SarahMerchant's Profile

I would move the couch around so that it's facing the fireplace and then put the tv on a narrow console or sideboard on the wall that the couch is on. I wouldn't destroy the aesthetic of that gorgeous fireplace by putting a tv over it.

I grew up in the Midwest in the 70s and 80s and can't remember ever having to take my shoes off in anyone's house. It never occurred to me that it would even be a rule until I moved to the East Coast where I have made a lot of Asian American friends. I know now that if I'm going to one of their houses, I will have to take my shoes off and I dress accordingly. It's not the end of the world, and I generally don't mind complying, but there are times that it makes me uncomfortable. If I have been wearing shoes without socks, I worry that my feet smell. I have bad circulation in my feet and if they get cold, they have a tendency to cramp up, which is very painful. And, I'm recently recovering from a foot injury and need good arch/heel support - so if I'm going over for a sit-down dinner, no problem. But, if it's a party and I'm going to be standing, it's hard on my foot to be without the support of a shoe.

And just in response to the "slipper is the solution" comments, I might welcome that if I happened to wear socks that day. But, if I didn't wear socks, I don't really want to put my feet into a communal slipper. That's gross to me.

Finally, I look at this from the perspective of someone with dogs. I suspect you won't find too many dog owners who are fastidious about this. If you've got dogs, you know your floors aren't sterile, so there's no point being uptight about shoes.