Do you all let people walk with shoes on your carpet?

Question

I live in the Caribbean where we don't use wall to wall carpeting like in the states. We mostly use area carpets.

I have one in the living room that I personally think is beautiful and I am the kind that thinks that shoes that are brought from the outside of the home shouldn't be on the carpet that my toddler sits on. Who knows what they have stepped on!.

Well, last night I had an argument about this subject [again!] with my husband because he says he is not going to ask anyone to take their shoes off and that if he went to someone else's home and they asked him to take his shoes off he would leave and never come back. He seems to think it is rude to ask someone to take their shoes off.

He is also the kind that prefers to have neighbors and friends on their good sides by not saying what bothers him and treating them nicely even if he doesn't like them. In short, he doesn't like to do stuff that might bother someone.

So I want to know what the general consensus is.

Answer 1

Yes, I can always wash it.

Answer 2

I was born and raised in germany, and my mother hates it when you where your outside shoes inside. That's considered rude. Anyway, in the States I've always enjoyed leaving my shoes on, it seems more common here. I keep it like that in my house. But if you're offended by it, especially with the baby, I would put my foot down.
You could get a cute little sign that asks visitors to take their shoes off. Thats not too much to ask. When you go into someone else's home you follow their rules and way of living. Anyone who is offended by that really doesn't need to be your friend, anyway! So good luck with the problem....

Answer 3

I'm with you. I think if you have a toddler crawling around on the carpet you should not let people walk on it with shoes. If you ask them in the right way to remove their shoes when they come in, you probably won't encounter any problems. You could welcome them in at the door, then point down to an area where you have put some of your shoes, and say, "You can leave your shoes there" and maybe have a couple of pairs of new slippers or flip flops on hand if they prefer to have something on in the house.

Answer 4

I do not allow shoes in my house. It is a rule I have had since we moved in and the house came with new white carpeting. My kids and I leave our shoes on the porch or in the garage depending on which way we come in the house. Whenever anyone comes over they usually will see us in our socks and shoes at the door and either ask if they should take off their shoes or automatically do it themselves. When my kids bring friends over they see my kids taking off their shoes and do it too. If they come over and we are already all in the house my kids will usually just tell them at the door "you have to take off your shoes before you come in."

Answer 5

I think people should take their shoes off. I have beige carpet, and everything shows up on it. I stay in socked feet all the time and ask my guests to do the same. I've never had any objections.

Answer 6

Personally, I have VERY little comapny at my home so I dont bother asking the few who stop by, but I know many people who do ask. I am not offended when asked and I dont see the person as being stuck up. They just want to keep their carpet looking nice and or minimize dirt and germs being tracked into the home.

Answer 7

I agree and understand your problem and your husband is not wrong either. It really sounds sorta rude to ask someone to take their shoes off. WE CAN"T HELP IT. I can remember when years back my mom was facing the same problem and I can still remember her SHOUTING after guests had left lolz.. ( she loved every decoration piece of hers).. So what she did was, she took out the print saying " please take off your shoes outside and make yourselves comfortable at our home "

You know very nicely she stated that on the enterance door .... all guests understood, laughed and shared and said.. ''Nice way to say that.''

Answer 8

Yes life is too short to worry about a carpet getting dirty. I think it's rude to ask some to take their shoes off and who wants to smell stinky feet?

Answer 9

I feel it is the homeowners right to choose.
Personally, I live in an old farmhouse and I track a lot of the "farm" in. It is somewhat of a hasstle to take your shoes on and off so my guests may do whatever they wish.

Answer 10

That's ludicrous. A carpet is SUPPOSED to be walked on. I know people that install white carpeting, require everyone to remove shoes and wear disposable slippers. What a sterile stupid environment for a life.

Answer 11

What carpet I have, you can walk on with shoes--Any one coming into the house should check to see if they are bringing anything with them....