Nanny wearing my slippers when I'm not there

[SilverDoublet]

This is a bit of a weird one - so I popped home today unexpectedly while the nanny was in my house with the kids. Everything seemed fine, but then when she was talking to me I looked down and saw that she was wearing my slippers. It made me feel sick. They're not the cleanest or newest of slippers, but I didn't know what to say. I don't know if she's been doing this the whole time or what but I feel like binning the slippers and hiding my slippers in future. I also feel like letting her go over it. It just makes me wonder what else she might do when I'm not there. She's from Brazil. Is this normal in Brazil to just wear someone else's slippers? Am I being weird to have a total icky feeling about this?

Well it is a bit odd so YANBU about that.

Just ask her why she’s wearing your slippers and ask her not to!

It could possibly be normal in Brazil for people to be provided with slippers if they have to take their shoes off. Do you make her take her shoes off? I honestly dont see this is worth sacking the Nanny over. But telling her you'd prefer she didn't wear them and offer her a pair to wear at your house is totally fine

I mean it is a bit weird for her to be wearing your slippers but it is also weird for that fact to make you feel sick.

Perfect! Now you can buy her a pair of house slippers to wear at yours for Christmas. And get new fo you.

Why didnt you just ask her?

YANBU to find this weird but I don't think id sack her over this if this is the only issue. I think id buy her a pair for Christmas and hide mine!

If you insist on her removing shoes in your house then you should provide her with a pair of slippers. She shouldn't be out of pocket to comply with your house rules.

If you don't require her to remove her shoes, then yes, it's a bit odd.

This feels like a huge over-reaction to me. Perhaps go the whole hog and get tested for infectious diseases.

It is revolting and I would have told her she can keep them but she is not too to wear the new replacement slippers that you will now be buying.

Giving her slippers to wear at work for Christmas would be dreadful. It would be like giving a cleaner a packet of dusters to use in your house as a present.

It's a bit odd, but likely just a cultural or family difference.

I do know people who have communal slippers for guests to wear so the concept of wearing slippers someone else has worn is fairly mainstream.

Your reaction is insane. Ask her not to. Move on. Potentially seek some kind of therapy!

Just buy her a new pair ! Not that I can see a problem with it.
But your reaction is completely over the top. And not a sackable offence.

It's definitely the case in some countries that people have 'house slippers' that people use after taking shoes off, so she might just have used them assuming they were communal.

In your shoes (pun intended) I might ask her if she'd like some house slippers and buy her an inexpensive pair to solve the issue

You shouldn't wear someone else's slippers due to hygiene risks, as they can transfer bacteria and fungi like those that cause athlete's foot. Slippers can harbor various microorganisms, and sharing them can lead to infections or other health issues for both the wearer and the owner.
Hygiene risks

• Bacteria transfer: Shoes and slippers can carry a high number of bacteria, including harmful strains like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause intestinal and urinary tract infections or pneumonia.
• Fungal infections: Sharing slippers increases the risk of transmitting fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, and nail fungus.
• Allergens: Slippers can track in allergens from the outside, and these particles can then become airborne in the home.

Other considerations

• Comfort and fit: Slippers may not be a good fit for your foot, potentially leading to discomfort or injury.
• Cultural and personal beliefs: In some cultures, sharing footwear is considered inappropriate or disrespectful. Some people also have superstitions about wearing another person's belongings, which can be rooted in hygiene concerns.

Buy her a pair.

I am a nanny and I hate walking round other people’s homes without anything on my feet.

It often ends with dirty socks, sometimes even wet!

I've worked in houses where there is a very strict shoes off policy and there is a basket of communal slippers for visitors to use. Maybe that is something she is familiar with and didn't think you would have a problem.
Your reaction does seem a bit extreme.

Holy overreaction, Batman!

😭 finally an aibu that isnt just 'ltb'

How... strange 😄

Maybe she thinks theyre there for guests? Or didnt want to wear shoes but didnt think to bring socks?

Eww her foot sweat would have been dripping into your cosy slippers

I'd buy her her own pair

Get her a pair of slippers to use at your house. Letting her go over it would be mental.

I’d buy a new pair and gift her some lovely new ones too. Her feet must be cold in your house.

Hello, Chat GPT has entered the chat.

Blah, blah, blah.....,@pinkystarfish

She prob had cold feet as it’s bloody cold at the moment

I take slippers with me to work as hate cold feet

bring sick is a bit of an over reaction of socks in your slippers

do you feel the same way about her naked bum in your toilet seat

buy her some slippers

I very much doubt the nanny has stopped to ask a chatbot about slippers.