to expect host to let her party guests know that she has a no shoes policy?

Maybe we're just more inclined to watch where we're walking and don't walk in dogshit every 10 paces?

Can you imagine the looks we'd get carrying on like that to visitors?

I had a new year's eve party once and a guest wore high platform heels while dancing and her heels made lots of indentations where she was dancing. I now wouldn't allow anyone with any heels other than ballet heels only. Mens shoes are ok. A typical oak engineered floor would be damaged by heels.

I’ve been asked once in my life to take my shoes off in someone’s house. It’s definitely not the norm in Ireland. Thankfully, I hate looking at people’s bare, socked or stockinged feet.

Hopefully not a shared moccasin

In someone's house - of course you take your shoes off. 😳

Definitely not a "posh" party then if they expected people to socialise in their socks. I love being shoeless as much as possible but I don't expect guests to remove their shoes.

I have only one friend who insists on this, but she at least provides moccasin type slippers for use.

I HATE having cold feet and never have uncovered feet at home.

When people take shoes off in my house I'm astonished. I have a mop and bucket and a hoover.

If you want to make it about class. The upper class (in their stately homes) wouldn’t dream of asking guests to stand around in stocking feet. I mean they would also have cleaners to mop the floor the day after. But it’s not a posh thing to ask people to take their shoes off to protect their carpets. It’s quite the opposite.

In addition to: shoes off, verruca check and white rubber sock; the modern host could also provide a swimming pool style foot bath at the front door. They could throw in a handful of corn plasters for the traditional look.

To do the work no they don’t. When they come to quote quite often they do though. Our builder came back to quote an additional bit of work part way through our works and it was a mess and the floors were dirty and sometimes I still didn’t wear shoes and just washed my feet before I went into the bedroom that was the only bit of the house with cleanish carpets. Builder saw I had bare feet and offered to take his shoes off. I just laughed and said oh no I only am not wearing mine because I really rather hate shoes.

Yes I actually agree. But the poster was referring to tradesmen doing it and I do think their shoes are a totally different kettle of fish inside a house. But yes even they often keep them on. I don’t ask them not to.

But it’s also unsafe at a party. If you can’t have shoes on there should be plastic glasses or paper cups and beverages served from plastic bottles . With that and everyone in socks, slippers or bare feee it’s hardly sounding so posh and sophisticated.

This. I’m not fussed generally but I always take mine off as find it more comfortable wandering about bare foot indoors. Kids tend to do it because they’ve copied me and 90% of visitors seem to do it automatically. Maybe they notice my bare feet and follow suit. I’ve been known to spend the day at work without my shoes on too though and people here seem to find that even ruder than shoes in the house. That I accept is unusual but I spend 90% of my day at my desk and I’m more comfortable slipping shoes off and leaving under it unless I’m at lunch or going to the toilets.

Ok Negligée’s feet make the point to all those saying it is polite to take shoes off.

It’s hardly polite to compel your guests to stomp round in Moria’s verruca trail, Bill’s athletes foot germs or to be confronted by Hilda’s bunion and Nigel’s black or fungal toenail.

What is polite is to coincide the party with your carpets being deep cleaned- which ought to happen relatively regularly anyway. But even if you don’t often. Pay to clean them, suck up the cost and do it as a one off. Or don’t strut your stuff as a posh party host who invites everyone to make an effort to dress up.

Probably need to combine 'shoes off' with a verruca check. White rubber sock issued to the people who fail the check.

Tradesmen take shoes off? I call bullshit, tradesmen need to wear shoes for a number of safety reasons (to protect feet from dropped items/ground electricity/stop slipping in case of wet or slippery floors) - my dh in fact has to wear footwear when doing his trade job as a condition of employer’s insurance.

not that posh if everyone’s stinky feet are out! I’ve never been to a party in someone’s home where shoes off has been required - and I socialise a lot. Yes if it’s a Sunday dinner or more informal occasion with a few people you know well - but asking acquaintances to remove their footwear in your home seems really socially inept to me!

How to make your guests feel uncomfortable for sure . I’d be really annoyed to turn up all dressed up and have to take my shoes off. It would never cross my mind that this might happen.
At my house you can wear what you like, do what you like, hell you can even wander in and out when we have a bbq if you want . Did someone say they locked doors to keep people outside!

You opened your post by calling the working classes unhygienic, but it's me making it about class.

Is this after a hike

I suppose they go with every outfit!

I think my friends and I must be weird - we often bring slippers to our parties! Big pile of (usually wet and muddy) shoes and boots by the door, sheepskin slippers on the feet. Toasty!

This is super werid and I’d be really annoyed, but agree that just turning around would feel rude.

Horrible! So rude.

Waddya mean “ even tradesmen”? Tradesmen shoes are generally grubby, everyday type shoes. Not formal shoes 👞 👠