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Original poster

How to ask for shoes off!

233 replies

RudolphRed · 23/12/2022 18:06

I don't want to be 'that person' but we are having a little Christmas Eve get together at our house tomorrow. We've just put every penny we have into a house renovation, so I would really prefer if guests remove their shoes. I always do when I visit people, but is there a diplomatic way to ask if they don't? I'm not usually super fussy, but we've spent so much getting our home nice, I could really do without a lot of dirty shoes traipsing through and it's given heavy rain all morning to make matters worse!
If you're just going to make a snide remark, please don't bother replying to my post - helpful answers only please. Thankyou 🥰

OP posts:
ScruffGin · 23/12/2022 18:07

Just don't be wearing yours, and have a pile of shoes by the front door... Everyone will take them off then! 😂

Merlott · 23/12/2022 18:07

Just tell them!

Montague22 · 23/12/2022 18:08

Maybe get a basket or mat and just say, ‘I’ll take your coats and your shoes can go there’
Have some plain socks though if people have bare feet.

GrouchyKiwi · 23/12/2022 18:08

"Please take off your shoes as we've just renovated. Thank you."

londonrach · 23/12/2022 18:08

Just tell them. I don't know anyone who wears shoes in side and I'm a home visiting health profession so slip mine off at every house.

Mulledwineandberries · 23/12/2022 18:08

‘Hi Linda and Dave, happy Christmas, come on in, you can leave your shoes there and come through to the kitchen/lounge’

Watto1 · 23/12/2022 18:08

I find if you answer the door in bare feet or slippers, guests tend to ask if you’d like them to take your shoes off. I wouldn’t be offended if asked to remove shoes. I’m quite precious over my parquet flooring myself!

Watto1 · 23/12/2022 18:10

*their shoes

chipsandpeas · 23/12/2022 18:11

either tell people in advance or have plenty of socks to offer in case they arent wearing any

TeaAddict235 · 23/12/2022 18:11

Having lived in Germany for a looooong time, hosts often have guest slippers (worn with socks) at the door, and the guest is presented with the guest slippers on arrival. OR the guest is asked to bring along their own slippers.

It is called common decency

666roses · 23/12/2022 18:12

My friend has got new carpet this year, he saved very hard to get it and he asked us to take our shoes off, and of course we did it's not an issue as it's his home, I'm not fussed but that's my home.
I can totally see that you want things to stay nice as long as possible so it really shouldn't be an issue with your friends.

bellac11 · 23/12/2022 18:14

Tell people to wear socks so they know in advance, I wouldnt want to be putting on communal slippers.

BrookieButter · 23/12/2022 18:15

I’d find it odd if people didn’t just automatically remove their shoes, if they don’t then they’re the rude ones so a quick ‘please remove your shoes’ should do it

caringcarer · 23/12/2022 18:16

Just have some clean socks for people to wear if they are not wearing socks. I would not mind taking off my does but I would not be wearing socks. I'd bring some if warned in advance.

xmaslurgy · 23/12/2022 18:17

Say - can you put your shoes over there please and point them in the direction of shoe pile

Summer2424 · 23/12/2022 18:17

Hi @RudolphRed
We also like to have guests take their shoes off.
We line up a whole load of nice sliders, slippers for guests to wear and the guests are happy to oblige.

hopeishere · 23/12/2022 18:19

Is it a party? If I was all dressed up and was then asked to take my shoes off I'd not be happy. I'd rather know and plan my outfit accordingly.

If you have a decent door mat people's shoes should be clean.

Delectable · 23/12/2022 18:21

Absolutely tell them. Anyone worthy of an invite will keep your home. Clean as you've requested. We cleaned our living room rug for £300 and I ask guests to remove their shoes before they get there.

BabyFour2023 · 23/12/2022 18:22

Just guide them; “you can just leave your shoes in the hallway and I’ll take your coat”

DriftwoodOnTheShore · 23/12/2022 18:23

It's rude to ask people to remove their shoes. Get a doormat.

DillDanding · 23/12/2022 18:24

Summer2424 · 23/12/2022 18:17

Hi @RudolphRed
We also like to have guests take their shoes off.
We line up a whole load of nice sliders, slippers for guests to wear and the guests are happy to oblige.

The idea of wearing slippers or sliders that others have worn is somewhat revolting to me. I’d rather go barefoot.

We had a party last night. Everyone glammed up. No way would I expect them then to remove their shoes. Get a decent doormat or if you must ask guests to remove shoes, tell them in advance so they don’t dress up and end up looking incongruous.

Blossomtoes · 23/12/2022 18:25

Warn people in advance so they can bring suitable shoes they don’t wear outdoors with them. I hate being shoeless and have a pair that have only ever been worn indoors for shoeless households.

LimeTwists · 23/12/2022 18:25

‘Would you mind taking your shoes off? We‘VE just got new carpets.’ Or, ‘we’ve got a little corner there for shoes. Thanks.’

Quincythequince · 23/12/2022 18:25

Just buy a really big new doormat and make a point of asking people to wipe their feet properly.

I mean we don’t tend to ask for shoes off in our house, but then all our guests stil wipe their shoes on the mat provided.

Honestly, shoes off at a big social gathering (unless it’s family on) is a bit off.

Ever seen that episode of sex in the city 😆

TidyDancer · 23/12/2022 18:26

You shouldn't spring this on them at the door. Tell them in advance.

What kind of gathering is it? I think if it's a full on party where people have dressed up it's likely they have planned a proper outfit including shoes so you need to give warning.

This does polarise opinion on Mumsnet btw, it's come up before and gets quite heated!