDisguise but agree with NaturalBornWoman that it's not really the same.

Because I hate feet, I find it quite easy not to look at them, it's not that big a deal.

MaxNormal · 15/05/2019 08:23

CloudyForest oh dear Grin

I remain a bit baffled by the British aversion to feet. I am from a bit country and toes out is the norm even in formal environments.

RiversDisguise · 15/05/2019 08:29

In my experience the Swiss hate seeing feet even more

Lexilooo · 15/05/2019 08:29

Who says men can't wear sandals at work? I have worked with men who wear sandals at work, professional office environment, men wearing suits with the sandals.

Not stylish or fashionable but they can wear them if you like.

For women I think peep toes or structured sandals are fine. Not flip flops. With a more casual dress code more open sandals are fine.

RottnestFerry · 15/05/2019 09:01

I remain a bit baffled by the British aversion to feet

It's just a few podophobes, not British people as a whole.

MinesaPinot · 15/05/2019 09:23

I work in a large City law firm. We have a Smart Casual dress code overall, although the lawyers are obviously expected to be suited and booted if they are meeting clients.

There is absolutely no problem with open toe sandals in my office, although flip flops are not allowed - I think that is probably more on safety grounds than anything else. During warm weather, especially the summer we had last year, I cannot think of anything worse than being forced to wear formal business wear, sweaty tights and closed toe shoes - yuk. Most of us lived in pretty, appropriate length, summer dresses and beaded sandals last year - the local nail bars to my office did a roaring pedicure trade!

By the by CloudyForest I'd hate to work in your office - you sound a real bundle of laughs. Sanctions applied for non-compliance?? Blimey, have you got a branch in North Korea?

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 15/05/2019 09:37

I had no idea that there were people out there who genuinely find toes offensive! Confused How do you all cope in the summer months? Also baffled by the poster who thinks that exposed toes equates to not caring about your job! What a bizarre conclusion to jump to.

I work in a school. Flip flops are not allowed but smart open toe sandals are considered completely acceptable and most female staff wear these in the summer, including the Head Teacher. Every building in the school is like a bloody sauna from May onwards so I couldn't care less if someone is upset by the sight of my (clean, moisturised, pedicured) toes. As far as I'm concerned that's their problem.

Lexilooo · 15/05/2019 09:38

Are people talking about different things? I mean these are open toe sandals that would be entirety office appropriate. Are people seriously saying that a lawyer/accountant/HR professional/senior manager would be inappropriately dressed in these?

images.app.goo.gl/uyfn96EAE3jMSiFBA

Completely agree that beach flip flops are inappropriate in the office.

Geminijes · 15/05/2019 09:48

Some people just have horrible toes/feet. Splayed toes, bunions, hard skin should, in my opinion, be covered up.

All toes on display should be nicely pedicured. If I have to look at other people's toes then at the very least they could look cared for.

I don't understand why some women will care for their finger nails/hands with regular manicures and applying hand cream to keep skin soft but forget about their toes and feet.

OneStepSideways · 15/05/2019 09:58

I don't think it looks professional, unless it's quite an enclosed style of sandal with just a bit of (painted) toenail showing rather than the whole foot!

I take care of my feet but would feel uncomfortable baring them at work. Most of my colleagues wear trainers, loafers or Mary Jane type shoes in summer. I usually wear black trainers with a cut out back and top, so my feet get some air but my toes aren't on display!

churchthecat · 15/05/2019 10:04

The way you dress at work is a sign of your attitude and respect for your company and employer. Wearing toeless sandals is a sign that you don't really care quite frankly.

Haha, come visit our CEO, I work for an enormous global company on the ST top list. He was wearing shorts and flip flops last week.

Today i'm wearing leggings and birks. Thank god our company has move on from the 1960's and has realised that dress code means fuck all.

RiversDisguise · 15/05/2019 10:21

Not everyone's toes should be seen. I'm thinking about my toes after my first half marathon. The nails did eventually all grow back...

BigChocFrenzy · 15/05/2019 10:41

Nowhere I've worked has had a dress code - and I'm in my final months before retirement.

I'm a scientist (well-paid) in R&D
and summer sandals, T shirt & shorts are normal wear at work in my field.
It's only the work produced that counts

When I occasionally have to present at a conference or to top management, then I wear smart jeans and Nike's with the T.

FireflyEden · 15/05/2019 10:42

I would love to wear sandals in the summer for work, but we have to cover up (NHS)

Think how awful it must be for our Emergency Services and military having to wear huge boots in the summer.

BigChocFrenzy · 15/05/2019 10:44

Some of your workplaces - with inspections ! - sound more like the armed forces, where people wouldn't join if they didn't like uniforms, rules and regimentation

For civilians, other than safety wear, it sounds oppressive.

ceirrno · 15/05/2019 10:46

I've never understood the aversion to feet... Toes are barely any different from fingers.

I might not like the style of your clothes, the hairstyle you chose, the (really weird) manicure you decided on for your hands... But I'm not going to complain about it. If you don't like looking at feet- don't look.

Although in fairness, I also don't care if people didn't wear clothes at all. Unless there's a specific health and safety reason, or they're behaviour is inappropriate, then I couldn't care less how someone looks.

Swipe left for the next trending thread