Would you find this strange? Shoes off 👞 and flip flops 🩴 on

[Speckledhem]

I work in a role where I visit families in their home. I totally get it is expected in some homes that I remove my shoes, ok fine I do this if I must.

But…

I visit a family each week and not only do I need to remove my footwear but I have to wear a pair of flip flops (sliders) that they provide and leave at the front door for me to change in to on arrival.

It makes no difference if I have socks on or not, I am expected to wear pink sliders for the duration of my visit. I then change back into my own footwear when I leave.

I don’t know if these sliders are just for me or for all visitors.

They are a Chinese family- is this cultural? I find it absolutely bonkers.

Anyone else experienced this?

I'd prefer to be given something to wear but after visiting the house the first time I'd make sure I was wearing socks.

I don't know why you find it absolutely bonkers? As bonkers things go I wouldn't consider that as one. Although surely if in a professional capacity you can remain in your shoes even if they ask you to put on sliders or whatever?

I don't do this but understand the logic. With feet you could have veruccas or a fungal infection, some people's socks are v v diirty ( especially white ones - they can look practically ',black' underneath, especially if you have dogs at home ,)

@VladmirsPoutine

I don't know why you find it absolutely bonkers? As bonkers things go I wouldn't consider that as one. Although surely if in a professional capacity you can remain in your shoes even if they ask you to put on sliders or whatever?

Well I would prefer to keep my footwear on but have to wear the sliders even though I have socks on, I just don’t understand

@beinglikedisoverrated

I don't do this but understand the logic. With feet you could have veruccas or a fungal infection, some people's socks are v v diirty ( especially white ones - they can look practically ',black' underneath, especially if you have dogs at home ,)

I am a clean professional person with clean socks / tights

Yes it’s quite normal in Asian households. Think about it, are they going to get a unique pair for every single visitor? No. So, yes every guest wears those slippers. The hygiene risk with this is pretty low but virtually zero wearing socks.

YABU - I think it's quite considerate of them to provide sliders actually. I hate walking around in socks or bare feet in someone else's house.

It's common in Asian countries. Makes more sense than wearing outdoor shoes indoors.

Surely you've seen much more bizarre things than this.

If you really don't want to wear sliders then it may be acceptable to wear shoe covers.

Don’t take it personally, some people’s feet/socks smell.

It is completely normal in many cultures and is a thoughtful thing to do! I hate walking in someone's home without shoes of some kind on my feet. Expecting visitors to walk around in bare or socked feet seems more bonkers to me!

@jetadore

Yes it’s quite normal in Asian households. Think about it, are they going to get a unique pair for every single visitor? No. So, yes every guest wears those slippers. The hygiene risk with this is pretty low but virtually zero wearing socks.

Well of course they’re not lol that’s why I think it’s odd! Why would they expect me to wear a pair of manky sliders that god knows who else has worn yuk

@jetadore

Don’t take it personally, some people’s feet/socks smell.

I don’t think it’s personal, I just don’t want to wear other people’s footwear

I would just bring my own sliders in my bag.

In what capacity are you visiting? Can they refuse to grant yo u access? Can you get shoe covers?

They don't want your dirty shoes in their home and they don't want feet which have sweated inside your shoes all over their carpet.

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

I would just bring my own sliders in my bag.

Great idea- I’ll do this 😊

@SleepingStandingUp

In what capacity are you visiting? Can they refuse to grant yo u access? Can you get shoe covers?

They don't want your dirty shoes in their home and they don't want feet which have sweated inside your shoes all over their carpet.

They are paying me for a service which I provide. It’s a private arrangement.

I don’t have dirty socks, I am a professional working person

It's a custom in many Asian homes, OP.

I guess the sliders are their version of house slippers that they give to you to use, as their guest.

Is this a new role for you?

A quick Google will help you with any other unfamiliar customs you might come across.

It's great to experience different cultures - lucky you!

Bring your own slippers with you.

@EinsteinaGogo

It's a custom in many Asian homes, OP.

I guess the sliders are their version of house slippers that they give to you to use, as their guest.

Is this a new role for you?

A quick Google will help you with any other unfamiliar customs you might come across.

It's great to experience different cultures - lucky you!

No, I’ve been in this role for about 25 years and have worked with different cultures. Did you mean to sound this condescending?

@SeasonFinale

Bring your own slippers with you.

Yes I will be doing that from next week

Perfectly normal in lots of the world. In Germany they often have a big pile of them to hand out to visitors

No, I’ve been in this role for about 25 years and have worked with different cultures. Did you mean to sound this condescending?

Dunno about pp, but did you mean to sound so naive in your op?

I've come across this before, so wouldn't find it that weird. Bringing your own house slippers is the best solution.

@Speckledhem

Not all all. Why do you say that? My post was genuine. I imagined you were new / inexperienced outside of your own home types.

Surely then if you've done your job for so long, you know that Chinese families are very often shoes off/house slippers on.
It's not a very unusual thing.

At least you know now 😀

Could you get a pair of 'house shoes' which you keep in the boot of your car and never wear outdoors but can be worn in client homes. I used to work somewhere with people who did home visits, the recommendation was a cheap pair of trainers/shoes from to wear in patient homes as staff couldn't just be in socks or saddles for H&S, most patients appreciated this as a way of respecting the culture while still ensuring they were working safely.