I have missed it haven't I?

[mummypleeeaaaasseeee]

It's pretty trivial really. I'll try to be quick.
We take our shoes off at home, usually guests do as well, either they just do it or they ask or i might ask nicely.
We have not long ago moved to a new area, I have made new friends, they have been over twice now and both times I didn't ask them to remove shoes and they didn't, i like them I hope we can become good friends but I really would like them to take shoes off next time
So if twice now I have said nothing (both times i somehow missed the moment), how can i say something now without it being awkward! It's too late! Isn't it?
Btw this is not a debate on whether to wear shoes indoors or not to - different homes different rules, i just wish someone would come up with a perfect way of getting people to take their shoes off without any awkwardness! Anyone?

Leave your shoes in a big mess by the door. Having to step over shoes generally makes people realise that you're not wearing any and they need to take theirs off!

I wouldn't be coming back round to yours if you asked me to take my shoes off.

Second the "just cleaned carpets" excuse.

Ask them to remove next time as you have just cleaned the carpets? Offer them a pair of slippers.
Most people ask me if i want them to remove shoes except my brother who leavea his on. I've relaxed a bit now on this now the kids aren't crawling and we have moppable floors throughout downstairs.

On the 2 occasions they came round did your carpet come to any harm?

Thanks! I used to say that the baby plays on the floor but he's not a baby anymore!
Need new baby!
(Just in case anyone thinks I will have another child just so i can ask people to remove shoes in my home - this was a joke!)
kind of

I certainly don't mean this to appear rude but unless your floor is really really clean you cannot expect people to remove shoes. My rule of thumb is, if it's dirty outside I don't want it inside. Can you just ask would you mind removing shoes? Cleaning the floor is my pet hate, you'd be doing me a favour.

It would depend on how much you want to be friends with them. They are obviously not shoes off people. They may not come again if you tell them to take their shoes off. I wouldn't, it's very rude

Sparkling
No visible stains, no
I just don't like the idea of dog poo from the street potentially ending upon the carpets, rugs or anywhere in the house really.

Do people not take shoes off in other people's house? I do it automatically. I also bring slippers with me to other people's houses in the winter. Maybe I'm weird!

First, you should maybe check to see if you've moved to a "normal" area where people don't take their shoes off when they go indoors.

How on earth is that rude?
My floors are clean. Extra clean if guests are coming

The carpet cleaning excuse will only work so many times. Then you'll have certainly missed the boat and end up looking totally odd when you finally 'confess'.

Just ask them. Most people will do so out of courtesy (the first time) and some will decide to never return to your home again but so be it.

If someone will not want to be friends with be because of this then i guess they were not that invested in the first place!

Actually writing that down made me realise that I should just ask next time. No carpet cleaning excuse, just ask politely and offer slippers (I always have a few packs of unused spa slippers)

Pretty rude of them to not have noticed that you weren't wearing shoes and ask if they should take them off. But I second the pile of shoes by the door suggestion.

Just say it when they pop over "Oh I meant to say to you the last time you were over that we don't wear shoes in the house, would you mind taking yours off and leaving them by the door please?"
On the off chance that they have no socks/long toenails or so other foot issue, do you have any slippers they could use while in the house? Even cheap pairs from Primark might be handy to have as spares for guests...

You can buy signs to put by front door. I have several!

I wouldn't be coming back if you asked me to take my shoes off either. Not only do I find it totally pretentious of people to insist but I have horrendously smelly feet and I would die of embarrassment if I had to take my shoes off.

Jakey
What do your say?

I'd think you were a bit anal if I was asked to remove my shoes. I'd find it quite odd and wouldn't be returning very often.

Interesting blondie that you think it's pretentious!?
I just figure that if i have to hoover AND steam-mop before AND after guests each time then that sort of sucks the joy out of having guests!

"Sorry, I meant to mention it last time, we're a no trousers house. Please take your trousers off and leave them at the door."

I just figure that if i have to hoover AND steam-mop before AND after guests each time then that sort of sucks the joy out of having guests!

You don't have to.

Go and have a look at the bottom of a pair of your shoes. I bet they're not covered in mud and dog shit.

I think it's more and more common for people to take off shoes when they visit others' homes.

I think refusing to ever return is a bit of an overreaction to the request too,