By Eleanor Noyce
Copyright metro
Cinema etiquette is arguably dying – and one pesky habit is behind it (Picture: Getty Images)
You’ve bought your cinema ticket and sorted your popcorn, but as you sit back and get comfortable, you realise that your neighbour has taken their own bid for relaxation to unacceptable new levels.
In an absolutely horrifying turn of events, they’ve taken their shoes off – and exposed either the holes in their socks or, worse still, their completely bare feet.
It’s a behaviour Metro has termed ‘naughty stepping’, to describe those unruly movie-goers who dare to step out with their toes exposed.
I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve found myself irked by this habit at the cinema lately, often wishing I’d stayed at home.
It’s certainly not gone unnoticed in online circles, either. Posting on Reddit, @ComradeDelter wondered whether they were being ‘unreasonable’ for being annoyed by naughty stepping, which he encountered not once, but twice in a week.
@everymancinema We’re here for films not feet 😠 #everyman #cinema #filmtok #fyp #bombasticsideeye #criminaloffensivesideeye #bombasticsideeyeremix ♬ Bombastic Side Eye Criminal Offensive Side Eye – CasaDi
‘One guy had his shoes AND socks off, which I do feel is completely unacceptable,’ their disgruntled post added, while @bradclark2001 went one step further and labelled it completely ‘wrong.’
@fatboytoz reckoned that doing it in a ‘shared space’ is ‘rude,’ and @ProperPizza said that ‘people overestimate their hygiene.’
In 2024, a YouGov poll found that 64% believed it was unacceptable to take off your shoes at the cinema, while 12% said they weren’t sure. Meanwhile, a concerning 24% thought it was completely fine.
That’s not all we’ve got to contend with these days: cinema etiquette is arguably going down the drain, one popcorn-munching, chattering, texting film-goer at a time.
YouGov’s research saw the crown for the most unacceptable behaviour go to those who video chat on their phone (90%), while 88% agreed that it’s not okay to leave litter.
Other film fans (87%) were more concerned by their viewing experience, stating that it’s wholly indecent to spoil major plot points.
‘A level of civility and decorum is required’
An etiquette expert says shoes off at the cinema is a no (Picture: Getty Images/ImaZinS RF)
There were plenty of Redditors who came clean as proud cinema shoe taker-offers.
@SquareJoe said it was ‘much more comfortable’ as they can ‘curl up on the recliners.’ However, they draw the line at a particularly busy screening.
Meanwhile, @andydonaldscott always hopes that there’s ‘no one in the vicinity’ so they can ‘take their shoes off and relax.’ In their opinion, ‘every little bit of comfort helps.’
Confused by right and wrong, Metro asked Jo Hayes, etiquette expert and founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org, for her verdict. She says that the pictures are never the place to do it – even if you enjoy feeling like you’re at home in your living room.
‘A level of civility and decorum is required. This is uncivilised behaviour, and supremely unpleasant to observe. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is the risk of releasing a foul odour,’ Jo explains.
‘Letting one’s smelly socks or feet infiltrate the cinema is supremely poor etiquette, and simply poor human behaviour.’
The rule doesn’t change if you’ve got sandals on, either, when you ‘perhaps won’t release a foul odour by taking your shoes off.’ Jo reminds us that the ‘same rules apply.’
She adds: ‘When in public, appropriate shoes must be on, and remain on, one’s feet. This is for the health, safety and comfort of all concerned.’
Where is it acceptable to remove your shoes in public?
The answer is pretty clear-cut: keep those shoes firmly on, no matter where you are.
And yes, that includes on a plane. A 2023 study from YouGov found that 29% of people thought it was somewhat unacceptable, while 32% said it was completely unacceptable.
Be honest, have you taken your shoes off on a plane? (Picture: Getty)
The same mentality extends to the office, as a previous study from Adecco found that more than four in 10 people were offended by coworkers taking their shoes off at their desks – even if it seems cosy on the surface.
In the UK, the recent heat might’ve tempted commuters into letting their walls down and taking off their footwear, but again, this can rub fellow passengers up the wrong way.
Posting on TikTok, @glassomilk__ wrote: ‘I don’t care how hot it is, taking your ballet flats off on the Tube is NOT ok.’
‘London transport is generally a free for all to some people and there are some general etiquette rules that need to be enforced,’ they added.
This article was first published on August 26, 2025.
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