To ask all guests to take shoes off in my house?

[chardonm]

Just that really. A few people seem really put off by that.

My dear sil has to be reminded several times before she takes them off.

I hate the thought of trailing the dirt inside the house.

I would never ask anyone to do that. It is crass.

FrangipaniBlue

I also don't understand why people find being asked to take their shoes off uncomfortable, unless you're a total skank who never washes their feet? confused

Oh don’t be silly. It is not that at all. It is about lack of manners on the part of anyone who expects this.

Much more offensive to me would be someone removing their footwear. Ugh

Parties must be classy events at the houses of the “shoes off” brigade. I am finding it hard to imagine guests looking ridiculous in slippers with evening wear.😂

You don't mind their fungal infections and smelly feet though?

Those are the charming possibilities I would anything to avoid.

...do anything

I don't think i've ever asked anyone to take their shoes off, they've just automatically done it. I'm not precious about my carpets but I'm sure I will be when we eventually save enough to get new ones!

I also take my shoes off in others houses without being asked. I don't like my feet and can't stand them feeling cold so I take socks if I've been wearing flip flops etc.

As for a basket of communal socks...🤮

And yes, it is the very opposite of “pretentious”. It shows that you have no breeding.

Children have always played in floors. 🙄

...on

YADNBU My DD asks guests to take off their shoes when they come in and has a basket of socks or slippers to use as she has oak floors and I for one wouldn't want to be responsible for scratching them.

Imamouseduh

In the UK I think this is a real class identifyer. To me, making guests take shoes off in the house says ‘don’t have a lot of money to replace things so try to keep everything best’.

Yep.

I'm approaching middle aged and I've never encountered this mythical 'basket of socks and slippers' in a real person's house.

And I hope it stays that way. (not envy)

You mustn’t scratch wooden floors!?🤣
Bonkers and the height of stupid.

RoseWhite
As for a basket of communal socks

I even find the basket of bahilas in a changing area of communal swimming pool off-putting.

I would feel uncomfortable asking people to remove their shoes, but that's just me.
I always ask when I enter someone elses house if they want me to remove my shoes (most say "no").
I think it's a choice between dirt from outside or smelly feet/ fungal infections/ veruccas etc etc. No win scenario as far as I can see so I just let people decide for themselves!
Just out of interest do those who ask people to remove shoes have the same rule for all their guests or just family and close friends?
I'd be mortified asking a Health Visitor for example to remove shoes!

Sorry this should read...

Parties must be classy events at the houses of the “shoes off” brigade. I am finding it hard to imagine guests looking elegant in slippers with evening wear.😂

Imagine your local vicar or estate agent called? Would you really ask people who are not family or friends to wear a fetching pair of your delightful communal slippers or socks?

Oh dear

Estate agents facilitate this behaviour. I've had them insist on shoe removal despite being asked not to.

@RoseWhiteTips I remember being shown around a flat with white carpets when I was flat hunting by an estate agent was no shoes on. So yes estate agents will take off their shoes to make a sale. Vicars are suppose to be polite and caring so I suspect they would have no problem either.

In my case and SD case we both have impaired immune systems, and she likes sitting, lying and crawling on the floor. So taking shoes off in our area were there is a dog poo problem makes sense, especially as she caught an infection from someone's floor. My OH thought I was over the top until his daughter caught the infection and he had to look after her. Since we have friends' with babies and toddlers it makes sense in their houses to take shoes off. There as the houses with shoes on policy which all owned by older people, she isn't allowed to sit, lie or crawl on the floor.

Those horrified by the prospect of asking people to remove shoes.

9/10 I never have to ask as when people step into a porch or hallway with built in bench / cupboard and a number of pairs of shoes couple with being greeted at the door by someone not wearing shoes 98% of people with any manners would offer to remove there's.....

It's hardly complicated.

I also think most professionals whose job entails home visits would naturally wear footwear with socks or bring socks to avoid the 'bare foot' issue if it bothers them. Electricians / Workman etc often bring shoe covers to put over their boots.

Each to their own - If people are happy for me to keep shoes on I will respect that but I expect the same in return.

I guess it's all to do with what was 'normal' when you grew up as that becomes your normal. Form our house holds perspective living on a farm outdoor shoes were never worn in the house beyond the porch or hallway.

I'd rather guests took them off, but would never ask. To me it seems unwelcoming and as if you're suggesting they've already done something wrong/are about to do something wrong by walking in with shoes on.

My only exception is the DC's friends. Because they're usually muddy

wizzard of toss It isn't a class thing it is a respect thing, my SiL spent months and months preparing and waxing his floors and I for one respect that it is their house and I should do as they ask. They both automatically remove their shoes in my house even though we don't. Class thing my arse. There is no such thing as class anymore. I love the fact that a young couple like my DD and SiL have respect for their home and the work they have put into making it nice, nothing to do with whether they can afford to replace it or not.

I always just wipe my shoes well on the outside mat but if they remained dirty I'd take them off. I hate taking my shoes off at other people's houses.

I like being at the ready to tuck, duck, and roll out in case of a ninja attack. 🏃‍♀️