Well, my first concern would be for my family. Think of the baby that crawls across that floor and then think where the bottoms of shoes have been. Yes, there are germs everywhere. But there are a few "germs" I would not want touching my face. : ) So I can safely say shoes off and friends will understand, if their really friends. And I've had workers remove shoes on their own. I like Koreans, they always remove theirs shoes. I watch a lot of Korean dramas. : ) I think most Asian people do. It's cool to me. I think you should respect someone's home when you visit. It's more comfy with shoes off than on anyway! : )

In India we believe every house is a temple and we never step in a temple with our footwear on. in case of houses of today, it is much easier to ask guests politely to remove their shoes outside before they step in. if that is a problem, then multiple rags can be arranged outside the house so as to enable the guests wipe their footwear before they step in.

I remove shoes, but just ask others to wipe their feet on good mats I have at each entrance.

HI -- Removing your shoes when coming into anyone's home or your own is automatic for most Canadians . Nobody even asks , it's just done .

I believe that guests should ask if they have to take shoes off. We take our shoes off at home and when visiting. Our guests are expected to do the same.

We have a dog that goes in and outdoor, so we don't have a rule nor ask for visitors to remove their shoes. That being said, we and most people often do remove their shoes when they come into our house, and we don't discourage it. I've found that visitors are pretty mindful of our home and remove shoes when they're really dirty. We clean our floors and rugs (hardwood and wool--both resilient) often enough that they look like we're careful with them.

Our Canadian friends automatically remove their shoes. We should all learn to do that; provide socks or bring their own. Works for me.

Thank everyone. I attempted the 'no shoes' policy these past 2 weeks to no avail. Asking the 10 at my gals nite to depart from their SW and Choos, didn't go over too well. Another of 20 guests that spilled onto the patio rendered awkward, lining up a row of shoes in the foyer or outside the door ... people were tripping over them, and on a smaller dinner occasion; to ask an older generation of guests/clients to remove their shoes just wasn't going to happen (I feared for their safety of slipping). Hub n' I decided to just replace the creamy rug when cleaning no longer does the job. Great discussion though! :)

I think it's rude to ask people to remove shoes unless you have new slippers for them to use. A little inconvenient, no? Most people aren't trekking through the barnyard anymore.

Having said that, anyone who's been to the dog park removes shoes before entering and we also wipe the dog down and wash his feet after going to the park.

No we do not ask guests to remove shoes. One's job as a host is to make their guests comfortable not vice versa. And if you're having a party and your guests have given you the courtesy of dressing for the occasion it seems pretty rude to ask them to walk around in their bare feet or socks. Most people will give you the courtesy of removing their shoes if they are wet or dirty anyway.

I understand it may be different depending on your culture or if it's a more casual visit but I dislike a rigid no shoes house rule.

We do not remove our shoes, nor do we ask our guests to do so. We have mats by all doors for people to wipe their feet before entering the house. We live in America, not Asia. I think it's rude to ask people to remove their shoes. Selecting a white rug or flooring is just stupid IMO, unless you want to live in a museum instead of a cozy home full of friends and family.

Although I live in Canada, I do know that "America" is made up of many cultures -- and some of those cultures believe that wearing one's shoes indoors is just wrong. That belief does not make them "rude".

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/shoes-on-or-off-in-the-house-dsvw-vd~713212

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/shoes-on-or-off-indoors-dsvw-vd~100739

felix thats a silly thing to say, I expect people to remove their shoes before coming in and I am not asian. who knows where their shoes have been, they could have recently walked in dog poop.

Takes all kinds to make the world go round. I would be offended if asked to remove my shoes when entering someone's home. If they wish to walk around barefoot, then that is their prerogative and it is fine. I do not go barefoot anywhere - indoors or out. I don't want my bare feet to be exposed to the germs/stuff on someone's floor. I certainly would not put on slippers or socks that have been provided to others to wear - that can transmit diseases. Varied perspectives.

How about having booties for your guests so that they get the hint....and then you will not have to offend anyone?

Maybe it's a regional thing, but I have never been asked to take my shoes off when entering someone's home. If, as someone posted above, I had just stepped in dog poop, I certainly would not walk into someone's home with that on the sole of my shoe. I mean, c'mon.

For casual gatherings we do shoes off. Babies crawl around and we would think nothing of a guest curling up in the corner of the sofa. It is like being at home, but with friends, and we don't wear shoes at home.

But for a party, never! There was nothing grosser in Chicago in the winter than to be assaulted by a hallway full of smelly winter boots outside or inside of someone's apartment. Is that the first impression you want to make on your guests? Roll up the rugs if they are precious, and you should be counting on mopping up after, anyway.

Booties. :) My house, my rules. Imagine I expect guests not to use my potty because of their germs? See, no shoes doesn't seem so bad. And my floors are clean. No dirty socks here. LOL :D

Only the dogs are required to remove their shoes in my house.

Our foyer in Thailand had nearly 40 feet of shoe racks nicely tucked into built-in cupboards—no outdoor shoes indoors. Now in rain-forest Canada, we keep that tradition and provide slippers.

I should note, too, that parties involving stilettos are VERY hard on oiled (rather than varnished) floors.

At my house people (and dogs) can keep whatever footwear they arrive in. When visiting others I abide by their preferences and don't think anything of it.

Usually people ask if I prefer them to take their shoes off. It depends. If it's a filthy repairman coming in to fix something, shoes off. I usually don't say anything, unless I see them making footprints I speak up. I don't care for sweaty feet on my floor! If you have sweaty feet please keep your shoes on!

Back in France, most people would keep their shoes indoors. Maybe because carpet is not as popular as it is in Canada / North America? Tile & hardwood floors are certainly easier to clean (not necessarily to maintain in the long term though).

Here in Canada, 99.9% of people take their shoes off at the door, and so do we. With all the snow / mud we get in the winter, we wouldn't have it any other way!

Some additional rules I can think of that may be considered: Please remove lipstick before drinking from my glasses as it is hard to clean off, please don't sit on the upholstered furniture if your hands or body parts have a tendency to sweat, please don't open any doors unless you have washed your hands, please use the Lysol cleaner to scrub down the bathroom after you use it and don't forget the door handle, please try to not actually touch your mouth to the silverware just pick the food up with the fork and drop it into your mouth, please brush your hair thoroughly before you enter the house and if a hair should escape your head capture it immediately and dispose of it properly, please don't scratch or fidget in such a way that tiny bits of skin might fall on flat surfaces, this includes the floor, if you have a cat or dog vacuum your clothes thoroughly before coming in my door, if you have farm animals don't even bother to come in the front door
because you are restricted to outside areas, if you sneeze be prepared to spend the night cleaning my house. Have a great time!

Sounds good, mfwolfe. But really, shoes on or off is a regional/cultural thing, and not something to get our shorts in a knot over. Differences just make us all more interesting.

Plus, I have let guests come with two dogs. I've had dogs in my life and have never seen this much hair. And after meticulously cleaning my home and making huge meals 3x a day over a few days, I did not expect my 8 month pregnant self to spend from 6:30pm to 6:00am cleaning vacuuming and washing everything that had dog hair. So, please cut me a break about the no shoes rule in my house. Other than that, please feel free to kick your feet up on my table, sneeze, fart (hopefully far from me), snooze, dance, and have a great time. Just do it shoeless! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL :) Most of my friends do the same in their houses too. It's all good, if you invite me over, I'll wear shoes if you really want me to. LOL :) Be Happy guys! Nothing to be mad about.

I grew up in a house (Cali)where you took your shoes off at the door. At least family and close friends. If there was a party, my mother did not bother asking as not to offend. My husband grew up in a house with a lot of animals (illinois) so his parents prefer that everyone keep their shoes on. They wear theirs til bedtime. I think it's gross (ESP in winter) but it's not my house so I go with it. Lol. Right now our home (AZ) is not in a condition where I feel comfortable asking our friends and family to do so. But as soon as it is, I have my sign ready to go. I'm not upset if people don't, but I would prefer they did.
And btw am I the only one that says "which one?" when someone says "this is America". There are so many cultures in the USA. I always look forward to learning how someone else does things in their home.

Shoes off, not even a question. We have relatives/guests who bring their own slippers. I have a pair that I take with me when I visit. Or else a pair of socks. And yes, I am Canadian.

I don't think its a regional or cultural question. It's very personal if you want your visitors to take off their shoes.
Here in the Netherlands I know many people who want you to take off your shoes, and many who don't.
Our friends and relatives in France, Germany and Belgium don't ask us to take off shoes but I'm sure there are people in these countries who do.
My guests can keep their shoes on. My parents are far over 80 years old and I can't expect them to take off their shoes ( and walk on slippery slate or parquet) knowing it takes them time in the morning to put them on.

I know several contractors that charge 10 or 20% more on estimates to customers that ask them to remove their shoes. The thinking is that asking a contractor or other professional to remove their shoes when they are giving you a free estimate is being high maintenance, thus branding yourself as a less preferred person to work with.

We don't charge differently but we certainly notice that the less sensitive the customer is to our comfort and time the less we like working with them. We have customers that eat dinner in front of us, text incessantly during our conversations, and try to take photos of our designs prior to paying a deposit.

We even had one customer that asked a designer to remove their shoes in their messy home while it was measured. While measuring the designer accidentally stepped on a pointy metal toy soldier. Thankfully the designer was not seriously injured. After the designer spent hours measuring and creating a design and days later going over it with the customer, all free of charge, I got a phone call from her asking that we pay $60. The replacement cost including shipping of this beloved and unusual toy only available from toy shops in Europe.

I do have one pet peeve. I will not work with an customer that insists on being referred to as "Mr"or "Dr". Were I in their office asking their advice that would be fine. When they are asking for my advice first names need to be fine both ways, or I head for the hills.

We wear shoes in the house. I don't like being asked to take them off.

Main Line, we have had lots of work done over the past several years. It never occurred to me to ask the contractors to take their shoes off. For one thing, those shoes protect their feet working with heavy and sharp things.

I also make it a point to tell them to feel free to use the restrooms inside the house. No porto-pots!

i just saw this in ms. manners i just had to leave it here.

July 14 at 12:00 AM Dear Miss Manners: We live in Florida near the
beach. How do I handle a guest who sits on my furniture with suntan oil
or a wet swimsuit? This is our home, not a hotel, and we want to keep
our furniture nice. It is amazing how many people actually do this. Yes,
but while Miss Manners has a certain sympathy for your situation, she
cannot allow you to declare a public preference for furniture over the
comfort of your guest. This is what got us into the great Shoe vs.
Flooring debacle of this generation — and you are not going to get Miss
Manners to budge on that.

No outdoor shoes. We don't have to ask though, it is expected where we live in Canada.

People before things. Common sense. If I am the host, I never ask a guest to take their shoes off. Their comfort is more important than the bit of time it might take me to sweep. If I am a guest and my shoes are dirty, I take them off. It surprises me how many people have dirty animals (pets) in their homes. The pets have wet and dirty feet, lick themselves, eat whatever they can off the floor before it can be captured by the cook, drink from the toilet if available and then lick their owners face....and we are discussing whether or not upright, walking people can continue to wear an article of clothing inside?? I have had guests leave dirty footprints on my floor. I clean it up. Just like I do when my children come home with my "grand pets". I had a guest visit my home from Brazil a while back. He was surprised when my farm dogs met him outside. He commented that he could not get used to Americans keeping their animals inside and he appreciated my preference to outside animals. It was about then that my dog-fearing cat rubbed up against his leg and his opinion of me dropped! People before things.

Another vote for shoes off from a Canadian. That said if we host an event or get together I allow shoes on as they are often part of ones outfit. For day to day it's shoes off though. My house my rules. I always assume shoes off everywhere I go. I'm a teacher and even make my class take off outdoor shoes and put on indoors or slippers so the the classroom isn't a mess.

Canadian here...leave your shoes on unless they are covered in mud or snow.

It makes me very uncomfortable to ask anyone to take their shoes off, & I am very uncomfortable without my shoes. And I do find it embarrassing & humiliating. Who started this??? I want my guests to have their shoes ON & not piled at the door. On the occasion that it is an Asian family's home, I will be respectful of that.

ok gang, did not mean to start up again, just thought they might like the ms manners quote. i promise not to put one on the over under, even if it is the most adorable i have ever seen. lol

Shoes off! Most people see the pile of shoes at our door and do likewise. If they don't, I won't ask them to. I'll have a little grand baby soon and the thought of her crawling around on a dirty floor and putting every little thing in her mouth makes me shudder.

I would not be without my foot mop it is a new product made out of microfiber you can use any cleaner of choice with it even vinegar baking soda and a little liquid soap just no bleach Iuld not want my grandchildren crawling around on the floor after my dogs or company have walked on it. We do not throw our dogs out in the cold and rain we let them live in the house so this helps to clean up fast after them and then when company comes. Toss, spray & swipe the mess away with your foot.

You gotta check out this product I think anyone who is concerned about keeping their floors clean would choose to order it especially on these rainy slushy days that we have in the northwest. Www.easyfloorcleaning.com

We dont ask guests to remove their shoes although most who require it in their homes do it anyway. I do remove my shoes when entering someone's home if i know they prefer no shoes.

We don't ask guests to remove their shoes, we wear inside shoes that don't go outside.

Both my late Mother and myself had/have severe arthritis in our feet. I can't walk 10 feet without shoes and taking them on and off is agonizing. Unless someone knows me well, it can be a real struggle with peoples' no shoe rules.

Have you ever seen the gross, sweaty footprints left by people who don’t wear shoes in the house? We have a certain floor that shows all of those, and after that we decided that we’d rather sweep and mop up some outside dust than have stinky foot sweat all over. It’s really gross, folks! Foot sweat even soaks through socks - no one is immune. If you think your feet aren’t damp, you are wrong. We’ve watched it for years and it’s true — all feet are sweaty on the floor. As for us, we wear slippers or slides for everyday — problem solved. All of our friends know to leave their shoes on in our house.

Have never asked quests to remove their shoes.

I know this is a very controversial topic though I have never truly understood why. For myself and my home it has been for about 40 years a "shoes off" policy. The reason has to do with the fact that people wear shoes on the public streets and sidewalks and their shoes pick up all that icky stuff we don't like to think about. Then it is brought into the house. I find the thought gross. (That said, I follow others' rules in their homes, either shoes on or off. It's their home, after all.)

I keep surgical booties for those who either cannot remove their shoes or prefer not to do so. They are non-slippery and made to fit all sizes of shoes/feet. Most people I know seem to wear socks and that is fine as is barefoot. One close friend who thanks to leg surgery has a one-inch difference between her legs' length has her shoes customized to work well for her. Since she can't really go barefoot or just wear socks, she bought a pair of indoor-only shoes that she had altered professionally, and uses at home and at my place.

I was raised in a house where you wore shoes all the time. But when I moved to Hawaii in the late 70s, I discovered the "no shoes in the house" rule. I immediately liked it and made it part of my life. It does have several advantages from my point of view: cost effective as shoes last a lot longer when not worn all the time, less time cleaning the floor, mental relief that outside gunk from public areas is no longer entering my home.

It may not work for everyone and as I said I follow others' rules in their homes. But for me, it is and has been for a very long time, a no-shoes zone.

I understand a shoe-free household, but at least offer disposable surgical booties for those with medical issues or embarassing foot odors or other problems and need to keep their shoes on.

I would probably prefer a shoe-free house but my husband thinks it's ridiculous to do so, so we do not have a shoes off rule. If asked, we take ours off even though his feet hurt without his shoes. We need to get those booties for him.

Our pest control guy uses disposable booties over his shoes before he enters the house, but most contractors do not.

I would lay down paper or plastic if work is being done rather than ask them to remove their work boots. I've seen this at Open Houses, too.