Should you take your shoes off when entering someone's house?

Question

I always do, unless they insist (and I mean REALLY insist) that I don't. However, a lot of our guests don't remove their shoes. If they offer, it's tough to say "yes, please do" because you know they don't want to, or they'd just do it. I can't bring myself to ask- so if they don't do it, I just let it go. So far, the best method is to greet them outside and remove my shoes when I come in. Some get the point, others painfully ask if they should and some just march on in.

Answer 1

Some people don't care about shoes in their own house, but if you care, you have a right to speak up. You could just say "Oh, you're welcome to leave your shoes right here (point to some spot near the door) if you like; we all take off our shoes inside." You could also use that if they offer to take off their shoes - "Oh, thank you, if you don't mind, you can leave them right there." You could also leave some kind of stool or box by that spot, so it's a little easier for people to take their shoes off. Good luck, that's tough because a lot of people think it's "rude" to ask for certain courtesies in your own house. They don't realize that they are being rude by inconviencing you and not doing what you ask in your own house.

Answer 2

It depends on the culture of the area where you live. In Canada, where I used to live, it was a custom to take off shoes when entering the house, so I always did it unless someone specifically said something like, "Don't worry about your shoes." However, in the part of the States where I live now, it's not expected that people will take off their shoes when entering the house, so I don't do it unless I can see that it's the custom of the house.

Most of the time, I can tell whether people remove their shoes when coming into a house because I can see a little mat by the front door with shoes on it, or a couple of pairs of shoes by the front door. Some people even have little cute signs that ask visitors to remove their shoes.

And, by the way, when I ask whether I should remove my shoes, it's not necessarily because I'm not willing to do it. I'm just asking about the custom of the residence.

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

I know in some religions you aren't suppose to wear shoes in a house because they are dirty and unclean so it shows a sign of disrespect when people don't. However I don't follow that religion. I normally take my shoes off at a house if the floor looks clean and I'm going to be there awhile. I don't like walking in my sock and stepping on ladybugs and dirt and other stuff it's gross so I won't take my shoes off them. I do take them off when the floor looks clean so then I don't make it dirty. My brother however has the world's worst smelling feet ever. You can smell them with his shoes on and it smells as if his shoes are off. When he takes his shoes off you want to gag and pass-out all at the same time. He's tried everything and nothing seems to work, and he can't help his sweaty feet problem. He won't ever take his shoes off because he is really embarrass about it. Maybe you could ask them to take their shoes off them just let it go. I meet with my friends at their house and other places more then they are here because I got tired of getting stains and other stuff on my carpet. It's really not that big of a deal though because when they do come over I'm just glad to have their company more then worry about their shoes.

Answer 4

i have a friend who insists everyone remove their shoes when they walk in due to her having light colored carpeting. i don't find it rude. it's her house she's paying for it and it's respectful to follow the owners wishes. on the other side of the spectrum you have my grandmother who thinks you should wear shoes at all times until you go to bed or you're in the shower. i would say just go by what the owners are doing. my friend doesn't hesitate to say 'if you're coming into this house you must remove your shoes' the one time the person decided to be a jerk about it he tracked red mud onto her cream carpeting. she was not happy and requested that if it didn't come out he pay for it to be cleaned. lucky for him it came out it did cause a huge argument he didn't see anything wrong with what he did which to me is just plain rude and disrespectful. if in doubt ask the owner/renter if they would like for you to remove your shoes or keep them on and make it clear it won't bother you either way.

Answer 5

It is a requirement through out all of Asia, and here in most of Hawaii.

Actually, it is both a courtesy and consideration.

Consideration for the persons home, in that you do not track in all
the dirt, mud what ever, from outside into the home. People should not have to clean their floors after you leave because you tracked in the filth from outside!

Many homes have expensive carpeting, polished hardwood or young children playing on the floor!

I feel that it is a good idea, out of cleanliness, and respect for the persons home, to remove the shoes before entering!

For me, I treated it just like smoking, I do not smoke, I ask people not to smoke in my home and if they have issues with that, they can leave! Too, no one ware shoes inside our home, they are left out side or in the vestibule.

Each person has to judge for them selves, they set their own rules for their home and guest have to abide or leave!

Answer 6

You should ask the host whether you should take your shoes off before doing so. Always accept their answer graciously.

In the case of your own house, if you want people to take their shoes off then you must be prepared to keep the floors of your house clean. You wouldn't want your guests to have dirty socks, would you? I find it best to put a sign with a cute message saying you would like them to take their shoes off:)

~eves

Answer 7

I think if you see other pairs of shoes by the door, then that is a pretty big sign that it's appropriate. Otherwise, it might make people uncomfortable, even though you're just trying to be respectful to them and their home.

I can't believe someone has actually insisted you leave your shoes on though... THAT is what sounds rude to me, but it's all in the tone of their voice I suppose.

Answer 8

It is always good to observe whether your host removes his/her shoes before entering their house and then you can follow suit. There is no way you can go wrong with that.

If you are the host and would like your guests to remove their shoes, just ask them politely and people usually oblige.

We tend to perspire a lot more in Asia. After entering my host's house, I always ask to use their bathroom to rinse my feet, just in case anyone passes out ;-)

Answer 9

It is very rude for others to make it seem as though it is an inconvenience to them to remove their shoes. After all, it is your home and they should be ready to show you that level of respect when entering.

Most will understand that it's not an unreasonable request .... like my mom asks everyone to please remove their shoes ... it's not that she's anal or not worried about making them uncomfortable ... it's just that she's paid a lot of money for her carpet and she'd like to see it kept clean.

Most of our friends already know to do it ... because if you make it clear once or twice that this is your preference (as we did), most of your friends will remember the next time they come over. And if they forget, simply remind them!

AND...
It will be easier to remind them after you've told them of your wishes initially! :)

Answer 10

It depends on the custom of the house you are entering.

Around my house we don't remove our shoes and I don't expect guests to do so. However, at my neighbors house their custom is to always remove their shoes. So... when entering their house I always do so.

If you don't know the custom of the house when you visit for the first time, simply ask.