Verified answer

While I am a full-time barefooter, I don't require people to take off their shoes when they visit. I don't really like any shoe or footwear rules; it should be clear to anyone who reads these barefoot questions that there are people who're just as uncomfortable taking their shoes off as I would be wearing them. Why would I do that to them? A house is meant to be lived in, my vacuum cleaner works fine, and my cats don't ever wipe their feet when they come in... only when someone would have very muddy shoes, I'd ask them to do something about it, but whether they take their shoes off or use the outdoor hose is up to them.

When I grew up, my mom kept several pairs of bamboo slippers (actually very comfortable) by the front door. The family each had their own pair, guests got a new pair. We kept the pair that any regular guest would wear in a nearby cubby with their name on the bottom. New pairs went to new guests. (they could keep them if they want). It wasn't that expensive because we had the same guests - usually friends of mine or my brothers - and on occasion, my parents had a guest or two over. There never seemed to be any problems with this. I think they also let guests know before arriving what to expect.

If I go to someones house that wants my shoes off - off they come! Not a problem for me.

It's a cultural thing. In the orient, almost everyone who visits and enters a house takes off their shoes - except westerners who appear not to notice that shoes pick up all kinds of disgusting things. It's not the carpet one's worried about - it's the hygiene that's more important.

If you feel uncomfortable about it, don't go inside. Guests are supposed to abide by the wishes of the host. If you're invited to a white tie occasion, you don't tell your host to b***er off if you turned up in jeans and T-shirt. It should be the other way round. If you're not allowed to smoke in some premises, you don't. Obey the house-rules.

Well... I don't, because I got wood floors. But if I had a nice carpet I wanted to protect from getting dirty, especially if it was light coloured, I think I might say, 'By the way, I'm trying to keep my (new?) carpet nice, so I'm asking people to slip their shoes off. Would you mind?'

The stupid thing is, work men, phone engineers etc are the worst, and you can't expect work men to take off their work boots, unfortunately.

It really depends whether you think protecting your floor is more or less important than how asking people makes you feel uncomfortable.

i always ask people to take there shoes of especially with a cream carpet, try saying like a hint like when they come in say, whilst you take your shoes of I'll check if the kettle is boiled. it's your home not theres and if they say no and don't have a reason well they are just really disrespectful and shouldn't set foot in your property. i mean if you set to someone you think you could just nip your shoes off I'm sure there not gonna like hate you lol.

It is your house and if they can not respect your wishes, then they are not worth having in your home. If they are offended, then too bad but never feel ashamed at wanting your home to be clean and not dirtied up by inconsiderate visitors.

When I lived in hawaii, most people knew that when u go to someones home you take off your shoes, some would have take off your shoes signs on the wall when u walk in (lol), and a little bench for you to sit on for u to do so, and some would have a neat rack of house shoes and flip flops for walking around the house for their guest. So instead of asking, make it obvious when ur guest walk in your home

It's your house. You have the right to decide if you want to allow shoes or not. If the don't like it, then they can't come in. I visited such a house years ago. I took my shoes off as a matter of respect for them & their home. I wasn't offended in the slightest.

I don't ask people this myself, so I can't really answer your question ;-P

However, I wanted to comment as someone being asked, I wouldn't mind. Your house is your domain and you set the rules. You should not be embarrassed to let people know how things are done there. Your company should respect your wishes, but if they don't then you may not want to press the issue.

Don't feel bad about informing them though.

When going in to someone elses house it is polite to remove your shoes the only reason not to is if they have their shoes on or tell you not to.Don't be embarrassed ask politely would you mind taking your shoes off then thank them when they do.