Do shoes come off at the door?

Dormouse

It's definitely a cultural issue, isn't it? Most European countries I've been to (and/or lived) just take it for granted that visitors always remove their shoes. In fact, in some Scandinavian primary schools (especially smaller ones) you'll see kiddies with no shoes on, and woolly socks instead - I think it's cute, as well as sensible.

I always take my shoes off in my house and other people's, and my family do the same. I wouldn't ask visitors to take theirs off, but it would bug me if they haven't.

Sirbendy

We don't insist on it - I need to wear mine in the house for protection (post surgery foot nerve damage - if I stand on something, I don't know until I bleed/hear it tapping on the floor/someone points out I have something embedded), and I don't mind if people do or not.

2 of my floors..no, 3..are moppable. The rest I steam clean/dyson/scrub as needed. We had a plumber a few months back who took his off unasked - I was impressed.

ailuro2

DFrancis wrote: »

A friend makes guests take their shoes off because he is afraid that shoes will bring in diseases that will cause his two cats to become ill. No joke.

Ear mites are one of the things that are brought in on shoes - can be a bit tricky to get rid of once they are in the home.

However, the cats probably manage to bring dirt in on their paws if they are outside cats.

I think that's a grand way of saying you might have poo on your shoes, take them off without actually saying it. An unforgettable excuse like that means no repeat visitors would forget to dump their shoes at the door.


My DD's old nursery used to make the children change into different shoes - slippers or plimsolls kept at nursery - I bet it was to cut down on the amount of dog poo/toxioplasmosis worries in the nursery.;)

fernliebee

Dormouse wrote: »

It's definitely a cultural issue, isn't it? Most European countries I've been to (and/or lived) just take it for granted that visitors always remove their shoes. In fact, in some Scandinavian primary schools (especially smaller ones) you'll see kiddies with no shoes on, and woolly socks instead - I think it's cute, as well as sensible.

I always take my shoes off in my house and other people's, and my family do the same. I wouldn't ask visitors to take theirs off, but it would bug me if they haven't.

I used to hate wearing shoes as a child and would kick them off under the table, but would always get told off for taking them off. I like the idea of kids at school, indoors not wearing shoes, seem's more comfy and personal. At work our children have to remove shoes in the hall because of flooring and it doesn't cause too many problems getting them to put them back on, and they are 4 1/2!

MrsE_2

ceridwen wrote: »

Actually - if someone stated they intended to keep their shoes on (without a suitable medical reason to do so) after they had been asked to take them off - then I expect they wouldnt be asked back again anyway (even if they had phrased their intention in request format). Telling people one is going to keep on wearing one's outdoor footwear in a house where that isnt done shows a lack of respect and consideration for the host/ess. As the hostess - I would just make a mental note that it was just as well I had found out early on that the person concerned didnt have good manners and therefore wasnt going to "fit in" - as good manners are the norm amongst the people I know.

Perfectly put:D

I also think it is healthier for feet to be au-natural as often as possible.

pandora205

I do a lot of home visits as part of my job and usually take my shoes off (or at least start to - some people insist it's fine to keep them on then I don't). There are occasional exceptions, as some of the homes I visit are not at all clean, and have sticky, dirty floors when I feel it's safer to keep them on.

My worst experience was picking my handbag up at the end of the visit to find it dripping in smelly liquid (not sure if it was child or dog urine) so you'll understand why I might sometimes want to keep shoes on!

Violetta_2

We take our shoes off when we get in the door, don't really do slippers though dd has some that she will wear when the fancy takes her, others are welcome to take their shoes off but don't mind as long as they're not dirty, we have a door mat inside & out, oh always seems to be the 1 who trails mud into the kitchen when he put's the shopping in there.
When Virgin media workmen have come re cable they always have those wee plastic overshow disposable things that they put on when they step into the house (look like odd shaped shower caps) perhaps those people who it's important to could get those for visitors unable to or who don't want to take their shoes off.

markie62

just seen this thread.We have brand new house and i have to say that my wife will absolutely not allow any outdoor shoes whatsover in it.Basically we change into slippers at the door full stop.

SugarSpun

I tend to ask people if they prefer to take their shoes off. Most people when asked that will take a quick glance at my (naked) feet and decide they do prefer to remove their shoes, but if someone has a legitimate reason for keeping them on they can.

We can clean up whatever people bring in because all the floors are wooden, but unless someone can't get their shoes off for some reason or hasn't changed their socks in a week I'd prefer them to take the shoes off.