How to ask for shoes off!

[RudolphRed]

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 🥰

I've had it the other way around, took shoes off at the door and host asked me to put them back on. I refused as I don't want to wear shoes indoors.

Imagine going to Buckingham Palace and the King asking you to remove your shoes?

Well - they have hordes of servants to wipe up mess and a bottomless pit of taxpayers money to replace damaged floors. Besides - said King and crew expect visitors to bow and scrape to them, far ruder, insulting and pointless - besides - most people are not invited to Buck Palace shoes or not unless they pay for visitor days.

You can’t understand how everyone’s house is not exactly the same as Buckingham Palace? And a Christmas drinks party isn’t the same as a reception hosted by the actual king of England..?

For real?

What happened to my house, my rules? That’s unbelievably rude.

Tell them beforehand. But why host if you're that worried?

It’s really not, if the shoes are clean.
In my heels, there is less than 20cm sqd surface area, a baby wipe if necessary … 😐 would clean them off in 10 seconds flat (if indeed a decent doormat didn’t do that same job)

I've been brought up to take my shoes off in anyone's house, surely that's normal?! I did have a message from friends who were hosting some Christmas drinks asking me not to wear stilettos as they were not asking people to take their shoes off that particular time, I was planning on taking my slippers anyway which I go to lots of friends houses!

I've never gone into someone's house and not taken my shoes off, its automatic here.

Yes, same here. Ever since being a teenager, it was just automatic to take off shoes when going into friends' homes. I've always offered to do the same when visiting clients in my job over the last 40 years too! It's normal and most people are happy to do it.

Taking your shoes off if you are over for a quick coffee is one thing. Taking your shoes off at a house party is not the same at all surely . I gave never ever been asked to , or had it suggested that a take my shoes off at a drinks party or dinner party. I just can’t imagine it at all .

Text them all advise it’s shoes off in case you want to bring slippers

Do people take their shoes off at weddings or wakes held at the family home , do you actually bother to buy smart shoes or just have boots and trainers and slippers . Genuine question because it just seems if you never wear shoes inside you wouldn’t need them .

'Would you mind taking your shoes off please?'

I don't think you can ask people to remove their shoes at a party, that's just odd? Imagine planning an outfit for an event then being asked to remove part of it 🙃

But those heels can do a bit of damage to newly-laid wooden floors if they are stilettos which is a bigger concern to me than what’s on the soles

Not at heels are stilettos!

Dogs, kids, toys, day to day life will do way more damage than two hours of a few pairs heels.

Honestly.

Why do some people even entertain?

What about your sofas? Would you
cover those up too?

You’re saying the floor is more important than your guests comfort.

It’s rude and very bad hosting.

Really? I've genuinely never been to a house where you're expected to take them off.

I do recall a friends new wood floor getting seriously damaged by stiletto heels. She was very upset indeed.

I would think it rude if I was asked at the door ... but we have wooden floors downstairs and I am more than happy for gusts to keep their shoes on. I recently received a very politely worded email prior to going to someone's house with a suggestion to bring slippers which I thought was very tactful.

Do you have pets OP .. do they wash their paws ever time they come in? I hate being touched by pets ... personally I find that really disgusting but manage to avoid going to homes with pets .

You've obviously not had someone trample dog poo into your carpet

I think if you're asking people to an evening party at Christmas, most people will see that as at least a moderately dressy occasion, so if you're thinking slippers casual, tell people in advance.

I honestly despair at people who consider it RUDE to nicely be asked to take their shoes off to protect the flooring inside. It’s FAR more rude to assume the host wants mud and leaves all over the house!

OP I think it’s a good idea to let people know beforehand due to the mixed responses on here. That way if the going out shoes are so terribly important, they have an option of wearing something else entirely. Heads ups are always good!

I find “shoes off please” works

Why does keeping shoes on mean mud and leaves all over the house?

Are your friends like dogs?? Just ploughing into your house without wiping their feet?

Who walks around with leaves stuck to their feet?

What kind of people do you know and what do they wear to a party?