AIBU not to remove shoes in the home

[Illtellyouwhatswhat10]

Generally we don't ask guests to remove their shoes, and my SIL said she doesn't either. We both agreed that when you go to the trouble to put on a nice outfit, it's ruined when you have to take off your footwear. SIL added that as we both have tiled/wooden floors in downstairs room why would you ask guests to, anyway?

And another thing, it's often not nice to be barefoot in someone else's home (at least in your own place you have your own slippers) and I'm aware that some people may feel conscious about smelly feet/odd unsightly feet/verrucas. Even if hosts provide slippers, would you want to wear something that's been worn by someone else?

I can understand both sides of the argument. I don't know if the germs thing is all that justified though. We wear shoes in shops, we wear shoes in restaurants, we wear shoes in the office, etc. and we don't spend our whole life worrying about the germs on the floor. (probably because it's not like we eat off the floor or anything, so a few germs down there isn't a big deal).

Also, you should probably mop your floor every now and then with a bit of bleach anyway, whether you wear shoes in the house or not.

I don't wear shoes indoors and prefer guests not to, but if they seem reluctant to take them off then I let it slide. I don't really understand why people want to wear shoes indoors. Hygiene aside, isn't it difficult to relax? I'd find it like trying to get comfortable on the sofa whilst still wearing my coat and gloves and hat. Unless it's a house party where you'll be doing a lot of standing and mingling then surely it's nicer to relax without shoes?

MN is so weird. All these people saying it's revolting not taking your shoes off indoors - yet so often I've seen threads accusing people who take their shoes off at work of being disgusting. Surely if bare feet or fees in tights or socks are not only acceptable but required at home, they can't be utterly disgusting in an office environment?

Megatherium

Great point! Basically, most people find most things disgusting these days!

I try to follow House rules, but wear shoes in my own house.
Just a thought, of you have pets what about them? Do you take off your shoes but let the cat come in regardless or is it unclean to have pets too?

I hate being asked to remove my shoes but if I feel that there is the slightest chance that this will be the case I take my own slippers with me. Especially so as one of my friends has a fairly grubby carpet and I think it's objectionable to walk around in my socks - I don't know what I'm going to pick up!
Most of my friends aren't that fussy thank goodness.

'But if you're dirty enough to wear outdoor shoes inside I really don't see why you'd fuss about wearing slippers that have been pre worn.'

Ugh. What a twatty thing to say. Who do you think you are to tell people they're 'dirty' because they don't have some tedious obsession with germs? There really are an alarming amount of people on MN who love nothing more than to feign horror because someone else keeps their shoes on indoors, doesn't change their sheets on a daily basis, doesn't spray themselves with bleach after touching another human.

Perhaps you should try to pay half as much attention to your manners as you do your floors. And maybe start teaching your child about manners too.

Shoes off in our house even though we are 50% wood floor downstairs. I thought most people did this? However I don't ask guests to remove shoes rather just assume they will. It's funny actually as I wasn't brought up like this and my Dad drives me mad when he visits as he never takes his shoes off come rain or shine!
Then it got me thinking- I do home visits as part of my job and I don't always remove my shoes - I tend to see what others do in the house. Maybe I'm a bit hypocritical then?!

PrettyGoodLife Pets are unclean. I don't, and will never, have any of them.

I find it utterly revolting that people let their cats walk over their kitchen surfaces where they make food, and don't get me started on litter trays being in the kitchen. It's truly vile.

I don't get why people care so much. I will do it if I'm asked to when visiting someone's home. secretly rather I didn't have to I'd probably suggest meeting outside the home for future.

My house is a shoes are ok type of place, I expect people to respect my house enough to not tread in things on their shoes like shit etc Iv not got small children so the germs aren't an issue or not an issue that's ever made me Ill so I can't bring myself to care.

To add though we generally don't wear shoes in the house but that's a comfort thing.

Good job I'll never have to go to your germ ridden house Mitzi.

Good job indeed. I have a strict 'no bores and no ill mannered kids' rule.

You sound like such a peach.

I have a mulberry tree in my backyard and a carpeted upstairs. The horrible stains quickly got me in a habit of putting mine at the foot of the stairs.

But when guests come, they come in the front door, see the shoes bin and take theirs off. That, I find odd. Like they're getting a little too comfy. Funny.
Downstairs is hardwood and cleaned twice a week, no need really...

We wear shoes in shops, we wear shoes in restaurants, we wear shoes in the office, etc. and we don't spend our whole life worrying about the germs on the floor.

Personally I don't usually sit on a restaurant floor to play puzzles/build lego with my kids, or walk around with bare feet.

Love the idea about keeping slippers out. I always take them from hotels (along with the bath gel), but never use them. For guests is a great idea!

We take our shoes off at home, but if I've forgotten something and need to run back in, I don't hesitate to leave them on.

I always offer to take shoes off when I go round to other people's, but only because I know some people are precious about it.

If people offer to take shoes off when they come to ours, I tell them not to bother. Some still do, some don't.

The floors are wooden and old - they can take it! And besides, they're vacuumed and mopped regularly.

Prioritising floors over guests is crass. And the less said about 'guest slippers', the better!

What about in winter, or when it's pouring rain? Do you wear your rubber boots or snow boots inside? Or is it just a seasonal thing?
In my house, shoes off! I don't want road salt/ snow/ dirt/leaves/etc tracked through on my new hardwood.
We have a box of slippers and if you need to, you can help yourself.

Could never understand British attitude to carpets - outdoor shoes indoors, and carpets in the bathroom? WTF? So dirty.

We wear shoes indoors but follow the preference of the host when visiting others (even though I secretly hate going barefoot at parties)

It is entirely up to other people what rules they have in their own homes but I don't really understand the germs argument.

Our shoes are clean (i.e. Not muddy or dirty) the carpets are regularly vacuumed and cleaned. We are a really healthy family, things like tummy bugs are incredibly rare despite our shoe wearing.

I always find it particularly puzzling when dog and cat owners demand shoes off for hygiene reasons. Plus I hate getting cat and dog hair on my tights!

Even if hosts provide slippers, would you want to wear something that's been worn by someone else

Absolutely not. What a disgusting and revolting idea. When I'm buying new shoes I always ask the assistant for a new, unworn pair. The idea of wearing previously worn footwear makes my stomach churn.

I absolutely hate wearing shoes. I never wear them at home, inside or out, or in the car. So, if I'm going out and I put my shoes on after being outside, then was asked to take the shoes off in someone else's house, I'm still tracking "dirt and germs" on their floor, which kind of defeats the purpose of removing shoes in the first place. But I've never been asked to remove them in someone else's house, so it's all a moot point anyway.

It'd be very weird to walk into a party and see everyone dressed up nicely but then look down and see them in bare or stocking feet, or weirder still, slippered feet (unless it's a pyjama party).

I think that being asked to take off clean shoes, ie shoes with no visible dirt, is rude. And being asked to wear slippers that someone else has worn is grim.

If your carpets are more important to you than your guests then don't invite people round.

Just to add, I went to a party once where all the guests were asked to remove their shoes and it was the number one topic of conversation at the party, behind the hosts back of course. Everyone bonded over their horror at having to take their shoes off. My very short friend, who wears heels all the time, spent the evening having people (men) being amazed at how short she was without her shoes on and felt doubly humiliated.

I provide washable slippers ( at all times I have 3 pairs by the front door) I prefer if guests take off their shoes especially at certain times of they year (snow and mud seasons).
the slippers are washed after each time they are used.