Shoes on or shoes off?

[Asheyr]

I often hear how no shoes in the house is a stereotypically Asian thing.

We have had a lot of plumbers, builders and estate agents in and they have without fail all taken off their shoes unprompted. Even the Estate agent lads in their very early 20s.

Our pales floors are currently spotless as we are selling so that may encourage this.

We are no shoes mostly but occasionally allow shoes in the kitchen if we are going back out/doing a big bin job.

What about you?

Shoes off. Not Asian but Scandinavian.. always took shoes off when we came inside or went to other peoples home.

Dh took years to learn (British) odd as he sats he prefers it.

Shoes (including wellies or hiking boots) on. But I have hard floors and consider carpets to be both naff and somewhat disgusting.

We take ours off for comfort, don't care what guests do.

Definitely cultural. Where I'm from it would be seen as very rude to expect your guests to remove their shoes, and ridiculous to have flooring that can't be walked on (notions).

DC have a few friends whose parents are strictly shoes off, I hate that tbh and feel uncomfortable sitting there in my socks and wobbling in the hall getting them on and off.

Also hate when people take theirs off coming into our house but if they want to then I don't stop them obviously.

Shoes off. Culturally in my home country, it’s seen as very dirty to wear shoes inside.

I keep slippers for guests, and a shoe rack for them to put their shoes on.

I don't care. Take your shoes off or leave them on. Whatever people are comfortable with. Although tbh I'd rather not see peoples bare feet. The thought of wearing manky old slippers from a slipper basket makes me laugh though.

Only shoes? I make anyone who's been on bus, train or taxi that day change into a shorts and t shirt set that I supply.

I have a friend who insists on shoes off. She has very chilly tiles in her kitchen so i sit there with freezing feet whilst her and her family have lovely warm slippers on

Don't care what others do, I wear slippers in the house

I probably wouldn't want pale floors so would see it as an extra expense to get them changed, nothing to do with shoes, I just don't like them

When we were all young graduates we had a friend who was living in a family apartment for free while he redecorated it for sale. He put in new cream carpets but never hoovered and generally cleaned to the standard of a clueless young guy. The feel of the dust and crumbs underfoot in my pop socks when I'd come from work

Shoes on. Cannot bear shoes off.

@Sunquest They aren’t manky they are hotel slippers, guests get their own fresh pair. I label the bottoms with the person’s name so that they are ready the next time they visit.

Obviously these are my good friends who regularly visit. I have cheaper versions for tradesmen etc, I bought both the nice and cheap versions off a hotel supplier.

Because it's actually better for your feet to not be in shoes all the time ! It's also cleaner as outside dirt doesn't end up indoors. Even if your floors are hard and easy to clean... Why create more work for yourself

Shoes on. I don't want to have to take my shoes off in someone else's house. I'd probably avoid going round. And my DHs feet are pretty awful - who on earth wants him in his socks round their place?

Feet smell.

I'd definitely avoid going round to someones house who made me wear slippers.

No shoes upstairs.
No football boots downstairs but otherwise, knock yourself out.

I think this is generational in the UK. Family of my parents’ generation (70s) are all shoes on. Friends and family of mine (30-45) are invariably shoes off, as are we. It’s just so unhygienic to wear them in the house. Having said this, for a bbq where we’re in and out then shoes on is ok, we just clean the floors the following day.

@Sunquest lucky you aren’t invited then 🤣. Guests don’t have to wear slippers, one of my friends just prefers to wear socks. I just don’t allow shoes on in my home. I warn people before they come over, so no one’s being ambushed 😅

Seriously though, this is the norm in my home country and in large parts of the world. Are you always so inflexible? Or not particularly well traveled outside Europe?

I lived in Asia, and we all had a pile of shoes outside the front door.
Our apartment was small with tiled flooring, so it was quick to clean, so shoes off wasn't enforced .
Back in the UK now and new carpets throughout the house means shoes are definitely off. Teenager however doesn't always think this applies to him 🤔 🙄.

I’ve never expected to have anyone take off shoes in my house. I don’t, can’t see the need to do so. Don’t you use a vacuum to clean the floors?

Off. I have twins who are crawling so it’s a hygiene thing. I don’t have the time or inclination to mop / hoover every day.

I just care more about my friends comfort than my floors.

@Sunquest how is it uncomfortable not to wear shoes? I truly don’t get it. I love taking my shoes off when I get home.

But luckily we aren’t friends and my friends all really enjoy the novelty of having their own slippers, except one dear friend who relishes the opportunity to show off his mismatched novelty socks.

Shoes off! We’re a farming family, if people were coming in from the farmyard with their shoes on, our house would be a shithole! DH and I both wear slippers in the house, and close family members who visit a lot also have their own slippers here.

I take my shoes off at home but that's for my comfort. I'll happily take the bins out in my slippers or take a shopping bag to the kitchen in shoes.

In other people's houses, I want to keep my shoes on. I don't feel comfortable in bare feet in someone else's house. I'll take them off if I'm forced to, but it does annoy me. It's rude to ask someone to get their feet out.