Just when you thought you had seen it all in the Qantas lounge...

[Mr H]

Is it gross to wear shoes, horses for courses, no shoes for some beliefs is ok and must wear shoes in others is also ok.

I think some (most?) cultures think the objective is to keep the dirt from the ground away from nice spaces - hence you do not bring your outdoor footwear into the nice space. I have observed this in Asia, the Middle East, Finland, Germany.

And others seem to be repelled by feet and think they need to be covered at all times, even if it means traipsing outside dirt into nice places.

I confess I really don't get the repulsion by feet. They are no more or less dirty than hands or heads or any other body part that seems to be so generously displayed in the countries where people don't like feet. I really think it is learned behaviour rather than based on reason - as evidenced by the illogical and inconsistent reasons people use to justify this belief.

Fair enough, you do you and I'll do me.

 

[MARTINE]

This is just my opinion (not intended to persuade or otherwise).
Context - shoes protect feet ie operating rooms where bloody scalpel on foot is forseeable/construction site
Hands - yes/get dirty/can be infection portal when shaking hands and in food prep = Frequent hand washing /gloves and sanitation measures

Feet - we walk on our feet = hence come in contact with what is on the ground including in toilets, bathrooms etc.
To each their own (TETO) I say.
At home to each their own (TETO).

In public exceptions to TETO - IMHO- feet where I eat, feet in my face and smelly feet (anywhere)
That impacts me personally and in is my opinion antisocial. I am speaking of communal not religious/cultural practice
Eg airline lounges and aeroplanes.

Heads - not so much dirt transfer there (except oral pathogens which live in the mouth). Of course any contact there needs to be consensual.

My opinions

We are all allowed to have them.

TETO

 

[Mr H]

In public exceptions to TETO - IMHO- feet where I eat,

What about restaurants where the custom is to remove shoes?

 

[MARTINE]

What about restaurants where the custom is to remove shoes?

I dont go there

 

[Mr H]

I dont go there

Your loss

 

[MARTINE]

Your loss

Thats a judgement not a statement

My post was courteous and expressed my view
Acknowledge I should have been more specific re feet where I eat ie I don't consider feet on coffee tables is reasonable in public.

 

[Rnwillia]

Sorry, one has to disagree.

There's a time and a place for every type of attire, but for instance wearing thongs (the Australian type: footwear) or PJs into a hotel restaurant or airline lounge is inappropriate.

It's the fashion equivalent of not cleaning one's teeth in the morning, or smoking at breakfast as many Europeans do overseas, ensuring that those who don't have their hair or clothes reeking of the weed all day. (Having recently travelled to Europe, many locals are still smoking en masse at 0700). Repulsive.

It lowers the tone, as do visible tattoos.

I could not agree more Melburniun as IMO I look on tatoos as filthy and would certainly would never stay in the close proximity of anyone smoking (for health reasons). I also look at appropriate dress regulations as showing pride and responsibility - so little of which is shown in most places today. Responsibility and respect are unknown to much of today's younger generations (in my observations).

 

[Mr H]

I also look at appropriate dress regulations as showing pride and responsibility

But if a dress code is mandated then it does not demonstrate pride or responsibility - just obedience.

 

[Rnwillia]

But if a dress code is mandated then it does not demonstrate pride or responsibility - just obedience.

HAha, depends on what side you are looking at this from!

 

[DC3]

Some rather amusing insights, in this thread (unfortunately?)

 

[p--and--t]

What about restaurants where the custom is to remove shoes?

I don't know of any in Australia?

 

[p--and--t]

There is an old saying when in Rome do as the Romans do.

If living or visiting a culture where shoes are off then so be it.

However, the inverse also applies.

 

[Mr H]

I don't know of any in Australia?

There was an Ethiopian one in Kensington where you sat cross legged on cushions - a similar set up in an Indian restaurant on Flinders Street - and an Islamic cultural centre in the west of Melbourne where shoes were off at the door. Those are just the ones I have encountered.

 

[JohnK]

I think some (most?) cultures think the objective is to keep the dirt from the ground away from nice spaces - hence you do not bring your outdoor footwear into the nice space. I have observed this in Asia, the Middle East, Finland, Germany.

Actually this logic is totally flawed and I see it first hand at home in Chiang Mai.

We have 4 steps and a balcony. The Thai tradition (which I do not understand) is to leave footwear at the foot of the stairs and walk inside the house. The concrete at the foot of the stairs is dirty and can have mud when it is wet, and it definitely has a lot of sand that is picked up from the dirt as we do not have grass or a pathway yet. The stairs and the balcony are very dusty as can be seen by wife's and daughters feet at the end of a day.

I on the other hand wear my footwear up to the door then take footwear near the door mat.

P.S. It was really funny to see 40+ pairs of footwear at our housewarming. One of the ladies that was following the blessing on the balcony noticed that she ended up with 2 different sandals when she left as the footwear was everywhere.



I much prefer the western tradition of wearing footwear inside the house and then taking the footwear off.

 

[Prof Henry]

Please you must show some respect to culturally appropriate attire worn by Bogans.
This is there exemption to policy

Not really concerned about the dress code, but I am concerned that staff at the BNE International “lounge” claim that there has never been a Business Lounge at BNE Int?!

Am I dreaming? Surely there WAS a Business Lounge at BNE Int? Please correct me if I am misremembering …

 

[Larko1]

Not really concerned about the dress code, but I am concerned that staff at the BNE International “lounge” claim that there has never been a Business Lounge at BNE Int?!

Am I dreaming? Surely there WAS a Business Lounge at BNE Int? Please correct me if I am misremembering …

Yes there was.... and a First lounge....and a Cupboard!

 

[Flying Fox]

Actually this logic is totally flawed and I see it first hand at home in Chiang Mai.

We have 4 steps and a balcony. The Thai tradition (which I do not understand) is to leave footwear at the foot of the stairs and walk inside the house. The concrete at the foot of the stairs is dirty and can have mud when it is wet, and it definitely has a lot of sand that is picked up from the dirt as we do not have grass or a pathway yet. The stairs and the balcony are very dusty as can be seen by wife's and daughters feet at the end of a day.

I on the other hand wear my footwear up to the door then take footwear near the door mat.

P.S. It was really funny to see 40+ pairs of footwear at our housewarming. One of the ladies that was following the blessing on the balcony noticed that she ended up with 2 different sandals when she left as the footwear was everywhere.

View attachment 373913

I much prefer the western tradition of wearing footwear inside the house and then taking the footwear off.

However, should you step in dog poo whilst wearing shoes and not know it, when you walk inside in shoes you are spreading it around. Take you shoes off and the contamination is stopped at the front door.

 

[Lynda2475]

I notice that the new web page design highlights link to dress guidelines

 

[kookaburra75]

I notice that the new web page design highlights link to dress guidelines

View attachment 374120

Is it the Code is more like Guidelines?

I've been waiting years to use that line

 

[Mr H]

I notice that the new web page design highlights link to dress guidelines

View attachment 374120

Oh dear - dress codes are so downmarket and to advertise that you have one…