Do you ask visitors to remove shoes?

Tropez

I don't ask people to remove their shoes. I generally have my shoes on anyway. I have a weak ankle to wearing shoes/boots with a bit of ankle support on them is safer for me.

Granted, I wouldn't wear those shoes if I'd just been pottering around in a muddy field. I'd change to a different pair.

I can't really recall any time when I've needed to prompt someone to remove muddy shoes.

Ellejmorgan

jackyann wrote: »

As an recently retired HV, we debated this on & off. We are often asked to remove shoes in Muslim homes (like most religious / cultural observance, some are more strict than others), with other people it is the kind of courtesy being debated here. Blue covers did work well if necessary (though as I got older & creakier, balancing to put them on got more difficult!) Being old-fashioned, I would prefer the provision of a couple of decent door mats to clean soles on.
Elle - I am as certain as I can be on the internet that you were not about to attack or threaten your HV (!) But I have been in houses with dangerous weapons on display and I have been threatened, so I always wanted my shoes firmly on my feet!!!

I can't believe you have been threatened, that's appalling behaviour, it must be very frightening..

My health visitor is a darling, she's an absolute godsend and is currently trying to help support me through a difficult time...

Ellejmorgan

Person_one wrote: »

Um, what sort of games are you playing with your children that involve licking the floor?

My child licks the floor, then again she is only 7 months..I do keep trying to tell her but I don't think she gets it yet

Person_one

Ellejmorgan wrote: »

My child licks the floor, then again she is only 7 months..I do keep trying to tell her but I don't think she gets it yet

She'll be fine.

Torry_Quine

rollnchips wrote: »

So all of you wear your outdoor shoes in the house, regardless of your flooring type?

How very queer!

Err no, I take off my shoes and wear slippers in my home. I change footwear by sitting in my living-room and then put them away.

Supernatural

Due to hideous brown tiles in hall shoes can stay on in my house, parents had the same policy for me and the dog which probably saved my life exposing me to all that dirt early on

Quite happy to comply with requests of the home owner when visiting other peeps.

lessonlearned

I think it is extremely inconsiderate to traipse through someone's home wearing outdoor shoes. Having said that I have to admit that some folk have floors and carpets that are probably just as dirty as anything the outdoors can offer.:rotfl:

I once spent thousands on new wooden floors when some rude and inconsiderate guests tramped all over them in stilletos They were badly pitted. . Since then I have no hesitation in asking people wearing potentially damaging footwear to remove their shoes.

I always remove mine when visiting anyone elses home, it's common courtesy. It has nothing to do with germs but everything to do with consideration for others.

Nice carpets, expensive tiles and wooden floors deserve a bit of TLC.

My children were taught this and still do it - they are now in their 20's. All their friends remove their shoes too - without being asked.

Many cultures automatically remove their shoes - not just Muslims. The Japanese do and many Europeans to.

It's just good manners.

embob74

I prefer people to take their shoes off but I would never ask them to. Workmen usually bring the blue slip-on covers with them and wear them quite happily (they're not allowed to have their steel toe caps off).
We have new carpets in the hall but a big mat over. Wooden floor in the living room so it's easily washable mainly due to having patio doors and the dog and kids will bound in, dirty or not.
I take my shoes off at other peoples houses but in summer if I'm wearing sandals I'm always in a quandary as to what to do. My bare feet are far more minging than my sandals could ever be!
Kids nowadays seem to be used to taking their shoes off - sometimes I have only known we have a house full due to the pile that greets me in the hallway. We have a huge shoe storage unit but still isn't enough to fit the numerous size 11's that the older kids have.

happy35

i do expect regular visitors to take their shoes off, I always take my shoes off in peoples houses. Workmen etc I just cringe but know they wont be able to take theirs off for H&S, although some do without asking.

My carpets are quite new, they are dark but dont want them to get dirty. I have a dog but always wipe his feet when he comes in from outside.

lostinrates

lessonlearned wrote: »

I think it is extremely inconsiderate to traipse through someone's home wearing outdoor shoes. Having said that I have to admit that some folk have floors and carpets that are probably just as dirty as anything the outdoors can offer.:rotfl:

I once spent thousands on new wooden floors when some rude and inconsiderate guests tramped all over them in stilletos They were badly pitted. . Since then I have no hesitation in asking people wearing potentially damaging footwear to remove their shoes.

I always remove mine when visiting anyone elses home, it's common courtesy. It has nothing to do with germs but everything to do with consideration for others.

Nice carpets, expensive tiles and wooden floors deserve a bit of TLC.

My children were taught this and still do it - they are now in their 20's. All their friends remove their shoes too - without being asked.

Many cultures automatically remove their shoes - not just Muslims. The Japanese do and many Europeans to.

It's just good manners.

Now,stilettos i have spme sympathywith. There is a strong argument for expecting people to wear shoes that will not damage your home.however....i also think lifestyle needs ro be considered when makeing flooring choices.

We go to a few very formal things in private houses. (ie black tie,formalwear). It is not appropriate to ask any guestto remove their shoes at such a function imo unless you are being taking into very fragile hostoric areas. And i have been (very annoying as i was wearing all black with red shoes to lift the outfit). We know we run in and out with barefeet and have parties wear people will wear shoes in the house. We would be made to put carpet down stairs. We are going for real stone and wood, but not modern wood, so scuffs, dents and wear will add to the character and we are considering it in our choices. This means it will be easy to clean after barefooted filthtreaders and cope with silly shoes at parties.:). Of course, not every one will want to , or be able to put lots of money on their floors, and why should they, but i also think they are less liekly to have formal attire events in their homes, (probably very wisely too!)


I remain somewhat...skeptical...its less polite IN THIS Culture to wear shoes when physically advisable or easier for some reason,than it is to ask people to remove. Or that it is more hygenic and healthy.