I live in an apartment building that is only two storeys but extends expansively across a few acres of land, with a great view of lakes and hills and a slice of ocean.
Many of the tenants, including me, enhance our entrance ways with art work, floral arrangements and plants. and statuary. seasonal wreathes and vases. Some of the art work extends into the walls of halls, which look like art galleries. All very inspiring and quite beautiful and remarked on frequently by guests.
A new tenant, who replaced our dear belated Betty who was moved off into a care home due to dementia, has made this stark statement outside her door. I just had to take a photo. There is no other ornamentation outside her doorway.
It gets me to thinking about the insides of this new tenant - I haven't met her and really, I think we would have nothing in common. Perhaps a compulsive housekeeper? I'm one of those who's never had shoe-rules of any kind. You can throw your shodded feet around my floors any time you like. I would never make such demands on a welcome guest who would visit me for my company and not for my shoddy house-keeping.
What do you think of such a "welcome" mat? And the person behind it?
In ordinary times I would steer clear until others have checked her out but it is POSSIBLY a Covid precaution? I try to give benefit of the doubt but it certainly is a statement. I wonder how she feels about bare feet.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how Covid comes into not wearing your shoes? Am I missing something?
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Dear Webwisewoman, while i understand, in some cultures that's an understood norm, to see such a "welcome" mat seems to indicate otherwise. Yep, i would keep about a 12-foot social distance.
ReplyDeleteOur building is remarkably white Sue of the Wasp-RC variety. Mainly female as the men die off earlier tho we have a few male stalwarts in the building much fussed over by the women who engage in such behavior and treat them as slow thinking imbeciles.
DeleteI doubt any of these men would take off his shoes and visit her.
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I'm not the least bothered by the mat's message. We take our shoes off when we enter our home and often our friends' homes. I never ask anyone to take off their shoes, but I'm happy when they do. We have carpeting through most of our house, and I really feel better if the shoes that trod those dirty sidewalks are left on the porch.
ReplyDeleteI believe my point, DKZ, was in a building where tenants enhance every other entrance artistically, this stands out as a stark reminder of others' priorities and I wonder about the personality behind such a statement.
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I actually have two different in-laws who have a no-shoes policy. I hate it. Only go to see them when I have to.
ReplyDeleteMy experience, also Tom, is that such people have their TVs going 24/7 and I don't hang around too long in such an environment.
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Lose the shoes - but with nowhere to put them? Demanding but not considerate.
ReplyDeleteFunny (not!) how that goes with the NO-shoes territory.
DeleteSorry, I have to go with your new neighbour's preference. It's definitely her choice. I always remove my shoes when entering someone's home unless advised it isn't necessary.
ReplyDeleteI think if there was a preference to have shoes removed Chris, it would be far more courteous to state it as they come in rather than blast them baldly at the door.
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A sign stuck to a door here caused huge ructions at body corporate meetings along with the tenant being targeted by neighbour. The sign said, 'Please remove your shoes'. For the Asian tenant it was a cultural issue whereby shoes are not worn inside. The words on the mat you show are very aggressive and I don't think I would like a person with such a mat.
ReplyDeleteWell at least there was a "please" there Andrew but why can't people state their preference in person as in "if you don't mind". Frankly, I am repulsed by this.
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That is one rude, rude way to ask a guest not to wear shoes into her apartment. I have one short leg and wear a shoe lift. I cannot even remove my shoes unless I'm seated, and then would limp painfully to a chair. What if I'm not allowed to sit down?
ReplyDeleteActually, I would solve this one at the door mat. So long, it's been good to know you.
I wouldn't bother going in either, Joanne, to be honest. I don't think I'd ever want to know a person whose only outside adornment is this. It stands out horribly.
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I know a lot of people who don't allow shoes in their homes. My mum was one when we were little, we took off our shoes at the door and put on house slippers as we stepped inside. In later years when she left us, I'd visit, (dad would drive us) and there was no such rule. I have never had that rule myself, but do take off my own shoes if they are muddy from the patch I laughingly call my garden.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter did once ask us to remove our shoes when visiting as they had just installed new flooring and the house was up for sale.
River, it's not so much the rule but how it's requested. I've taken off my shoes when asked no problem, even slippers provided in many homes I have visited over the years and also I bring my own if I know about the rule. It's all in the message and how it's presented though, right?
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Alternatively, that mat could be seen as welcoming you to kick off your shoes and relax in her home. I know there are lots of folks who have a no-shoes policy and I kind of like padding around barefoot or in my socks in their homes.
ReplyDeleteI'm not getting the welcoming vibe at all SAW!
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I don't allow shoes inside the house. I would love to own such a mat.
ReplyDeleteOh wow!
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It seems like a reasonable request if they have light-coloured carpets that could easily be soiled by filthy footwear. Jenny's brother has light-coloured carpets and has a "no shoes in the house" rule.
ReplyDeleteAs I said before Nick, it's the way it's conveyed so starkly in halls of flowers and plants and art work. It screams!
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The question remains, is there a place for a visitor to sit down and remove his or her shoes? For people getting up in years, standing while removing one's shoes ... that can get dicey.
ReplyDeleteNo no seat or stool. Just the bald statement on the floor. I shudder every time I go past her door. I've never seen her. Tho it could be a man come to think of it.
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I knew know what to do. Some friends insist you remove your shoes, I don't. After all, my shoes are part of my outfit. Also another friend always has a cold house.
ReplyDeleteI let people do what they want. I never wear shoes in my own house, barefoot always.
I'm old school New England. I really do not want people taking their shoes off in my house. Ick. I appreciate them respecting my culture. If a guest wants to come in and track mud all over my house, they are perfectly welcome to do that and I'll never say a word. That's just basic hospitality. Of course next visit, I'd offer them coffee at the kitchen table because that's what linoleum is for. In winter and mud season, it's appreciated if people at least make the gesture to take boots off. But I always ask them not to. The thought of strangers padding around my house in stocking feet makes me squeamish.
ReplyDeleteIt made me laugh. Sets the expectation and the person doesn't have to tell you the preference in person, which can seem even more confrontational. And I find the idea of already deciding whether you like someone or not based one 1 item, not actually meeting the person, disturbing. I think that's the sort of behavior the world needs less of, isn't it? We're all so imperfect. 'Nuff said. Kim in PA (USA)
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