To think it's really rude to keep your shoes on when you visit someone's home

I hate visiting “ shoes off houses” and i would never ask someone to remove their shoes in my house as i consider it rude.

It would be very rude where I live but no one would do that anyway as everyone takes shoes off inside in my country (those with foot issues requiring support or protection will have indoor shoes) but elsewhere its less clear cut. What is polite to do anywhere is to ask your host if you should take shoes off or not.

More popcorn needed. This topic never gets old.

It’s not cleaning ladies that mumsnetters need. It’s a butler who will screen unwanted callers, take the shoes off legitimate guests for them, provide a pair of slippers (presented on a cushion), and will shine the guests’ shoes meanwhile.

How are we wearing shoes without socks 🤔

It’s winter, are we just going around with blisters? Genuinely, I’ve not seen this

Couldn’t this be solved by having a futon or seat by the door?

Or “is it ok to keep shoes on? I have trouble taking them off”. And rub them thoroughly on the doormat.

Most reasonable people can make exceptions. It’s people who don’t bother asking (bonus points if they come in dragging wet and mud everywhere) that are an issue, that’s what’s disrespectful and people dont like.

I always take my shoes off. I would never ask a guest to take off their shoes, I think that's rude.

A lot of people don’t wear socks.

Shit, piss, phlegm, general dirt, mud. Would you feel comfortable walking in someone’s home with light cream rugs and not marking them?

Not that you’ll make it over the threshold 😆shoes off, or blue booties or don’t come in.

I'll wipe my feet, I'm not taking my shoes off. A d don't expect anyone else to, even when I'd had brand new carpet fitted the day before.

Not this again 🙄

It's hard to clean shoes completely. There can always be stuff hidden in the treads.

Shoes often have bits of metal on the bottom which aren't great for hard flooring, especially if they are a small area like stillettos.

You can also get small stones trapped in the treads that will scratch wood to hell if the person doesn't pick their feet up.

You only have to have kids or their friends tread mud or shit into your carpets once to realise that taking shoes off is a good idea. If you have some sort of aversion to other peoples socks on your floor you can get disposable guest slippers.

I think if my friends were turning up with soaking wet socks dripping with "toe cheese" as some people have suggested I would get better friends. Because if their body hygiene was that bad I certainly wouldn't want them sitting on my sofas.

My DH would struggle to get his shoes on and off due to an illness and increasing disability that goes along with it. He would hate to have to ask you to do it for him, and to put them back on him again as he was leaving.

So yes, it's a massive matter of dignity for some people.

I always ask 'should I leave my shoes here' when I enter someone's hallway. I think assuming you can waltz in with shoes on is rude.

I always ask if people want me to remove my shoes but I don’t ask others to remove their shoes in my house

I wouldn't take them off if they had a pet as the floor would be quite grubby with hairs and maybe scotched dog arse remnants

I do whatever the host is doing. If they have shoes off, I take mine off. Some say “oh don’t bother” so I keep them on. Some have theirs on so I keep mine on.

Good grief anyone with time enough to “research” outdoor toxins needs a hobby.

This is so weird to me. I cannot imagine sitting, relaxing in my own house with shoes on!

Jesus. You wouldn’t insist in these circumstances. Obviously. 🙄

I was raised wearing outdoor shoes in the house but now I think it's disgusting.

Dogs also piss all over the pavement. Dog poo gets washed around when it rains. I have seen humans poo on the pavement. Toe fungus inside a sock vs poo residue, I'll try my luck with the fungus.

This fucking topic. Good god. Some love shoes off, some hate it. Neither is right or wrong, it's an utterly unimportant personal or cultural preference.

Muddy or dirty shoes? Yes, take them off. Otherwise no need.

Some people struggle to take shoes on or off, or wear shoes specifically designed to support foot problems. So insisting is presuming that they have the mobility to do that.

My dad doesn't exactly go round telling people that a quarter if his foot is missing for example!

I really don’t get why it’s ’incredibly rude’ to ask someone to take their shoes off. Really? I can think of some incredibly rude things but thats not up there by any means. This thread is batshit. People saying they will loose their dignity by having to take their shoes off?🤣 That everyone will be traipsing round the house in bare feet?!!! Who doesn’t wear socks in winter?!?

I have rarely in all my over 60 years been to anyone's house where they have taken their own shoes off after being outside so why should I?

Fortunately taking shoes off isn't the norm where I live - we are quite able to clean our floors if necessary (and yes, carpet is the norm here).