To expect no-outdoor-shoe households to provide slippers?

[pairofrollerskates]

Just that - slides, or foot covers of some kind. Of course, if you know in advance it's different, but when you turn up for the first time at someone's house to be told "please take off outdoor shoes" at the door (which is reasonable, we all get to decide what happens in our own homes), surely something should be provided rather than expect visitors to pad about in bare feet, or socks.

Single use plastic!!!

For the who are shoes off for visitors, do you provide a chair for those who are somewhat infirm so they can sit down to remove them - or more Importantly sit down to put them back on? My disabled adult ds needs to sit to do shoes - and needs someone to help put them back on.

They just want to show how “respectful” they are when honestly ignoring the homeowner’s rules and acting as if they know better is the complete opposite.

I dread being asked to remove my boots, one ot my ankles is badly affected by arthritis, and doesn't support me at all without supportive lace up boots and an insole which keeps my foot in position. I have to shuffle and hop, getting to the toilet at night and having a shower is a struggle, but at least no one sees me. If asked to remove shoes I would just go home! or would I be allowed to use an outdoor crutch?

Don't be stupid! Who wants to wear a pair of slippers that someone else has been wearing? Keep a pair of socks in your bag!

You do realise that your friends and your family don’t represent everyone and that those who do it differently from what you are used to doesn’t make them wrong, simply different.

The only people I know who provide slippers or socks are German, and they have an absolute mountain of them, all handmade.

I’d always take my shoes off at someone’s house and I’m not friends with anyone with scutty floors or who I’d be bothered seeing my socks. The exceptions to this rule are:

MIL’s house which is shoes off, no heating on, and no kitchen bin or bathroom bin or ANY FUCKING BINS so if you need to put anything in the bin you have to put your shoes back on and go outside to the wheelie bin then back in and shoes off again, the whole time navigating her shouty untrained dog. Trying to do this with a used tampon wrapped in loo roll in your hand is like the Krypton Factor. Ironically MIL refuses to take her shoes off at our house, OR her coat and hat, and won’t even put down her handbag if she’s there less than an hour.

One time when we were viewing houses and the owner insisted on being there at the viewing even though the estate agent was showing us. Made us take our shoes off even though the kitchen floor turned out to be entirely smashed tiles and the hall carpet akin to a marshy bog.

In conclusion, friends let friends see each other’s socks.

You can get fold up slippers from Amazon for about a tenner. Just take a pair with you when visiting.

YABU.

Socks are absolutely fine to sit with your friend on the sofa, have a coffee in their kitchen, share some lunch...

If you don't like just socks, then it's on you to make sure you take your own slippers.

I don't like being barefoot myself in other people's houses, so I make sure I pop a pair of socks in my bag if I am wearing flip flops out or something. I don't expect them to provide me with socks on arrival.

The odd-time where a visit is impromptu I'm sure you can cope. Most of the time you know if you're going to visit a friend.

Households that have carpets and allow everyone to keep shoes on are generally filthy.

And if it were a first visit, I would assume it's a shoes off policy and I'd plan accordingly - assuming I won't be 'provided' with anything!

Well I’ve got underfloor heating throughout my downstairs OP so I find that people prefer socks or bare feet in the winter so they can feel the warmth.

@Blossomtoes Can I ask why you feel strongly about shoes on? I really can’t think of a single reason. I thought maybe you don’t like feet or at a push are worried they might be dirty but then they wouldn’t be dirtier than shoes.

I agree, I know people who always have to wear quite supportive shoes because of a mobility problem. And there are other issues too - I don’t have trouble walking in socks, bare feet, whatever, but I have Raynaud’s Disease so this time of year there are plenty of houses where I just can’t be warm enough in socks alone. (I usually do take slippers but if I don’t know the hosts well I don’t always feel comfortable putting them on, I’ve been stared and smirked at in the past).

I do not understand people who wear outdoor shoes indoors! Living in a town that is regularly covered in dog poo, it's such a yucky thought! It never occurred to me to provide slippers though. socks are just fine.

So out of my group of friends, I cant think of a single one that wouldn’t take shoes off at their door (all busy working mums, not all with perfect homes etc) or do the same at anyone else’s out of respect for a persons home. Have you thought maybe you should be taking shoes off???

I wouldn’t mind taking my shoes off but I would think it was a bit weird to be given slippers to wear.

What is the relevance of that?

Abide by the rules of the home that you're in. Why are you having such difficulty with such a simple concept?

Those Brits who are so far up their own arse as to demand shoe removal before entering their little ordinary houses mansions should not have visitors ever. Easier all round for everyone that way. I know in some countries it is the norm but not here, so it makes it very awkward and cringy.

I know of No One who would ask me to remove my shoes before crossing their threshold. If that ever happened I'm afraid I would say something like, oh.... I can't go without my shoes and I object to using spare slippers or plastic covers. Come to mine next time Bye!

Honestly that's what I would do. Thankfully so far I haven't had to because all my friends and family are normal welcoming people.

I have a myriad of feet and ankle problems which make walking difficult .I still take my shoes off when entering peoples homes .Its usually for a social occasion and not some sort of marathon .If i am staying anywhere longer I take my own indoor shoes.

I’ve explained why three times now. RTFT.

What’s wrong with socks?

Growing up I lived in a shoes off at the door house and most of my friends houses had the same policy. It seemed pretty standard and to me now just seems like common curtesy to take your shoes off at the front door so as not to dirty up other peoples floors so I would expect to take my shoes at any home I visited unless told otherwise and would definitely offer in most circumstances. I don’t like the idea of shared slippers or bare feet.

Hang on, I thought we weren't supposed to open the front door to people since covid? I can't keep up with mumsnet. Now I've got to let all in them in and buy them some slippers in case they get cold toes...ffs!!

Canadian here.

I genuinely can't remember being in a house that you DIDN'T take your shoes off for. Maybe it's our weather?

Actually, now that I think about it, moving days. When moving house, people keep their shoes on. That's the only exception I can think of.