I wouldn't be offended but would be bewildered that you, OP, would be so uptight. Did you ever think that maybe your friends and neighbors keep 'forgetting' because it's a hassle and they are uncomfortable with it? Life is too short.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the number of responses. Thanks to all who took the time to give their honest feedback.

Someone earlier mentioned a friendly sign - what would the sign say?!?!

found this on line:
"Please remove your shoes, and don't take better ones on your way out."

I think it's funny!

This thread is so interesting to me. If I had taken off my shoes in someone's house growing up I would've been in SO much trouble! My mom would've thought that was so incredibly rude.

My husband is Asian and has always done this and I've come to appreciate it now. The issue is that I am so not used to it and get embarrased by either having smelly feet or shoes or having holes in my socks. Or I honestly forget - I'm not doing that on purpose, it just doesn't occur to me to do it.

Another aspect of it that I can't get used to is not being able to look at an entire outfit, b/c your shoes are downstairs and your clothes aren't...haha.

To each his own I say, and I do try to respect people's wishes in their home.l

My father once told me about a huge deal that was going to be signed over a dinner at a mansion in LA. When they got there, they were asked to all take off their shoes (all were in business suits). Apparently the guy had an all-white house, including while carpet.

They obliged, of course, but guess what? No papers were ever signed, the guy with the fancy house never sold his company and ended up having to sell the house, and my dad and his colleagues still laugh and say they would never do business with someone who asked them to take off their shoes for a business dinner in his home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely - shoes are GROSS! I don't want my shoes - or anyone else's! - walking around in my home. Think about where the bottom of your shoes have been. I don't think it's rude at all to ask people to remove their shoes at the door. I think if my friends had a problem with it I would find friends that weren't so petty!

People's bare feet are grosser than shoes! Did you ever read the thread here about how few women even get pedicures in DC? YUCK>

Do you know how many infections are spread from unsanitary pedicures? yes - even in the upscale salons

I'll take my socks and shoes over MRSA, thank you very much.

Do you have open sores on your feet or something? You're not going to get MRSA by walking around barefooted. Sheesh.

I don't like the no shoes request, but I abide by the rules. However, I once went to an open house and was asked to take off my shoes. DH and I turned around and walked right out. I did find that offensive. Did they want to sell they house or just keep the carpet clean? It was annoying.

Here is one:

Life is Full of Choices...
Remove your Shoes or Scrub my Floors

[/url]http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/victorystore00_2030_6671052[url]

OP here - Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the number of responses. Thanks to all who took the time to give their honest feedback.
Just to clarify two points on my side:
1) For dinner parties that are not with close friends, I wouldn't ask people to take off shoes - but I would also have the house cleaned right afterwards (pretty normal, right?) I would understand for a more dressy event, not taking off your shoes... sure.
2) We don't have pets either - so no, I wouldn't let pets into my house...

I am just more comfortable and at home when my shoes are off. They aren't sweaty and tied up in the shoes and I can sit crosslegged at the computer (as I am now!) or curl up on the couch. So besides the cleanliness factor, it's also a comfort factor.

I have some neighbors who I am friends with, but not CLOSE friends. They know we are a no shoes policy - but they "forget" to take off their shoes when they come over. I feel like a jerk always reminding/asking them to take their shoes off, but it really does irk me!

Someone earlier mentioned a friendly sign - what would the sign say?!?!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely - shoes are GROSS! I don't want my shoes - or anyone else's! - walking around in my home. Think about where the bottom of your shoes have been. I don't think it's rude at all to ask people to remove their shoes at the door. I think if my friends had a problem with it I would find friends that weren't so petty!

People's bare feet are grosser than shoes! Did you ever read the thread here about how few women even get pedicures in DC? YUCK>

A pedicure makes it all better.

I prefer people take off shoes in my home. Think about all the places your shoes go. Parking lots. Public restrooms. Rest stops. Gas stations. Muddy paths. Dog shit. No thanks for my nice clean house.

That said I don't "enforce" it. Most people get the message.

This is one reason I hate wall to wall carpeting and greatly prefer hardwood - carpet is just a big, nasty rag on your floor.

That said I did hear from maybe Dear Abby? That feet are dirtier than shoes. That oil from feet will ruin your carpets faster than shoes.

We are a no-shoes house as well. We all (including our au pair) take off our shoes and leave them in our front hall closet - we all walk around barefoot or with socks. I love it! Far less dirt and grime. We don't have pets.

Our close friends and family always take off their shoes before coming into our home out of habit - we never have to ask. With not-so-close friends and guests, I don't say anything - no need to make an issue out of it. If they notice and ask whether they should take off their shoes, I just tell them to do whatever they feel comfortable doing. When we have dinner parties/cocktail parties, most people keep their shoes on and I don't mind. It is a party and I can understand why people would feel "less dressed" if they do not have their heels on. We always clean up after a party and it is generally limited to our main floor (hardwood floors). I am more concerned with guests feeling comfortable.

I wouldn't be offended, but my FIL would be. He has a foot condition that makes it very painful for him to walk without thick soled shoes.

oops, PP here meant collecting dog/cat hair on my SOCKS.

We don't have a "policy" in our house, but usually don't wear shoes (especially our kids who kick them off the minute they walk in). My peeves are:

1) friends with animals who insist I take my shoes off. I then walk around collecting dog and/or cat hair on my shoes (or worse bare feet). I've learned to wear socks or bring socks as to avoid the whole barefoot thing.

and

2) DINNER PARTIES! There is nothing worse than going to someone's house for a nice party or dinner and having to take your heels off only to have your pants drag around on the ground. I think for these types of events it's rude to ask your guests to take their shoes off.

I do understand the whole keeping the floor clean bit, but sometimes you have to consider how uncomfortable your traditions/house rules might make your guests feel and take that into consideration.

Just my 2cents!

Anonymous wrote:In Russia, they offer guests slippers to wear around the house. Do they do this in other places? It might be a nice way to make everyone comfortable.

(To answer OP, I am not offended when asked to take off my shoes -- I am just jealous about the beautiful carpets!)

I was going to suggest this. This is what I would do. And even though I have gross feet which normally smell (because I never wear socks or hose), I think I would be okay with putting on slippies. However, you might not want them back...