To think you should expect to get messy at messy play?

[Ankerdam]

I went to a messy play session with my young toddler. He picked up a small pot of water based paint (within the paint area) and chucked it in front of him. Some of the paint went on the sole of the shoe of a mum who was knelt with her back to the paint area. I apologised and got her some tissue to wipe it off, but she made a huge deal about it, huffing and puffing, acting like she was going to have to walk home barefoot, making snide remarks about "well I suppose I'm going to have to put these in the washing machine now".

AIBU to not understand how/why someone can be upset about the soles of their shoes getting dirty (at the very least) at somewhere like messy play?

Yanbu. Messy play sessions are the time for old clothes and lots of fun. Especially if it's a paid for session and someone else is clearing up!

It is paid for. I wear old clothes as you say because I anticipate my own child getting me covered in stuff. I don't care if another toddler gets stuff on me either but I didn't know if I was just laid back and that was deemed poor etiquette.

YANBU the clue is in the name.

Reminds me of the woman I was sat next to at the edge of a big fountain play area full of kids complaining that she got splashed 🙄

Yanbu

Messy play means being messy.

Ok chucking paint isn't exactly part of the activity but toddlers do random thing sometimes and it's entirely possible that adults will get crap on then just as much as the kids during messy play.

Yep, all the ones I’ve been to specifically recommend wearing old clothes yourself / removing your shoes and bringing a change of socks!