to think that asking a visitor to take of their shoes in my house, is an OK thing to do

[fluffybutt]

I don't have many rules at home, just shoes on if outside and off if you are inside. Just had a friend and her DCs over, and asked them if they would mind taking their shoes off - well apparently thats really rude and made my visitors feel uncomfortable. FFS, it's not like I asked them to walk through an antiseptic food bath or anything.

Errr, no.
I will just not lick the floor.
My dog is running in and out all day. Do I get him some doggy penis slippers?

Anyway. I don't use public toilets. Except possibly harrods.

If you get him the slippers please can you post a picture?

Of course. My pleasure.

I honestly think the amount of outside dirt brought in on shoes is minimal - unless of course you are a farmer! When I clean tiles/laminate floor, most of what I sweep up/wash is loose hair and dust (from skin being shed).

I have a hallway and that does tend to have more dirt in it, but by the time people have walked from the hall into a room, any dirt tends to have come off people's shoes.

Yes there may be microscopic bits of dirt I can't see. But all the research shows that trying to be very clean by ericating dirt we can't even see, creates a perfect set up for more allergies/eczema/asthma amongst children.

There is a reason why statistically farmers childrem have far lower level of allergies/eczema/asthma than other children. And after seeing my nephew crying and unable to sleep because of eczema and watching my SIL anxious about food at parties because my neice has a nut allergy, I know that it is much better to do what you can to stop children getting these.

And I do know children can get these whatever parents do, but by keeping your house ultra clean you are increasing the risk of your children getting these.

Toddlers in trolleys with their shoes is far worse than shoes on the floor.

me and OH always change our clothes, if we have been on public transport etc and come home, before we sit on the sofa etc.

That's a joke right?

I hope you all make guests leave their germ ridden handbags outside too.

"It is good practice to clean your handbags every time you come home". I've heard it all now. The shoe thing seems tame in comparison.

I have been told that I shouldn't put my handbag on a worktop.

You go straight into my living room from the front door in a tiny cottage. I like my colourful rug to stay clean and I find it very stressful when people come in with their muddy shoes and don't take them off.

But I find it very hard to ask them to although I would never dream of walking over someones carpets with my shoes on.

I have better things to do than to keep having to clean outside dirt off the floor cos someone can't be arsed to take their shoes off.

Isn't it more comfy without shoes anyway. i can't wait to get mine off if I've been out all day x

No it isn't-it is cold!

Although I'm a confirmed 'shoes off', it has occurred to me that there might be a difference between not taking off work shoes or wellies that have been tramping fields/dirty pavements, and coming to a dinner party in yer Laboutins that only see the inside of a wardrobe and a car.

I don't think I'd make people take off their Laboutins & sit round the dinner-table barefoot. I haven't had a 'dress-up' dinner party yet!

I haven't read all 18 pages. But frankly the most ill adjusted dcs from my 70's childhood, were the ones who's parents insisted everyone remove their shoes at the front door. They had a spotless house. Nobody respected them for it. To get that spotless house they were cruel to their kids - constantly yelling at them. Everyone was on edge. Both kids grew up to be miserable adults with problems. The shoe removing and the maintaining of the white fluffy carpets gave them a horrible childhood. Get wooden floors if you're that worried about it. For the record, I think it's rude to ask people to remove their shoes. If they suss that that's what you do, all well and good. But if somebody doesn't, get over it and be a good host.

Haven't read all the posts but just to say to the OP i think its very rude. My shoes are part of my outfit and have been chosen to match etc, the idea of being asked to take them off is like being asked to take off my top or something.
I have gone to someones house before for a party and the hall was full of knee high boots and high heels and all the women were standing round in stockinged feet - I refused to take my shoes off and left.

Well thats you off my xmas party list then Spuddy :o I did say previously, that if I were the type of person that held proper parties, not impromptu bottle of wine etc., of course I wouldn't expect you take of your posh shoes, in my OP I was actually talking about visitor who had stopped by after walking, wellies etc.

I respect your opinion, atleast you stuck to your guns and left.

When I visit Japanese friends I take off my shoes automatically, everyone does. So what's so hard about doing it when visiting people who are not Japanese? Guests have obligations as well as hosts.

When I visit Spanish friends I say hello in Spanish. Wouldn't be hard to do that when I visit other friends too.
But why on earth would I? A very odd line of reasoning Tinkertitonk!

A fale comparison Igggi. You'd say hello in Spanish if they wanted you to.

I would, but I would be uncomfortable and think they were odd. Exactly how I feel if asked to take my shoes off.

I would, but I would be uncomfortable and think they were odd. Exactly how I feel if asked to take my shoes off.

I would defo take off wellies OP as they make my feet sweat (yup - i'm well sexy)! In fact i often feel rude if i go to someones house for a weekend and get comfy and want to sit with my shoes off (in case my feet smell).
One friend has such stinky feet when she comes round she automatically takes her shoes off, puts them outside and locks herself in the bathroom while she washes her feet.