to ask party guests to not smoke or wear stillettos in the house

[Irishchic]

I got a party invite today. On the invite it said it would be appreciated if guests did not smoke in the house or wear stilettos (this couple have recently renovated house and fair enough have spent a fortune on lovely oak floors throughout..)

I think this is ok to put on an invite. Another friend of mine is livid and thinks it's really rude...

Is my friend BU?

mazzy - a few years ago I foolishly got our dining chairs recovered in a cream fabric. shortly after having them done we had friends round for dinner. I made some sort of summer berry pudding with a deep deep red coulis. I can remember so vividly the moment when I saw that a huge blob of coulis was going to fall from someone's spoon onto the chair. it was like slow motion and my mind went through the whole process of initial horror, folowed by weighing up the merits of different reactions - jump up, screeching try to catch the coulis, try to remedy the stain, or...just chill. and in that split second i decided to chill. the stain is still there (along with a few more) but it was definitely the right decision.

We have parquet oak floors throughout upstairs and downstairs, had a few parties but never stipulated that people not wear their stilettos in here, however we do bitch about them when they do ;)
It really does mark the floor but it gives it "character".

I would prefer if someone told me beforehand I would not ike my trousers/dress not to fit anymore (ie dragging on the floor) because I have been told to remove my shoes at the entrance. (Not that I wear stilettos, how the hell women manage is a mistery to me)

Parquet floor is very expensive to put in. (In london) we were given quotes ranging from 2 to 5k per room, dh did most of it himself in the end (!) getting help from profesional companies for sanding/varnishing in some rooms.

Ah but Mazzy the patina on your floors has developed gradually over almost 200 years. The first pockmarks on a brand new floor would be quite different - they'd appear suddenly and would be very obvious.

gotta start somewhere otter!

I'd never ask anyone to take their shoes off when they arrived for a party, would people really do that? Someone all dressed up in lovely dress and shoes? I'd just grit my teeth about the parquet.

Otter it's a bit like the first scratch on your new car too isn't it? After 6 months or so you stop worrying about them.

Errr.....my previous post should say hours and not years

I don't think I know ANYONE who wears stilettos, which is a good thing, they would look totally out of place in them if they visit my home or met the rest of my friends

im a high heel fan,as are fair few female pals