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

[Luv'sTink]

Obviously, if there is a medical reason for wearing shoes, I do not ask that person to take them off. That is just common sense. I do have a friend with special shoes and he is not expected to take them off but he does wipe them on the mat when he enters.

If I care enough about a person to have them in my house, I care about their comfort. All rules have exceptions. Honestly, it isn't that hard. If you have to wear shoes or are extremely uncomfortable wearing the socks that I provide, speak up.

I am honestly curious...do you supply new socks to each guest or do you wash them and pass them on the next person?

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I was at the home of my husband's boss. All the employees took off their shoes. I did not feel comfortable asking to keep mine on. I did noy know anyone there. Yes, there are times that speaking up for ourselves is not a comfortable situation.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I am honestly curious...do you supply new socks to each guest or do you wash them and pass them on the next person?

I don't do socks, but I have a basket in my front closet, and it holds shoes/flip-flops/slippers that we have either purchased for people to wear in our home, or that they have brought to have at our house. If someone requests something, we purchase it for them.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I am honestly curious...do you supply new socks to each guest or do you wash them and pass them on the next person?

That is my thinking as well. ewwwwww

 

[Scurvy]

I would never invite folks into my home if I was going to make them do spomething that was painfull or embarrassing. I cannot imagine that the family and friends who visit me would refrain from telling me that they did not want to remove their shoes if I asked.\


If I was asked to remove my shoes and that act would cause me pain I would politley tell my friend that I could not do so.

Are we really talking about people who we are so removed from when they enter our homes we cannot be honest about this and talk to each other?

Hopefully everyone you invite to your home would be completely comfortable telling you that they don't want to take their shoes off, and hopefully all hosts would be understanding of that. But some people are sensitive enough about their foot problems that the very act of explaining the problem to you might be embarrassing. My father-in-law has a terrible fungus that causes his feet to STINK. They are seriously horrible. I imagine it would be terribly embarrassing for him to explain why he doesn't want to remove his shoes in public. Sure, he could just say he doesn't want to and hopefully that would be the end of it, but as evidenced on here many hosts would probably think it rude of him. In a larger social setting such as a party it might also be difficult to get your host alone to talk to them about the problem, and I'm sure no one wants to air their medical issues or insecurities about their feet in front of the other guests. If someone is warned before they arrive at the house then they can decide how they want to deal with the situation, but being put on the spot by having the "no shoes" policy sprung on them at the door does strike me as rude. Since it is easy to warn people of your preference when you extend an invitation, I don't know why any hosts with a "no shoes" preference wouldn't warn their guests ahead of time.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

. If someone requests something, we purchase it for them.

I don't think you would buy my $400.00 orthotics and $150.00 shoes.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Hopefully everyone you invite to your home would be completely comfortable telling you that they don't want to take their shoes off, and hopefully all hosts would be understanding of that. But some people are sensitive enough about their foot problems that the very act of explaining the problem to you might be embarrassing. My father-in-law has a terrible fungus that causes his feet to STINK. They are seriously horrible. I imagine it would be terribly embarrassing for him to explain why he doesn't want to remove his shoes in public. Sure, he could just say he doesn't want to and hopefully that would be the end of it, but as evidenced on here many hosts would probably think it rude of him. In a larger social setting such as a party it might also be difficult to get your host alone to talk to them about the problem, and I'm sure no one wants to air their medical issues or insecurities about their feet in front of the other guests. If someone is warned before they arrive at the house then they can decide how they want to deal with the situation, but being put on the spot by having the "no shoes" policy sprung on them at the door does strike me as rude. Since it is easy to warn people of your preference when you extend an invitation, I don't know why any hosts with a "no shoes" preference wouldn't warn their guests ahead of time.

Well put. That's exactly what I was trying to say but failed. Thanks!

 

[AKL_Megs]

I don't think you would buy my $400.00 orthotics and $150.00 shoes.

I wouldn't, but if it were muddy or rainy or snowy out, I'd offer you some wet wipes and let you clean them and wear them in the house. There are exceptions to every rule!

 

[Took]

Full disclosure: We don't ask guests to take their shoes off. We put out a rug, by the front door, and put a few pairs of shoes on it. As such, it is permission for a guest to remove their shoes if they want to, i.e., if that is what the guest wants to do they'd clearly understand that it is perfectly acceptable to us for them to do so. But it is not a request, as we don't expect anyone to do so. At most, we "hope" the folks who's shoes could pick up pebbles and sand and therefore could scratch our floors would choose to avail themselves of the rug put out for that purpose.

In our experience, 90% of the women and 30% of the men avail themselves of the option. I suppose we would need a completely separate thread to discuss this disparity!

This is what we do. Personally, I hate wearing shoes and slip mine off at the door at most houses where it seems okay to do it (I kinda watch what the hosts are doing). When in Rome...

 

[aprilgail2]

Awhile ago my DW and I talked about the possibility of keeping a pair of slippers or soft-soled shoes for our guests at the door. We'd obviously keep them disinfected, etc. I still think it would be a good idea, although most everyone we know takes their shoes off upon entering anyway.

seriously- that is GROSS---you expect people to wear slippers, shoes etc that other people have worn- I don't care how you disinfect them I would be grossed out wearing something that god knows who else has had on their feet. I won't even wear bowling shoes at the bowling alley- bought a pair for me and my daughter!!

.

I'm hanging out at home alone - and I've got my shoes on. I've pretty much had to wear shoes for foot support since I was in my 20's.

I put my shoes on at 6 when I get up and take them off at night right before I get in bed.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I don't do socks, but I have a basket in my front closet, and it holds shoes/flip-flops/slippers that we have either purchased for people to wear in our home, or that they have brought to have at our house. If someone requests something, we purchase it for them.

Thanks for answering and not thinking I was just trying to being nasty to you.

 

[AKL_Megs]

seriously- that is GROSS---you expect people to wear slippers, shoes etc that other people have worn- I don't care how you disinfect them I would be grossed out wearing something that god knows who else has had on their feet.

Do you BUY shoes? You do realize that, "god knows who" has tried them on already, right? The stores have employees who make them fancy again so you think you are the first to try them on... but Fungus Fred had them on only 20 minutes earlier.

 

[Took]

seriously- that is GROSS---you expect people to wear slippers, shoes etc that other people have worn- I don't care how you disinfect them I would be grossed out wearing something that god knows who else has had on their feet. I won't even wear bowling shoes at the bowling alley- bought a pair for me and my daughter!!
QUOTE]

Do you try shoes on before you buy them, then? Or do you avoid that, too? Just curious...

 

[AshleyW]

I have the no shoe policy as well. We have white carpets, not by choice they were here when we moved in, and with the Ohio weather, it just makes sense to take one's shoes off.

I think it is a regional thing here as everyone I know does it. Most people have space for shoes so there isn't a pile in front of the door.

I also have yoga socks ready in a basket for anyone who doesn't have socks on with their shoes. The oils from your skin, even the bottom of your feet can build up on the carpets, so I discourage bare feet.

I saw the yoga sock thing on Martha Stewart - if she has the rule, "It's a good thing."

I'm going to be completely honest with you.. if I wore flip flops to your house, and you not only wanted me to remove them, but to put on your socks.. I'd probably think you were crazy and never visit your house again.


Back on topic - we have a rug in our entryway where DF and I put our shoes when we come inside. Sometimes we wear them in the house. We have some guests that wear their shoes in the house, and it doesn't bother me. Most of our flooring is hardwood, and only the living room is carpeted. I run our steam cleaner over the carpet every other month anyway, so it's not a big to me if it gets a little dirty from shoes.

 

[njcarita]

yes...very rude.... I only have one friend who useto suggest we( our circle of friends) take our shoes off..... thankfully it never caught on.....

 

[Cat0727]

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've been wondering about this same question- what my rule will be when I have my own place. If I'm hosting a party or something, then no, I wouldn't ask people to take their shoes off because shoes make the outfit. Plus I always think of that episode of Sex & the City when Carrie had to take off her Manolos at a party and they ended up being stolen.

But if it's just close friends or family coming over, then yes, I probably would ask them to take off their shoes (unless they have on flats or flip flops). Whenever I go over to my friend's houses they ask me to take my shoes off; one of my friends has shoes for her family & guests to wear inside her apt.

But I can understand both sides of this subject. It's interesting to read what others have to say!

 

[ols386]

If I go to someone's house, it doesn't bother me if they ask me to remove my shoes.

If I'm going to someone's house who I already know that they don't want shoes worn in their house, then I'll just automatically take them off at the door.

If someone comes to my house, I don't ask them to remove their shoes, but we really don't have very many people coming and going. I wear my shoes in the house. My dh takes his off at the door when he comes home from work, but he works in a wood-working shop and his shoes get very dirty at work.

 

[MaumeeMom]

I am honestly curious...do you supply new socks to each guest or do you wash them and pass them on the next person?

They are new. I buy a bunch & most of the time people take them home as they are comfy.

I was at the home of my husband's boss. All the employees took off their shoes. I did not feel comfortable asking to keep mine on. I did noy know anyone there. Yes, there are times that speaking up for ourselves is not a comfortable situation.

I guess that is a difference in personality. As I've mentioned, I have a bad toe & I wouldn't hesitate to speak up. I'm not timid.

PARTIAL
... he doesn't want to remove his shoes in public.

I don't perceive my home as "public". The store, a restaurant, etc. that is "Public" my home is not and if I know a person well enough to let them into my home, that person would be comfortable enough with me to say "No."

Honestly, it has never been a problem or a big deal and I don't believe that I am a bad hostess.

 

[Planogirl]

I have never been asked to remove my shoes and I've never seen anyone do so. I think it's kind of rude when guests are supposed to be made to feel comfortable but I might feel that way because it's simply not done where I'm from.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We remove our shoes in the entryway, but do not ask our guests to take off their shoes. Yes, it is rude. If you ask you put your guests on the spot, a good guest will of course comply even if they don't want to. If I go to someone's house, no I don't want to wear socks, flip flops or slippers that strangers have worn.