This is our policy, and I see it's normal for some of you here at the board, too. My question to those who have this policy is, how do you let people know this?? It IS awkward to ask people to remove their shoes, especially if one is dressed up or is wearing no socks. I always feel very awkward and usually don't ask them to unless they ask ME if I'd like them to. I then thank them and say we do prefer that as long as they don't mind. We have hardwoods throughout so it's a bit hard because the floors aren't soft or warm like carpet. They're not COLD, either, but they're colder than carpet. And those barefeet can feel every unswept crumb, so sometimes it's risky having barefoot guests!! Also, I'm squeamish about other people's feet, so I HATE barefeet in my house ANYway. But I digress....how do you handle it?? Robin, your new neighbors obviously know your policy, how did you tell them of it, and do they adhere to it? And when you no shoe people enter other people's homes who DO wear shoes, what do you do? I HATE getting my socks dirty in other people's homes who wear shoes, but I also know I can't expect people to take their shoes off in MY house and me not take mine off in THEIR house. One thing I've picked up is that if I start to remove my shoes and they say 'oh no, you don't have to take your shoes off!' I always reply, 'oh we're used to it, we don't wear shoes in our house' or 'are you sure??? because we prefer no shoes in our home so I like to show the same courtesy to others'. This allows me to let the person know MY policy for MY home, without actually being IN my home and in the middle of the situation! (I do the same thing with guns in the house...I have the person to OUR house first for the playdate, then make a point of assuring them there are no guns in the house and giving them a tour to make them feel safe, etc., hoping they will get the hint that it's important for me to know such things)

Now, to those of you who DO wear shoes in the house, how do you REALLY feel about us 'no shoes in the house' people? Do you hate us? Do you resent us asking you to remove your shoes? Do you feel unwelcome? Do you ask first, if you should remove your shoes, or do you just walk in with them on? Tell the truth on how you feel about this!! Thanks!

By Vicki on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 12:07 pm:

I am a not shoes in the house person, how ever, I have never asked someone to take theirs off. I have a basket by the front door with slippers in it and some mens socks...usually people get the hint with that.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 12:08 pm:

We don't usually wear shoes in the house but I'm not anal about it either. I don't expect or ask guests to remove theirs. Life is too short to worry about such things! LOL!

When I go to other peoples' houses I have no problems taking off my shoes, unless I'm wearing sandals. I don't feel comfy going barefoot in someone else's house. It just doesn't seem proper and there are health issues as well. I usually ask if I should take off my shoes. Most times people don't mind either way. I have been in houses when it's obvious people are very strict about the "NO shoes in the house" thing, and I have to be honest and say that I've felt they were being too uptight. JMHO

By Christylee on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:37 pm:

Okay maybe I'm missing something here, if you have hardwood floors is there a reason you don't wear shoes in your house? I could understand if you had brand new carpet but I just don't get it I guess. Here we don't have many houses with hardwood floors so maybe I'm missing out what the purpose is.

By Kate on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:41 pm:

Well, dirt on shoes acts as sandpaper on hardwoods. It slowly scratches the finish away. However, I prefer no shoes more for sanitary reasons. Think about it....the bottoms of your shoes travel to some pretty nasty areas, like public bathroom floors! And hospital/doctor office floors! Public places all day long, not to mention driveway oil/dirt and basic lawn dirt, which can harbor lead which then gets tracked into your house where your children crawl and put their hands in their mouths and play on the floor all day. THAT is my real reason for no shoes, but the fact that my ten year old hardwoods look brand new is a bonus.

By Feona on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:44 pm:

I had some friends that did this. They were oriental. They just said we don't wear shoes in the house. And they would smile. It wasn't a problem. You will have no problem asking kids to remove their shoes.

By Pamt on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:11 pm:

I personally HATE to go barefoot or even in my socks. I simply like the snug feeling of my shoes on. My DH laughs at me because I always wear shoes, even when relaxing in my own house. I certainly wouldn't hate you for asking me to remove my shoes, but I would be a little offended I think (just being honest with my thoughts). I have never asked if I should remove my shoes at someone else's house because it has never been an issue. Usually the person who comes to the door has shoes on too, so I assume it's okay. And what about if you are having a party? Is everyone eating, talking, moving about in stocking feet---can't quite picture that. If removing my shoes was due to cultural reasons then I would have no problem with though. One thought about the sanitation issue---hands are much more likely to harbor germs from wiping your nose, rubbing your eye, touching doorknobs, handling money, etc. I think it would be very awkward to ask someone to wash their hands upon arrival into my home too.

By Mommyathome on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:19 pm:

Yes! The no shoe rule Just like you mentioned Kate....I don't want someone walking through a public bathroom, then stopping by to walk through my living room with the same shoes, and then see my DS rolling around on the floor. Sick.
We mostly "show" the rule rather than tell it. There are usually shoes by the front door. That is the first hint. Sometimes if I know someone "new" is going to be coming by, I'll put my shoes on and be out in the yard doing something when they get there. I'll invite them in, and slip my shoes off on the way in. They are usually quick to follow. That works wonderfully.
With kids, I just tell them point blank. We don't wear shoes in the house. I'm not rude about it....but I want them to follow the rules.
All of our adult friends know "the rule". They have no problem with it.
When we moved here at the first of the month, we were unloading the trailer and the neighbors came by to introduce themselves. They saw the pile of shoes on the front porch. The kids had just kicked them off and went inside. They said jokingly "oh, I see you've found a place for your shoes already .... hahaha" I said..."well, we actually have a no shoe rule at our house". The dad said "oh...I see" and smiled. The wife rolled her eyes and gave me a funny look. I thought....oh great....we've alreay burned one bridge. But, they've been back several times and have been very nice and slipped thier shoes off at the door. Maybe she was just having a bad day?
I have a hard time telling people to take their shoes off.
My DD, however, has no problem telling *me* that someone didn't take their shoes off. Someone will walk in the door and she'll lean over and say loudly enough for them to hear "mom, he didn't take his shoes off!!" The person will usually say something like "oh, do you want me to take them off?" Then I'll say, that would be great, if you don't mind.
I'm not going to lose friends over it or be rude about it....but I would like people to respect my rules.
So mostly, it's by example.
My inlaws have become a no shoes family too. I'm proud to say they got that from me. LOL

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:39 pm:

Well, I tend to take my shoes off when I get home, because I just hate wearing shoes in the house. If it's raining out, I don't want to track mud in my house, so I usually take them off, but I don't care if people wear shoes in my house.

By Janet on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:40 pm:

Well, you did ask for my opinion, LOL...
Yes, I do take offense at it. I don't like it, and I feel that it's placing value of things (floors) above hospitality. To me, it's like the room you were never allowed to play in as a kid, where the sofa was covered with plastic. That said, I must tell you that a dear friend of mine has a "no shoes" policy, and although I've learned to live with it, I still don't like it.

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:40 pm:

LOL, I always thought removing shoes in the house was something Oriental cultures did. I guess I need to get out more often.

I'm not anal about that and I guess the main reason is that my Dad owns a carpet business so if I need them shampooed or just need new carpet I call "Daddy" up and he sends over one of the guys. And i've got a whole stock of stain removers etc.. from my Dad as well. Theres more in my life to worry about than a few spots on the carpet. Hardwood floors I understand more because they can be expensive but i'd never ask someone to take off their shoes. I have a few friends that do just so they can relax and be comfortable here but i'm one to wear my shoes all the time too. Everytime my Dad visits he jokes with me and says, "Why don't you take your shoes off and stay a while?" He's always teased me about that.

By Mommmie on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 03:02 pm:

Okay, you wanted truth. Here's my opinion -

I think a no shoes in the house rule is weird. It's like keeping plastic on a couch or on a lamp shade or putting a plastic runner down your hallway. It's very uninviting to me and tells me, "Look out, family with a lot of uptight rules."

That's I how really feel about it.

I have a lot of neighborhood kids who have been trained by their parents to take their shoes off when they go in anybody's house. It's not uncommon for me to have 12 shoes in my entry hall that I trip over. I just don't get it. I don't know if they have that rule in their own houses - the kids only want to play here and nowhere else. Wonder if there's a connection.

I have one neighbor who a while back had this rule and she told me about it and I just decided to stay out of her house. We could chat out front on the sidewalk. Her sons are teenagers now and the rule is not there anymore I hear. She has bigger fish to fry, I guess.

When I was growing up no one I knew had this rule. I first heard of it from that one neighbor about 8 years ago.

What if you have a suit on and you're wearing hose? I would be afraid of getting a run walking around without shoes.

And have you ever stepped on a Lego barefoot??

By Debbie on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 03:29 pm:

We have "no shoes" in the house for our family only. I would never ask visitors to take off their shoes. The main reason that we take our shoes off is because we have a blacktop driveway which causes us to bring in lots of black residue. Also, when it snows, all the salt that they put down will ruin the finish on our hardwood floors. I never really thought about it before, but all the dks from our neighborhood take their shoes off when they come in my house. I have never asked them too, they just do. I do tell my boys to take theirs off when they go to the neighbors. I would never ask anyone coming into my house to do it. I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. If they do great. If they don't, no big deal.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 04:33 pm:

Here is my honest opinion. I find it very rude when people walk into any house and don't ask if they should take their shoes off. The exception is when the carpet already looks filthy, then i wouldn't want to walk on it in bare feet anyway.

That being said, we obviously do have the no shoes in the house rule. We built this house almost 4 yrs ago and had this rule ever since. Who would walk on brand new carpet (i'm talking when it was new) with shoes on? That's just nuts to me! We want to keep our carpeting, not to mention our nice furniture, nice looking. My dh's family has always had this rule. My mom does not have this rule, because it hurts her feet to walk barefoot in her house, that is mostly when she is cleaning though. She is still nice enough to take them off in my house...and no her feet arn't in pain then because she is usually sitting down playing with the kids anyway.

I have never had a problem with people taking off thier shoes coming into my house. They see the pairs of shoes that i usually put by the door, to give them a hint. They see that and take the hint, or they are nice enough to ask if we want them to remove their shoes.

If someone is dressed up with heels or nice clothes, no i don't ask them to remove their shoes. I usually figure those nice shoes aren't as dirty as the ones they wear every day.

By Sunny on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 04:48 pm:

What about welcome mats or an area rug at the door to wipe your feet on? What about servicemen or delivery people? You don't enforce that rule with them, do you?

Honestly? I've never been to someone's house who had a 'no shoes' policy, or if they did, they never said anything, but I find it a little unwelcoming. I would be uncomfortable in someone else's house without my shoes.

By Kaye on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 05:19 pm:

I just wrote a very long response and then lost it...ugh. So the shorter version...we prefer no shoes, but do this by example, I would never ask someone to remove shoes. my youngest has big sensory issues and he just cannot go barefoot. I have had to leave more than one person's house because of their absolute no shoe policy. I guess I look at it this way, if I take off my shoes and they don't, there is probably a reason, who knows if they have arch problems, sensory problems, or athlete's foot which is worse than anything they will bring in from outside. I do have welcome rugs and such which helps on the dirt and toxins even. I remember as a child when my aunt refused to let my mom come in to her house with out cleaning her wheelchair. Lets just add insult to injury here. It was hard enough on my mom to not be able to walk, but to be treated so inhumanely was insulting and degrading and she never got over it. I refuse to let my choice for a cleaner carpet interfer in my relationships with friends. I also have left friends who didn't get my son's problem. I know they felt like I was letting him be a spoiled brat and they were obstinate about that rule. We have some great oriental friends who truely believe you just have to take off your shoes and even they have realized that sometimes he just can't do it. I understand the point of removing shoes and agree with it, but at some point you have to realize life is too short to freak out about things as simple as a dirty carpet or a scratched floor. I have people over because I want to enjoy their company and grow our relationships, I sure would hate to do comprimise that on a trivial thing.

By Melanie on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 05:40 pm:

We do wear shoes in the house. However, when I go to someone's house and I see shoes lined up by the door, that is a clear indicator to me that it is a no-shoes house and I always take mine off. As for how I feel about no-shoe houses, it doesn't bother me. I completely understand the reasoning behind it and will happily remove my shoes!

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 05:44 pm:

I didn't read all the posts, but I can tell you that we don't require shoes off in our house because the condition of our carpet is so poor anyway. BUT- we do plan on getting all new carpets next year, and when we do, yes, we will require that shoes come off. I plan on having a space specifically designated for taking off shoes in front of the door where we will lay tile.

I see nothing wrong with this. If you invite someone over, you can mention it to them prior to their arrival that they may want to bring some socks along. Say something like you just had your hardwoods waxed or something...

By Mommyathome on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 06:13 pm:

Kaye....I don't think any of us here with the no shoes rule would compromise a friendship over it.
If you came to my house and explained that your DS has issues with taking his shoes off I would still let him come in.
The know shoes rule is just something that we prefer at our house. We also don't bounce balls in the house. Kids seem to have a harder time with that then they do with the no shoes rule! LOL

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 06:19 pm:

My middle son and daughter in law have this rule, and I take a pair of slippers - fancy ones - with me. I have friends with this rule and they have a basket of slippers and slippersocks and stretchy slippers in their vestibule.

But, if you are going to have a no shoes rule - particularly if you have hardwood floors and not carpet, I think you need to offer stretchy slippers or slippersocks or something for your guests who don't know your rules.

By Theresa_Momma on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 06:57 pm:

I do not have a no shoes rule. Although my carpet is not new. The only time I really ask my friends and family to take off their shoes is when its raining. I don't want my carpet wet, or my hardwoods all water marked.
If I went to a persons house with no shoes rule, I would not dream of putting on slippers or socks that other people had been wearing. I hate feet. I won't touch other peoples bare feet and if anyone including dh touches mine I go nuts. Eww, bare feet. Anyway thats just me. I agree, that I would never wreck a friendship about the shoes rule. Life is way to short.

By Vicki on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:15 pm:

They are the slippers like little ballet shoes and I wash them if someone wears them. I wouldn't dream of having someone wear them after someone else...that is just yuck!!

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:35 pm:

There is an event every fall and every spring in our area called "Parade of Homes" and is put on by the area home builders association. Brand-spanking new homes are opened up for people to tour so that they can see the talents of the builders and the decorators in our area. Almost all of the homes require that shoes be removed, and there are those slippers available in a box at the entrance to the homes. Last time we went I got a new pair of slippers all my own and carried them with me from house to house. I see what Theresa means about feet.

However, I see how hardwood floors can be damaged of scuffed by some shoes. I suppose it may depend on who is in your home as to how you handle the situation.

By Kay on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:36 pm:

I'm totally in the dark here - I have never been in a home where it is expected for people to remove their shoes. We are involved in many community activities and are invited to a variety of *very* nice, newly-built or newly-remodeled homes, and never have we seen evidence that the family removes their shoes on the new carpet/flooring or expects others to do so.

I'm in Texas - is this just something in various regions?

By Tink on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:25 pm:

I have seen this occassionally, but we don't have this rule and, if someone insisted on it, I would be offended. I, like Pam, have gotten into the habit of wearing my shoes all day everyday. I take them off about an hour before bed but, otherwise, I am always wearing mine. I have one Chinese friend who prefers that her guests not wear shoes but it is never an issue. My ds also wears shoes at all times, for sensory reasons, and she is totally understanding, even though she doesn't know that there is a reason behind it. I would find it rude to have to explain his disability to other people because he is so "normal-looking" and I don't want him to feel like his problems define him.
Of course, I understand the idea behind it but I don't think that it is something that should be required before entering.

By Mommmie on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:34 pm:

That's what I was wondering, Kay, could this be regional? I'm in Texas, too, and the only household that I know that had this was my one neighbor I mentioned above and she stopped it eventually. But in 41 years of living, that's the only one.

By Kaye on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:49 pm:

I woudl venture to say this is more regional. I did not know people before I moved to ohio (from tx) that had this rule. There is nothing like snow/salt, etc to mess up carpets and hardwood. Our texas dust just isn't the same

As for explaining about my son...Tink answered that perfectly for me.

As for compromising friendships, you would be suprised! Sometimes people just don't think, and that goes both ways. If I notice it is a shoeless house (any you almost always notice the pile of shoes) then I take mine off and always ask my son if he would like to. I have been with hostess that say, "oh you have to", in a polite nice tone. I have had to carry him in because he would not remove his shoes, one time a former friend decided to help him, it was like he was shot with a sedative, he laid on the floor and did not move a muscle for the 10 minutes it took me to do what I needed to and then leave.

I guess the question was, do I feel unwelcomed...well if it is presented as an preference, not at all, if it is a presented as a demand, then yes I feel unwelcomed.

By Christylee on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:57 pm:

Thanks for clearing that up for me! lol... Guess it is a regional thing after all!

By Bellajoe on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 10:07 pm:

Now i have to clear up that I would totally not compromise a friendship and would definitely let your child with sensory issues into my home with his shoes on, completely understandable. I also would never make someone clean off their wheelchair wheels before entering the home. My sister had trouble with her hip while pregnant and needed to wear shoes for support. Did i kick her out? of course not.

Maybe it is a regional thing. I didn't know this was such a weird thing to some people.

And to answer someones questions...no, i don't make repairmen remove their shoes. If it is raining or snowing, they automatically remove their shoes, if they are fixing something in my unfinished basement, they pick them up, and carry them to the basement and put them back on.

Of course there is alway exceptions to my rule. We had a retirement party for my mom at my home. We had about 40 people here. We did not make the guest take off their shoes. I know my guests would have good judgement, and if their shoes were filthy (they stepped in mud or water) they would remove them anyway. It's just common courtesy.

By Conni on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 10:21 pm:

I have seen it both ways. Doesnt bother me either way.

I dont have this rule in my home and you can tell by the looks of my carpet. Let's see 4 guys, a cat, 4 neighbor boys, and ex husband with yukky shoes that comes in, oh and lets not forget my bil. ugh...

By Cat on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 10:28 pm:

I don't have that rule, but most people that come into my house remove their shoes anyway, including the daycare kids. For them, I think it's a comfort thing. If I'm wearing slip on shoes or sandels I will take them off at home or at another person's house if I feel they don't want shoes on their floors (the tell-tale pile of shoes by the door). If I have tennis shoes or lace up shoes on I don't take them off at home, and if at another person's house I won't take them off unless asked to (or if I notice the pile of shoes I'll ask if they'd like me to take my shoes off). My mom has flat feet and can't go barefoot for more than about 10 minutes or her feet will be painfully sore. Good grief, it takes her 10 minutes to take her shoes off and put them back on (had to do it at an airport once!) because she's so particular about how the socks lay, how tight the shoes are laced, how the laces lay, etc. (little OCD maybe??? lol) I couldn't imagine someone asking her to take her shoes off at their home. I also think she'd be incredibily offended and may just leave instead. She's a very private person and I think she's be very uncomfortable going in her stocking feet anywhere other than home. Having been to an Asian country (Korea) yes, they remove their shoes and it does keep the floors cleaner. It's also very impolite in their culture to show the soles of their feet (ie sitting with legs crossed and the sole of one foot showing). It's terribly insulting to them. That's a cultural thing. Is removing shoes here regional??? I don't know. Lots of people here in Colorado do have the "no shoe" rule. I don't ever remember that in Michigan (or as a child/teen I didn't pay attention). I really don't remember it anywhere else we've lived either. Personally, I'm not offended if someone asks me to remove my shoes. I do understand the reasons why. I figure in my home, we have a dog, two cats, and several kids running through here and there are worse things getting on my carpets than a little dirt, mud or grass. Jmho, of course.

By Kate on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 11:32 pm:

Let me state it is a 'rule' for the four of us living in the house. For everyone else it is a 'preference' and if they ask if I prefer them to remove their shoes I say yes, thank you. I brought this post up to see if there WAS any way to handle it better. And Pam, believe me, if there was any way to ask people to wash their hands before entering, I'd like that, too! *grin* Yes, I'm a bit of a germ freak, but no, I don't 'freak out' over it all. Around here it's very common. Also, I don't leave shoes lying around, so that hint isn't there. I do however, answer the door in socks or slippers in cold weather, as that is my everyday attire in the house. We very rarely have dressed up guests, it's mostly just family and friends and playdates and such. And as someone mentioned, I have the horrid salt/snow/rain waaaaay more often than I have nice, sunny, dry days.

By Missbookworm on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 11:42 pm:

well I looked at most of the posts lol and I have a rule about shoes..we mostly follow it..the kids and I slip off our shoes at the door almost all the time..lol my kids will crawl across the carpet to get to the linoleum before stepping down with their shoes..I don't mind in the summer so much cause it's dry but in the winter here it's rain almost all the time so I persist on it...my b/f walks around with his shoes on and I bite my tongue as long as it's not raining..but my friends and their kids always seem to take their shoes off and I haven't said anything about it so I don't know

By Jackie on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 07:28 am:

In our house we wear shows, kids tend to take theirs off to be comfortable..We have 2 dogs as well, as many doggie customers, so it would make no sense tohave a no shoe rule. But, we also have a carpet cleaner we use weekly.
I have a friend in the area who has a no shoe rule(We have lived here 11 yrs, and thats the only person I know who has the rule). When we were there for playdates, and such I take my shoes off out of respecting their rules.. But one day we were doing a Moms night out, and I was picking this friend up.. Her husband wasnt home yet, so she invited me to come in and wait.. I did, but I stood by the door, WHY, because I didnt feel like taking my shoes off.. I just showered and gotten dressed and honestly didnt want to take them off. it was because I had fancy clothes on, I just had a pair of sneakers on. So my friend noticed me standing there and I simply told her that I would wait by the door as I didnt feel like taking my shoes off. She then said it was "ok" for me to go sit on the sofa and I didnt have to take them off. It just seems silly to me, but I try to respect other peoples rules, and that is why I just stood by the door.

By Feona on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 07:29 am:

I don't think the no shoes rule is werid. I wish I did it, but I am lax with everything. My friends ask if I want them to remove their shoes.
We are super sensitive or something.


So I think it is a regional thing. Where in some areas of the country they don't do it. In other areas have been exposed to it more with oriental culture they are more accepting of it.

I had three oriental friends who did it. So I imagine all New Yorkers have been exposed to it.

By Fionadeassis on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 10:42 am:

This is wierd because it is something that has never come up in my mind...

Maybe it is different in Canada.....we almost always take off our shoes.....(could be because it is very snowy here for a lot of the year)...

If someone does wear shoes in my house I never say a thing(unless it was snowy boots dripping slush all over the place).

Even at my dentists office there is a space for boots and a sign saying please remove muddy boots and outdoor clothes.

Everyone here does it as far as Iknow except if you have on really nice shoes for a party I guess.

fiona

By Mommyathome on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 11:14 am:

Ditto Kate Except, we do have a pile of shoes by the door most of the time.

By Mrse on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 11:19 am:

We don't have this rule, but I want this rule. I go on a rule frenzy, but to lax to make anyone stick to it, I wish I was stronger but for some reason I always come out looking like you know what. First if I have just vacumed everything, and washed floors I get everyone to take off their shoes, but if I know the floors are grosse, I don't say anything. I tell my friend with the 3 year old to make sure she brings her slippers, only because I don't want her socks full of dog hair, ( another rule I keep trying but with 3 kids in the house and me yelling that dog can stay out side) does not work, someone says they did not hear me say that, I put him out one door he goes around the house and comes in the other one. We just installed hardwood floors, but we still have to renfinish them, but when that day comes no one will walk on them floors with shoes.( trying to be strong here! lol) If someone wants to wear their shoes they can walk around the house come in the kitchen where the tiles are. The only one who has just plain old said no, to taking shoes off is my bil, he hates taking off his shoes, he just turns his shoe up and looks at them and says see perfectly clean!!
My neihbours she was in her 60's invited us over and we just walked up to the door, and she actually screamed at us to take our shoes off, which I did not mind taking shoes off but I felt like wow, that I did not expect. I did feel uncomfortable in the house after that. I think if people take off their shoes their would be alot of extra work that I do not have to do, but kind of hard to put in a rule like this right now when we have a big black lab shedding hair all over the house. I don't know I am so confused, yes I want the rule, but feel like I should have started it a thousand years ago, then I would not have to be a nag now, you know what I mean?

By Dawnk777 on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 03:03 pm:

If my shoes were wet, I would probably take them off before entering someone's house, or even my own house. The exception to this, if I have already been out to the car and realized I forgot something. Then I wipe my feet on the mat really well, before I venture across the kitchen floor. Sometimes, there's not time to take the shoes or boots off.

So, why can't my husband wipe his feet before he walks on the floor! Or, kids and I take off wet/snowy shoes when we get home, so now we are all in socks. DH doesn't. So, now, you have to dodge the melting snowpiles on the steps to get to the computer! ARGH! Why is he the least trainable of anyone in my house! We complain all winter, but he will never change! It makes me run and get slippers, since I hate having wet socks on!

By Pamt on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 11:19 am:

Everyone's responses here are really interesting--LOL. Who knew this was such a hot topic? Maybe it is regional because I have always lived in the south (AL, GA, LA, TX) except for 6 years in the midwest (MO) and in all of my almost-37 years I have only known 1 family who had this rule. I just come from the opposite end of the spectrum I guess. I think a house is to be lived in comfortably without having to approach it differently. Carpets and floors are made to be walked on, even with shoes, that's their purpose. I also want furniture I can plop down on. I put my feet up on my coffeetable (usually with my shoes on), we wrestle on the floor, we have pillow fights, we've built forts with couch cushions. I figure it's all just "stuff" and stuff can be replaced. With that said, we don't jump on furniture or intentionally abuse our possessions, but we don't treat them with kid gloves either. I would certainly remove my shoes if they were really wet or muddy and I couldn't get them clean on the doormat. I'm thinking this just has to have something to do with snow and stuff and must be regional.

By Lauram on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 12:20 pm:

I think it's rude to ask an adult whom you have invited in your home to remove your shoes. Once I was invited over to my dh's boss' house for dinner. When we got there, I was handed (GROSS) slippers. I was so grossed out the whole night I could barely eat! I NEVER ask adults to take off their shoes (except my DH!) I do ask kids though-especially if they've been playing outside. It can get bad in the early spring or in the winter when there is no snow and it's "soft" outside. That's when I care the most. Now if there was only a way to get the dog to remove his paws maybe I'd have a *chance* at keeping my house clean!

By Paulas on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 04:57 pm:

Feona..where in Alberta are you by the way??? I'm in Fairview.

Anyway, like Feona said...maybe it's a Canada thing but I have never heard of walking through someone's house with your shoes on. We have lived in Alberta, Nova Scotia and British Columbia and have always taken our shoes off. And yes, servicemen do too...with the exception of the moving guys.

When we go to the dentist we must take our shoes off, when we go to the school, we must take our shoes off, at the hair salon we take our shoes off.

Interesting!

By Insaneusmcwife on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 06:10 pm:

We used to have this rule when we were in Okinawa. Pretty much everyone did. I made a sign that hung on my door. It read "This is an American home ran Japaneese style, Please remove your shoes." I printed that on a peice of wood that I painted to look like a flag. Come to think of it, I'm not sure what happened to that sign. I think I'm going to make another one.

By Unschoolmom on Sunday, October 3, 2004 - 10:37 am:

Paulas - Same here in Nova Scotia. You always take off your shoes, even after the owner has protested that you don't need to because of course they're just being polite but don't really mean it. I have heard some visiting Americans that we're just weird. They must be from states that don't share our two seasons - Mud and Snow. However, if it ever came up I wouldn't ask a visiter who was unaware of the custom to take their shoes off. Hasn't come up yet though.

By Paulas on Sunday, October 3, 2004 - 10:49 am:

Hey Dawn..where in Nova Scotia are you? I grew up in Springhill.

I found this post so interesting. Like I said...we can't even enter a school without taking our shoes off at the main entrance.

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, October 3, 2004 - 11:23 am:

Thats fuuny Kristie, although I'd expect the no shoes rule to be pure logic and not a rule in any country such as that, (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand etc...)

I have too any animals for the no shoes policy to show a difference in my house.

By Fionadeassis on Sunday, October 3, 2004 - 12:31 pm:

Paula...I live in Calgary....

This topic is something that I never even gave a thought to. But it seems to really trigger something in people.

That being said......we climb on our couch...eat all over the house etc. Our house is very lived in. I would never ask someone to take off their shoes(unless they were dripping with slush)...

In Mexico me and a friend stayed with a family and everyone wore their shoes...and a woman came over to visit and was smoking and flicking her ash on the floor and no one batted an eyelash(except me LOL)!

fiona

By Unschoolmom on Sunday, October 3, 2004 - 05:18 pm:

Paula - I'm in the rural part of the Halifax Regional Municipality. We're just a little way from the airport.

By Robyn on Monday, October 4, 2004 - 01:47 pm:

I just want to add to this post... I am also from Canada...Province of Quebec...It is typical behavior for everyone that I know to REMOVE THEIR SHOES upon entering a house. I can't imagine anyone not removing their shoes upon entering a house! Wouldn't floors/carpets get dirty if you come indoors with the same shoes on that you were just wearing outdoors??
Very interesting post!