re-post
There are some who think that asking guests to remove their shoes is contrary to the principle of hospitality.
This is a culturally relative matter. Albania and Turkey are countries in which hospitality is greatly valued and yet it is expected in those countries that guests remove their shoes.
The shoes-on people argue that a hostess should primarily be concerned with her guests comfort and not with the state of her carpet or floor. However, most guests will feel more comfortable after removing their shoes. They may, admittedly, be uncomfortable because they are embarassed about their feet or they feel their shoes are part of their outfit. Those problems can be dealt with by letting guests know in advance that shoes-off is expected and so they can either bring slippers or plan their outfits with bare or stocking feet in mind. Any embarassment should be minimal if guests are not taken by surprise.
In my opinion, those who insist that guests should be allowed to keep their shoes on take hospitality for granted. I may well invite you. I will give you the best seat. I will cook for you. I will serve you the best food I can. I will give you whatever you want to drink, whether it be alcoholic or not. I will give you my undivided attention. I will entertain you with conversation. If you live nearby, I will drive you home in my car. If not, I will let you stay the night. I will wash up the dishes and cutelry you have used and clean up any mess you make. Given that I am willing to do all this for you, do you really think it is so unreasonable that I ask you to take your shoes off?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Stuff Christian Culture Likes: Leading worship barefoot
Stuff Christian Culture Likes: Leading worship barefoot
The stuff on this blog might not mean much to those of you who have not grown up with Charismatic Evangelical Christianity, but it is full of the stuff I have been exposed to (some of which I loathe).
Personally I am not into the worship leader and worship band style (though they are at my church), though worshipping barefoot is cool. I often take my flip flops off at church (I have never worn any other kind of shoes at this church, even in winter), and other people at the church often kick their shoes off during the service.
The stuff on this blog might not mean much to those of you who have not grown up with Charismatic Evangelical Christianity, but it is full of the stuff I have been exposed to (some of which I loathe).
Personally I am not into the worship leader and worship band style (though they are at my church), though worshipping barefoot is cool. I often take my flip flops off at church (I have never worn any other kind of shoes at this church, even in winter), and other people at the church often kick their shoes off during the service.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Just got back
I was in the other part of the country this week in order to take my PhD examination. Horrible experience, but I passed it. Just need to make some changes to my thesis.
I am afraid my PhD thesis has nothing to do with removing shoes in homes, in case you were wondering.
I stayed with some old friends in Worcester after the exam. This couple some times take their shoes and sometimes keep them on. I can't help but take mine off when I am at their place, even when they have their shoes on. It is just seems too weird to keep them on. It would feel totally weird.
You will recall I posted about crocs the other day. The lady of this house mentioned that she wanted to get some crocs. This surpised me because she is a very stylish girl. I have noticed that a lot more teenage girls and younger women are wearing crocs. They seem to be becoming much more accepted (as is removing shoes at the door).
I am afraid my PhD thesis has nothing to do with removing shoes in homes, in case you were wondering.
I stayed with some old friends in Worcester after the exam. This couple some times take their shoes and sometimes keep them on. I can't help but take mine off when I am at their place, even when they have their shoes on. It is just seems too weird to keep them on. It would feel totally weird.
You will recall I posted about crocs the other day. The lady of this house mentioned that she wanted to get some crocs. This surpised me because she is a very stylish girl. I have noticed that a lot more teenage girls and younger women are wearing crocs. They seem to be becoming much more accepted (as is removing shoes at the door).
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Platt Family: No shoes... Please!
The Platt Family: No shoes... Please!
Do you have a shoes-off policy? Write about it and I can post a link here on this blog.
Do you have a shoes-off policy? Write about it and I can post a link here on this blog.
Being a Patriot
I love this country. For me Britain stands for the monarchy, Protestantism, English cathedrals, fish and chips, Doctor Who and Motorhead.
However, GK Chesterton said that the true patriot is not the man who loves his country because of its greatness, but the man who loves it in spite of its faults.
I love this country, even though it is not the custom here to remove shoes when entering homes. Things are getting better in this regard, but there are still too many people who see no problem with stomping about a carpet in filthy shoes and there are still too many people here who think it is bad manners to ask a guest to remove her shoes.
Because I am a patriot I want to change my country's attitude. I love this country in spite of its fault.
However, GK Chesterton said that the true patriot is not the man who loves his country because of its greatness, but the man who loves it in spite of its faults.
I love this country, even though it is not the custom here to remove shoes when entering homes. Things are getting better in this regard, but there are still too many people who see no problem with stomping about a carpet in filthy shoes and there are still too many people here who think it is bad manners to ask a guest to remove her shoes.
Because I am a patriot I want to change my country's attitude. I love this country in spite of its fault.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Croc-wearers
I confess I wear crocs. Fashion police, you may as well come and arrest me now.
I like them. They are comfortable and I think they look alright. I don't understand those people who think crocs are hideous.
I suspect that a lot of the people who wear crocs keep shoe-free homes. Crocs are ideal for them, being easy to remove. They are also totally functional, appealing to people who are not really into wearing shoes much.
I also see a lot of slightly hippyish mothers who look very environmentally aware wearing crocs. Those are exactly the people one would expect to keep no-shoes homes.
I like them. They are comfortable and I think they look alright. I don't understand those people who think crocs are hideous.
I suspect that a lot of the people who wear crocs keep shoe-free homes. Crocs are ideal for them, being easy to remove. They are also totally functional, appealing to people who are not really into wearing shoes much.
I also see a lot of slightly hippyish mothers who look very environmentally aware wearing crocs. Those are exactly the people one would expect to keep no-shoes homes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)