Accommodating Culturally based requests
What are your feelings on being asked to remove your shoes at a client’s home in this COVID environment?
During this past summer, most of my signings were outdoors, so this was not an issue. I will preface this post with saying- that in the past, I had no issue when asked to remove my shoes at a client’s home, even if it meant I was barefoot in their home due to not having socks on (seasonal).
Recently, with things moving indoors due to seasons changing, I’ve been asked to remove my shoes upon entering the home. The first time this happened since COVID and the weather change, was last week. I did not have socks on- I was wearing lined shoes. Also, when I was asked in, the client pointed to a room to the left of the foyer where we would be conducting the signing. It was a few feet from the door.
He asked me to remove my shoes and I looked at him and said: “Say again?” and he repeated himself. I asked him: “Are we signing right there?” and he affirmed. I then told him: “I’d rather not” and I didn’t. He didn’t press the point.
I didn’t want to be barefoot in his house.
This evening, another closing, was asked to remove my shoes upon entering the house. Again, the client indicated we would be signing in a room to the left of the entranceway, a few feet away, that was carpeted. I gave him an inquisitive look and he repeated himself ( a little firmer) and I complied. I had socks on tonight so I wasn’t going to make an issue of it. This was a last minute closing request, it was 7PM and I wanted to get it done.
(The challenge of doing the closing with a 5yr old and 4 yr old in the room, wanting attention and the parents not handling it- is a post for another day)
I’m having mixed feelings about these requests to remove my shoes. I have to enter your home, wear a mask the whole time, and you want me to take my shoes off and walk on your floors and then go home with whatever is on your floor.
I don’t wear shoes in my home. I take them off at the door also. But I don’t expect those entering to do the same.
Anyone else experienced this since COVID has raised its ugly head? How do you feel about it? If you don’t want to comply, how do you politely decline? What was the response if you did? How compliant with people’s cultural expectations, are we expected to be when coming to someone’s home to conduct a business appointment/meeting?