Do you think it's rude to ask people to remove their shoes in your home?

[NikitaZee]

I do. My sister has a no shoes in the house rule and it bothers me. Not so much taking my shoes off - I generally do that anyway because I like walking barefoot, but I don't think that it should be a requirement as a guest. What do you guys think?

 

[luvmy3]

We have a no shoes rule in our house (for us). I do not expect my guests to remove their shoes, and I don't ask them to unless they are coming in from the woods where its muddy, but thats usually the kids.
Our family and most of our friends that come to visit take their shoes of anyway.

 

[jrmasm]

Yes.

 

[happygirl]

No, I don't think its rude. however, I would never ask my guest to do that

 

[LuvLDM]

Yes, the comfort of your guest should be more important than the condition of your floors.

 

[disykat]

In general it drives me crazy, but overall I think "your house, your rules" is the way it should be.

Two things that I think are REALLY rude are tracking mud into someone's home, and/or automatically dumping your shoes in someone's front entryway.

We definitely wear our shoes in our house. I've never had anyone track mud into my home. However, it drives me nuts when people leave a pile of shoes in my front entry. Other guests can't get in the door because of a huge pile of shoes. Not exactly the first impression I want to make.

I've seen signs to remind people to take off their shoes, where are the signs that say "please don't pile your shoes in my doorway!"

 

[Scurvy]

I don't necessarily think it's rude (though I wouldn't ask that of guests), but I don't think it's something you should spring on someone when they get to your home. If you're going to ask that people remove their shoes then I think you need to make that clear when you invite them to your home so they can decide if it's a big deal to them. I think springing such a rule on someone would be rude. They might choose to wear socks or bring slippers if they know they can't keep their shoes on. I also know a few people who have problems with their feet that cause it to be painful for them to walk around barefoot. They might prefer to avoid your home altogether if they know they would be expected to remove their shoes. Of course some of them have Crocs that they only wear indoors that they bring to homes that have a "no shoes" policy, and that's a good solution if the "no shoes" people are willing to compromise that way.

 

[tasha99]

No, but I think it's very cultural and depends on where you live. I'd say half my friends have this rule here in Oregon, but all my friends did in Japan. Maybe it's really common here because there is so much of a Pacific Rim/ Asian influence. I don't remember any of my friends having this rule when I lived in Kentucky. I like the rule, but I hate it when I'm wearing holey socks . . .

 

[npmommie]

I do. My sister has a no shoes in the house rule and it bothers me. Not so much taking my shoes off - I generally do that anyway because I like walking barefoot, but I don't think that it should be a requirement as a guest. What do you guys think?

I don't think its rude. I have the no shoes in the house policy. most people who have been here know this.
it has nothing to do with mud and everything to do with not knowing what you step in outside, spit, urine, gum, etc etc etc.......things you can't see sometimes.
when my kids were babies this started because there was no way someone was wearing shoes in the house where the baby crawls on the floor.
even my dogs get their feet cleaned

 

[aprilgail2]

I think it is VERY rude to ask your guests to remove their shoes when they go in your house. I would prefer to stand outside and talk to you on your step rather than remove my shoes! I also do not want people removing their shoes before coming in my house-I think its gross to have a bunch of people walking around in socks and/or bare feet in my home. I think that is WAY to personal- If I don't know you intimately then keep your shoes/clothing ON please! Whats next, taking off their pants to sit on my couch in their underwear?????

 

[NMAmy]

This topic always gets very heated and I'm never sure why people feel so strongly one way or another.

I live in Michigan. The majority of people I know here automatically remove their shoes when entering a home--whether it belongs to them or to someone else. I really believe it's because the weather is so frequently sloppy here (snow, salt, rain, mud, etc) that it's just a commonly accepted behavior. I've never had anyone insist that all must remove their shoes but most houses do have a pile of shoes near the front door.

When I lived in New Mexico, people would kind of look at me like I had two heads if I removed my shoes when entering their home.

 

[Gigi22]

I'm OK if it is a cultural thing and everyone has their outdoor shoes off. On the other hand, my MIL had white wall-to-wall carpets throughout her house, so it was a decorating issue! We spend about 1/2 the year wearing snow boots, so everyone automatically removes those when coming into a house anyhow.

 

[luvmy3]

I think it is VERY rude to ask your guests to remove their shoes when they go in your house. I would prefer to stand outside and talk to you on your step rather than remove my shoes! I also do not want people removing their shoes before coming in my house-I think its gross to have a bunch of people walking around in socks and/or bare feet in my home. I think that is WAY to personal- If I don't know you intimately then keep your shoes/clothing ON please! Whats next, taking off their pants to sit on my couch in their underwear?????

Are you serious? Its not about being so absolutely comfortable you would start stripping down, its about general hygeine. The soles of your shoes are one the most dirtiest surfaces and so that means if you track that in your home, your floor becomes just as bad. Now those of us with mostly carpet in our homes do not have an easy option to clean all that bacteria and dirt from our carpets on a daily basis like those of you who could use an anti-bacterial cleaner and mop your floors. Thats why we as a family do not wear our shoes in our home. I would ask someone if they want me to remove my shoes when I go to their house, but its not because I want to get cozy, its because I want to respect their idea of cleanliness for their home.

Just a little tidbit of useful info, the dirtiest surface in your home is the bottom of your vacuum, and theres a reason for it

 

[kimblebee]

Around here, it is just assumed that you should take off your shoes when you go into someones house. I don't think it's gross to have someones socked or even bare feet in my home. I'd rather that than have them walking around my house with their shoes on that could have stepped in who knows what.

 

[Magpie]

Where I live, people would think you'd been raised in a barn if you wore your shoes into someone's house. It's just not done. Most people have a foyer with racks and mats so you can put your shoes right there. Some people call it a mud room.

Honestly, I've never run into this as a problem. Everyone takes their shoes off at the door. I've never had a guest over who didn't. But if I did, I suppose I'd bite my tongue and say nothing. I wouldn't be very happy about it, though.

And if my guest was *family*? Then I wouldn't hesitate one moment to tell them to take their shoes off at the door.

Half the year or more there's salt, sleet and slush outside. I don't want that in my house. Yuck!

 

[LaurenLC]

No, I don't think it's rude... Depending on what the weather is like outside, I ask people to remove their shoes.

 

[AKL_Megs]

We have a "no shoes in the house" rule at our house.

Our parents (MIL reluctantly ), close friends, and family all know to take their shoes off at the door.

I'm getting better about it, and don't mind occasionally, granted it isn't winter (snow/wetness ALWAYS on the ground) or raining.

The only thing that bugs me and MAKES me want to ask people to take their shoes off is the BATHROOM... it just is so gross to think of coming out of the shower clean and fresh and walking on who-knows-what from everyone's shoes. I'd have to wash the floor every time someone came over!

 

[LilyWDW]

I think it is NOT rude at all! It's usually a cultural or regional thing, but there are other reasons as well. Don't like it? Don't come in the house.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yes.

 

[cats mom]

Honestly I'll do whatever, but I really don't like to be bare footed and I don't always wear socks with my shoes... so I do find that a bit uncomfortable.

Personally I'd rather provide a good door mat for folks to wipe their feet on and then have them wear shoes on my carpet than have them padding around in socks they've been wearing all day that could very well be nasty stinky and sweaty, or even worse, in their oily bare feet. Yuk!

Now if the remove your shoes folks want to provide a nice, new pair of socks for anyone who may be uncomfortable removing their shoes... I'm all for it.