Pretty straightforward–my roommate has slip on sandals they she wears in the house, is never seen without them on at home, and when I asked her to please not wear shoes inside that she wears outside, she claims they are her ‘indoor sandals’, even though I frequently see her run outside with them on.
I am extremely germ conscious of shoes in particular, as we live in a city and there are so many disgusting things being tracked from shoes that have been outside.
I suspect you’re going to get different answers depending on commenters’ cultures. I’m Canadian, so NTA. Wearing outdoor shoes indoors is gross.
NAH. Whether shoes are worn inside is a personal preference. You and your roommate apparently have different opinions on it. But y’all need to talk it over and come up with a compromise. You’re not just automatically right; it’s her home too.
YTA. This is a personal preference. You don’t have the right to impose it on your roommate unless she agreed to it ahead of time. You’re much, much more likely to get sick from breathing the same air as her than anything to do with her shoes, assuming you’re not licking the floor.
YTA. She is free to decline your requests concerning her wardrobe, that includes shoes.
I agree its gross, but our gross doesn’t become anyone’s requirement,
INFO: Where do you live and what are the cultural norms surrounding shoes indoors? I’m from a place where it is expected that people will take off their shoes and it happens 90% of the time, but requiring someone to do it in their own home would be a discussion, and if you didn’t have that discussion before you moved in together, it’s a bit late now. On the other hand, where I live now it’s almost unthinkable that anyone would wear street shoes indoors. It completely goes without saying, so in my culture your roommate would definitely be in the wrong… but still this feels more like a sign you’re not compatible as roommates, than a rule that you can dictate to another adult in their home.
Also, how far outdoors does she wear them? Is she stepping outside to sit on the porch or get the mail, or is she wearing them to the grocery store, etc?
If you’re that worried about germs, you should probably find a roommate who sees things your way.
Or live alone
NTA. You are incompatible roommates. Just separate when you can .
YTA, live alone and problem solved.
NAH, get her a 2nd pair as ACTUAL house slippers/sandals. its just a difference of culture, no big deal
edit: due to OP’s replies to other comments i am switching to YTA. they clearly came on here expecting everyone to give an NTA so they can show this to roommate to shutdown ACTUAL conversation. i am not playing those games
YTA. Did you sit the rule if no shoes that have been outdoors indoors when you moved in together? You can make a suggestion but it’s her home too. She can decline to follow your rule especially if it wasn’t stated up front.
YTA, I have indoor slippers that I occasionally forget to change and take out the trash in, I once accidentally wore them to Dollar General. She’s made an effort, your germaphobia isn’t her problem at this point.
INFO Did you guys have a conversation about this when you became roommates? Was there a consensus about not wearing outside shoes inside?
My opinion depends on what the agreement is but currently leaning YTA if there’s no agreement in place