Please can you take your shoes off

dibuzz

We have wooden floor in the hall so we take our shoes off there where the rack is but I never ask visitors to and if we are only in for a few minutes we leave them on.
I might feel differently if we ever bought a new carpet but as we have a dog it seems a bit daft.
If I went to someone's house and they insisted I wear some used slippers I'd refuse and like another poster I'd have difficulty with slipper socks unless someone put them on for me and that's just weird
Luckily I dont go in other people's houses much and not many people come here so I guess it doesnt really matter

fluffnutter

I don't really think this is about the merits or otherwise of removing your footwear. It's about someone in their own home feeling strongly about something, something that's fairly easy to comply with and so what's the problem? It's no big deal - just be kind and take off your shoes.

Craftyscholar

When did it become normal to expect your visitors to walk round in bare feet?
The first time I had it happen must be about 20 years ago - I complied, but felt very uncomfortable (and a bit unwelcome) - before that I had never even heard of it.

seven-day-weekend

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I wouldn't find the request offensive and usually ask if they'd like me to remove my shoes anyway.

However, I'm the opposite. I prefer people to leave their shoes on in my house (sweaty socks on my carpet or floors - no thanks!) since I'd rather sweep up any dirt than think about grubby socks.

I also feel a tad naked when I take my own off in someone else's house since I always wear slippers at home (well Ugg boots or flip flops as slippers) and like my feet to feel cosy. I particularly dislike people walking round in bare feet (usually kids) since I can't tell you how many people have happily walked around my house with verucas on their feet! That makes me feel sick and incredibly angry (at their selfishness) all at the same time. I think that's what's done it for me, I sometimes have to ask people several times to 'oh leave your shoes on (please!)' now.

Same here. The only time I take my shoes off in my OWN house is sometimes if I go upstairs (and then not usually).I don't have carpets downstairs and the thought of someone's sweaty feet walking all over my laminate flooring is much worse than a bit of dirt!

And recycled slippers? Yeuch!

make_me_wise

TITEASCRAMP wrote: »

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.

I think some people are far to sensitive, if they take offense to being asked to take their shoes off in somebody elses house.

To be honest most people that are invited to my house I am really familiar and friendly with or they are family. If they get narked I just jokingly say 'well stay outside then'. They know me well enough to realise I mean it but with no malice.

With people I am just getting to know I just politely say when they arrive, please would you leave your shoes here. If they get narked at me I ignore it and just repeat again. Also make a note to self that they could be hard work knowing in the long term

I always offer to take my shoes off in other peoples houses. Its just manners isn't it. For the ones who have an issue with it I often think they must have feet that need a pedicure or holes in their socks :rotfl:

Aytoun27

How times change! I can remember when it would have been considered the height of bad manners to take your shoes off, walk around barefoot or in socks, or bring slippers if you were a guest in someone's home. I have to say that I wouldn't be happy with anyone who kicked their shoes off the moment they came into my house, especially if they didn't bother to ask if it was okay first.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I prefer people to take their shoes off. There is a small alcove at the entrance and it is much nicer to have people's shoes left there with all the filth from the street than to have it smeared around my home. However, as the floor is wood/tiled throughout downstairs, it's not the end of the world to mop it after they have left.


My mother will never take her shoes off in my house, despite never wearing shoes in her own. Wiping her feet seems an alien concept, too, and I must admit that I don't ever remember us having a doormat as a kid.


Mind you, in her house, you need to wear shoes inside to protect your feet, compared to outside where I would happily be barefoot at any time.

TITEASCRAMP

Aytoun27 wrote: »

How times change! I can remember when it would have been considered the height of bad manners to take your shoes off, walk around barefoot or in socks, or bring slippers if you were a guest in someone's home. I have to say that I wouldn't be happy with anyone who kicked their shoes off the moment they came into my house, especially if they didn't bother to ask if it was okay first.

I am so confused with your view. For me the thought of out door shoes inside the house is disgusting.
Our house is very clean and warm and comfortable. I walk around in socks or bare footed. The thought of what are on the pavements (a place where dogs have pee'd and poo'd) being them trambled into my home is gross. I have to walk on these floors as does my small child have to play. Plus once I go to bed my feet are then on my bed sheets.
I know I am probably a bit ott with cleaning, but also I paid a lot of money for my carpets and don't want to have to replace them in the near future.

My intention was never to offend anyone by asking them to remove their shoes.
I must admit I do like hearing from people who find it strange or awkward. It gives me an insite to why I seem to be upsetting people.

trolleyrun

I grew up where everyone in every house took their shoes off (not UK), apart from one couple who came to visit a couple of times a year. We thought they were weird for not taking shoes off

I always offer to remove my shoes when visiting people, unless I'm wearing my work shoes as they're really smelly For the record, they're the only shoes I have that smell.

Considering I'm not the tidiest of people and I don't mind about a bit of dust and fluff, I'm not bothered about shoes on/off here. Also I've got laminate floor everywhere, so no big deal. I do have zillions of hotel slippers if people want to wear them. Each pair is new to each person and I write their name in them for next time. Actually, I could run a b&b with the amount of hotel paraphernalia I've got :rotfl:

bylromarha

Lots of friends have a stocked slipper rack by the front door - it's a very obvious cue and easy to refer to if people "forget"

In Cambodia you take your shoes off outside the door - even in the slum we visited the rules were the same for the peoples homes we visited. Thankfully I had no open cuts on my foot.