AIBU to think wearing shoes indoors is a bit odd?

[Livefreely]

For thinking it’s weird to wear shoes inside the house?! Had a couple over last week for lunch and they never took shoes off- even if it’s not bad weather the bottom of shoes are filthy!! So would they go round their house all day in shoes? So weird to me!!
now I’m cleaning my floors as they are so dirty!

Why... would you share that? 😂

Haha, us too, the amount of times I've almost went flying when getting the washing in a hurry when it's raining! Dh's flip flops when it is chucking it down 🤭

Just noticed you said "apart from the 5 second rule"!!!! Wtaf? I feel like I missed the sarcasm.. hope so(!)

If I drop a juicy strawberry I’ll fight the dog for it.

I would hope they wear indoor trainers in the sports hall!

Yet in reality the poshest people I know actually wear their wellies through the house - usually if they've forgotten the dog lead or similar and have to go back in. I think people with inherited homes are accustomed to the idea of decades of "history" in their soft furnishings.

It's a bit LMC to act as though wall to wall carpet is a major investment to be safeguarded! Even though it is hideously expensive ...

To be honest, if we are really going to think about germs out there in the big bad world, anyone who has been sitting on public transport should probably take their trousers off before sitting on your sofa etc. But that would be thoroughly weird ...

The big question for me is who, what, where, why anyone would wear the abominations that are crocs!

We are a 'Shoes off in carpeted areas' house (upstairs, living room). The downstairs hallway and kitchen are vinyl so can be mopped clean.

Ive just moved into a house and have brand new carpet. I cant afford to be hiring or buying a carpet cleaner yet so I absolutely do not want outdoor mess on my carpet.

No one who comes to our house minds bevause everyone who comes to my house is the same - they dont allow Shoes on carpet.

The only exception has been workmen or co tractors and as that is all done through our housing association, they have bought their own shoe covers with them anyway.

If a guest has a problem with it - and none of my guests - then tough.

Ehm, ehm....
🙋
My family always changed so did mostof my friend's families when we got home(abroad). It's common where I grew up.
I've never though of it as germs thing though and never heard anyone mentooning it in that way. Same with shpes off. More like just comfort and general dirt. It's theultimete relaxing feeling to change into my comfy joggers and jumper after coming in from all day out or work.

Yes it is a nice feeling but I still think expecting guests to do so would be odd!

Agreed. And if you think about it - wooden/stone floors are mopped frequently. How often do people actually wash their carpets? Someone will now come along and say daily…

Yes it is very relaxing for the person whose house it is. But we are mainly talking about guests’ comfort here. And being a good host. And not insisting at the door that shoes are removed to protect the ridiculous cream carpets.

You can’t get your head around someone wanting to be a good host and put the comfort of guests above their floor?

I think that is the crux of the problem on here - many can’t.

We don't have carpets* at all in Finland but still shoes off, it's not about carpets.

*rugs are common, especially rag rugs, but they are washed at least once a year (at municipal rug washing spots by lakes, using pumped lake water and pine based soap - its a lovely tradition scrubbing your rugs alongside your neighbours and hanging them up to dry in the sun)

Delatron never had a guest who didn't take their shoes off automatically at the door anyway, just like I'd do at their house. So how am I putting my floor above their comfort? I think you'll find a lot of people do it out of politeness. It can also be a culture thing across the world.

Yes they offer out of politeness - I do. And everyone I know says ‘no keep them on’

So if I offer and go to take them off and I’m not stopped then the shoe off people are happy (I don’t know any). And I don’t mind either way (unless I am at a party).

The bottom line is - most people offer but it’s rude to insist.

What a great tradition! I love the idea of communal lake-washing of rugs!

It is lovely, and I look forward to it every summer. There's big mangles to put the rugs through to squeeze the water out of and my children loved/love turning the handle.

Absolutely! I’ve noticed that this automatic shoes off at the door thing has increased. I often potter about in slippers or bare feet at home, but only for comfort and usually when no visitors in the house.
I’ve started making sure I put on very obvious shoes now (nothing that can be mistaken for a slipper or ‘indoor’ shoe) before people arrive, just to try and avoid their trying to take their bloody shoes off! I don’t want anyone’s manky socks or feet on show please!!!
I get there might be a cultural element, and that is of course fine, but when it’s purely because they’re a germophobe or value their floors above their guests, I find it bloody rude to stand over me at the door while I wobble about trying to take my shoes off. And these people that say it makes their guests more comfortable… crap! Absolutely, it might be more comfortable to potter around your own home without shoes on, but that’s not the same for guests.

Could not agree more.

So you asked the agent beforehand if they’re shoes off people before viewing…. Or just turned abruptly at the door and left?

You missed “IF”.

So it didn’t happen, and you’ve never done it ever? Not much point in saying it then!

I think you’ll find I can say whatever I like if it’s within MN guidelines.

@blossomtoes last time we bought a house, we viewed a v substantial property in a prestigious road. Our shoes stuck to the floors and frankly we should have been provided with shoe covers to protect our shoes. The owners did the viewing otherwise we'd have ventured no further than the hall.