Why do people take their shoes off in public?
That seems like an eternal question.
People will just let their toes loose in the most public of places.
This is not always a popular choice.
Redditor DoingTheBestICan101 wanted to discuss their experience and get some feedback. So naturally, they came to visit the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit.
They asked:
“AITA for telling my friend taking their shoes off was inappropriate?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“So, my friend and I went to the theatre.”
Not the Cinema, not the movies.”
“AN ACTUAL THEATRE PLAY. (Saw Rent!)”
“We got all dressed up to the10s, and they decided to wear 5-inch platform boots.”
“Not the comfiest shoes, but where we would be sitting down for most of the time.”
“I didn’t think it would be too uncomfortable.”
“And once seated, they start taking off their shoes.”
“I stopped them and asked what they were doing.”
“They said they were just gonna take off their shoes.”
“I told them no, that it was NOT the place to do that.”
“We are sitting down to see a play. There’s a dress code to live up to.”
“They got upset but kept their shoes on.”
“Once we got back to their place, they started fighting with me about me not letting them take off their shoes.”
“They said it wasn’t inappropriate. They were just getting comfortable.”
“We fought about it on and off for months.”
“They just don’t get my side of it and think they are right, and I shouldn’t have said anything.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“AITA?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed some options to the question AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared OP was NOT the A**hole.
“NTA. It’s rude and inappropriate to take your shoes off in a theatre, especially when there’s a dress code.”
“If they wanted to be comfortable, they shouldn’t have worn uncomfortable platform boots.” ~ ExistenceRaisin
“God, I wish I was brave enough to tell my friend to keep their shoes on during the movie, it makes everyone else feel so uncomfortable (she also puts her feet up on the front seat even if there’s people sitting close).”
“We just complain behind her back, and I feel bad about it, but I don’t like confrontation or want to make her feel bad because I would not be able to hide my disgust.” ~ Aguita9x
“NTA… and as someone that used to work housekeeping at a performing arts center and arena those floors aren’t cleaned as often as you think.”
“So it’s gross on many levels.”
“Just think, if everyone took off their shoes, the stench would be vomit-inducing.”
“Unnecessarily taking your shoes off in public is rude, and you should plan the appropriate footwear for whatever your activities are.” ~ AddressPowerful516
“Agreed. I was in a vanpool for a long-distance commute, and one of the women would take her shoes off for the long ride home.”
“And we had to wear pantyhose at work.”
“The smell was so bad, and we all kept waiting for her to smell it herself, which she never did.”
“It was an awkward conversation when I had to ask her not to do that.”
“Feet smell when they’ve been in shoes, period.”
“No matter who takes their shoes off!” ~ BackgroundStorm6768
“What do people think about that?”
“I always found it weird, but it seems to be accepted that people take shoes off on flights.”
“Some airlines even give you socks in your seat kit, so they seem to accept the practice.”
“There’s no such muddying of the waters in a theater, though.”
“Clear NTA.” ~ My_Dramatic_Persona
“This. I’m already disabled with chronic pain, and my feet tend to swell on long flights, so no matter what shoes I’m wearing, I end up super uncomfortable.”
“But I would NEVER go barefoot or wear smelly socks.”
“Clean ones or slippers, always, so my feet are still covered.”
“And yeah, that’s why some airlines give you those nice clean, soft ones, so you’re not exposing everyone else to your sweaty socks or bare feet.” ~ Sorry_I_Guess
“Slight YTA but I believe this is two different arguments.”
“If someone takes off their shoes and there is a bad smell then 100% they need to put them back on.”
“However, if it’s a dress code thing, only then once they’re sitting down watching a play, I don’t see the issue?”
“Surely no one is looking at their feet, and they put them back on to walk around at intervals or the end.”
“So if it’s a dress code question, then I think you were wrong.”
“If it’s a smell question, then you were right, but I firmly believe two separate issues.” ~ imfinewithastraw
“NTA. That’s nasty.”
“Doesn’t even matter if they were wearing stockings or socks or whatever, straight up you don’t do that in a place like a Theater.”
“It’s formal, not your house.” ~ Sharp_Carrot
“NTA, clearly people lack manners in public this is very inappropriate and rude to do in public and especially since they have a dress code next time don’t wear 5-inch platform boots and they knew it was not comfortable yet they decided to wear it so that’s on them.” ~ Mother-Suggestion-26
“NTA. That’s gross. Especially at the theater.”
“Regardless of stinky socks/feet or not, people don’t want to see that in public.” ~ xoxnightlightxox
“NTA. Taking your shoes off in public is rarely appropriate.”
“It is never appropriate at a theater of any kind. You should wear appropriate footwear, and not plan on taking them off.”
“So many people, women, take their shoes off at weddings.”
“I always take a pair of flats.”
“Or, for a floor-length dress, ballet slippers.” ~ Fickle_Toe1724
“NTA. As a platform wearer, I understand their pain, but lmao, there’s a time and place.”
“They knew they were gonna be out if they were worried about comfortability over the look they should’ve dressed comfortably.” ~ Fickle-Winter8119
“NTA. Taking off shoes in most venues is inappropriate, and especially at a play/musical.”
“Nobody wants potentially smelly feet without shoes near them for 2 1/2 hours.”
“And on top of that, there’s a good chance that the floor near where your friend was sitting could be dirty, sticky, have a drink from somewhere behind you accidentally spilled during the play and it runs forward under your friend’s feet, etc.” ~ scrapman7
“NTA. But for the record, taking off their shoes in a movie theatre wouldn’t have been any more appropriate, so I’m not sure why you made the comparison.”
“Generally speaking, taking your shoes off and exposing your stinky feet (even with socks on) in any indoor public venue (unless it’s like, a bowling alley or a skating rink and you’re switching footwear) is completely inappropriate, which is something anyone over the age of 4 or 5 who isn’t entirely feral should know.”
“As for ‘just getting comfortable’ – your friend wasn’t in their living room; being thoughtful of other patrons is the bare minimum.”
“Honestly, I don’t know if I’m more horrified that they did this in the first place, or that they’ve been ‘arguing for months’ about it.”
“I’d be asking them if their parents just didn’t teach them any manners at all, because that’s sure what it seems like.” ~ Sorry_I_Guess
“NTA. Reading the title I was actually expecting it to be a case of being at someone’s house (depends on the host), or at the office (not really appropriate, but as long as shoes on when meeting with people in a true official capacity can be overlooked), but when at a theater, restaurant, airplane, bus, etc it is totally unacceptable.” ~ LoneWolfHippie1223
“WTF. No. NTA.”
“I bet your friend is one of those people that takes their shoes off on an airplane and rests their feet on the seat in front armrests.”
“This is a loving room or a bedroom.”
“It’s a public space and a performance.”
“Keep your dang shoes on.”
“Were they raised by feral goats???” ~ Bearsandgravy
“NTA. It isn’t just about foot stank.”
“If someone needs to get past at any point, you have to make sure to move your feet and boots out the way; if they’re trying to get out quickly, you may forget to move the boots, or they may not realize they have to maneuver round an extra pair of shoes.”
“I’m in the UK and have grown up going to the theatre and have always been told to dress smartly but comfortably as you should remain in what you are wearing, not take shoes off and not constantly fidgeting.” ~ MaliceIW
“NTA – if the shoes are that uncomfortable while sitting, then the friend needs to get rid of those shoes.”
“It’s quite saddening to fall in love with a pair of shoes, only to be disappointed by not being able to walk in them (and therefore, not buying them).”
“That’s the hard part of life, I know.”
“Also, if everyone were to take off their shoes in this situation, aside from being uncouth, that would pose a hazard should there be a fire or other sort of emergency where everyone must exit quickly.” ~ Accomplished-Pin6763
“NTA, I work in theatre for a living.”
“Theatre is a shared experience, not your living room.”
“It relies on basic (and more frequently lasting) social etiquette to make it a good experience for all.”
“Don’t talk, don’t go on your phone or film, silence your ringer, don’t be a loud drunk, and keep your shoes on is a no-brainer.”
“In my years, I’ve heard from House Management and experienced audience members doing things like vomiting to DYING in the house.”
“For sanitary reasons alone, keep your shoes on.” ~ alxmg
“NTA. Shoes should NEVER be removed in public unless there’s an emergency or changing shoes.”
“This person should never have worn 5-inch platform boots, knowing they’d be uncomfortable.”
“If I was sitting next to this person and they removed those boots, I’d have said if they didn’t put them right back on, I was going to get an usher.”
“It’s absolutely classless and disgusting!!” ~ edtdavis
“I will never understand why people think it’s okay to take off their shoes in public places; it’s disgusting, and no one wants to see or smell your feet.”
“When I worked in a restaurant you would be surprised how often people would take off their shoes, not only is it a weird place to take off your shoes but people are eating!”
“And if another patron complains I would go tell the person to put their shoes back on and they would act soooo offended.”
“It’s gross people, knock it off.”
“Don’t even get me started on people who take on their shoes on planes, you people are the most disgusting.” ~ Hazy_Hippo
“NTA and who on earth wants to be barefoot in a public place like that?”
“Floors are nasty.”
“Wearing uncomfortable shoes is a trade-off.”
“Look like you want, have achy feet by the end of the night.”
“If it’s not worth it, rehome the shoes and get ones that are worth it.”
“Getting comfy in public is like… not sucking in your stomach.”
“Letting your shoulders relax.”
“Not crossing your legs, even, when it’s not indecent.”
“Not removing articles of clothing.”
“Nobody’s undoing their tie or opening their belt.” ~ the_scar_when_you_go
“NTA. Taking your shoes off in a theatre is ridiculous.” ~ DynkoFromTheNorth
Reddit is on your side, OP. Are you people animals?
Why do people do this?
Shoes on in public!