Concorde Room - guest upset after being asked to take his feet off the sofa
Mar 27, 2023, 2:17 pm
#46
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 574
The sooner the Cabanas are refurbished and back the better. Tired travellers like comfort and British Airways encouraged people to put their weary feet up in the past.
The Concorde Room chairs with footstools.
Mar 27, 2023, 2:34 pm
#47
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: London, Essex, Newcastle, Malta
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 181
I shall be in the CCR on Wednesday evening and will pay special attention to passengers' footwear etiquette. Naturally, my feet will be kept firmly on the ground and shoed at all times.
Mar 27, 2023, 2:35 pm
#48
formerly JackDann
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,659
This is one of those British etiquette / culture things. Not the same for all of us, but i’d say most people who were brought up well were taught not to put feet on furniture.
It’d be nice if it’s respected.
It’d be nice if it’s respected.
Mar 27, 2023, 2:49 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,741
I just knew what the reaction to this thread would be after I saw the initial post - this is, of course, the *British* Airways forum, so attitudes firmly stuck in the 1950s, stiff upper lip and ‘it’s just not cricket’ etc… 
And, seriously, I don’t think besocked feet are any less hygienic than someone’s clothed backside.
And, seriously, I don’t think besocked feet are any less hygienic than someone’s clothed backside.
Mar 27, 2023, 2:51 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
I spent a good number of years in Britain from nursery to A levels at boarding school. I perfectly well understand "British" culture/etiquette and it is not monolithic and certainly not the same for everyone. So if one American customer puts their feet up on the sofa in the Concorde Room creating an awkward gosh golly old chap very sorry it's just not done horror moment well so be it. No one can change that!
Mar 27, 2023, 3:33 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
I'm not sure it is a British thing. Indeed, I would imagine feet on chairs would be more of an issue in the Middle East.
I find it mildly irritating when people put feet on furniture, but I also find greedy people that take all the food from the buffet annoying.
And talking loudly with your phone on speaker or playing videos on full volume are both hanging offences.
I'm quite a chilled out person really
I find it mildly irritating when people put feet on furniture, but I also find greedy people that take all the food from the buffet annoying.
And talking loudly with your phone on speaker or playing videos on full volume are both hanging offences.
I'm quite a chilled out person really
Mar 27, 2023, 3:34 pm
#53
formerly JackDann
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,659
Just saying it’s a cultural thing (and as mentioned not just British!) no need to be so offended by it. You can choose to respect it or not but personally I feel it should be.
Don’t know why it always seems to be acceptable for the british culture of having manners to just be brushed off as ridiculous / or something that’s from the 50’s.
Don’t know why it always seems to be acceptable for the british culture of having manners to just be brushed off as ridiculous / or something that’s from the 50’s.
Mar 27, 2023, 3:48 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
Good manners are incredibly attractive and increasingly rare. Irrespective of nationality. But what do you mean by culture? I feel we are tip toeing around a dog whistle for something else? No?
Mar 27, 2023, 4:23 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 833
When I started using the CCR at Terminal 5 Heathrow, there were a generous amount of chairs with footstools. I seem to recall a row of seats where people could lounge with their feet up on the terrace front. In addition, comfortable chairs with footstools could be found in the main area. Versions of this seating remained following redecoration but there are fewer than in the early years. I dislike the placing of small tables and chairs on the terrace and the 'buffet' offering.
Mar 27, 2023, 4:54 pm
#58
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,989
Mar 27, 2023, 5:15 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 574
I'd speculate that hygiene concerns and the type of materials used are more relevant than etiquette. If guests are invited to use footstools by BA (or Cathay) then they will put their feet up. I don't recall seeing rows of shoes in the CCR, so I guess most guests keep their shoes on. Obviously, some materials are easier to clean and management has to factor in how often this will be done.
'Turning Left For Less' article. 18 December 2017. Michele
**If you look closely, you can see passengers reclining with their shoes on.
Last edited by AnaTravel; Mar 27, 2023 at 5:22 pm Reason: ** Forgot to add.
Mar 27, 2023, 5:31 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I don't think taking shoes off makes it OK. The inside of a shoe, which has most probably not been washed for a long time or even at all, is probably not the cleanest of places. Putting your feet on a sofa/couch etc. having had your feet in those shoes is bad hygiene.
But for the rest of us, who mainly place our well covered backsides on the squabs, I'd imagine the threat of infection isn't anywhere above the background risk of public spaces.
The greater sin of our relaxing guest was taking up the space - although I've noticed that lounge users seem loathe to share the intimacy of sofas with strangers.