Dear Tell All: I moved to Madison from Houston a couple years ago and like it well enough, the winters notwithstanding. But there’s one local custom I don’t get. Every time I go to someone’s house for dinner, they make me take my shoes off at the door. What the hell?
I’d understand if it was raining or snowing, though even then there’s a simple solution: wiping your feet on the doormat.
But in Madison, you’re supposed to take your shoes off at the door even in dry weather.
What are people so worried about? They’re not planning to eat dinner off the carpet, right? Don’t they understand that floors are meant for walking on, and that walking is best accomplished in shoes?
If they want to walk around barefoot in their own homes, fine. But don’t make a guest do it. It’s emasculating when someone asks me to take off my shoes. I feel like I’m at a pajama party instead of a dinner with fellow adults.
Hands Off the Boots
Dear Hands Off: So it’s possible to emasculate a Texan simply by asking him to remove his boots? No wonder you guys lost the Alamo.
Call me a Madison native, but I think you’re making too big a deal out of this. Why not humor your hosts for a couple of hours? If walking around in socks is enough to ruin your evening, you’re the most delicate manly-man I’ve ever encountered.
That said, I have a solution to your problem. Next time a host asks you to remove your shoes, reply, “I’d rather not.” I doubt if even the most shoe-phobic Madison homeowner would take it to the next level and force you out of your precious boots.
For someone so concerned with masculinity, Hands Off, I’m surprised you hadn’t thought of simply standing up for yourself.
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison?
Write Tell All, 100 State St., Madison, WI 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com.
