To feel angry at the 50% who ignore the sign to remove outdoor shoes in changing rooms??

[DippleSun]

Swimming lessons today and there is a big sign saying please remove outdoor shoes beyond this point and a tub of shoe covers.
I’d say approx 50% of parents covered/took off shoes and 50% didn’t. I start feeling unreasonably? angry with the 50% stood at the poolside who hadn’t bothered. Why not follow a simple hygiene rule? It’s so simple. And judging by the response by the pool - only 50% felt it was necessary. So I’m asking Mumsnet - I need to
understand the 50% who would ignore this rule!

Ah yes, like the developing country of Finland, where people piss and shit in the roads and eat off the floor, and that's why we have to take our shoes off in swimming pools, rather than the more logical reason of respect for other users, the cleaners, and yourself.

This could be written by me, I think you must be at my centre too!! I am a teacher and always there. Recently the new changing room village has opened, which is great, loads more space. They have a designated area by the door to sit and put in shoe covers on take shoes off. When 1st opened they employed a young person to sit and remind everyone but it obviously costs to do this.
So many don't bother, and floors get muddy. 3 days ago a school of 30 odd kids, and several accompanying adults, all traipsed in with shoes on.
It's difficult I guess getting all these kids to do it. Annoying though when lots of us make an effort.

1. There was definitely dog shit on the ground when I was young.
2. Countries where it’s the norm to take your shoes off are, for example, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Japan. None of which could be described as ‘developing’.

@Hellogoodbyehowdoyoudo

Do you let people walk around your house in muddy footwear? No because it’s a pain to clean up constantly and god knows what’s been on their shoes? I imagine it’s much the same reasoning at a swimming pool where they need to be particularly hygenic.
If they’ve updated the whole changing room stating their rules and providing an easy area for this to happen, why not just follow their policy?

I can’t see any other reason than - can’t be bothered and if the changing rooms are filthy - I don’t give a fuck about creating more work for others.

Surely it would be easy enough for you to take your shoes off?

That's made me feel better...

If there is a proper area outside with benches and storage then fair enough.

Many people can’t just pop their shoes off standing on one foot, or carry them about, or manage to get shoe covers on.

Our changing rooms are shared with gym members so it would be unworkable. No shoes poolside seems entirely reasonable, with people using flip flops in changing room if they don’t like the floor.

But it's not one set it's 4 sets of shoes. While we are juggling two full squad kit bags plus my swim kit and a swimming lesson kit.
Luckily my pool has good mats outside, an airlock with mat stuff, a reception area with more mats. Eliminating the need for groups of people to take shoes off as they enter the building.

I’m not usually one to say check your privilege- but no, it is not always easy enough to take your shows off.

I use 2 different pools. One doesn’t have this rule and is spotless regardless. Maybe good quality matts by the door. One has this rule and it’s seriously grim with an overflowing bin of single use plastic. They also don’t have seats next to the sign to remove shoes which seems ridicolous. Nor anywhere to put your shoes meaning I’m carrying 3 bags of swim kit plus coats plus shoes…. Trying to wrestle doors open and not drop anything. It’s impossible. And I see people week in week out getting shoe covers and binning them. Seriously they must live on a different planet to be so unaware

You know you could use the same shoe covers for each visit.

I'd probably not use the covers, I have difficulty walking (I use a stick) and I'm prone to falls. Depending on which shoes I am wearing they may have orthotics in them. But that's a disability thing.

Actually I would probably wear my clogs, they are designed to be worn in kitchens so have a non slip sole.

It’s a rule at our pool and I’ve never seen anyone not do it.

I would say you were lucky 50% did read and follow the instructions. I have been the only one taking shoes off/using covers before now.
I think it is a case of people thinking it doesn't apply to them, they are not there very long etc.
They don't think it through that mud/dirt from their shoes could end up being transferred to others/the pool.

Unless your children are toddlers surely they can take their own shoes on and off?
In a combined 6 years of taking my children to nursery, which is shoes off, I have had to take my shoes off (with nowhere to sit) twice a day 5 times a week for 6 years. Bags can be put down, you don't have to hold them while taking your shoes off. The only time I legitimately had trouble with the shoes off rule was leaving primary school while holding my baby and the teacher had to tie my shoe laces for me, otherwise I just made it work because I had to.

Catch 22 situation.

anklet I agree people wearing shoes make it dirty, our pool is utter filth and therefore I refuse to go bare foot because the floors are rancid and vic knows what soft of skin infections I would leave with.

I just wear crocs though

YANBU! Especially if there are shoe covers.Some people (especially men) seem to have some problem with going around without shoes and socks on but its gross treading in mud etc with bare feet because some people can't be arsed to take their outdoor shoes off.

My local pool has a sign, but unfortunately no shoe covers.
Not many people seem to take their shoes off and it doesn't seem very well enforced.

YADNBU and it’s probably the same 50% of people (men) who think it’s acceptable to get a good sweat up in the sauna and get straight in the swimming pool “to cool off” , ignoring that signage, without the courtesy of showering. We don’t want to swim head down in their sweat.

Swim mum and it happens at every pool, don’t get your knickers in a twist.

Oh that is nasty, swimming without washing their sweat off bet they're the type who don't shower before going in the sauna either, so the air gets bad in there.

I'd follow the rule. But to feel actual anger about this is so bizarre to me.

This is what every thoughtful person does.

Swim nappies are supposed to let the wee through. They aren't absorbant. If they were they'd soak up the pool water.

I agree with this - the pool with a sensible layout and shower facilities has no rules against shoes and you leave feeling clean and dry.

The council pool has a rule against shoes but a terrible layout, and I wear shoes because it's filthy and I get out of there as soon as possible to get actually clean at home.

You need a good bristly mat at the door IMO, AND an opportunity to dry your feet and drip a bit post shower - then the floors don't get as wet in the changing areas.