Is it rude to ask your guests to take their shoes off?

Question

Where I came from, wearing shoes at home is considered rude. I used to think that people only wear them in the movies (Americans) because it looks more presentable. I didn’t know there are still many people who do that in real life. When my husband’s family and friends came for our Christmas dinner last year, none of them took their shoes off, despite knowing we live in a carpeted house (except the kitchen is tiled). Then one time the electricians came to fix our heater, both of them stepped in the house with their dirty boots. His uncle’s girlfriend came last week to give us a hair cut, same thing- with her shoes on. These people are gross. When we did spring cleaning two days ago, I dare not to look at the vacuum. It was filthy. I also had to scrub the kitchen floor multiple times. I bought a few indoor slippers and put them at the front door because from now on, I decided to tell our guests not to have their shoes on.

cheeky_starfish · Accepted Answer

I think you set the standards for your own home, and that’s completely fair. In our home no one wears shoes in the house, but we have family who are happy for people to wear shoes in theirs, so I think it’s completely fair and reasonable to ask people to remove their shoes when they come into your home. It can be more difficult when you have already set the president of allowing people to wear shoes in your home, so next time you could tell people you have had your carpets professionally cleaned (true or not) and kindly ask that they remove their shoes when they arrive, because you wish to keep your carpets clean. I think it’s good to let people know in advance too and save the awkwardness when they arrive.

Effably · Accepted Answer

I would throw my guests out if they did not take their shoes off.

Its cultural of course. I will not be offended if people do something different elsewhere but where I am, you take them off in a home or you stay outside.

Asking is not rude. Just tell them that's how you grew up and be friendly. Its your home, accepting your culture within it is sensible.

Handymen are slightly different as they may have good reason to keep them on and it should be expected to clean everything after having work done somewhere anyway.

rosemilk · Accepted Answer

it's not rude! ain't nobody walking in my house with their shoes on lol. you should put up a sign at the front door as a nice little nudge like hey... no shoes please.

i have a solution for that electrician situation tho. (i'm korean, so clearly many would expect this lol) my mom used to ask electricians to put on those reusable shoe covers (we have them). they likely won't say no. i've also asked this of them. it was quick and simple, and i have less worry. it's not as weird as people may think it is.

Siri137 · Accepted Answer

No, these people are not "gross", you're just clueless when it comes to that fact that different cultures have different rules when it comes to things like this. In Australia and New Zealand it's the same; we generally don't take our shoes off. And why should we? Because people like you think it's "dirty"? Well, here's a newsflash: the floor will always be dirty, no matter how clean it looks. And it's not as though people eat off the floor.

Billlewis · Answer

I don't think it's necessarily rude, but I'd try to be mindful of what the day looks like outside. I once went to give a couple an estimate for carpet, on a warm, cloudless evening in midsummer, and despite the carpet that was on the floor when I arrived, the husband asked me to take my shoes off, which I did, although it made little sense to do so. Since I'd been out all day to that point, my stockinged feet were a little ripe, and he bitched, moaned and complained the entire time I was there, even though the carpet he had at the time was going to be replaced in a week or two.

Friendlybro79 · Answer

It's not rude to ask people to do things as simple as shoes off in your own home. I'm American and it sickens me when people walk all over their carpets with the same shoes on that touched bathroom floors filled with shit and piss and then have their kids crawling on their carpet.

If they think it's rude tell them they can go home lol. I know people that say they think it's ridiculous that they have to remove shoes in someone else's home. Those friends aren't allowed in my house. I've told them they're entitled to be disgusting slobs in their own home but not mine.

DJB72 · Answer

There's the "your house, your rules" argument. Some merit - you have to live there, after all.

The other side is some people will feel very uncomfortable taking off shoes. Especially workmen who for health and safety insurance reasons are required to have certain items of clothing and footwear, and anyone you meet who has physical mobility issues that make it difficult to constantly change their shoes.

If you plan on having friends then either go to their place or you need to provide overshoes to wear over their outdoor shoes at your place.

And yes, I mean having friends, not having them over...

Anonymous · Answer

If I considered it rude I just wouldn't go to thar person's house.

It's funny I watched an episode of Sex and the city the other day (make fun of me if you like). And Carrie the main character was asked to take her shoes off at a party of the house of a friend. Carrie was wearing a four hundred dollar pair of Italian heels. She complied, and when she went to leave discovered somebody had taken her shoes. Presumably by mistake. Point is this caused a riff because Carrie felt the homeowner was responsible and the homeowner was willing to replace them till she found out they cost four hundred dollars.

Still-alive · Answer

not at all. as said its your house your rules. unfortunately we are in a culture where that isn't a standard practice lol. it should be in my opinion. walking through a house with your dirty shoes on no thanks... although i'm guilty of it a few times myself lol.

MrOracle · Answer

As a "workman", they should have shoe covers to protect your floors, BUT, it is an OSHA violation to remove their shoes. I keep "booties" (shoe covers) in my van for just this purpose, but I absolutely cannot remove my shoes - it's a safety issue.

Otherwise, in the US, it is normal and common (though of course, not mandatory) to wear your shoes inside, unless you are somewhere there is mud.

MrNameless · Answer

It's not rude. It's a cultural thing that people need to respect and it's not just with Asians.

with family and husband's friends, you do:

1. have your husband notify your family ahead of time to take off their shoes off once they get inside

or

2. Point them to a shoe rack or something to take their shoes off.

I'd give non-family shoe covers or ask to take their shoes off

NathanDavis · Answer

with cultural things... understanding and consideration is the way to go talk about it in advance

DrPepper12 · Answer

There is absolutely nothing rude about this. Your house your rules. TBH I feel the same way there's absolutely no reason to be wearing shoes indoors HOWEVER If there are people there doing work on your house I would be okay with that as much as I don't like it.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I know what you mean. People even putting their street shoes  onto  the sofa, that's disgusting!

Wiredone · Answer

It's not rude. It's your house, your rules. If you don't want people to wear shoes in your house and damage your floors, they have to take them off. I've had people ask me to take my shoes off many times

V_Injector · Answer

Can I take my pants off too?

bowenw · Answer

Not really. Where I live everyone automatically does. Workers like electricians are required to wear safety boots here and don’t usually remove them.

Redstang88 · Answer

Not at all, what kind of animal wears shoes indoors?

molonski2 · Answer

NO.. Its how its always done here when entering a home. That story you convey , thats quite disgusting that they did that.

The_Sexpert · Answer

Depends on how you express it  If you ask them very politely then most people would be cool with it  Else, they'd probably take it in a bad way

red324 · Answer

Both my house and my brothers house have no carpet so I I'll leave my shoes on. I remember a friend commenting on my shoes being on one time. Lol can't remember if they had carpet or not. Pretty sure, they didn't.

4ngelic · Answer

no should be basic manners anyways to take your shoes off in someone else's home

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Nah It can be understandable, mostly if they have carpets and stuff

OtterMan68 · Answer

your house, your rules. It's not. Do you provide slippers and/or make sure your floors/carpet are spotless?

Is it rude to ask your guests to take their shoes off?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Is it rude to ask your guests to take their shoes off?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.