Shoes off house

[acornfed]

We are a shoes off house. I've grown up that way, I've lived in countries where that is the norm and with small children
And crawling babies I hate the thought of dog mess being trapsed into my house of which there is plenty around.
I am not a clean freak, my house is not full of precious rugs or floors. We just don't like shoes in our house.
Recently a couple of friends have been noticeably offended that we've asked them to take their shoes off (so politely) before they come in.

Why are people like this?

I went to someone's house this summer she lives in Cornwall and she asked us do we mind taking our shoes off. We all took our shoes off and didn't think nothing of it although we don't take our shoes off in our home. We respected that other people are more houseproud.

I prefer shoes off, I don’t care if people think it’s rude. I actually prefer removing shoes in other people’s homes too as I worry about dirt/germs. Unless their house is REALLY bad. But I’m “common” according to Mumsnet. And I don’t give a shiny shit because it means my carpets (“common” again) stay clean(er) and I don’t have to worry about dog shit/wee/shoe polish/general muck being traipsed through the house.

This current thread may help you
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3442582-To-think-some-people-are-a-bit-precious-about-shoes-in-house

Why are people like this? Because other people come from families or cultures where it is rude to take your shoes off in someone else's house, and it rather feels like taking clothes off and wandering around in underwear.

Just because people don't think the same way as you doesn't mean that they're irrational.

Because I might have holes in my socks, because I might get cold feet, because I feel comfortable wearing shoes and not fully dressed without them. I probably will take my shoes off for you, if you ask nicely, but I won't be comfortable in your house like that. Because it's not what I'm used to. People are different and THAT'S OKAY.

YANBU. How are holes in socks worse than traipsing around someone's home in outdoor shoes?

I have serious chronic athletes foot. I'd be very happy to take my shoes off in your house - but you might prefer me not to...

With the amount of dog shit scattered and spread all over pavements by people who stepped into it, then the other who stepped into that and so on until you can barely see it but it is still very much there, I am surprised anyone has outdoor shoes on at home.
But I grew up in a country where you don't even have to ask for your guests to take shoes off.

Honestly I know this has been done to death on MN but two threads at the same time seems unnecessary

Sorry I didn't mean "why are people like this" in an aggressive way. I just mean genuinely, what are the issues that people have with it.

I wonder if it's not as common over here in Ireland. I've never been asked to take mine off. Weve a dog and a cat amd all sorts in our place though. Shoes off wouldn't make much difference

I don’t like taking my shoes off in other people’s houses. I was not brought up that way at home and it would be rude and overly intimate to ask. It is also considered a bit naff.

I also grew up in Asia for a while where it was normal in other people’s houses. So I recognise there are different cultural approaches.

But, honestly, I do think it is very bourgeois. I always judge - it’s in built. I have been to drinks parties with people standing around in their socks - so super naff. I’ll do what the host wants of course but I think it is strange.

Why do people who make you take off your shoes assume they're covered in shit?

For most of my 50 years we've had this thing called a doormat. You stand on it and wipe your feet clean before you come in. That seems to stop it.

For most of my 50 years we've had this thing called a doormat. You stand on it and wipe your feet clean before you come in. That seems to stop it. Works as well as just wiping your hands on a towel after wiping your bum.

We are loosely a shoes off household as we live on a muddy lane and I don’t want to spend my life mopping floors but I’m not totally anal about it. If a workman comes over to do a job for example, I won’t be forcing them to do plumbing in their socks or anything!

More to the point, why can people not discuss this issue ever??

I’m a shoes off house, but say to me ‘do you mind if I keep them on?’ And I’m cool. I don’t want daily shoes traipsing everywhere and the clean up, but the occasional pair of shoes being worn round the house doesn’t bother me at all. I bet loads of people are like me

Never been asked to take my shoes off and never ask people to do it. If someone did it without being asked I’d think they were being a bit rude and overfamiliar.

Grew up in a shoes off home - we always had slippers. Lots of carpet at my parents house so it makes sense. It's also cultural & it's silly to worry about holes in your socks or cold etc - we have heating!

I work for the NHS in the community and am in and out of peoples houses all day and often end up sat doing what I need to do on their living room floors.
I definitely prefer to keep my shoes on especially towards the end of a busy day where I've been on my feet.

We shouldn't really take our shoes off because if something was to happen in the house, ie confrontation or a safety risk it could slow down our exit from the property, with that in mind though I'd never refuse if a parent asked me to take my shoes off in their home. Each to their own I suppose!

Shoes off definitely. My mum was never really fussy with shoes off whilst growing up but I live in a village which has a major dog poo problem! It’s turned me crazy. I pull all shoes off as my children get in the door way then spray disenfectsnt on my mat then regularly scrub and wash my mats!!

Carpets stay cleaner when no shoes are allowed in the house!

We don't have carpet downstairs so I don't mind too much but if we're upstairs to our living room yes shoes off.
Oddly, I really hate people wearing shoes indoors because it makes me feel like they're about to leave so with family and close friends I do demand ask them to take shoes off.

Doesn’t bother me either way tbh, but when visiting shoes off friends I make sure I’m wearing nice socks 😉

In some countries the host will have an array of washable slippers in various sizes for guests to use....

I like this idea and one day I might actually get round to.doing it

I would never say anything to you, it's your home, your rules but I cringe and I judge.

I genuinely don't understand why people prefer having a home which is unpractical. Carpets are ridiculously unhygienic, you might be shoes-off, but there's still dust. Look at the mess when you remove a carpet, it's disgusting. It also sound like so much fuss to worry about your floors constantly.

I don't lick mine, so they don't really need to be sterile. If someone drops a glass of red wine, or my kids make a play-doh mess, it doesn't matter. We wipe them clean, and move on. If we have a sick bug in the house, a quick wipe with bleach, zoflora or other and we move on.

What I absolutely hate is people who insist on taking off their shoes in my home. I don't like feet, and in the summer seeing someone bare feet walking on my floor makes me very uncomfortable. I have been knows to disinfect the floor after the worst offenders left. The idea of this happening on carpets is too gross, sorry.

I know people who are shoes off, for hygiene reason, but see nothing wrong in having a loo in their bathroom. The idea of someone having a poop next to the sink where I brush my teeth is much more disturbing than someone walking with shoes on a floor designed to do just that, walk. The handbag you put on the floor, the coat you were wearing outside, they are just as bad as your shoes. It's weird.

We are a shoes off house and we take our shoes off at other peoples houses or at least ask if they would like us to.