To have asked nanny to take her shoes off

[Bluegreenyellowredorange]

My husband and I decided to employ a nanny for our 2 DC ages 1 and 5. This will be the first time we've used a nanny.

We interviewed a lady on Saturday. She arrived just as we’d got home from a walk and as usual we all took our shoes off as we came in. She left hers on though and my husband asked her to take them off when she walked into the living room. I’ll be honest it was a little awkward as I think it took her by surprise. They are newish carpets so I can see where he is coming from but I probably wouldn’t have mentioned it myself. I guess most people don’t expect to take their shoes off in an interview (even though it’s a house and not an office?).

Anyway, the interview went well and she had plenty of experience and qualifications and I’ve tried to contact her (yesterday and today) to arrange a taster session but she hasn’t got back to me. It’s such a minor thing but I’m guessing it put her off. I can’t think of anything else.

Did we do something wrong?

It might not be what she was asked but the manner in which she was asked.

We have a strictly no shoes policy in our home. When friends and family come round they automatically remove their shoes at the front door without being asked as they know this is important to us. I also ask anybody visiting our home, health visitors or workmen etc. to remove shoes and, if this is not possible, I always have a stock of shoe covers available. We offer guest slippers to friends and family visiting, we keep some specific pairs of slippers especially for particular regular visitors! I am always bare foot at home because I am blind and feel safer when I can feel the flooring underfoot, so I am keen that nobody treads anything nasty into the house. However, I am always surprised that everyone doesn't have shoe-free houses. Surely it's just more hygienic and safer to leave outdoor shoes outside. Maybe I'm just over fussy, but I certainly wouldn't be offended to be asked to remove my shoes before entering someone else's house, I usually offer to do so unpromted anyway. I obviously don't think you're being unreasonable!

I’m afraid that I don’t know anyone who keeps their shoes on whilst walking on someone else’s carpet. It’s gross. I do think it’s a more modern thing in the UK linked to lighter coloured carpets.

I get cold feet so always just wear warm slippers at home.

But where do all these posters live that their pavements are so lined in dog shit that it’s a certainty that they will get on shoes and be trodden into carpets.

I don't get it either. Unless I'm going hiking I never come home with mud on my shoes. And even hiking I can usually avoid stepping in animal waste.

I’ve been asked to take my shoes off in an actual job interview in an office that had new carpets 😂. I didn’t care at all and I certainly wouldn’t care if it was someone’s house.

In an office? 😳
That would have been a no from me.

I wouldn't be worried if asked nicely, you respect people's homes. However if the house looked too super clean and nothing out of place I'd be worried that it would be tricky to entertain children without making a mess. I wouldn't want to keep policing them about keeping clean and tidy. Unless of course there was a messy child section of the house.

It was a beautiful outdoor / indoor cabin in the days before office sheds were a thing. It was for a well known organic food brand in the middle of the countryside.