Taking off shoes

[Dolcelatte]

AIBU to wonder what the etiquette is for removing shoes when you go to someone's house? Obviously you would remove dirty boots or trainers but what about kitten heels or more everyday footwear? I know that in certain cultures it is customary to remove footwear but would you do it as a general rule? I have noticed that some people do and some people don't (I don't actually mind at my house - I already have children and dogs to ensure that the floor receives plenty of cleaning!). Just wondering....

I don't see keeping carpets clean from guests walking across them as something to aspire to tbh. So yes I do think the feelings of my guests are more important.

Eppa would you honestly rate your desire to keep floors clean as equivalent to Sleepless' health issues??

Bunnaker all my jeans are too long on me if shoes are removed - it's not just about fancy footwear!

i tend to ask when going to someone elses home if they want me to take my shoes off although i normally can pre-guess which people are more likely to ask me to. laid back types such as myself don't seem to mind, the more house proud do. i never ask anyone to take their shoes off UNLESS they are dd or her friends, as they are more likely to walk in dog doo as has often been the case int he past :)

I have found on previous threads like this that peoiple who want others to always remove shoes do indeed put anyone else's issues such as health and embarassment above having clean floors. Sorry if that is not the case here. But I strongly suspect that the people who insist on shoes off will not be willing to compromise for any guest.

igggi sorry, I didn't realise, the thought wouldn't have occurred to me. I only wear heels to work. Same as my friends - we all tend to wear flats with jeans for normal day to day wear.

I think it's weird to take your shoes off.
I'd never come across it up north or in Wales. Muddy shoes yes, new bedroom carpets yes, but down stairs in general no. Shoes stayed on. Nothing like everywhere had central heating and housers were nothing like as warm as today.

I hate taking my shoes of and have been known to wear two pairs of socks to houses I know will be cold. Taking slippers feels rude it like shouting "turn your heating up!"

Nope dont do it here and wouldnt ask others to do either.

I have one friend that makes you take them off at the door cos she has oatmeal carpets no other reason than that.

I always check at the door for the pile of shoes to see what's done in that house and follow what they do.
DH and I never wear shoes at home simply because we both prefer to be barefoot.
I agree it's an age related thing. I don't know of any older people who do this, it's certainly not something I encountered growing up.

Would.never ask an adult to do it - the very height of rudeness. If someone knew they'd trod in dog shite on the way over I'd trust they'd have the sense to take the shoes off.

A child that had been playing in mud - probably.

Bunbaker the heels on my ordinary "walking" shoes make all the difference when you're a short arse like me!

I should probably say that although we're a barefoot house, it wouldn't occur to me to insist others remove their shoes. I'd expect them to do what is most comfortable for them.

We once had a friend come stay with us for three months. A little while after he left, he came to visit for the afternoon with a friend of his and I heard him say as he came in, 'Pod has one of those houses where you have to take your shoes off and she's quite strict about it.'
I asked him where he'd got that idea and he said it was just because he always saw it was the first thing DH and I did when we went through the door.
I had no idea that for all the months he stayed with us he thought it was something I insisted on.

eppa I learnt something too!

I realise that people wouldn't know about my health condition but will continue to be shocked that an elderly person would have to remove their shoes. That's incredible. Wouldn't it be awkward watching someone in pain or discomfort removing their shoes?

Still can't believe this thread!

Is it to do with the trend for pale carpets to make rooms look bigger and flooring that is easily damaged?

Bring back dark brown speckledy carpets!

Or sanded floorboards stained dark brown if dust mites are a concern.

I'm surprised at the surprise of other people on here.

I always take my shoes off when I visit, sometimes I'll keep them on if they say it's OK. If the host has cream carpets I'll take them off even if they say it's fine. I feel more comfortable with my shoes off when I'm indoors.

We have wooden floors here so we're not bothered. Our floors are FREEZING so I usually try and encourage people to keep their shoes on.

We wear shoes indoors and I always feel uncomfortable visiting friends house who require me to remove my shoes. Just doesn't feel right to me.

Just as an observation - the people I know who require shoe removal to enter their house seem to have immaculately tidy 'show' home type houses. People who don't mind about shoes seem to have a more lived in type house.

Can't bear the thought of asking anyone to remove shoes when they are a guest in my home. Nor would I be happy being asked to do so in someone else's - it's just so, well, precious and Hyacinth Bouquet. It's like when people leave those plasticky covers on their furniture - a la Big Fat Gypsy trailer furniture. Ugh. Cringe.

Shoes off makes me cringe. I probably wouldn't go back.

Although I don't ask people to remove their shoes I don't understand why it is such a big deal for most people to be asked. I realise from this thread why it is for some. I remove my shoes because a) it is more comfortable and b) I like to curl my legs under me on the settee and wouldn't do that if I was wearing shoes.

Rachel so pleased someone else said that,I have been known not to go back to someone's house because of having to remove shoes

I wouldn't visit anyone who made me remove my shoes either tbh.

I rarely have matching socks under my boots so are at taking shoes off. We automatically take our shoes off when we get in some people follow suit.

I always make children take them off.

I think shoes off if you live there is good to prevent general muckiness building up over time. But occasional guests can't do that much harm surely !

An Irish lady once tol me the story of when she was living in Germany, went to a gathering at someone's house and automatically took her shoes off. They all looked at her in pity, assuming that, being Irish, she wasn't used to wearing proper shoes. We take ours off but I would never ask people to do so. if they do, that is a bonus.