: I have a foot condition that requires me to wear orthopedic shoes. If I don’t, it’s very painful. Related Articles My husband and I have a no-shoes rule in our house.
I have had slippers made so I can be comfortable in my own home. When we visited friends who also have a no-shoes rule, I brought a pair of my slippers so I could wear them in their house. My friend refused to let me wear them.
She said that because I wear them in my own home, they must have dirt and grime on them. I have more than one pair, so I’m able to wash them at least once a week, which I told her. She insisted I wear the slippers she provided.
I did, and was in pain all night. Was I rude to bring my own, as she insinuated? : That is some friend you have. She doesn’t trust your word when you say that your slippers are clean, and she would rather you be in pain all evening than risk dirt on her floor.
Miss Manners has heard from other people with their own reasons for not removing their shoes indoors. She hopes you are as tolerant of them as one would expect others — especially friends — to be of you. : My spouse and I frequently host meals for 10 to 20 guests, both personally and professionally.
We have a debate over whether to put out spoons for meals when we are not serving soup. My spouse contends that spoons may be used for things other than soup (e.g.
spreads, or the last bits of thin sauces). I prefer not to set out spoons in order to save on the volume of dishwashing (or waste, if usi.