dbd33

I'd worry about that if it was for the patio but, for the kitchen, I think it might be a good choice regardess of price (better than tile because things are less likely to shatter), price considered it's pretty hard to beat; worst case you have to spend another $100 to replace it.

iaink

I thought laminate was discouraged in kitchens and bathrooms as the humidity will cause it to expand / contract like crazy, and possibly warp. Still, $100 was a bargain. If you dont plan staying there then its no big deal!

dbd33

When I put it down there was no plan to move (at least I was unaware that we were going to move). IKEA had it by the checkout, like Mars bars at a supermarket. Given the state of the lino it was irresistable.

Souvenir

Oh, I've got like that at home.

I got seriously stiffed recently. The $15 silver ring she picked off a stall in the Byward Market wasn't, as I thought, her official "wedding ring". It was merely a template. She was straight into a jeweller's. "Make me this in white and yellow gold". I didn't see it coming. I may have to marry the bint after all.

dbd33

I would be happy to let optimism triumph over experience but apparently some partners at Epstein Cole still have children who haven't finished college.

windward

I wonder if born and bred Canucks would spend two pages arguing about the appropriateness of taking your shoes off at the door

.. sign of some British need to be polite? or just some kind of compulsion

... got to take your clodhoppers off in my parents' 3-bed semi in the Midlands too btw... and my mates', even my friend's student digs in Liverpool.

I guess it must be a personal thing.

Souvenir

Souviens, not souvien.

Liana

Didn't all you Brits take off your shoes when you entered your home back in the UK and put your slippers on . If you didn't, your carpets must have been really filthy and full of dog poop bacteria. UGH! Good thing that wooden floors are becoming popular back there.

When visiting, the appropriate thing to do is take a spare pair of indoor shoes to change into - most visitors do that and women do not bring high heels because they know the bad effect it has on their own hardwood floors.

We have to change shoes indoors for 6 months because it is winter. The other 6 we are going around barefoot in the house because it is hot .

Biiiiink

I was taught that taking your shoes off inside was vulgar I appreciate winter makes things slightly different in Canada for a few months of the year but I don't understand why people are still removing shoes at the door on a dry summer's day

Liana

So you never had slippers

willmore

We always took our shoes off before entering the house no matter what time of year it was. With 3 kids and dogs can you imagine the state of my parents carpets if we didnt....apparently this tradition goes back a long way on both the irish and polish side of the family. We always removed our shoes even during the winter in winnipeg before entering my polish grans kitchen.

Biiiiink

Never at home, compulsory at school though or pay 50p fine if caught in outdoor shoes

Bought a pair last winter as it felt a bit odd coming in, taking wet boots off and then putting a dry pair on... if I had wooden floors I'd likely have left them on

Biiiiink

My carpet's a state too but it's kiddy-related (look mummy, I made a smiley face on the carpet with yoghurt) rather than shoe-related.

I lived in Germany for a few years, nearly all the homes I visited took their shoes off too. The only place I've done it voluntarily is Japan but at least they provided guest footwear... I *hate* doing the sock thing, yuk

Wannabe

I take my shoes off before I enter any of my (born and bred) Canadian friends' homes. To me, it's natural, and I guess a sign of respect - I know the dirt on the floors doesn't just vanish with the wave of a wand (I wish, though! ). I also expect visitors to take their shoes off at the door in my home, and so does my Canadian roommate. Nothing more annoying than just having cleaned the floors, and then having people trampling in with their outdoor shoes...

Gone in 30 days

Oh my..... this thread is so funny! I've been reading it and just had to have my say. You have to take your shoes off in my house, if not I usually ask. We have hard wood floors and I'm always cleaning them, to walk in in dirty shoes that have been touching god knows what just turns my stomache. When we had our house on the market in England I hated people coming round and stressed about it wondering if they would take their shoes off or would I have to ask them. One of my canadian buddies has her own pair of slippers in my cupboard!

We have three children and they are all really good taking shoes off when coming in, we have talked about getting a dog but find the thought of dirty dog paws a bit stressy..... bit of a clean freak me!