Your House: Shoes on or Off?? (how much, cold, damage, better)

[scorp200]

I have a dog and am not the neatest person in the world...the last thing I'd be worried about is people's shoes in my place, though I do take off my own and leave them at the door.

I personally hate it when I'm asked to take my shoes off - it makes me feel like an intruder and like I should also watch how I sit on their sofa, or something! Also, I once went to a party with some people where we all had to take our shoes off - this one guy had the absolute smelliest feet I have ever smelled in my life; it was completely overpowering. The guy was mortified and so was everyone else, and really the party did not go well.

As for smoking - nobody can smoke in my apartment, and that includes me (because unfortunately I started again)

[Stripes17]

Let me preface this by saying there is no right or wrong answer to the topic.

I do not ask guests to remove their shoes in my home. I'd rather take a chance on their wiped shoe sole versus whatever they brought in on their bare or stocking foot. (Not too mention odds are whatever stays on a sock or slipper after they visit the bathroom in the house will "hang on" more than on a leather or rubber shoe sole.)

When I visit others, I will not remove my shoes unless asked to. Even then I'll be sure to have a great time that visit because I will not be going back there again.

I wouldn't make a scene, but due to my feelings on the matter, I would just politely decline future invites and offer to meet at restaurants or clubs rather than in our homes.

[m00se]

Originally Posted by Prettygyrl777

This is funny but I'm facing a bit of a dilemma..... My first visitors are coming to see me in my new place and I'm not sure if I should use the 'shoes off' or 'shoes on' rules with them. I have very light tan carpeting and white rugs in certain areas. Besides that, I LOVE to just lounge on the floor so I never walk around with shoes on. I have indoor slippers or something comfy like that to wear.

How do you (politely) enforce that rule? Should I just hold my breath during the visit and then vacuum like a mad woman after they leave? I'm always prepared to take my shoes off when I visit someones home but some people are put out by that and are kind of icked out at the thought of it. I don't want to put anyone on the spot, either.

How would you handle this?

I'd never ask a guest to remove their shoes unless they are entering my master bath/bedroom. Heck, some people's shoes may well be more sanitary than their feet, especially in Dallas where the sole of a shoe basically trods from home to vehicle to some indoor place.

[Lereca]

Everyone who comes to my home knows they have to take off their shoes. I tell them no shoes past the entry. They are not offended I have little kids and I don't want someone's gross shoe on my floors where my kids play.

[emdotjaydot]

All you have to do is greet them outside the home. When you all walk in together, stop in front of them and blatantly take off your shoes. If your guests would not feel extremely uncomfortable by doing so, they will follow your lead. However, don't be surprised if someone is offended by this. Most likely, if its snowy or raining they'll take their shoes off because they know they are dirty, but otherwise shoes just don't get that dirty. These are not kids coming home from soccer practice (I hope).

Relax. I get it, I'm a neat freak too, but be normal, and don't freak them out. You want them to feel comfortable, and if they know you are such a neat freak, they are going to be worried they will spill something or do something wrong the entire time they are there.

Once I went to a new friends house for a poker night, and my friend's wife asked me to take off my shoes before I even entered the house, and wash my hands before I handled the cards!!! I never went back! WEIRD PEOPLE.

[arguy1973]

we have no carpet in our house, since two years ago, so it doesnt matter now. (all vinyl)

[JFRRACING]

I can not beleave this thread is still going strong. there are so many opinions. rock on with your shoes on or off. you can dance either way right ?

[eggalegga]

I keep all my shoes in the garage and when I leave I put on a pair, when I get home they get taken off and left in the garage. When people visit, they most likely use my front door. Most of my friends and family know to remove their shoes after they come in the front door.

I have oatmeal berber carpet so the dirt shows quite easily. My carpet was somewhat worn when I bought my house almost 10 years ago. It really does need to be replaced so I'm not much of a stickler about the shoe thing. I just hate wearing them in the house so I don't.

[zanna vaida]

Originally Posted by JFRRACING

I can not beleave this thread is still going strong. there are so many opinions. rock on with your shoes on or off. you can dance either way right ?

Funny, but nobody mentions slippers. I take shoes off and put slippers on. My friends take shoes off when they visit me and always ask for slippers in the winter time. During the summer time I don't wear slippers. This is cultural. I'm originally from Ukraine.

[zanna vaida]

Originally Posted by dogmom

I think we are done....

Not quiet. We'll rock'roll. But first, we have to take the shoes off.