Party requesting guests to take shoes off

[Anonymous]

I prefer to have a no-shoes house. My family has slowly come to realize it's gross to walk in a rest stop restroom and then come home and walk all over the house in the same shoes.

Since we're such a mix of cultures in the US, I think it would be nice to alert people to the fact your home is "no shoes." If people aren't prepared, they might feel funny going barefoot or even wearing slippers you provide. Maybe their toenail polish needs work or they have gross feet, etc. If you give them a heads up, they can wear socks or "arrange their look" to take no shoes into account.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

I just disagree that asking someone to remove their shoes inside your home is automatically considered being a bad host. Being a host AND being a guest come with general etiquette and responsibilities. If you are shaming one side, you really ought to be shaming the other side, and all the people who are horrible guests in other's homes.

[Anonymous]

I gotta look at nasty sweaty smelly feet in yoga all the time

[Anonymous]

If you require no shoes, then you should also have a box of shoe covers on hand for people who don't want to take their shoes off. Then you can keep the floors clean without putting your guests out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

Most people have house rules. No smoking, pork not served, shoes off, no alcohol, feet off the furniture, to name a few. it’s not a free for all for the guests to do as they please and have everything as they like it. I tell my kids to be respectful in other’s homes and follow rules that may not be the same as at our home. And I will remind kids who visit my home “in this house we do X.” Did some adults actually not learn those rules themselves? You may not agree but it’s the norm to respect their rules and customs for the short time you visit once pointed out. If someone asked you to smoke outside would you actually not comply b/c it’s cold out and you don’t want to? That would be ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Host it at a party room. It doesn’t have to be your house.

+1 people who require guests to take their shoes off should have their parties in places other than their homes…. or just invite people from the same cultural background to their home where taking shoes off is typically done.

I don’t want to go to someone’s house with a formal cocktail dress and be barefoot.

And I don’t want to walk around in my dress while wearing random slippers that have been used by other people.

Do people a favor and not have them over to your house in the first place. It’s really not necessary.

I agree. We are strictly a no shoes house and I have absolutely no problem asking people to take their shoes off when they come in. I also don’t host large gatherings because as can be seen from the thread some people are uncomfortable about taking shoes off. But I don’t knew why these people are so offended by taking their shoes off. It’s not as if we are asking them to take off their clothes or a head covering!

So you REALLY can't understand why someone would be annoyed that they showed up to a party at a house in a nice dress and heels and were then told to take their shoes off and as a result they have to walk around a stranger's house barefoot for the rest of the evening? You can't fathom why someone would be bothered by that? Even after 20 pages of people giving multiple reasons why it's an issue? Because if you can't, then that speaks volumes.

DP, but no. All the excuses about ailments, maybe. But just to be "annoyed" because your outfit looks different than with your high heels? That's ridiculous. Millions (billions?) of other people on earth manage just fine.

It's not the "outfit"; it's walking around someone's house in your bare feet. It's embarrassing.

Why are bare feet embarrassing? Do you constantly wear gloves so no one ever sees your hands? A scarf so no one ever sees your neck? What is wrong with your feet that you're so shamefully embarrassed about them? It's a pretty normal part of your body that people see.

Dp do you wear shoes on your hands? Hands and feet are totally different!

That’s not even a good argument. No I don’t wear shoes on my hands because I don’t walk on streets with my hands. I do wear gloves when I might touch something that could hurt them (i.e. the reason people wear shoes outside of the house).

So you’re saying you wear shoes because your feet are ugly?

I wear shoes because I live in the city and they protect my feet. My feet are beautiful because they do so much work but, I still don't want to show you them except in yoga or on the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

Most people have house rules. No smoking, pork not served, shoes off, no alcohol, feet off the furniture, to name a few. it’s not a free for all for the guests to do as they please and have everything as they like it. I tell my kids to be respectful in other’s homes and follow rules that may not be the same as at our home. And I will remind kids who visit my home “in this house we do X.” Did some adults actually not learn those rules themselves? You may not agree but it’s the norm to respect their rules and customs for the short time you visit once pointed out. If someone asked you to smoke outside would you actually not comply b/c it’s cold out and you don’t want to? That would be ridiculous.

I think shoes off for 40 or so people is different. My friend who is a shoeless house had her party outside because she didn't want to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

Most people have house rules. No smoking, pork not served, shoes off, no alcohol, feet off the furniture, to name a few. it’s not a free for all for the guests to do as they please and have everything as they like it. I tell my kids to be respectful in other’s homes and follow rules that may not be the same as at our home. And I will remind kids who visit my home “in this house we do X.” Did some adults actually not learn those rules themselves? You may not agree but it’s the norm to respect their rules and customs for the short time you visit once pointed out. If someone asked you to smoke outside would you actually not comply b/c it’s cold out and you don’t want to? That would be ridiculous.

I think shoes off for 40 or so people is different. My friend who is a shoeless house had her party outside because she didn't want to deal with it.

I live on the west coast. This party would definitely be outside so it would be a non issue. But what do people do in snowy wintery places? Do people insist on wearing their slushy salty shoes inside someone’s house to hide their ingrown toenails?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

Most people have house rules. No smoking, pork not served, shoes off, no alcohol, feet off the furniture, to name a few. it’s not a free for all for the guests to do as they please and have everything as they like it. I tell my kids to be respectful in other’s homes and follow rules that may not be the same as at our home. And I will remind kids who visit my home “in this house we do X.” Did some adults actually not learn those rules themselves? You may not agree but it’s the norm to respect their rules and customs for the short time you visit once pointed out. If someone asked you to smoke outside would you actually not comply b/c it’s cold out and you don’t want to? That would be ridiculous.

Agreed. Why people think their rules should override the homeowners requests is so bizarre to me.

[Anonymous]

Homeowners rule boo. Trust the process. You nasty asses need pedicures

[Anonymous]

I'm going to jump up and down on your couch in my shoes because that's what makes me feel COMFORTABLE and if you don't let me, you are a bad host.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

Most people have house rules. No smoking, pork not served, shoes off, no alcohol, feet off the furniture, to name a few. it’s not a free for all for the guests to do as they please and have everything as they like it. I tell my kids to be respectful in other’s homes and follow rules that may not be the same as at our home. And I will remind kids who visit my home “in this house we do X.” Did some adults actually not learn those rules themselves? You may not agree but it’s the norm to respect their rules and customs for the short time you visit once pointed out. If someone asked you to smoke outside would you actually not comply b/c it’s cold out and you don’t want to? That would be ridiculous.

I think shoes off for 40 or so people is different. My friend who is a shoeless house had her party outside because she didn't want to deal with it.

I live on the west coast. This party would definitely be outside so it would be a non issue. But what do people do in snowy wintery places? Do people insist on wearing their slushy salty shoes inside someone’s house to hide their ingrown toenails?

No, of course not.

The fact that you have to suggest anyone thinks that way should tip you off to the weakness of your argument, but I'm betting it won't.

OP, just say on the invitation that yours is a shoes-off household for everyone, including guests. Then people can decide whether they want to be guests or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this. Since when does taking off shoes equal barefoot? Don’t people wear socks (most of the times)? If being barefoot makes you so uncomfortable, just wear socks.

Socks are a slipping invitation. I know someone who slipped and broke collar bone wearing socks at a "no shoes home" party. Why can't you just vacuum your floors after party like the rest of us?

LOL again, something that never happened.

My gosh, americans are just cowering in fear of removing their shoes lest they get some horrific disease or break bones? GMAFB. Making up sh!t like this doesnt make your position stronger, it weakens it that you have to go to such extreme lengths to try and smear it.

Then be a sh!tty host. People have told you they don’t want to take their shoes off but you’re going to insist they do anyway. There’s terrible hosting. So do what you want but you’re not in the right here. You’re making your guests uncomfortable on purpose.

NP.

No- sorry not sorry. Those are terrible guests for not removing shoes when requested.

People who dislike removing shoes in this situation are culturally insensitive. Maybe even borderline racists.

Ha, ok. You want to win because you think you can call people racist for not removing their shoes with no warning in a situation that is not expected (this is not an open house). You're not right and you're not better. You are, however, welcome to ask people to take their shoes off. And they are welcome to respond as they wish.

But it my house my rules. You can back da f away

DP but how do you not understand that the attitude of your response (my house my rules if you’re uncomfortable back da f away) is basically the definition of being a terrible host? Good hosts prioritize the comfort of their GUESTS, not themselves.

So as multiple people have said, if you’re not prepared to be a good host, just don’t host. Problem solved.

You keep forgetting that people need to be good GUESTS too. Saying "my shoes stay on no matter what" is just as poor of an attitude for a guest to have in someone elses home.

How your guests may or may not hypothetically behave has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are being a good host. If you can ONLY act like a good host if all of your guests are perfectly behaved (according to your own rules of acceptable behavior) then you are NOT a good host.

To be fair, no one is obligated to host anything. If you don’t care at all about your guest’s comfort (which you clearly don’t) then just.don’t.host.

Most people have house rules. No smoking, pork not served, shoes off, no alcohol, feet off the furniture, to name a few. it’s not a free for all for the guests to do as they please and have everything as they like it. I tell my kids to be respectful in other’s homes and follow rules that may not be the same as at our home. And I will remind kids who visit my home “in this house we do X.” Did some adults actually not learn those rules themselves? You may not agree but it’s the norm to respect their rules and customs for the short time you visit once pointed out. If someone asked you to smoke outside would you actually not comply b/c it’s cold out and you don’t want to? That would be ridiculous.

I think shoes off for 40 or so people is different. My friend who is a shoeless house had her party outside because she didn't want to deal with it.

I live on the west coast. This party would definitely be outside so it would be a non issue. But what do people do in snowy wintery places? Do people insist on wearing their slushy salty shoes inside someone’s house to hide their ingrown toenails?

No, of course not.

The fact that you have to suggest anyone thinks that way should tip you off to the weakness of your argument, but I'm betting it won't.

OP, just say on the invitation that yours is a shoes-off household for everyone, including guests. Then people can decide whether they want to be guests or not.

Then what do they do with their nasty shoes in the winter?

[Anonymous]

Nasty Americans.