Please can you take your shoes off

TITEASCRAMP

Was wondering the best way of asking this question. I have a no shoes policy at my house. When I come in I take my out door shoes off on the mat at the back of the door.
I would like all my visitors to do the same. But no matter how I ask them to do it, some people seem to still get the hump.

How could I ask people to remove their shoes without offending them.?

As I've thought maybe its how or what I'm saying that I'm getting wrong.

claire16c

We have a mat in our hallway where our own shoes are if weve been out that day, so people seem to just see that and take their own off too. If they dont, as long as its not wet outside I dont mind, but if I had a cream carpet downstairs I might think differently lol. Id just say sorry do you mind taking your shoes off - which is what I would say if it was wet out and they hadnt done so.

Ive been asked round other peoples houses too, although I normally start to do it anyway as I find people will say if you dont need to. I think its a bit weird people would get the hump!

fluffnutter

I assume you're saying 'Can you take your shoes off please?'. If that offends them, then there's very little you can do. Your house, your rules. Don't worry about it. If you really want to appease your grumpy guests, how about offering a selection of cheap towelling slippers like you get in spas/hotels? Perhaps they're just embarrassed about their socks

brightonman123

shoe rack by door, or buy lads of slippers..

"have you seen my NEW carpet.."

newcook

how about 'hiya, come on in, pop your shoes by the front door and I'll stick the kettle on'

Or tell those that moan to put some carrier bags over their shoes!

TITEASCRAMP

I don't understand why people get the hump either.
What bugs me too is, people who have been loads of times who still need asking. They know how I feel about it but still try to walk past the mat without taking them off. So I need to ask.
When they know we always remove shoes.

Metranil_Vavin

I always take my shoes off when I go round to someone elses house, and I expect people to remove theirs in mine.

I just tell people that I have a baby crawling about and want to try and keep the carpets clean.

If they are offended then tough you know what's!

lady1964

We had a new light coloured carpet fitted last year (or the year before) and I always said 'do you mind very much taking your shoes off please?' and no-one minded, in fact, even now when people come in they ask if I want them to take their shoes off

thegirlintheattic

I always feel like a bit of a plonker trying to get my shoes off, especially if I'm wearing socks with holes in or have elastic bands round the bottom of my jeans when they are stuffed into boots.

Saying that, I don't get offended if people ask me to remove my shoes.

claire16c

I always make sure I have socks with no holes in when I go to other peoples houses for that exact reason!

Errata

There is no way of asking every single person who visits the house to take their shoes off without offence.
What do you value more, your friends or your carpets?