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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

216 replies

Pavementworrier · 21/12/2025 14:29

There's so much dog poo about now it's basically a trampling of dog poo

OP posts:
TheWonderhorse · 21/12/2025 14:40

Bluejaysforthewin · 21/12/2025 14:37

If someone's shoes were visibility covered in shit it would be reasonable to request they are removed. Other than that I don't care if you keep your shoes on.

I think this might be my level. Although it wouldn't be "can you please take your shoes off in the porch" it would be "the fuck happened to your feet?"

Allseeingallknowing · 21/12/2025 14:39

This has been done to death in other threads. There is strong feeling for and against.

FoxFeatures · 21/12/2025 14:39

Why? I wash my floors pretty much daily, so what is the issue. I don’t go on my hands and knees licking the bloody floor.

TheNightingalesStarling · 21/12/2025 14:39

Its rude to insist
Its rude not to offer unless you can't.

Etiquette is a conundrum at times

sprigatito · 21/12/2025 14:39

I think it’s rude to put people on the spot by asking them to remove their shoes. If your carpets are more important than your guests’ comfort, then you should either meet elsewhere or clean your carpets more often.

Bluejaysforthewin · 21/12/2025 14:37

If someone's shoes were visibility covered in shit it would be reasonable to request they are removed. Other than that I don't care if you keep your shoes on.

BasiliskStare · 21/12/2025 14:37

I think generally it is good manners to ask if you should take your shoes off. We have hard flooring so I don't care - people can keep their shoes on. - no-one has been ill from outside pavement disease in my family thus far. 😂

I think I have had read that most handbags left on surfaces have more germs on them than most things. (But I may be misremembering that )

This a very common question isn't it?

TheWonderhorse · 21/12/2025 14:36

I don't think it's polite to ask people to walk around on your floor in white socks. Also, other people's sweaty socks on the carpet is not really better.

We want our guests to be comfortable and nobody has walked dogshit through our carpets in the fifteen years since we moved in.

springyla · 21/12/2025 14:34

It’s only rude if you ask them to and they refuse without good reason. I will say that when I take my shoes off in other peoples house my feet get FREEZING which makes it a less enjoyable experience.

ilovepixie · 21/12/2025 14:32

Mumsnet is obsessed with shoes off in a house! I don’t want to walk in my bare feet on your dirty floors! I don’t know who or what else has been walking on them!

BlackForestCake · 21/12/2025 14:32

It’s really rude to make guests take their shoes off.

SnappyOchre · 21/12/2025 14:31

Depends on the rule of the house surely?

I’d personally rather not have sweaty feet on my rugs and it stops people putting feet up on the sofa. And I don’t think I’ve stepped in dog mess for years and years.

Kingscallops · 21/12/2025 14:31

I don't ask visitors to take shoes off at mine, but I ask if its required when I visit other people's homes.

ilovepixie · 21/12/2025 14:31

Just don’t step in dog poo! Simple!

ForIcyGreyCat · 21/12/2025 14:30

If they don’t wear shoes, you should take off your shoes
If they keep their shoes on, you keep your shoes on

anything else is odd imo

W0tnow · 21/12/2025 14:30

Surely you have some indication you’re a shoes off house? Or you ask? I do.