Would it bother you if your doctor was wearing shoes like these?

[BloodyMaud]

I love them, but can't really justify them unless I wear them for work, at least sometimes. They have loads of styles - some are definitely innappropriate but wondered if some would be ok. Rest of outfit is usually colourful but fairly smart/ conservative.

They are a little bit "Patch Adams".

It would make me smile and I'd probably relax a bit more with my doctor. I think they are cute.

I’m a great deal more concerned with your knowledge of medicine than what you’re wearing on your feet. If they’re comfy, if you like them, WEAR THEM.

Don't wear anything that you would find embarrassing if you have to give someone bad news

This ^

Imagine telling a patient very bad news and you’re wearing those shoes! Totally inappropriate I’d say.

If you never have to give bad news, then crack on.

I can't imagine what difference someone's shoes would make to being given bad news.

When I was told that my grandma and my dad had died at hospital, a) I couldn't tell you what anyone was wearing and b) I can't imagine how quirky shoes could have made it better or worse!

People do have some funny ideas at times.

It matters because how you choose to present yourself says much about you but also because we all know people will judge you on how you present yourself.

Many jobs it won't matter. For professional jobs it really does because it a decision you take for yourself that shows your personal and professionnal judgment.

It will rightly or wrongly affect how people see you and in a professional world trivial things can affect how someone sees you and their attitude to you.

To put it in simple terms - everyone makes mistakes in their working career because they are human; if you have irritated someone in other minor ways, they will be more likely to take against you and more likely to make a complaint.

Dressing in a way that looks unprofessional means that many people will look at you and even before you open your mouth have formed a view that you have poor judgment, are a bit childish, not a serious person and bad taste. This is not a good platform from which to begin a serious professional interaction. For these people, the starting point is a minus position that then you either have to work to overcome or will confirm their pre-conceived bias.

It is true that a proportion of people really won't care but the fact many will care is a reason to eliminate points of objection in your work dress.

Quite apart from which those shoes are vile.

When I was told that my grandma and my dad had died at hospital, a) I couldn't tell you what anyone was wearing and b) I can't imagine how quirky shoes could have made it better or worse!

Well that’s probably because they were wearing professional clothing. If they’d given you that horrible news and had a pair of loud shoes with a smiley faces on them, you may well have thought “you’ve just told me something dreadful and you’re wearing those shoes”. And you would have remembered them.

DorothyParkersCat
I think you sum it up well. On MN people who claim they never pay attention to what people wear, wouldn't be bothered by a client/customer/service user facing professional in various items are probably at odds with the general population.

It's easy to say 'but I should be judged on ... not what I'm wearing' and to some extent I agree, but dress choice does convey something of someone's personal judgement.

For example, I worked with people who used to complain that the students had no respect for them and were badly behaved, but they routinely turned up to school in the sort of outfits that I would say are casual taking children to the park outfits. It doesn't send the message 'I'm in charge of my classroom and I want to be respected in my classroom'. It wasn't helped by them then passing behaviour issues to other staff, but first impressions matter and our conduct does change based on attire (It's natural to be a bit more laid back and casual when you're in your relaxed clothes).

I also know a couple of younger staff who have worn very nice outfits and looked lovely, but probably better suited to nice-day day drinking or nice social occasion rather than the workplace. Add in lots of fake tan and makeup and long nails, they used to be surprised when they had meetings with parents and parents wouldn't take them as seriously as other colleagues.

Nobody has to wear full formal business dress unless stated, but it would be silly and naive for anyone in a professional role to not realise how our dress choices are perceived and the message we send.

Yes Lizzie
I remember everything quite vividly when my DM died. For example, not shoes, but loud comedy tv being watched by other patients in the side ward.
I think I would have noticed 'fun' shoes too.

I wish all adults wore more 'fun' clothes. We're a long time dead.

Conversely would your GP want to see you in them.

Where can you buy them

The shouldn’t be judged on stance is a bit childishly foot stampy, really. People will think whatever the hell they choose when they look at you, we can’t control it. Sulking that well, they’re WRONG is pointless.

Wouldn't bother me, but they're too babyish for my Dc at 6 and 9 so I think they would look a bit

I only noticed a medical professionals shoes once and that's when he was wearing trainers (with a suit). I didnt care though.

@OceanDreams I totally forgot I'd posted this! Have just looked back and am somewhat shocked so many people have commented - now have to rtft.

Sadly no shoes, unprofessional or otherwise, have been purchased, as my car failed its MOT the other day. So after that bill I shall remain wearing my incredibly professional and boring Clarks' brogues for the foreseeable future.

Oh and for those that asked/ think it has a bearing on shoe choice - I'm not a GP or a consultant. I'm still very junior and so rarely have to deliver terribly bad news, but do spend an awful lot of time on my feet! I think if I was a bit more senior and had a less crap car I'd go for it...

Thanks OP for returning to such an enormous thread and sorry to hear about the car! I’m glad you are not going to wear these to work but can I suggest reflecting a little more deeply on what you’ve read here? You must have known there was an issue when you asked the question. A very large number of posters have told you they’d find these shoes problematic, often sharing deeply personal stories in the process. This is the kind of feedback you’d likely never hear to your face but it is valuable. And it’s important in your role to think about taking your patients as you find them. The fact that many other posters have said the shoes are fine, doesn’t negate the views of those who would be upset. It’s not a majority rule situation. You can’t cater for every possible obscure shade of opinion but if a good portion of your patient population risks being upset or feeling disrespected, then you should listen to that and stick to what is the norm for your profession. So even if you win the lottery tomorrow and get promoted to a senior position, then still don’t!

Hope the car passes the next test.

Absolutely nothing wrong with them. I'd wear them & I'd figure that a doctor needs to be comfortable in a hugely stressful job. Anyone who judged you would be ridiculous & small minded.

The doctor bit is neither here nor there. I'd just think what I'd think of anyone wearing them which would probably depend a lot on the rest of the outfit. Not sure I'm that keen on them but go for it if you like them.

HeadintheiClouds
That's how I feel. It would be nice to wear whatever I wanted to work and claim 'but they shouldn't judge', but I work face to face with students and parents who are human and part of being human is people judge. They may not be snotty or rude or decide I'm professionally incapable (though some would), but what I wear contributes to an overall impression.

OP Sorry to hear about your car. I would say you can still find some fun shoes that are still professional looking.

My DS's teachers are often dressed quite informally in sports clothes, leggings, shorts and shirt sometimes seen on men in summer. They deal with complicated social issues and problems all day as well as actually teaching and they do a great job. Extending the same logic to doctors I wouldn't mind a bit if I saw these shoes in the surgery. Their ability to diagnose and treat health problems and offer patients kindness and dignity is what they should be professionally judged on.