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kikkoman · Sep 15, 2006, 11:55 AM

This was common practice in my parent's and relative's homes. I thought it was an asian thing but I wonder who else does it. I always thought it was inconvenient and I do not impose it on guests in my own home.

mitchell_pgh · Sep 15, 2006, 11:59 AM

I don't ask them, but I'm renting. Once I own, it may be a different story. It does keep the place cleaner.

tooki · Sep 15, 2006, 11:59 AM

I ask, and I rent. It really does help keep the carpet cleaner, especially after snow or rain.

tooki

awaspaas · Sep 15, 2006, 12:02 PM

No shoes are allowed beyond 1 foot from the door in our house.

Landos Mustache · Sep 15, 2006, 12:02 PM

Oh heeeell yes. I don't have carpeting but I still don't want any shoes that have been on the streets inside my house.

I shutter to think what is on the bottom of shoes after one trip to a public washroom.

BRussell · Sep 15, 2006, 12:03 PM

Wow. I'd think that it's uncommon enough in our culture that it would be quite rude to ask. If you're the guest, it would be polite to offer though.

Landos Mustache · Sep 15, 2006, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by BRussell

Wow. I'd think that it's uncommon enough in our culture that it would be quite rude to ask. If you're the guest, it would be polite to offer though.

I find it ruder that people will come in your house and stomp all over a shag carpet with dirty street shoes over me asking then to take them off.

itai195 · Sep 15, 2006, 12:09 PM

I don't usually ask people to, but I hope they do it on their own.

CleoW · Sep 15, 2006, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by awaspaas

No shoes are allowed beyond 1 foot from the door in our house.

Agreed. My one year old loves to walk barefoot sometimes, and I hate for his little feet to pick up all the crap that's on the city streets. I take off my shoes at the door, and I ask guests to do so as well. It's polite if you say 'please'.

Big Mac · Sep 15, 2006, 12:12 PM

I didn't grow up with the practice so it is foreign to a certain degree, but it makes a lot of sense not to dirty carpets with outside footwear. I wouldn't call it rude to requests that guests comply with such rules, but many westerners find having their shoes off in friends' homes to be a bit awkward. I think it makes sense to allow shoes on hard floors but not on the carpeting. I have thought of getting those sanitary shoe covers hospital nurses wear for guests to put on over their shoes - I think that's a good compromise.

design219 · Sep 15, 2006, 12:16 PM

I designed my house partly with floor maintanence in mind...slate and bamboo and cork... (and NO carpet) easy to clean. My family take their shoes off when we are home for the evening, but we don't ask guests to.

CleoW · Sep 15, 2006, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by CleoW

Agreed. My one year old loves to walk barefoot sometimes, and I hate for his little feet to pick up all the crap that's on the city streets. I take off my shoes at the door, and I ask guests to do so as well. It's polite if you say 'please'.

I'll also add that I rent and I have hard floors. Hard floors pick up dirt, germs, and bacteria as well.

jeffreyfrabutt · Sep 15, 2006, 12:16 PM

Although I keep a very clean home... I'm not too worried about shoes... many more important things to worry about. I think it makes guest feel very awkward to have to walk around someone elses house in their socks/bare feet. Nothing a mop or a little carpet cleaner can't fix.

indigoimac · Sep 15, 2006, 12:17 PM

I just don't care, it's nice on hardwood as it keeps the floors dust free as socks are constantly dusting your floor, but on Carpet, if you wear shoes or not it lasts about the same length of time, it will likely get totally dirty and stomped down enough to be replaced at about the same time.

Though I imagine that if i had hardwood i would prefer people take their shoes off, but I don't, and surprisingly most people around here make the offer or just do it regardless of me asking, it is awkward though, especially if there isn't a place for your shoes to go right inside the door. I have this one friend who basically has a shoe/coatroom and it is 1/2 way through the house and shoes are expected to be removed at the door, it's a little weird and rather pointless.

hickey · Sep 15, 2006, 12:19 PM

what if you had a rack of those little booties repair men sometimes wear when they make house calls.
That way no one would have to take their shoes off, and they would all look awesome and cool.

BRussell · Sep 15, 2006, 12:26 PM

Do you people keep those plastic covers over your furniture too?

itai195 · Sep 15, 2006, 12:27 PM

Only when you're coming over, BRussell

Zeeb · Sep 15, 2006, 12:27 PM

In the summer I don't ask that people take their shoes off and I don't care. If they come in with really muddy or wet shoes in the winter or spring maybe I'll ask if I think about it. Being particular as soon as guests arrive tends to make them tense I think.

I bet people with kids are more likely to ask guests to take their shoes off though. My Mom always made my brothers and I do it.

jeffreyfrabutt · Sep 15, 2006, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Zeeb

Being particular as soon as guests arrive tends to make them tense I think.

Agreed... nothing like walking into someones house and being made to feel like you're spoiling their house just by entering the front door.

turtle777 · Sep 15, 2006, 12:42 PM

Yes. Even though I'd care less when I'm renting.

-t

wvx · Sep 15, 2006, 12:45 PM

I do, I even got my friend to start doing it. My X was Turkish and her family and friends did it as well so it must be a Turkish custom as well.

HungrySeacow · Sep 15, 2006, 12:49 PM

Always as been a requirement in my house. I am a neat freak

Nodnarb · Sep 15, 2006, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I have thought of getting those sanitary shoe covers hospital nurses wear for guests to put on over their shoes - I think that's a good compromise.

I truly hope you're kidding.

turtle777 · Sep 15, 2006, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by HungrySeacow

I am a neat freak

Do you ask people to take their shoes off when they visit your homepage, too ?

-t

turtle777 · Sep 15, 2006, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I have thought of getting those sanitary shoe covers hospital nurses wear for guests to put on over their shoes - I think that's a good compromise.

Oh please, no, that's even more embarrassing than asking them to take the shoes of.

Just get some nice guest slippers that you can offer.

-t

andi*pandi · Sep 15, 2006, 01:08 PM

in rain or snow, sure.

BRussell · Sep 15, 2006, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by itai195

Only when you're coming over, BRussell

Haha.

Mastrap · Sep 15, 2006, 01:24 PM

Here in Toronto people do it automatically. When I lived in the Uk, nobody did.

11011001 · Sep 15, 2006, 01:54 PM

You silly people. Everyone does it in Canada.

paul w · Sep 15, 2006, 01:55 PM

In New York the only peope I know who demand it are a couple Iranians, who have insanely valuable persian rugs.

My view: rain or snow: yes. If I happen to have nice carpeting, also yes.

Otherwise it's not a big deal to me. My Italian friends got me into wearing around the house slippers.

Landos Mustache · Sep 15, 2006, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Here in Toronto people do it automatically. When I lived in the Uk, nobody did.

I've noticed that also, even if they insist I can leave my shoes on I always take them off anyway.

I rarely have someone come in my house and leave their shoes on.

Oisín · Sep 15, 2006, 02:08 PM

Same up here—it’s simply a matter of course that you obviously take your shoes off when entering anyone else’s home (or your own, for that matter). I always walk barefoot indoors when I can. My floor is always dirty as hell—I’m an extremely lazy vacuumer—so I wouldn’t really care if someone left their shoes on when entering, as long as it’s not raining/mudding/snowing outside; but no one’s ever actually done that.

There are also quite a few companies and an increasing amount of schools that require employees/students to leave their outdoor shoes in special cabins and put on slippers instead (though there are also a lot of places where you’re not even allowed to take off your shoes!).

Dakar · Sep 15, 2006, 02:09 PM

I don't like smelly feet. Keep them on.

macintologist · Sep 15, 2006, 02:12 PM

I have a better solution. For day to day life, everyone who lives in the household takes off their shoes, but when you're having guests over, you may wear shoes.

mitchell_pgh · Sep 15, 2006, 02:12 PM

I usually take my shoes off (or assume to do so) when entering a home. Unless they specifically say "No, keep your shoes on" I take them off.

As I see it, it's not my house, so they can make any rules they want. If I don't like them, I can always leave... and that goes both ways.

macintologist · Sep 15, 2006, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

I usually take my shoes off (or assume to do so) when entering a home. Unless they specifically say "No, keep your shoes on" I take them off.

As I see it, it's not my house, so they can make any rules they want. If I don't like them, I can always leave... and that goes both ways.

Private property rights FTW

CleoW · Sep 15, 2006, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by paul w

In New York the only peope I know who demand it are a couple Iranians, who have insanely valuable persian rugs.

I must be exceptional.

I live in Manhattan, am a black American, and allow no one to tramp through my house with outside shoes on.

imitchellg5 · Sep 15, 2006, 02:18 PM

I don't. Since it never rains and no one ever comes to visit me, I don't have to worry about it. The only person besides familys and friends from abroad that have been in my house is the Fedex man when he was dropping off my Power Mac and Cinema Display.

CollinG3G4 · Sep 15, 2006, 02:18 PM

I've never asked a guest to take his or her shoes off. Since i live in a somewhat ghetto college apartment, the over all cleanliness of the carpet after i am gone is of little concern to me. Sure, i'm all about keeping the place in good condition, but not to the extent of having people take their shoes off. Besides, smelly socks walking over the carpet seems a bit worse than dirty shoes.

turtle777 · Sep 15, 2006, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by CleoW

I must be exceptional.

I live in Manhattan, am a black American, and allow no one to tramp through my house with outside shoes on.

Dude, next up, no smoking weed at your home ?

-t

macroy · Sep 15, 2006, 02:26 PM

No shoes in the house. Sorry bud. However, I also keep the house spotless. I dont' want them to find their socks all black either.

I've been in some houses where they do ask you to remove your shoes, but then their place is just nasty.... and then you feel awkward.

For those that feel awkward with no shoes, one can always offer slippers.

phantomdragonz · Sep 15, 2006, 02:28 PM

I have always taken off my shoes when entering a house, I grew up doing it and its a habbit now... it is weird for me to wear shoes in a house, just does not seem right...

Zach

Zeeb · Sep 15, 2006, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by CollinG3G4

I've never asked a guest to take his or her shoes off. Since i live in a somewhat ghetto college apartment, the over all cleanliness of the carpet after i am gone is of little concern to me. Sure, i'm all about keeping the place in good condition, but not to the extent of having people take their shoes off. Besides, smelly socks walking over the carpet seems a bit worse than dirty shoes.

Ewww, good point there. would you rather have wet shoes or wet, smelly socks. I'll take the shoes too.

medicineman · Sep 15, 2006, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by kikkoman

This was common practice in my parent's and relative's homes. I thought it was an asian thing but I wonder who else does it. I always thought it was inconvenient and I do not impose it on guests in my own home.

Nope. But, then again, I'm old fashioned. Your question used the word 'guest'. My sensibilities say that guests should be treated as such. I want them to be comfortable and I want to cater to them. Why embarrass someone who may have a hole in their sock?

Demonhood · Sep 15, 2006, 02:49 PM

i have tile in my place, so unless i wanted my guests' feet to freeze, i wouldn't ask them to remove their shoes.

none of my friends (whether they have carpet, tile, hardwood, or something else) ask me to remove my shoes either. i thought that's what doormats were for. and vacuums.

turtle777 · Sep 15, 2006, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Demonhood

i thought that's what democrats were for. and vacuums.

LOL, I first read it THAT way.

Was about to call you out on that derail

-t

Mastrap · Sep 15, 2006, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Demonhood

i thought that's what doormats were for. and vacuums.

You don't have our weather. Come winter, your shoes will be carrying around a ton of salt and slush. We don't even wear the same shoes in the office that we wear to get to the office.

paul w · Sep 15, 2006, 03:40 PM

I wanna live in the place where nobody wears shoes to even take off...

turtle777 · Sep 15, 2006, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by paul w

I wanna live in the place where nobody wears shoes to even take off...

Sauna ?

-t

Railroader · Sep 15, 2006, 05:18 PM

I am barefoot 99% of the time, but when guests come over I am usually wearing shoes.

I don't think I have ever had a guest NOT take their shoes off. When they do that, I'll take my shoes off as well. If anyone were to ever leave their shoes on I would as well. I care more about my guests and our relationship that a inanimate inexpensive object. Carpets can be cleaned or replaced, friendships are far more valuable.

Plus my wife as a slight OCD to vacuuming and vacuums everyday, so our carpets are usually pretty dirt free any way.