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).

I would prefer someone to keep shoes on, because bare feet or socks are just as likely to be harbouring germs/infections, and at least with shoes you can wipe them. Someone came over once in flip flops and wanted to kick them off to be polite and i had to quite strongly insist that she kept them on - I felt on balance her flip flop sole would be harbouring fewer germs and infections than her bare foot. The thought of someone walking around on my carpet in their socks makes me shudder. What do you think of all that OP? (I genuinely want to know!!)

YABU. It has nothing to do with their opinion of your house. You are being over-sensitive.

I can honestly say it wouldn't occur to me to ask because I do not expect anyone to take their shoes off in my home. If anyone asks me if I want them to take their shoes off I always say no because I want potentially smelly feet contained in footwear.

Yes, yes I do, redglitter.

I’m very surprised at the number of people who walk around their own houses with shoes on. I can’t remember the last time I was in someone’s house and even one person was wearing shoes.

Please see earlier filthy mare comment.

I think you might be onto something with socks. His socks I noticed were not good quality and they were also becoming quite thin around the toe, particularly the left one. Thankfully no cheese smell (this could potentially have transferred into my carpet).

YANBU! Clearly the estate agent should have used his powers of telepathy to know what you expected him to do.

Ugh I don’t want a stranger padding around my house in his socks tyvm, if he’d asked me it would have been a firm ‘thank you but no, you’re fine, leave them ON’

Wtaf??
Yes yabu.
This person was being polite, how are you offended?
We always take our shoes off when visiting several family members ( i on the other hand do not give a fuck in my house!)
This is polite.

As in i do not ask people to take their shoes off when coming into mine, but i do take mine off.

U OK HUN

YABU. Of course it's polite to ask! I personally don't give a shit whether people want their shoes on or off in my home, whatever they feel most comfortable with I'm happy with. I clean the floors regularly so it's not some sort of health hazard.

YAB so U. Different people have different rules. He’s asking what your rules are. The opposite of rude.

His socks I noticed were not good quality and they were also becoming quite thin around the toe, particularly the left one. Thankfully no cheese smell (this could potentially have transferred into my carpet)

Misguided attempt at politeness. He may just as well have asked if you wanted him to rub his manky feet over your carpet. Yuk.

Madness.

YABVVU. Fair enough if you insist on guests removing shoes but it’s insane to say someone who politely asks is RUDE.

And no, indeed I am not a “filthy mare”. I have wood floors and porcelain tiles throughout my home which are steam cleaned daily. I always ask if I should remove my shoes when visiting someone’s home, out of politeness. And for the record, never once has anyone said yes. Albeit the majority of my friends and relations don’t have carpet.

He was literally just asking if you wanted him to take his shoes off or not. I have no idea what the issue is.
Baffling.

Another "What??!" from me.
YABVVVVU

This forum is depressing at times, what an absurd way to view a perfectly reasonable question

this ^

You are being absolutely ridiculous.
Without getting involved in the fortnightly thread about if people should make their visitors take their shoes off, being offended by someone asking you is just beyond belief.

I have this thing about feet-I don't like them, especially toes. So if someone came to my house and took his/her shoes off I would be very uncomfortable. i would certainly never ask someone to take their shoes off, if someone did, I could manage but I wouldn't like it!

Yanvu I think but very thoughtful about it. It’s extremely polite to ask !

That's not rude no. Refusing to or not asking is rude, asking is how humans communicate

Judging by your last few posts Underhiseye2 this was just a wind 'em up and watch 'em go goady thread.

reddogs agreed - after replying I thought exactly the same. What a waste of space.

Yabu! If a stranger waltzed in to my home and started kicking off their shoes immediately, I’d find it a bit weird. It’s only polite to ask! Poor man

under a large proportion of my house has a stone floor. If you take your shoes off your feet are freezing within minutes.
It's not fair to ask my guests have have cold feet while visiting.

I can't believe someone could have let this sheltered an existence - so am coming to the conclusion that this is just a goady take on the shoes on/off theme.

Given it's been 3 whole days since the last one.