Taking shoes off inside

[AnitaPeterson]

I've seen Americans walking inside their own houses with their shoes on, and even jumping in bed and putting their booted feet on the pillow. I've seen the same persons throwing the pillow and the comforter on the living room floor, to be more comfortable while watching TV. I think it's gross, and totally uncivilized. Sorry, but when it comes to things like these, it's usually Americans only who have a problem (if anyone ever ruins a party because of this, it must be an American). Even in this thread there's a small, but vociferous minority who thinks this is anal. It's not. It's called "health' and "good manners".

The only possible allowance would be to tell people to bring special party shoes. I think everyone has a pair of new shoes, or worn only for occasions, which are usually clean... they can put them on while they arrive at the party, inside the house.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
I've seen Americans walking inside their own houses with their shoes on, and even jumping in bed and putting their booted feet on the pillow. I've seen the same persons throwing the pillow and the comforter on the living room floor, to be more comfortable while watching TV. I think it's gross, and totally uncivilized. Sorry, but when it comes to things like these, it's usually Americans only who have a problem (if anyone ever ruins a party because of this, it must be an American). Even in this thread there's a small, but vociferous minority who thinks this is anal. It's not. It's called "health' and "good manners".

The only possible allowance would be to tell people to bring special party shoes. I think everyone has a pair of new shoes, or worn only for occasions, which are usually clean... they can put them on while they arrive at the party, inside the house.

I've seen non-Americans do it too... lol.

 

[yobarman]

haha did anyone see the Curb Your Enthusiasm about this very topic?

 

[FreshPrince]

get some house slippers. Problem solved.

 

[ELopes580]

This thread makes me remember the movie, Donny Brasco, starring Johnny Depp. Anyone else seen the movie??

 

[Babbles]

I really do not think that walking around the inside of your house with shoes on should be considered uncivilized or unhealthy. Most Americans wear shoes while inside their house and we do not have rampant disease from it and I think you would be pretty desperate to call the USA an uncivilized country.

 

[0roo0roo]

being chinese, i dont understand why americans, normally anally clean people (lots of showers, anti bacterial everything etc) decide its ok to soil their house by trampling it in all over dirt trapping carpet. rather disgusting habit. if the whole house was tile u'd see the dirt far easier, but carpet hides it to some degree. but still, why dirt in the house.. ick.

maybe it was from the slave days where you could rely on servants to keep everything clean...and people copied the life style. i dunno.

make people take em off, no reason not to

 

[allisolm]

Am I bad mannered to request people take off their shoes?

Yes.

You invite people to share in a celebration with you and then tell them that your carpet is more important to you than they are.

Would you ask them all to remove their shirts or pants before coming in? How about - my wife doesn't wear a bra, so we don't allow them in the house? Or how about - don't sit on my couch until I can check and see if your underwear is clean? Are you going commando? Then out!

Shoes are part of people's dress and to ask them to remove part of their outfit to avoid POSSIBLY having some dirt brought in to your house is rude. You are supposed to make guests feel welcome and special, not like riffraff that has to be monitored lest they soil something.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[LiQiCE]

I don't think its rude at all. I ask all of my guests to remove their shoes. Nobody has ever made a stink about it. Asking someone to remove their shoes is different than asking someone to remove their shirt or their undergarments ... You do remove your coat or jacket when you come into a house right? Your gloves, your hat, your scarf? Include shoes with those items. Shoes in my mind are outerwear, there's no need for them inside.

Also, studies have been done on the amount of bacteria and germs living inside your carpet for people who remove their shoes versus people who do not, and the difference it makes is incredible! I'm not a neat freak or a germ-a-phobe or anything, but something simple like this isn't difficult to do, and to expect that your guests do.

When you visit other people's homes you respect their rules and their customs right? You should expect that people visiting your house will show you the same respect.

 

[miri]

I didnt invite any of these people. These are my wifes friends and I only know about 10 or so. Anyways I tried to avoid having the party here but it didnt work so thats why I was asking.

 

[slick230]

Originally posted by: allisolm


Just my 2 cents worth.

Keep your 2 cents, and your dirty fvcking shoes, out of my house then. Go fvck up your own floors.

 

[Spudd]

Originally posted by: miri
My wife is having a party for her 26th birthday next month and is inviting around 40 people. I know about 10 of the people. The thing is I make people take their shoes off. We had a big argument about this and im wondering if it is bad manners to request people take off their shoes. No, I dont think the people are dirty but I cant help think of where everyone walks. Ive walked through many a pee soaked public bathroom floors and I think of is that when I think of shoes walking around everywhere on my carpet. Am I bad mannered to request people take off their shoes?

It's your house damnit. If you want them to take their shoes off, that's your prerogative. I'm completely with you on the public bathroom wiz thing too. lol

 

[slick230]

Originally posted by: Spudd

Originally posted by: miri
My wife is having a party for her 26th birthday next month and is inviting around 40 people. I know about 10 of the people. The thing is I make people take their shoes off. We had a big argument about this and im wondering if it is bad manners to request people take off their shoes. No, I dont think the people are dirty but I cant help think of where everyone walks. Ive walked through many a pee soaked public bathroom floors and I think of is that when I think of shoes walking around everywhere on my carpet. Am I bad mannered to request people take off their shoes?

It's your house damnit. If you want them to take their shoes off, that's your prerogative. I'm completely with you on the public bathroom wiz thing too. lol

I would just love to what some of these people say if they invite somone over to their house, and the person walks through dogsh|t and doesn't bother wiping their feet or taking their shoes off before they come in. Guess they would just let that person track sh|t all over their house and on their floors and not care about it. Because, to say anything about it or ask the person to remove their shoes, would be anal or disrespectful.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Maybe it's an indian thing, but at all the Indian (Indians from India, not native indians) parties people take their shoes off. Put some shoes near the entrance so when people walk in they notice to take them off. You might have to tell the first few people to take them off, but after that everyone should catch on.

I think it's perfectly fine to ask them to take the shoes off, after all, whose house is it at?

 

[milagro]

I find it odd that so many people find this request offensive... It's completely assumed in Hawaii that you always take your shoes off...no one has to ask or be told. For people that wear shoes on their carpets - don't you think it feels weird? I mean a low pile carpet like you'd have in an office is one thing but the thicker stuff normally found in homes is another.... almost feels just as odd as if you walked on top of your bed w/ shoes on in my opinion..

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Isn't it normal for most people to take of shoes in their house or at someone else's place??

I never wear shoes in our house nor in other people's houses.

 

[Linux23]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Isn't it normal for most people to take of shoes in their house or at someone else's place??

I never wear shoes in our house nor in other people's houses.

i don't take my shoes off in other peoples houses. i don't feel comfortable at all. Only in my own house.

 

[AIWGuru]

Americans are weird. I have never, ever, ever, ever even HEARD of someone wearing shoes inside of a house here in Canada. Just look at all of the dirt in your front Foyer when you take your shoes off. You want that all througout your house and ground into the carpet? I bet that the e\average Canadian floor is a heck of a lot cleaner than the average american floor. Yikes. What a silly thing...shoes in the house.
Don't ask them to take their shoes off. Tell them. Post a sign. "backwards american, take off your damn shoes!"

 

[slick230]

Originally posted by: AIWGuru
Americans are weird. I have never, ever, ever, ever even HEARD of someone wearing shoes inside of a house here in Canada. Just look at all of the dirt in your front Foyer when you take your shoes off. You want that all througout your house and ground into the carpet? I bet that the e\average Canadian floor is a heck of a lot cleaner than the average american floor. Yikes. What a silly thing...shoes in the house.
Don't ask them to take their shoes off. Tell them. Post a sign. "backwards american, take off your damn shoes!"

Well, I'm going to make a generalization here and I really don't care who gets offended, but IMHO the people who wear their shoes in the house tracking dirt, mud, slush, sand, broken glass, dog sh|t, etc. all over are longing for the days when prehistoric man lived in caves and everything was covered in grimey filth. Bunch of filthy savages. But it's their house, their floors, and if they want to live in sh|t I guess that's their right.

 

[Lithium381]

some of my firends houses(mostly asian) take shoes off before entering the house, or in the main hallway.....i don't ask questions, i just take 'em off, it's not a big deal to me, i can respect their things....

 

[JBT]

I normally always take my shoes off when going to a persons house. I think if people see a ton of shoes they will take thiers off too. If it is a nice house with carpet yeah take them off if its alot of wood floors just deal with it.

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: miri
My wife is having a party for her 26th birthday next month and is inviting around 40 people. I know about 10 of the people. The thing is I make people take their shoes off. We had a big argument about this and im wondering if it is bad manners to request people take off their shoes. No, I dont think the people are dirty but I cant help think of where everyone walks. Ive walked through many a pee soaked public bathroom floors and I think of is that when I think of shoes walking around everywhere on my carpet. Am I bad mannered to request people take off their shoes?

40 ppl? logistically may be difficult to control. i find that a few 'slip' by, and then the rest follow. i say fvck it for that night. its up to you though...

 

[decrypt]

I just recently had a party at our home and we don't wear shoes in that house either. When people see the shoes piled up, they will understand. If they respect you and your home they will do it. I don't find it rude one bit, but then again I take my shoes off.

 

[psianime]

Make more Asian friends. We take off our shoes whenever we enter a house. You don't even have to ask... it's an unwritten law.

 

[Yzzim]

have the carpets cleaned when the party is over.

problem solved.