Showing people round house - taking shoes off

GracieP

Cissi wrote: »

I have to disagree with you there I'm in the South East (West London) and definitely not in a working-class area (the average "terrace shoebox" would cost £600k upwards). Around here it's the norm to leave your shoes by the door (not socks though, I've never heard of that one before, and most people keep sandals etc on if they have bare feet and it's dry outside). And this is even though most houses have wooden floors.

I've never been in a single house in London where I've been asked to take my shoes off. (Again with the exception of one of the houses I viewed.) And I've lived in north, west and currently south west London.

I do think Cryptical's assessment was a bit mean. But I do think it's a Hyacinth Bucket type of request. And to be quite honest while I couldn't give a crap about the wealth or social status of my friends, I prefer to socialise with people who are laid back and care more for their guests comfort than their floor.

orangeslimes

I have always been brought up to take off shoes in the house - it's more hygenic.
apparently my parents always used to wear shoes until I got ill when very little(with what i forget - not serious) and doctor said it could have been caused by shoes with dog dirt traces.

If I ever have my own house and friends come round i might well ask them.
That being said I don't know if I would ask strangers viewing my house to take shoes off - especially in the summer when they might be wearing sandals and no socks and have smelly feet...
but I don't see why it should put people off- surely it is a good sign showing that you care about cleanliness of house. and if it is muddy/wet outside is definately justifiable.

GracieP

orangeslimes wrote: »

but I don't see why it should put people off- surely it is a good sign showing that you care about cleanliness of house. and if it is muddy/wet outside is definately justifiable.

Actually what it says to me is one of two things; This vendor is incredibly fussy - could be problematic at a later stage or This house is high maintenance - do I really want to live with flooring that requires this much effort.

I would never buy a house with pale coloured carpets, or if I did I'd only do so if I negotiated the cost of removal and replacement into the price. I hate carpets anyway - my fantasy house has stone floors. I could live my entire life without ever having to give it more than a daily sweep/mopping a spill.:beer:

Cissi

GracieP wrote: »

And to be quite honest while I couldn't give a crap about the wealth or social status of my friends, I prefer to socialise with people who are laid back and care more for their guests comfort than their floor.

Same here - most of my guests seem more comfy without their shoes I very rarely ask that anyone remove their shoes, only if it's muddy outside, but most people do it automatically, as do we in their houses. It may have something to do with the fact that we all have young children - thinking about it, I don't think I'd take my shoes off in our elderly neighbours' house, and don't think they've done so when they've been over for drinks in our house either - but then I wouldn't exactly class them as "laid back" which most of my close friends tend to be

2bFrank

I remember looking around a house with my auntie very recently and was asked to take my shoes off. The persons dog did a pee pee in them. Needless

2bFrank

I remember looking around a house with my auntie very recently and was asked to take my shoes off. The persons dog did a pee pee in them. Needless to say I wasnt very happy, but the owners of the house were not very interested. I wish I had used there toliet and mis-fired all over the place see how they like it.

Now if anyone told me to take my shoes off when looking round the house I will say no, if they had a problem with it I would leave.

3KIDSNOMONEY

I started this thread and have been reading all the responses. Can't get over the different points of view that have come across. I opted to ask viewers to remove their shoes and have since had offers on the house. And nobody refused to take theirs off. Can't really believe that someone would not buy a house just because the vendor asked them to remove their shoes - that seems far more weird. All flooring needs cleaning and maintaining and surely if outdoor shoes are worn inside the house then the task of keeping them clean is harder. At my childrens school they have indoor and outdoor shoes to keep the flooring in school clean.

I don't think that it has anything to do with class or where you live - I think it is simply about how you choose to live. This comment will probably not be appreciated but it is perhaps the case that those who think that is is over the top to remove shoes in houses think that people who was their hands before meals have OCD too.

Obviously it is each to their own but if you are in someone elses house then you should respect them and their home - to go as far as to say if they were nudists would you remove your clothes too is ridiculous.

Anyway just wanted to get a word in before this thread gets lost.

jackieb

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

I started this thread and have been reading all the responses. Can't get over the different points of view that have come across. I opted to ask viewers to remove their shoes and have since had offers on the house. And nobody refused to take theirs off. Can't really believe that someone would not buy a house just because the vendor asked them to remove their shoes - that seems far more weird. All flooring needs cleaning and maintaining and surely if outdoor shoes are worn inside the house then the task of keeping them clean is harder. At my childrens school they have indoor and outdoor shoes to keep the flooring in school clean.

I don't think that it has anything to do with class or where you live - I think it is simply about how you choose to live. This comment will probably not be appreciated but it is perhaps the case that those who think that is is over the top to remove shoes in houses think that people who was their hands before meals have OCD too.

Obviously it is each to their own but if you are in someone elses house then you should respect them and their home - to go as far as to say if they were nudists would you remove your clothes too is ridiculous.

Anyway just wanted to get a word in before this thread gets lost.

That is an absolutely ridiculous thing to say! You're implying that people who don't remove their shoes in other people's houses, are dirty. Just because I don't want to take off my shoes, doesn't mean I don't wash my hands, and I find that insulting that you think that.

jackieb

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

I have got to show some potential buyers around my house today. I have a real thing about shoes in houses, does anybody think that it is strange or rude to ask them to take off their shoes when they come and have a look round. thanks

In you OP you asked if anyone thought it was rude. Quite a few people have said they think it is. You asked for people's opinions. There's no need to insinuate that they're dirty because they happen to disagree with you.

Cissi

jackieb wrote: »

That is an absolutely ridiculous thing to say! You're implying that people who don't remove their shoes in other people's houses, are dirty. Just because I don't want to take off my shoes, doesn't mean I don't wash my hands, and I find that insulting that you think that.

It's no more far-fetched than suggesting that a "shoes off" policy is an indication of OCD, or suggesting that people who ask you to take your shoes off may as well ask you to take all your clothes off, as several posters on this thread have suggested!

To the OP, congratulations on getting offers so early on! That may have something to do with the fresh, clean feeling of your house