shoes in sweden

[Lana13]

Hi, I was in Sweden this summer. Once I was invited to one quite formal party at my boyfriends colleague house, where they and some coworkers were entertaining some clients of the firm. I rushed straight to the room, and saw a bunch of nicely dressed people, with ladies in their skirts and dresses. But I got some weird looks, and only then did I notice that there was not a single pair shoes among all those beautiful people! And I was in my high heeled shoes. So, embarassed, I apologized and rushed back to the entrance hall, and placed my shoes there along with the many otherrs, which I should have noticed on my way in. If I think well, though, the "shoes off indoors" rule makes perfect sense, and it is strange that it is not universal. Can you believe there are countries where people do not remove their footwear even in winter, and ladies are in their boots when visiting (like in Spain and Italy)??? I would like comments on this topic.

[Mayweed]

Well, as a Swede, I definitely prefer to take off my shoes whenever I enter somebodys home. So atm I have the opposite problem from what you had this summer. Whenever I visit my bf down in Andorra I tend to remove my shoes as soon as I enter, and then I have to put them back on, which can be a bit embarrasing when we're at a friends house..

I don't know, keeping your shoes on doesn't seem very practical in any way. You drag in dirt from the outside and spread it around the house/apartment. Your feet get clammed up in a pair of stinky shoes all day without getting out to 'breath'. Naa, not very good.

// May

[tandir]

I also found this very strange when I was there, but now find myself doing it at home too! Think it is a really practical thing to do and also am amazed that it is not done in very many other places in the world. I felt pretty silly the first couple of times, but then you get used to it.

(and my newly steamed carpets still look fab!)

[Lana13]

Yes, Mayweed, I understand you. It is really strange that some people think that going inside in shoes is OK. Some argue that they do so for esthetic reasons, that without their shoes they do not look beautiful. I find this ridiculous. Style should be based on necessity: why wear shoes inside, if they are not necessary? Just wear elegant stockings or make fresh pedicure. Do you agree? Also, I do not think you should put your shoes back on when visiting somebody in Andorra, if you do not feel comfortable this way. Just leave them off, and maybe even some will think this is good custom:-))

[Lana13]

Hi, Tandir, are you male or female? I guess, for females it must be much more difficult to shed their heels and go barefoot:-)) But if it is done, it is logical that there are no exceptions. What were those occassions you mentioned?

[tandir]

Originally posted by Lana13
Hi, Tandir, are you male or female? I guess, for females it must be much more difficult to shed their heels and go barefoot:-)) But if it is done, it is logical that there are no exceptions. What were those occassions you mentioned?

I am a 'real' girl
So shoes are pretty important... you know - collect as many as you can and wear about 2 pairs! Have even considered framing a couple of my fav. pairs in box frames in my room. Am a shoe-freak!

That said, I think there should be no exceptions to this tradition. Shedding your shoes (for a foreigner) is liberating and let's you relax far easier. Almost like a barrier has come down. Nice.

No way am I telling you about 'those occasions' lol!

You male or female?

[Lana13]

I am a girl, of course:-)). I love shoes too, and boots. What kind of shoes do you prefer? I am fond of high-heeled sandals, which look pretty with classical red nail polish. Usually I wear high heeled footwear. But, as I learned in Sweden, you can look pretty beautiful without your heels as well. What about you?

[tandir]

Originally posted by Lana13
What kind of shoes do you prefer?

I spend my life in flat, mules or thong sandals. I especially love them in pink, orange and if they have 'sparkly' things - even better. I own the most stunning pairs of chinese sandals. I have a red pair and a brown pair. They are made of silk with a gorgeous pattern on them. I picked them up at a flea market and paid R20 for each.

I also always keep my toes freshly painted and pedicured as my feet are exposed all the time. I work in the fashion industry, so it is important for me to look the part

High heels ------ no thanks. I walk and trip all over the place in them lol.
Not very co-ordinated in general. And am just USELESS in an aerobics class.

[Lana13]

Hi, Tandir! So are you a model? what country are you from? I live in Spain, and it is pity that people here do not yet appreciate all the good things associated to the "shoes off" tradition. Have you been to the parties where everybody took their shoes off? Do you prefer to go barefoot in such situations, or wear stockings?

[tandir]

Originally posted by Lana13
What kind of shoes do you prefer?

I spend my life in flat, mules or thong sandals. I especially love them in pink, orange and if they have 'sparkly' things - even better. I own the most stunning pairs of chinese sandals. I have a red pair and a brown pair. They are made of silk with a gorgeous pattern on them. I picked them up at a flea market and paid R20 for each.

I also always keep my toes freshly painted and pedicured as my feet are exposed all the time. I work in the fashion industry, so it is important for me to look the part

High heels ------ no thanks. I walk and trip all over the place in them lol.
Not very co-ordinated in general. And am just USELESS in an aerobics class.

[tandir]

Originally posted by Lana13
Hi, Tandir! So are you a model? what country are you from? I live in Spain, and it is pity that people here do not yet appreciate all the good things associated to the "shoes off" tradition. Have you been to the parties where everybody took their shoes off? Do you prefer to go barefoot in such situations, or wear stockings?

Have NO IDEA why or how I managed to post the previous reply twice?? Sorry....

No, I am not a model But an Art Director for an advertising agency, working on a high fashion brand. Not quite a glam as being the models, but still a lot of fun. I am from South Africa, so barefoot is a regular thing, just not at parties.... I worry about broken glass and the like! I feel a bit naked without shoes, but think that 'shoes off' is great. If that makes sence?????

Am just waiting for one of the boys to come and mock us for talking about SHOES

[Lana13]

Dear Tandir, you seem to have posted twice the same message and not responded to my last message :-))

[Lana13]

Vow, that is great! Your profession seems to be very exciting. As to the broken glass, it never occured to me...Well, I imagine one should just not drink too much:-)).

Tell me, as an art director, whether you consider that freshly pedicured and painted feet can look just as great at a party as shoes? I would say definitely yes, although I did not think so before meeting my Swedish bf. At the beginning, we even argued this "shoe thing", but he convinced me, and now I think it can be both stylish and elegant. What is your opinion?

I come from the US, so we don't have a cultural thing about the shoes one way or the other..

We've lived here in Sweden for a few years and I'm always happy to flop off my shoes. *LOL*

But, my husband is from Mallorca, Spain and when we lived in Spain, I usually had on some form of shoe..Usually a sandal. I don't like shoes, but the tile floors, while quite lovely and wonderfully cool.. also tend to be hard on my back so the shoe helps absorb some of the shock to my spine.

[tandir]

Originally posted by Lana13
Tell me, as an art director, whether you consider that freshly pedicured and painted feet can look just as great at a party as shoes?

Not drink too much? My dear, it is the silly season - so that is just not possible!

I think barefoot with beautiful coloured toe-nail and a stylish toe-ring are just (if not better) than shoes.......

Where are you staying now? And where is your b/friend?