
The criticism came out of the blue. “You might at least try to respect my culture, instead of being so sure yours is right.”
And, of course, I came back fighting. “Taking shoes off inside a house is polite? Yeah, there’s nothing as courteous as stinky socks.”
The way we separate the dirty from the clean orders our universe and reflects our anxieties.
“Perhaps you could wash your feet,” she suggested quietly.
Suddenly I knew I loved her.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

I was transported to Japan, then the stinky socks took me back in time.
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Thanks, Michael
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Nice one! Stinky socks took me back to my son’s teenhood…phewwweee….
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Thanks so much. Fleur
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Dear Neil,
I’ve tried unsuccessfully to get my husband to remove his shoes in the house. I give up. Perhaps he should also wash his socks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dirt is simply matter out of place
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I have several friends with a very strict “no shoes in the house policy”. I can understand about tracking stuff all over, but, yeah, stinky socks…
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Folkways are different
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And a compromise was made and there was joy again… 🙂
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For a while, anyway
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Of course. Until the next issue comes up 😉
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House slippers! I wish my husband would do as he did for his mother–no shoes in the house–but he won’t. He does compromise by wearing slippers in the house once he takes off his work boots 🙂
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I seem to have struck a deep chord of domestic strife
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Well, I don’t think it goes that far with us, after all these years. There have been times, however. . . .when there were four little kids, and Daddy tracked in mud and slop. Yeah, there was some domestic strife 🙂
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If you go visiting in your boots, make sure you wear clean socks.
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Or pick friends who don’t expect you to take your shoes off
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Washing feet is always good. Sneakers are not good for that culture though.
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Thank you
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A quick wipe on the doormat should suffice!
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Oh but he’s a changed man
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Funny how things happen like that. Well done.
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Thanks so much,
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3rd attempt at commenting. Sometimes I’m like a dog with a bone. I loved the tact and diplomacy. Good one
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Thanks so much, Sandra, for persisting and for the kind comment
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Cultural appropriation or cultural adaptation? I’ll never figure it all out. But I like the direction of this story. Well woven, Neil. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Bill
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I don’t ask people to remove their shoes, I’ve fitted carpet to keep my floor clean!
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Don’t unwrap the carpet from its plastic covering. That’s the secret
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My Slovakian daughter-in-law has always asked us to remove our shoes in her house. In my tine cottage it would cause a log-jam inside my door!
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Cottages are, obviously, exempt
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Oh dear! It is a real fear that having stinky feet thing. Put nicely amongst cultural differences.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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May the love last forever!
Keeping shoes & stinky socks out – needed for maintaining hygiene
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We can only hope
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Ah…..love will always find a way – stinky socks or not 😄
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Thanks for reading
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Charming story of two people perfect for each other! A wonderful read, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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“The way we separate the dirty from the clean orders our universe and reflects our anxieties.” And so does who we choose to love. Good story, Neil!
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome, Neil.
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Great way to end this. Great title. And in between you’ve given me much to consider about ‘how we separate the dirty from the clean’. Terrific story.
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Thanks so much, Margaret
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I know people that have terrible foot odor. I also know those who like you to remove your shoes upon entry. This makes me wonder what happens when they meet up.
Thoughtful story.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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I have a no shoes policy in my house. I picked it up from a Korean friend years ago. It’s to separate the outdoor dirt from the indoor dirt. You can have ‘indoor shoes’ but washing your feet is the better solution! Great ending.
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Thanks so much. I’m fascinated by two kinds of dirt
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That’s how you wash away cultural differences.
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Thanks for reading
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