etiquette at family homes

lostinrates

arbroath_lass wrote: »

It's not at all "normal". None of friends and family would dream of asking people to remove their shoes. It is a recent invention by those daft enough to buy impractical carpets.

that's not fair either. In some cases it is traditionally appropriate.

arbroath_lass

lostinrates wrote: »

that's not fair either. In some cases it is traditionally appropriate.

You are quite right. But they wouldn't be arguing/discussing it here.

I should have said "in my experience".

pollypenny

lostinrates wrote: »

that's not fair either. In some cases it is traditionally appropriate.

Not sure about that. In places where it is usual to remove shoes, the streets are, or were, unpaved and dusty.

If I trudged across muddy fields, or through snow and slush, I would take my shoes off. However, if I've walked along a dry pavement or just got out of a car, my shoes would stay on.

lostinrates

arbroath_lass wrote: »

You are quite right. But they wouldn't be arguing/discussing it here.

I should have said "in my experience".

Why not, plenty of people from different cultural backgrounds live here. It's part of what I like about uk.

arbroath_lass

lostinrates wrote: »

Why not, plenty of people from different cultural backgrounds live here. It's part of what I like about uk.

Because, I'm sure, by the time someone was friendly enough to be invited into their home they would be aware that is expected.

lostinrates

arbroath_lass wrote: »

Because, I'm sure, by the time someone was friendly enough to be invited into their home they would be aware that is expected.

I dunno, if it were threads like these would be a non issue...regardless of what background people are from.:)

peachyprice

herand wrote: »

Because bare feet are the same as a bare bottom? All a bit imperialist china

Yes, in the company of people who are not close family/friends.

geri1965_2

I've never been asked to take my shoes off at anyone's house, ever - nor have I ever asked anyone to take them off at mine. My OH keeps his shoes on until he goes to bed, I take mine off when I get in and put my slippers on.

I don't have many rules, no smoking in the house and no shoes on the sofa, that's about it. I don't have carpets so I am not worried about keeping them clean.

My cats are allowed everywhere apart from the kitchen worktops. We can eat wherever we like. Life is too short for loads of pointless rules.

gozaimasu

This thread is quite funny - a huge array of different preferences! Basically:

a) people who feel the cold - grin and bear it, you can't force people to put spend loads of money on heating just because you're visiting. Wear a jumper!

b) people who feel the hot - can't take all your clothes off to cool down, but gosh that would embarrass your host! Don't visit the over 60s

c) Non-smokers: Don't be friends with smokers

d) Shoeless people - enjoy the bad foot odour of your friends and maybe they won't come back because you imposed your rules on them

If I'm not happy with how I've been treated as a guest in someone's house, I won't be back. If it's too hot, I won't be back. If they smoke or have brats, I wouldn't be there in the first place. Then again, if I'm good enough friends with someone to be in their house then I'll be comfortable enough with them to know that they're decent people I can talk frankly with.

How serious!

*max*

Anyone I consider enough of a friend to invite to my place is free to do as they please, and I wouldn't expect them to do anything inappropriate anyway (being friends!).

Short of them whipping out a drugs kit or having a dirty fumble on my bed, I don't see what would annoy me enough to make me start having "rules".