Shoes On or Off?

[Rissask]

Just a fun 'debate'.
We were at a xmas party the other night, and seeing everyone's shoes piled by the front door made me think of this age old question...when going into someone's house, do you take your shoes off or not?
It seems to be a regional thing across North America,as well as a cultural difference in the world (like the Thais take their shoes off before entering a home, and I think it's common in other Asian countries as well.) My boss is from Pennsylvania and he was up this summer, and I had a work BBQ at my place; he came in to use the bathroom and walked into my house a few times without taking his shoes off! That just isn't done here.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Just a fun 'debate'.
We were at a xmas party the other night, and seeing everyone's shoes piled by the front door made me think of this age old question...when going into someone's house, do you take your shoes off or not?
It seems to be a regional thing across North America,as well as a cultural difference in the world (like the Thais take their shoes off before entering a home, and I think it's common in other Asian countries as well.) My boss is from Pennsylvania and he was up this summer, and I had a work BBQ at my place; he came in to use the bathroom and walked into my house a few times without taking his shoes off! That just isn't done here.

We don't have a certain policy now, but the kids have been trained from an early age that shoes come off when you enter a house. When I enter someone else's house, I automatically take my shoes off. However, if it is a dinner party I take my time, waiting and hoping for the "oh, no, please leave your shoes on" statement. Just because I believe that - especially with women - shoes are an important accessory to an outfit.

We have laminate floors - and a dog - so I always tell people to leave their shoes on. Nothing a quick swiffer won't take care of later! Myself, I am like Mr. Rogers...I take off my shoes when I come in and put on my indoor shoes...I have a special pair I wear inside with my orthotics in them..for comfort sake.

[ZAEM]

I guess it depends where Im at. My parents always taught us to take our shoes off. Our kids take their shoes off at each house. But as I've got older and learned the habits of those I may be visiting--I may take them off or I may not. My husbands parents will tell you to leave them on. I used to take my shoes off there but after so many times of hearing not to I leave them on.
When my husbands family comes to visit us they leave their shoes on. They know it drives my husband crazy. He's a real neat freak. So it's kind of an ongoing joke there.

Felt the need to add this after reading Ginger's post. My husband also has his indoor sneakers. Never never wears them outside.

[Icon oclast]

We take off our shoes at the door but do not get worked up if guests choose not to. We take ours off when visiting others as a sign of respect for their space. We do not allow pets, ours or others in the house which seems to po a few of my in-laws who can't take a potty break without their mutts with.

[playawannabe]

I'm with Ginger, laminate floors, 3 dogs, 2 cats, it's dangerous at my place to not have your shoes on. I tell my guests to keep them on and I wear birkenstoks or mocassins all the time. When I am a guest, I take my shoes off unless I am told to leave them on. Sometimes I bring my slippers along too.

[Mikey]

It all depends on what my socks look like.....

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Just a fun 'debate'.
We were at a xmas party the other night, and seeing everyone's shoes piled by the front door made me think of this age old question...when going into someone's house, do you take your shoes off or not?
It seems to be a regional thing across North America,as well as a cultural difference in the world (like the Thais take their shoes off before entering a home, and I think it's common in other Asian countries as well.) My boss is from Pennsylvania and he was up this summer, and I had a work BBQ at my place; he came in to use the bathroom and walked into my house a few times without taking his shoes off! That just isn't done here.

Wow, that's bizarre! Really? Guests are expected to take off their shoes when they come in the door? What if it's a fancy dinner party? Or a costume party where boots are part of the costume? Or it's just plain cold and whatever is on your feet is there to keep you warm?

Other than in Asian cultures, I confess I have never heard such a thing. Now I feel like I must have been horribly rude to so many people!

EDIT: If I were tramping in snow or ice or mud or sand, I would definitely take them off though.

[Mercy]

I always leave my shoes on... even at home. I don't like to go shoeless

[Rissask]

In case my own answer wasn't self evident, we always take our shoes off in our house. Other people are sort of 'expected' to, we have a mat by the front door for that reason. And 99% of people do, since they are from around here, and that is just what everyone does here; I think partly it's just an ingrained habit and also it's practical- there is a lot of mud/snow/salt/dirt around here and most houses have at least some carpeting, because of the colder climate.

But I wouldn't freak out if someone didn't take them off, unless their shoes were really muddy and soiling my carpet or something. I didn't say a word to my boss!

However, if it is a dinner party I take my time, waiting and hoping for the "oh, no, please leave your shoes on" statement. Just because I believe that - especially with women - shoes are an important accessory to an outfit.

So true....it's always funny at New Years parties or other dressier occassions, to look around and see all us women with our nice outfits and standing in our bare or stocking feet. Oh well, it's more comfortable!

edit: Susie I am sure no one would ever think YOU are rude! If I lived in a warm climate with tile floors, I might too. It's just a funny difference!

[StephenB]

They wear shoes in Canada?

(sorry, but I could not resist)

[Jacko]

We do not have this custom of automatically taking our shoes off. (Susie, you were safe with me! )

I take my shoes off if they are wet or dirty...I realize that shoes are at some level dirty all the time...just like hands etc...

I take my shoes off when it is hot outside....

I take my shoes off when I want to put my slippers on....other than that, I "offer" to take my shoes off whenever the owner of the house does not have shoes on....and I do notice

When in Rome......

[CatskillsMom]

I also look at it for each situation. If it is a completely carpeted home and the shoes are dirty, then I would take them off right away. If it's a bare floor...and my shoes aren't dirty then maybe I would not...like someone previously said...we know who and who does not insist on it. In our house..we always take ours off at the door but I don't go balistic if someone comes in and does not take them off.
So, I guess I did not help in this poll at all!!

[TAPPY]

I would look to see what the host is doing, if she has on shoes I would keep mine on, if her shoes are off then I would take mine off. (I would check out the floor as well...light colored carpet - shoes off. Tile/Wood floors -shoes on.)

If it was a party I would never take my shoes off - unless they have white carpet and other people are shoe-less. I have never heard of people taking shoes off at a party - unless it was a pool party.

Sometimes shoes are cleaner than stinky feet !!!

If my shoes were dirty or muddy - I would take them off for sure.

I guess I would ask the host !

[Buggirl]

I have a whole set of "party socks" for mid-winter New England parties We had 2 dogs and beat up old wood floors so we always told people they were better off leaving their shoes on. I automatically assume that when I go to someone's house in the winter they will want me to take my shoes off what with all the grit and grime on the streets and sidewalks- hence the party socks So to sum up: summer and fall- I ask first. Usually the shoes stay on. Winter and Mud (that's Maine for spring)- shoes automatically come off.

[CatskillsMom]

Originally Posted by TAPPY

I would look to see what the host is doing, if she has on shoes I would keep mine on, if her shoes are off then I would take mine off. (I would check out the floor as well...light colored carpet - shoes off. Tile/Wood floors -shoes on.)

If it was a party I would never take my shoes off - unless they have white carpet and other people are shoe-less. I have never heard of people taking shoes off at a party - unless it was a pool party.
Sometimes shoes are cleaner than stinky feet !!!

True....and maybe they don't want to take their shoes off because they cannot control it...which can be embarrassing for them.