AIBU to think the question, "would you like me to take my shoes off?" is rude?

[Underhiseye2]

Just that really. An estate agent came to value my house today. The first thing he did was introduce himself and we shook hands. The second thing, he stepped inside and looked around and asked "shall I take my shoes off?".

I would never dream of not taking my shoes off on entering someone's house, except maybe my MILs because she is a filthy mare, it's automatic.

Is this question code for, "I think your house is dirty"? Straight up, I am not the house proud lady that my own mother was, but man, this place is clean and tidy. We are part hard-wood floor and part carpet (which could be seen from where estate agent was standing).

Is this fake? Nobody is really like this, surely?

Oh, FFS. He's an estate agent. He's never met you before. He goes into a ton of people's houses because THAT'S HIS JOB. How is he supposed to telepathically know whether you are the crazy lady who will go ballistic if he doesn't take his shoes off or the crazy lady who will go ballistic if he does?

Of course he's going to ask. Get over yourself.

He wasn't being rude, he was being very polite!

Why is that rude? Of course it's a reasonable question. We don't make people take their shoes off

How bloody ridiculous

Bloody hell @Underhiseye2 You are going to get a big shock when the prospective buyers turn up to view your house. I am sure most some of them will just come in without a thought about taking off their shoes.

Wait until you get the viewers pounding through your house...with kids... on a rainy day...who don't usually take their shoes off so don't assume that they should...and don't ask because they're too busy thinking, quite rightly, of all the things they need to see/ask about in the house...

And I hope you're going to be in for every viewing because not every estate agent will insist people take shoes off.

Especially if they're taking them to the garden first. Or have a few viewings that day so don't want the additional time of shoes off for the house then everyone running back to the hall and putting shoes back on to traipse around the garden (again especially if small kids are involved needing help from mum or dad whilst the estate agent checks their watch), then shoes off again when they want a quick look at the bathroom (or kitchen/bedroom) again.

I would appreciate it if someone with visibly dirty boots from building work or similar asked that but a normal pair of shoes ? No, I'd think it very odd. I have a heavy duty external mat that takes off rainy day mud etc and dust and another light one just in the hall so anything carried further into the house would get cleaned in the normal household routine.

A new nurse came here yesterday. She asked if I wanted her to take her shoes off, I said “no your fine” and didn’t think about it again until I saw this. I just read it as her acknowledging some people prefer no shoes others don’t mind.

AIBU to think the question, "would you like me to take my shoes off?" is rude?
Yes. And if you think he was rude to ask a perfectly polite question then it may be best if you don’t do your own viewings!

S1naidSucks I think you may have misunderstood pp. they were saying they keep their shoes on in mil house because she is dirty (so they don’t want dirty socks) and would take their shoes off in other people’s houses.

If anything I think it’s polite. It literally means “would you like me to take my shoes off?”

What are you on about?!

It’s bit a rude question but it’s one I absolutely ducking HATE!!!!! Yes, take your bloody filthy shoes off. Isn’t it just natural to do that? Asking me is putting me in the position of having to say “no, of course not”.

Because I’m too polite. I would never ask you to remove your shoes but I would judge you for not doing it. And I would Hoover up after you. Walking outdoor muck around someone’s house is foul.

Really? I'd say 'no, no need at all'!

I never used to ask people to take their shoes off, but DS has really bad (genuine) OCD, and freaks out if people walk in with shoes on, and then I have to clean the floor. Immediately.

We have a dog, and hard flooring, so I cringe very much at having to ask. If someones asks me if they should, it's much easier for me!

Not rude at all for him to have asked imo.

Bloody hell not this again. No he wasn’t being rude. If he was rude he wouldn’t have asked. Get a grip.

YABU. We take our shoes off in our house and I thinks it’s disgusting not to but I always ask when I visit someone. If they say yes, I remember for next time and do it.

Not going to RTFT as it’s always a bunfight. But no, it’s not rude at all.

He’s asking you your preference, to avoid walking in your floors or carpets with his shoes on if that’s your preference.

This is polite. I have hard floor and dont mind people walking on it in shoes. Carpeted areas im less keen.

FFS, I really have heard it all now

Of course it's not rude. I think it's polite to ask. Some people don't want guests to take their shoes off some do. I can't honestly see the problem.

I'm guessing this is something you wouldn't ask then on entering a stranger's house.

If this is real, you’re mad.

Meyoumeanmeh

Doh! I’ve ended up as confused as the OP. 😳

😁

No. I don't think it's rude. I always ask. Some people don't mind. I don't mind. I accept I'm the minority.

Oh god. Not this again.