awkward situation: no shoes at baby shower

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would remove my shoes, but not my socks. If the host insisted, I would leave.

I think the issue was the OP wore shoes that didn't require socks so when the "shoes off" came into play they were left barefoot.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I will not remove my shoes in someone else’s home. As a child, my family was at another family’s home. The adults were playing cards and all the kids were playing in stocking feet. I stepped on a knitting needle that was embedded in their shag carpeting and it went 2 inches up into my foot. So, there’s no way in hell you’ll ever get me to remove my shoes in someone else’s house.

The “shoes must come off” brigade need to be very careful not to leave Lego blocks, needles, etc., lying around their houses. And to ensure that their kids’ aim is good at potty time. Stepping shoeless in a puddle of liquid can be a bit disconcerting when you don’t know whether it’s water or something else.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Even wet snowy winter boots?

I don't think there is anyplace where people would wear wet, snowy, winter boots in their or somebody else's house. They are boots, meant to be taken off, meant to protect one's shoes from inclement weather.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Am I the only person who wears slippers? I don't wear OUTSIDE shoes in the house, I wear house shoes in the house.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Am I the only person who wears slippers? I don't wear OUTSIDE shoes in the house, I wear house shoes in the house.

I live in slippers (prefer the hard soled ones for that reason) but I also don't *mind* wearing my normal shoes around the house either. I don't have a thing where I must take my shoes off as soon as I enter but normally they find themselves off at some point.

Most of my slippers are meant to be indoor or outdoor and I prefer that so if I run to get the mail or a package, etc. If I was going to someone's house though I don't just bring slippers in case, I sorta just wear what I'm comfortable with and that to me means if I run into a host who would prefer them to be off I need to make sure I'm okay with that and what I'm wearing (meaning if I'm okay being barefoot fine if not I'll wear something where I'm wearing socks instead). If I had a foot issues that would obviously mean it's on me to make sure I'm prepared with something that will work that won't dirty up someone's home.

 

[CallieMar]

I live in slippers (prefer the hard soled ones for that reason) but I also don't *mind* wearing my normal shoes around the house either. I don't have a thing where I must take my shoes off as soon as I enter but normally they find themselves off at some point.

Most of my slippers are meant to be indoor or outdoor and I prefer that so if I run to get the mail or a package, etc. If I was going to someone's house though I don't just bring slippers in case, I sorta just wear what I'm comfortable with and that to me means if I run into a host who would prefer them to be off I need to make sure I'm okay with that and what I'm wearing (meaning if I'm okay being barefoot fine if not I'll wear something where I'm wearing socks instead). If I had a foot issues that would obviously mean it's on me to make sure I'm prepared with something that will work that won't dirty up someone's home.

My slippers are also meant to be indoor and outdoor, however I don’t want to get them wet or muddy in the winter. I have to walk across the lawn just to get to my car (not enough room to walk along the driveway with DH’s cars there). So even if I’m just going to take out the garbage, I’ll switch to Uggs which I can just pull on, to keep my house shoes clean.

 

[CdnCarrie]

But would you wear the same flip flops inside and outside?

Hmm not sure.
Problem is I’m short and like to tuck my legs under me on the couch. Chances are I would be kicking off those flips flops most of the time.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My slippers are also meant to be indoor and outdoor, however I don’t want to get them wet or muddy in the winter. I have to walk across the lawn just to get to my car (not enough room to walk along the driveway with DH’s cars there). So even if I’m just going to take out the garbage, I’ll switch to Uggs which I can just pull on, to keep my house shoes clean.

My way to solve that if you want to call it a solution is multiple slippers.

Legit I have slippers that I walk around the house in, slippers I use for the basement (because of it being unfinished there's dust and all down there), and slippers that I use to go outdoor.

That must sound crazy to some people though lol. If it's bad weather (rain, snow, ice) regardless of the season then the slippers that I use to go outdoors won't also be worn indoors around the house. I have a cat, the floors aren't going to stay clean anyways but true muddiness is different than just walking down the driveway to the mailbox and all so those shoes if the weather was like that would just be taken off once I got back inside and my other slippers put on. This is also why I ask for slippers (actually usually 2 to 3) every year for Christmas from my husband's family, they will get used, they will get worn down and need to be replaced.

I totally understand where you're coming from since you have to walk in the grass all the time.

 

[bethy]

In our community it's about 50/50. We try not to wear outside shoes in our house as a way of cutting down on the outside dirt and germs. But I would never, ever ask anyone to remove their shoes.

I have to wear real shoes or supportive slippers inside and especially on hard floors or it causes me great pain. I had to browbeat my MIL into allowing me to buy special shoes to wear just inside her house when I visit.

For me, bare feet are the grossest option though I would never say anything to a guest.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I had to browbeat my MIL into allowing me to buy special shoes to wear just inside her house when I visit.

If I had a person who I knew I'd be seeing often enough with this situation I'd probably just insist on doing get togethers at my home rather than try and force them to accommodate me. I only say that because you've got a specific need and it's like making both people uncomfortable (you for not wearing shoes and your mother-in-law for what I presume is wanting no shoes to be worn). Your house your rules kind of thing IYKWIM even though obviously people can be considerate of those with certain needs.

 

[bethy]

Both of my parents grew up being required to wear shoes at all times for safety. My mom's dad was a doctor and my dad grew up on a farm. It was very important to protect one's feet. Also, where we live now it seems the outdoorsy and farming type folks are more likely to wear shoes indoors . . .

Then they raised us kids and added that besides protecting your feet, shoes also protect your socks from getting holes in them. We were on a tight budget.

 

[bethy]

If I had a person who I knew I'd be seeing often enough with this situation I'd probably just insist on doing get togethers at my home rather than try and force them to accommodate me. I only say that because you've got a specific need and it's like making both people uncomfortable (you for not wearing shoes and your mother-in-law for what I presume is wanting no shoes to be worn). Your house your rules kind of thing IYKWIM even though obviously people can be considerate of those with certain needs.

Yes, we have her over all the time. But she begs us to visit her too - she is a widow and also has a lovely lake house and she is always wishing we'd visit more. It's ok, we get along fine with it.

It was just really interesting to see that a brand new pair of birkenstocks that had never once been worn outside would bother her so much - it just shows that some of these things are really ingrained and intangible and I do respect that.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I don't think there is anyplace where people would wear wet, snowy, winter boots in their or somebody else's house. They are boots, meant to be taken off, meant to protect one's shoes from inclement weather.

Which is why we end up shoeless/bootless at parties.

 

[CdnCarrie]

The only place I have ever been asked to remove my shoes is Tokyo. Anyone insisting on this in their houses should do what the trampoline parks do and keep a supply of socks available to hand out to visitors who may have callouses or bunions or just tend to get cold feet.

Do most visitors to your houses not wear socks? I can see in the summer but in the winter.

 

[CallieMar]

I just realized that there is one time when I wear shoes in the house: when I’m working out. I’ve been recuperating from injury and haven’t been able to do much beyond walking so didn’t think of it. I don’t have special indoor only workout shoes or anything, I just wear my regular sneakers. Since DH wears his shoes indoors it doesn’t make a difference.

 

[sasywtch]

I'm guessing this started in snowy/rainy areas where it would be normal to take off nasty shoes and it just carried on to year round. I don't know anyone here in northern CA that is a no shoe house. I'm just curious what happens for those who don't like germs/outside dust for wheelchairs or walkers? They accumulate the stuff shoes do outside. If I was giving a babyshower in someone's home that didn't want shoes, I would put that on the invitation and they would get a pair of those non skid socks as a gift upon entering.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'm guessing this started in snowy/rainy areas where it would be normal to take off nasty shoes and it just carried on to year round. I don't know anyone here in northern CA that is a no shoe house. I'm just curious what happens for those who don't like germs/outside dust for wheelchairs or walkers? They accumulate the stuff shoes do outside. If I was giving a babyshower in someone's home that didn't want shoes, I would put that on the invitation and they would get a pair of those non skid socks as a gift upon entering.

Wheel chair tires can be wiped down with baby wipes.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I just realized that there is one time when I wear shoes in the house: when I’m working out. I’ve been recuperating from injury and haven’t been able to do much beyond walking so didn’t think of it. I don’t have special indoor only workout shoes or anything, I just wear my regular sneakers. Since DH wears his shoes indoors it doesn’t make a difference.

I actually have a pair of sneakers just for the treadmill. Part of it is motivation, because they're right there reminding me to walk, but most of it is so I don't have to clean the belt all the time, because it's a pain!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I don't like the idea of shoes in the house, but yea when we have guests we don't make them remove their shoes at the door.

 

[kdonnel]

The “shoes must come off” brigade need to be very careful not to leave Lego blocks, needles, etc., lying around their houses.

I understand scenarios where legos are left on the floor but when and how often are needles left laying around on the floor? Who stores their needles, sewing, hypodermic, or otherwise loose on the floor?