Showing people round house - taking shoes off

Cissi

rovers wrote: »

All sounds a bit OCD to me, my house is clean, I'd expect prospective buyers to wipe their feet but that would be enough. I'd want to make them welcome and I know I wouldn't feel welcome if I turned up at a stranger's house who demanded I took my shoes off. I'm just surprised it's such an issue!:rolleyes:

I'm surprised it's such an issue too - that is, to be asked (politely - I for one certainly wouldn't "demand" it) to take your shoes off in someone's home!?! I don't understand how on earth that could make you feel unwelcome, I'd have thought it means exactly the opposite, ie "make yourself at home"? Surely most people don't wear outdoor shoes in their own homes so why object to taking them off in someone else's? Is this also the case if you're invited to someone else's house socially - would you not feel welcome if they expected you to take your shoes off indoors?

I'm just interested in why this is such a big deal for so many people. As I stated earlier I wouldn't ask it of people viewing my house but I do ask it otherwise, unless it's warm and people are wearing sandals. I admit, I'm pretty appalled at how many people seem to walk around with uncared-for feet and never take their shoes off for that reason!

Geenie

Just from a general point and not house selling........If I had got all dolled up to go to someones house, and had put on some heels to add inches to my 5' 2, I would be well peed off to be asked to go barefoot once through the door.

I have been in some really posh places, and have never been asked to remove my shoes. They would laugh at the suggestion! Gawd, did the Queen ask Barack to take off his shoes when he came calling earlier this year at Buck Palace, and I bet her mats are worth a bob or two and didn't come from Carpet Right !:rolleyes:

The reason we have so many problems now with immunity and allergies is because people have forgotton how good it is for children to roll around in dirt.

On the other hand, my solution would be to have a kind of sheep / BSE dip bowl by the front door, where by people stick the soles of shoe in disinfectant, then wipe on an absorbant mat before entering.

becky_rtw

HAHAHA this thread is hilarious

I grew up in a shoes on house but I've always walked around a lot in barefeet since its more comfortable for me, I kick off my shoes the second I get in my house now...but I cant imagine EVER asking anyone to take their shoes off - if they do thats fine, but if they want to wear shoes thats fine too...

I think its pretty rude to ask someone too to be honest - it a thing I associate with snobbiness and would put me off a place too, whats sooo precious that wiping on a mat cant take care of it anyway??

peachyprice

I think asking your family and friends taking their shoes off is completely different to strangers taking their shoes off. But then again I think feet are a pretty personal part of the body.

I wouldn't want a strangers bum on my toilet seat, and I wouldn't want their feet of unknown health/cleanliness traisping through my house and into my bedroom. _pale_

Out of habit we all take our shoes off by the door but I don't expect vistors, especially those who are only going to be there 5-10 minutes, to take theirs off too.

1sue23

I went to view a house and was asked to remove my shoes it was a lovely sunny day ,when we went into the bedroom and looked out into the garden the man of the house was stark naked sunning himself ,the lady of the house was very proud to tell us the garden was a real sun trap and very private I could not wait to get out of the house .

RichOneday_2

1sue23 wrote: »

I went to view a house and was asked to remove my shoes it was a lovely sunny day ,when we went into the bedroom and looked out into the garden the man of the house was stark naked sunning himself ,the lady of the house was very proud to tell us the garden was a real sun trap and very private I could not wait to get out of the house .

Why? Was she selling the husband as part of the deal?:p

GracieP

Geenie wrote: »

The reason we have so many problems now with immunity and allergies is because people have forgotton how good it is for children to roll around in dirt.

Outside of the house sale issue this is a big point to me. It's been well documented for about 15 years now that allergies are on the rise in children due to overly sterile environments. Our bodies are made to withstand dirt and other nasties. Being too clean is not only unnatural but can cause some serious damage. It's similar to people who insist on showering/bathing too often, when it's known to be bad for our skin. Especially for children who don't even sweat in the same way as adults.

I guess it's to do with the fact that soap and disinfectant manufacturers pay for a lot of advertising which play on our fears, so they can make bigger profits. While independent scientific and medical researchers don't.

Geenie

peachyprice wrote: »

I think asking your family and friends taking their shoes off is completely different to strangers taking their shoes off. But then again I think feet are a pretty personal part of the body.

I wouldn't want a strangers bum on my toilet seat, and I wouldn't want their feet of unknown health/cleanliness traisping through my house and into my bedroom. _pale_

Out of habit we all take our shoes off by the door but I don't expect vistors, especially those who are only going to be there 5-10 minutes, to take theirs off too.

Nice avatar peachyprice! What is personal about feet then?! As a former nurse who has seen various bits of the human anatomy over many years, I would say feet are the least thing to worry about when coming into contact with my furnishings! :lipsrseal

You are probably more at risk going to the local swimming bath or some Lido out in Spain, then what comes through the front door in Blighty on the carpets!

I agree by the way about loo seats. I was brought up never to sit on public toilets, not only because of germs but the fear of getting pregnant!!:eek: OK, I have realised since my mother was talking bullocks, but I still squat above from force of habit! :mad:

Joke!!

kunekune

I too get the feeling that there is an OCD behind the OP's concerns. Fair enough ... I will not criticise someone just because their worries are a little bit irrational. However, this is about selling. As a seller, or even as the recipient of various services from tradespeople, I would never dream of making a fuss. Yes, they might leave a wee bitty dirt behind but in my view dirt has never killed. However, as a buyer, I respect the requests of a seller. When we first viewed our current house (as of a week) ,we were asked to remove our shoes. We did it. We didn't like it - it's a pain when you want to look outside - but in the end, what does it matter? If it's the right house, it won't put you off. And at exchange, we knew there were no worries about the condition when we moved in - we were right too ...

billyboy11

If i pay £ 30 a metre for carpet, i dont want someones size 9's all over it !! Easy.. My kids take theirs off,, take yours off ,....