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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say people who take off their shoes in short haul flights should be banned?

23 replies

Ickickick25 · 06/03/2025 15:37

That’s it really. Just been on a 30 min flight and the person next to me took their shoes off and their feet absolutely stank 🤢

OP posts:
Mydadsbirthday · 06/03/2025 15:56

I would have asked them to put their shoes back on or asked the staff to ask them, or move me. That's totally unacceptable on a short flight.

Cyclebabble · 06/03/2025 15:58

Think the issue here is the smell rather than people taking off their shoes? I often will slip shoes off on a flight, but I do not have a foot odour problem. At least not one people have made me aware of!

LlynTegid · 06/03/2025 16:00

The smell is the issue, you should have raised it at the time. I have no issue with people taking off shoes if they don't stink.

Hellskitchen24 · 06/03/2025 16:41

It’s fine if they have socks on and their shoes don’t stink. It’s the not the fact their shoes are off but the fact they have poor hygiene. No need for shoes that reek.

MrBiscuits24 · 06/03/2025 16:42

So you’d be ok with stinky feet on a long haul flight? 🤣 Thank god it was only 30 minutes you had to endure.

i don’t know how people can be so unaware.

Moonlightstars · 06/03/2025 16:45

I had to. Change train seats because the very nice young lady who sat next to me smelt so terribly of dry BO that I felt sick.

I wussed out and pretend my friend had got on the station as it was 45 mins to the next station. I felt sorry for her as she was so unaware.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 06/03/2025 16:48

Not just banned.

They have to be asked firmly the leave the flight ASAP. And them made to exit by the emergency door.

SometimesCalmPerson · 06/03/2025 16:52

Shoes off is fine for people without stinky feet.

SpringleDingle · 06/03/2025 16:55

I hate my shoes and ditch them at all opportunities but my feet are squeaky clean and smell lovely. The problem is smelly people inflicting their various stinky odours on the rest of us. That includes crazy strong perfume / cologne, musty stinky damp smelling people, folks with BO.... Get it together and stop stinking the world up!

Bbnomoney · 06/03/2025 16:56

Shoes off is fine, reeking of BO in an enclosed space less so.

GoldfinchesInTheTree · 06/03/2025 16:59

The problem is... As Evidenced by this thread. Noone thinks they're the ones with the odor.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 06/03/2025 17:21

I take my shoes off on the bus sometimes. I don't have stinky feet though...

GoldfinchesInTheTree · 06/03/2025 17:22

Noone thinks they have stinky feet...

MotherofPearl · 06/03/2025 19:49

I wouldn't dream of taking my shoes off on an aeroplane, not so much out of consideration for others, but because I imagine the carpets are utterly filthy and the thought of letting my socks, tights or, God forbid, bare feet touch them makes me shudder.

I see people on planes walking to the loos in their socks. If my socks touched the floor of the onboard loos I'd have to incinerate them the moment I got off the plane.

ThinWomansBrain · 06/03/2025 19:51

Be thankful it was a short flight and only 30 minutes.

steff13 · 06/03/2025 19:57

GoldfinchesInTheTree · 06/03/2025 17:22

Noone thinks they have stinky feet...

They would have to notice their shoes and socks smell wouldn't they? Now I'm paranoid about my feet smelling...

On a semi-related note, Pete Davidson is involved with a company the makes socks. Drew Barrymore asked him why, and he said we was on a flight and the passenger next to him took off his shoes and socks, and he thought, "I really wish there was a sock on that." 😁

DickEmery · 06/03/2025 20:00

I don't understand that anecdote. Does Peter Davidson think he invented socks?

scalt · 06/03/2025 20:03

Not the usual kind of Mumsnet "shoes off" thread. 😂 Usually it's "AIBU that any guests must remove their shoes in my house, including workmen and their safety boots?"

Ickickick25 · 06/03/2025 21:32

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 06/03/2025 17:21

I take my shoes off on the bus sometimes. I don't have stinky feet though...

Sorry but that is rank!

OP posts:
GoldfinchesInTheTree · 06/03/2025 22:16

I think it's a bit like pet owners thinking their house doesn't smell of pet... Or people not noticing their own BO. You just come accustomed....

I don't think taking shoes off is a good idea as you may not smell your feet but the person next to you might!

Mydadsbirthday · 07/03/2025 13:56

My feet swell up on long haul flights, nothing wrong with taking your shoes off on a long haul but preferably make sure you're clean before you inflict yourself on fellow passengers and wear those airline socks which are quite thick so should mask any smell.

Ickickick25 · 07/03/2025 14:34

I get it on long haul - you want to be comfy when you’re sat there for hours and hours. This flight was around 35 mins and the woman had tiny trainer socks on so her feet were smelly. I also agree with PP above, most people think their feet don’t smell!

OP posts:
ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 07/03/2025 15:18

Ickickick25 · 06/03/2025 15:37

That’s it really. Just been on a 30 min flight and the person next to me took their shoes off and their feet absolutely stank 🤢

This rule should apply on any flight/train

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