Taking shoes off at a party??

[lovemygoofy]

Now I must be missing something. I'm really suprised at the number of people that have or offered to take their shoes off when coming into my house for the Christmas gatherings. Is this more predominant because of living in an area that gets more snow? Are they trying to save the floors/carpet?

I don't care if they want to take their shoes off but I don't require that. Apparently alot of others do because everyone has been suprised. I host pretty casual things and have had festive socks on both times but mostly because I hate shoes. I think I need to make a little sign up on the door that says "you can keep your shoes, I can clean my floor."

Is this normal? I know that I try to pay attention when going into other's homes but I don't always know if I should take them off or not. Someone clue me into cold weather state courtesy.

 

[Christine]

I live around you and, no, I wouldn't call that normal. I've actually never been invited to someone's home who had the "no shoe" thing going on.

When I lived in Japan, it was a huge deal and everyone did it but that was where it stopped for me.

 

[elgerber]

Around here, we do have snow and carpet and yes, we do usually take off our shoes when we go to someones house. A couple of winters of snowy shoes and your carpet is trashed. Even your wood floors don't do well with snowy/salty shoes.

 

[golfgal]

Most people here are in the habit of taking off shoes because of winter weather, etc. We wear our shoes in the house all the time and don't expect people to take off shoes unless they are wet or muddy--in which case people do that anyway. Most people will bring shoes and wear boots if the weather is bad.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Okay here is another question: where do I put their shoes? Next to their coats in my coat closet? In the garage? Outside the front door? I'd hate for them to be just laying around where poeple can trip over them. I can't believe I'm asking where to store visitors shoes. Yet another thing I'm learning about living here

 

[Kit'smommy]

I live in Florida and no one I know expects guests to take their shoes off. However, I personally make sure I don't wear shoes that may damage a host's floors or I remove them if they have become too wet. I value the company of my guests, but I don't necessarily like what the taps on some heels do to my hardwood floors.

 

[elgerber]

Okay here is another question: where do I put their shoes? Next to their coats in my coat closet? In the garage? Outside the front door? I'd hate for them to be just laying around where poeple can trip over them. I can't believe I'm asking where to store visitors shoes. Yet another thing I'm learning about living here

LOL, at our parties, they just pile up behind the front door. We have enough space there for about 10 pairs, after that, it's a pile of shoes!

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

I have serious foot issues and walking around in socks is not only incredibly uncomfortable for me on a psychological level, it also hurts my feet. I try to find out if where I'm going has a no shoe rule and if so, I don't go. If I get there and shoes have to come off, I usually have to leave.

I wouldn't fare well in Japan. Which is sad because I'd love to visit there.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't know where you are from, but the DC area is not considered the great white north (I'm in NJ, so you're in the south). They're doing this because you are not wearing shoes. I know a handful of people who prefer that no one wears shoes in their homes, so the fact that they're not wearing shoes is a gentle reminder. If you're wearing shoes, no one will ask.

 

[blana]

I think you wearing just socks may be encouraging them to ask, as well. I have 1 SIL who expects everyone to take their shoes off before entering. I never wear shoes at home UNLESS we're expecting guests, at which point, shoes go on so they will realize that they're allowed to wear shoes in our house. (Rules go out the window for family.)

 

[lovemygoofy]

I don't know where you are from, but the DC area is not considered the great white north (I'm in NJ, so you're in the south). They're doing this because you are not wearing shoes. I know a handful of people who prefer that no one wears shoes in their homes, so the fact that they're not wearing shoes is a gentle reminder. If you're wearing shoes, no one will ask.

Hey this is as far north as I ever plan to live. It snowed on Saturday and I don't think I've ever seen snow in December, other than when visiting inlaws in MI. Now it's calling for possible more snow this coming week. That is not the South

It snowed and I called all my family to tell them it snowed here in December because Im only used to seeing it in January or February. It is the little things that amaze me

I will remember to put on some shoes for the next time. Thank you for the tip.

 

[mtemm]

where I live it is very common to kick shoes off when you enter a house, and usually when I go to a house for the first time I follow my host's lead...if they aren't wearing shoes, I kick mine off.

 

[golfgal]

Okay here is another question: where do I put their shoes? Next to their coats in my coat closet? In the garage? Outside the front door? I'd hate for them to be just laying around where poeple can trip over them. I can't believe I'm asking where to store visitors shoes. Yet another thing I'm learning about living here

When we are going to have a large number of people over for a party in the winter I put a large area rug out in our foyer and everyone puts their shoes on that. Most people that are used to this taking their shoes off practice will know that if you have an area rug out somewhere near the door that is where the shoes go. I agree that if you are wearing shoes, they will probably keep them on--we always look at feet when we walk into a house to see what the owners are doing.

 

[Briarmom]

Oh Tina. A shoes on/off DIS thread right before the holidays? This can't end well.

You've been here long enough to know that there will be a bazillion posters that will never ever take their shoes off because it's just not done and a bazillion posters that will never ever leave their shoes on because it's not ok. Then there's the rest of us who've lived all over this great world and realize that what's done in Minot, North Dakota (shoes OFF! Dragging snow into someone's house is just rude!!) is not done in Phoenix, AZ (whatever...it's just a little dust).

 

[lovemygoofy]

Oh Tina. A shoes on/off DIS thread right before the holidays? This can't end well.

You've been here long enough to know that there will be a bazillion posters that will never ever take their shoes off because it's just not done and a bazillion posters that will never ever leave their shoes on because it's not ok. Then there's the rest of us who've lived all over this great world and realize that what's done in Minot, North Dakota (shoes OFF! Dragging snow into someone's house is just rude!!) is not done in Phoenix, AZ (whatever...it's just a little dust).

What can I say It's laundry day. I need to be entertained

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Bomb

 

[MineMail]

It's polite for guests to ask and your socks encourage the question.
Just say "No, it's fine - you can keep your shoes on." Don't put up a sign - it's tacky, lol.

My family and friends usually don't wear shoes in their house, so I bring a pair of slippers or just wear my socks. We never wear shoes in our house, so it doesn't bother us at all. We never ask guests to remove their shoes, but they're welcome to do it if it makes them more comfortable.

The only time I was caught off-guard by a "No Shoes" rule was during an historic houses tour. Whatever possessed these people to install WHITE carpeting before the tour, I will never know. Of course, it rained the day before/of the tour event - hundreds of people traipsing through mud and puddles. When I saw the carpeting, I had my shoes off before they asked! (It was a beautiful house, but the decorating was too modern for a Queen Anne Victorian.)

 

[luvmy3]

We don't wear shoes in our house ever. but when we have guests over I do not require them to take off their shoes because I know not everyone is comfortable with walking around in their socks. When I am a guest at someone's house I always ask what they prefer, and I usually bring a pair of slippers with shoe soles that I only wear inside just in case.

 

[FireDancer]

Almost everyone I know asks people to take their shoes off in the winter but not in the summer. When I enter a home I take mine off by default.

 

[npmommie]

I don't know where you are from, but the DC area is not considered the great white north (I'm in NJ, so you're in the south). They're doing this because you are not wearing shoes. I know a handful of people who prefer that no one wears shoes in their homes, so the fact that they're not wearing shoes is a gentle reminder. If you're wearing shoes, no one will ask.

LOL.......so true, us new englanders also consider DC the south,

around here shoes come off in the house almost always, especially winter ( snow ) and spring ( mud )
we end up with a pile inside our door

 

[mkymouse1928]

Now I must be missing something. I'm really suprised at the number of people that have or offered to take their shoes off when coming into my house for the Christmas gatherings. Is this more predominant because of living in an area that gets more snow? Are they trying to save the floors/carpet?

I don't care if they want to take their shoes off but I don't require that. Apparently alot of others do because everyone has been suprised. I host pretty casual things and have had festive socks on both times but mostly because I hate shoes. I think I need to make a little sign up on the door that says "you can keep your shoes, I can clean my floor."

Is this normal? I know that I try to pay attention when going into other's homes but I don't always know if I should take them off or not. Someone clue me into cold weather state courtesy.

My mom is a lot like you and hates shoes too. She will have her festive socks on and then will wear a cute pair of ballet flats during the arrival period. Once most of her guests have arrived she just kicks off her shoes. She is just much more comfortable in her socks when she is running around checking appetizers and refilling drinks. The funniest part is my dad is the exact opposite. He always has his shoes on. I don't think he would visit someone's home if they required that he remove his shoes.