Remove Shoes Before Entering

[Big Boy]

I've been visiting Thailand since the 80's and have lived here since 2012. I am quite familiar with the remove your shoes requirements and have always complied. Until today that is.

We decided we'd go out for lunch, and decided to visit somewhere new. A bit out of the way, but excellent reviews. We turned up at (I won't name names because judging by the number of rave reviews I am the only person on Planet Earth that has objected), and I was astounded at the requirement to remove shoes before entering. Suffice to say, I didn't - I simply turned around, went back to the car and drove somewhere else.

I've eaten in some very nice restaurants all over Thailand, and have NEVER been requested to remove my shoes before - I certainly wasn't going to start taking my shoes off to enter this cafe. It just seems to be a very strange requirement to me having to take your shoes off before entering a restaurant/cafe. Is this a common requirement that I've been oblivious to all of my Thai days, or is somebody taking their culture a step too far?

[europtimiste]

Happened to me twice in hotels, of course I turned around and left.

[PeteC]

I wouldn't say common, but I've run into it almost exclusively with Thai restaurants that are the old Thai teak elevated house type with polished teak floors. Most have standard height table sitting, as well as floor level table sitting. Many times with a pretty young lady in the corner playing a Thai traditional instrument, usually a Chakhe or Ranat I think.

[Big Boy]

I actually had it happen to me twice in hotels - both different hotels in Ayutthaya. I was surprised, but as I'd already paid, I complied. The 2nd time, I simply assumed it was an Ayutthaya thing.

[stretch]

If i entered my mothers house with out removing my shoes got a clip round the ear.

[Big Boy]

Mine too, but do you expect to remove shoes before entering a restaurant?

[KhunLA]

Did it have wood floor, then quite understandable. I go with the flow. Don't think I would turn around and leavve.

Back in the states, shoes removed at my house, and also my 1 brother's. Other 2 didn't care. So wasn't an adjustment here for me. At my house here, I don't remove, but switch to my indoor flip flop / sandals. Tile floors are a bitch on my feet.

[Big Boy]

I've had to Google it, but most definitely tiled floor.

[dtaai-maai]

To be honest, I don't really understand the level of dismay and indignity. If they were asking you to stand on your head and sing the Thai national anthem I'd be with you all the way, but taking my shoes off, in Thailand, even at a restaurant, wouldn't really merit a raised eyebrow (unless I were wearing my thigh-length patent leather boots, which are a bugger to get off and on).

I find that much less irritating than the requirement to wear a jacket and tie at some posh UK restaurants. Not that I've been to one for a while...

[handdrummer]

My only objection to removing my shoes is at doctors' offices, blood test clinics & other commercial places. Who knows what people have on their feet? If I have socks on that's then it's ok.

[lindosfan1]

To be honest, I don't really understand the level of dismay and indignity. If they were asking you to stand on your head and sing the Thai national anthem I'd be with you all the way, but taking my shoes off, in Thailand, even at a restaurant, wouldn't really merit a raised eyebrow (unless I were wearing my thigh-length patent leather boots, which are a bugger to get off and on).

I find that much less irritating than the requirement to wear a jacket and tie at some posh UK restaurants. Not that I've been to one for a while...

I think both are valid requests. Maintaining a certain standard for the establishment. However it does not necessarily mean the people concerned can maintain the standard of behaviour expected.

[Big Boy]

To be honest, I don't really understand the level of dismay and indignity. If they were asking you to stand on your head and sing the Thai national anthem I'd be with you all the way, but taking my shoes off, in Thailand, even at a restaurant, wouldn't really merit a raised eyebrow (unless I were wearing my thigh-length patent leather boots, which are a bugger to get off and on).

I find that much less irritating than the requirement to wear a jacket and tie at some posh UK restaurants. Not that I've been to one for a while...

This is why I asked, judging by the reviews, many must be doing it, and enjoying it. I guess because I'd never encountered it before in over 30 years of Thailand, I found it very strange and needed to question why? One restaurant in the thousands of restaurants in Thailand requiring shoes to be left outside - my internal warning system told me to turn around and go somewhere that I could keep my footwear on my feet.

As for the jacket and tie, I used to avoid wardrooms/officers mess for exactly that reason. Usually a bunch of hoorah Henrys trying to be something that they aren't. If I need a jacket and tie, I usually find an excuse. Weddings are an exception.

[dtaai-maai]

My only objection to removing my shoes is at doctors' offices, blood test clinics & other commercial places. Who knows what people have on their feet?

Almost certainly nothing worse than they'd have on their shoes!!

[HHTel]

I avoided jacket and tie at all costs. After all, I had to wear the same all day so I considered suit and tie as 'work clothes'. Mine you, I did like putting on a tux, frilly shirt and bow tie for those reeeeely special occasions.
As for removing shoes: I grew up with that mandate from my parents and I followed that with my own kids in the UK. Never had to remove shoes anywhere else except of course here in Thailand.

I've been trying to find a clip of Hyacinth Bucket making a policeman remove his shoes before entering but can't find it.

[PeteC]

Interestingly enough there seems to be articles on-line saying that the bottom of shoes can carry and transfer Covid. Perhaps what this restaurant is doing is a short term precaution until the pandemic eases up?

As mentioned above, if it's not a polished teak floor type place removing shoes is very unusual.