Couple with strict "no shoes" policy cancel long-awaited Dungeons and Dragons campaign when 38-year-old guest refuses to be barefoot for the evening: 'I wasn't going to risk injuring myself over a DnD session'

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Aug 12, 2025 8:00 PM EDT

Despite my parents' meticulousness over having a pristine household, we were not a no shoes home. Yes, my mom and dad wiped down the sink after each use in order to prevent grime, but as long as I wasn't tracking mud into the house, I could wear my sneakers inside. It seems a little counter intuitive, but not wearing shoes inside is largely a cultural preference. 

For example, in Japan, it is a social standard to remove shoes before entering a home; people wear indoor slippers for themselves and their guests. Even children immediately change into clean indoor shoes that have never been outside as soon as they get to school. Still, the rule is becoming more and more widespread around the world as it really does result in cleaner floors.

When you are a guest in someone's home, you are expected to abide by their house rules. However, what if a medical condition prevented you from being able to comply? I'd at least expect both parties to attempt to find a compromise, but that's not quite what happened in today's story. 

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  • 01

    AITA for refusing to take my shoes off in my friend's house, causing his wife to cancel the DnD session for everyone?

    Multi-sided dice used for Dungeons and Dragons on a table
    via Esther Derksen from Getty Images

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    I (38M) was invited to a DnD session with 4 other people at my friend Alex's (34M) house. When I got there, his wife answered the door and
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  • 03
    immediately asked me to take my shoes off because they have a strict no-shoes policy due to them having a crawling baby.
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  • 04
    I explained that I have a medical condition called epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), which makes the skin on my feet extremely fragile.
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  • 05
    Even mild friction or pressure can cause painful blisters and tears, so I have to wear supportive shoes with
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  • 06
    cushioned orthopedic insoles at all times, even indoors. Walking barefoot or just in socks causes me pain and can lead to bl ding.
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  • 07
    She suggested I put grocery bags or socks over my shoes, but I told her that's unsafe for walking and honestly just insulting. She said she "can't
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  • 08
    compromise her baby's health for my comfort." When Alex came to the door, he told me to "just deal with it for a couple hours" or I wasn't
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  • 09
    welcome inside. I told him I wasn't going to risk injuring myself over a DnD session, and if my shoes were that big of an issue, I'd respectfully leave.
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  • Grocery bags on the shoes is ridiculous, but he isn't being singled out! This isn't some personal attack. 

  • 10
    Angry woman in a striped t-shirt wagging her finger
    via Dean Drobot

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 11
    As I walked back to my car, overheard his wife telling the other guests that were already there that the night was "off" because I "made a huge scene at the door." Later, I got a
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  • 12
    group text from Alex saying he was canceling DnD night because "it's not fair to expect everyone else to pretend nothing happened."
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  • 13
    Some mutual friends say I overreacted and could've just s it up, while others think Alex and his wife were ridiculous for ruining everyone else's plans just because | decided not to stay. So, AITA?
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  • 14
    Angry man with folded arms
    via sevendeman from Getty Images

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Broski, with all due respect, but why don't you have a pair of slippers or something on you for this exact situation? How is this the first time you've been to a no shoes household? 

  • 15
    TL;DR: I have a medical condition (EBS) that means I have to wear shoes indoors to protect my feet. My friend's wife demanded I take my
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    shoes off during DnD night for their crawling baby's sake. I told them I would not participate and they ended up canceling the whole session.
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  • 17
    Edit: I should add that I texted our friend group chat a few days ago about my concerns with my condition because we changed the location of
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  • 18
    the meetup to his house instead of mine. Alex reassured me that I shouldn't worry about it, so I didn't bring my indoor shoes.
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  • 19
    Exotic-Knowledge-243 Don't know why you couldn't just cover your shoes with bags
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  • 20
    hello_farmer This is the answer. Maintenance people do this all the time when they enter homes, it does not affect how well you walk and seems like it would have been a good compromise. YTA for thinking this is insulting
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  • 21
    Jazzlike_Grand_7227 Or better yet, since you have the condition, best to carry a pair of shoe covers (or keep handy in car) just in case...
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  • 22
    Two people wearing house slippers
    via Eugenio Marongiu

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 23
    reluctantseahorse YTA!! (Disclosure: I'm from a part of western Canada where it's unthinkable to wear shoes indoors.)
    via u/reluctantseahorse
  • 24
    Just a cute pair of lightweight sneaks in your bag, and you're set! This is what we did in elementary school. It's the only option in a rainy climate.
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  • 25
    If you have a condition that requires you to wear shoes, then you need to bring "indoor shoes" with you.
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  • 26
    Lows-and Highs Spot on answer! Even without a crawling baby, it's perfectly reasonable to expect people to take their shoes off upon entering a home. I'm in the US Midwest, kick your shoes off at the door!
    via u/Lows-and Highs
  • 27
    I can't imagine why OP was unprepared for this situation. If they can't afford another pair of shoes (valid) then they should have a box of disposable booties to slip over their shoes.
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  • 28
    TheCalamity Kitten You're 38 and it has never come up before that someone doesn't want you wearing your dirty outdoor shoes
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  • 29
    in their home? YTA, at your age you should know how to manage your medical condition while respecting another's home.
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friendship relationship advice shoes nerds AITAH adulting dnd friends relationships adulthood entitled dungeons and dragons entitled people
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