Do you take your shoes off when you go into other people's houses?
By jillhill
@jillhill (37354)
United States
December 20, 2007 5:48pm CST
I am from Minnesota. We have lots of ice and snow and use ice melt on the steps to prevent people from slipping. Last Thursday night I mopped the floor and it was sparkling clean. Since then I have had company almost every day or night stopping by and my floor is a mess. The number one offender is my son. And he tracks in wet snow and the ice melt stuff. My rugs also need to be washed again because they are stiff with the salt in the melting stuff. When I go visit other homes I always take my shoes off before I walk into their house unless they specifically say that I don't have to. Because of bad feet I must wear shoes all the time so bring a dry pair along with me. Do you take off your shoes so you don't mess up other people's floors?
3 people like this
25 responses
@zhwbeast (326)
• China
21 Dec 07
I am chinese and my country is not have the custom that take our shoes off when I into other people's houses.But for the diffirent habits,we will taje our shoes off in the summer if the host's floor is clear up.My feets also have a little smell,and I will keep my feets clean and often wash them to avoiding the smell
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
21 Dec 07
I heard recently that it really helps if you soak and wash smelly feet in tea. I have not tried it myself but it could do no harm.
@CEN7777 (855)
• India
21 Dec 07
hi jillhill, I do takeoff my shoes, when I will go into houses no mater whether it is mine or others. In fact in india we always expect from everyone to enter in anybody's house without any shoes or floaters.i think its agood habit we should always be careful and helpful for maintaining cleanliness.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
22 Dec 07
we don't have melting snow problems here since we don't have snow. but we have problems of muddy shoes or just dirty shoes with silts and everything.
if i'm wearing slippers, i would take it off when i'm entering somebody else's house and if their floor is so clean and shiny i can slip and see myself in it. ^__^;; but if their floor is dirty i wouldn't take off my slippers and i'm sure the house owner wouldn't mind.
if i'm wearing shoes, i wouldn't take it off too unless i am asked too. ^__^;; i would only wipe it thoroughly on the rag in the doorstep. ^__^
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
30 Dec 07
It depends on the person and the home. My oldest Brother hates for ppl to wear shoes in his house so yes, I take them off. But at my Mom's I never do b/c she has little dogs and sometimes there is a wet spot on the floor. I prefer not to b/c my feet swell badly but again it depends.
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@bassman21 (20)
•
23 Dec 07
I hate when people ask me to take my shoes off. I wear my shoes in my own house most of the time so why would I take them off in someone else. Of course if it is raining I always ask and will without a problem. However wanting me to take them off on a clear day seems rude. I always wipe my feet before I come into someones house and I check the bottom of my my shoes. If they have something on the bottom I will take them off, if not I leave them on.
I have had aruments break out at peoples house and I would not like having to stay those few extra minutes to put them on. Plus my feet get cold. Also I do not like puting my shoes back on after walking around in my sock.
In my house leave your shoes on. I do not want someones sweaty feet walking on my carpet. Fungus, bacteria and so forth can live on the skin, on a shoe they do nost last very long.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
21 Dec 07
Generally I don't but will take them off if I see the carpet is a lighter color. I hate to be without shoes but have to respect the homeowner. People come in here too all the time with their snowy shoes and I don't ask them to take them off. I really should because our carpeting in the entrance area is gray and will show stains.
@kishore415 (889)
• India
21 Dec 07
Itis good.
I also take of my shoes when i enter others house or my friends house.
@dianagnes (1088)
• Singapore
21 Dec 07
Its a tradition and my own custom to have to take out the shoes before going into someone house.Me myself dont feel easy wearing shoes inside the house..What's more the dirts from the shoes outside from nowhere get into the house and gts it to become dirty and kind like unhygienic..haha..
@mcjeannie (703)
• Philippines
21 Dec 07
Your discussion reminds me of one of the oldest tradition her in my country, the Philippines.Although, I've always been raised as a farmgirl being in the city now wouldn't make forget of one of the customs and tradition in my hometown.
I lived in the Northern part of the Philippines and since it is one of the largest rice granary of Luzon(One big Island here), the place is actually dusty especially summertime, and muddy during rainy days.It has always been a custom then that when you are a guest and visit the folks' home, their floor were well waxed and polished that the last thing you want to do is to blemish the floor with stain or dirt.So, a shoes off before entering the house is a tradition.Thus, it is also a sign of respect as well as a recognition of the effort of the woman of the house and in turn they do the same when they visit your home.
Nowadays, people on that area still keep the tradition and this discussion of yours gives a smile in my face like a reminder of being home.I bet Minnesota is a nice place to visit, there is a practice you do that is closer to my heart.
;) Smiles...
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
21 Dec 07
I usually take off my shoes at other people's houses. Though as a kid I rarely took my shoes off at the door. As someone who usually wears sandals (even in the winter months, and even when we lived in Michigan and Wisconsin) I often regret not having socks! Especially if the floors aren't that clean or it is chilly. But I would much rather take my shoes off then leave a dirty mess!
@Vucjak (242)
• Macedonia
21 Dec 07
Yes, I take my shoes off, unless they insist I don't. But, when there is something like party, when there is many people, it is recomended not to take the shoes off, cause in that case, if someone has a smelly feet, it could be really nasty for all of them.
@Lalitshukla (314)
• India
21 Dec 07
Its a always a good idea to be considerate and take off one's shoes before entering somebody's house. I normally do it if I see it being practiced at somebody's place, else I just walk in with my shoes on. Though, I think I should change this habit and should always take my shoes off before entering somebody's house. This will be much appreciated by others. You are doing the good thing anyways..
@smacksman (6053)
•
21 Dec 07
No problem with shoes in the house when it is dry but snow; ice; mud? No way.
Maybe a bucket and mop as the only Christmas present for your son might bring it home to him? haha
I wear thick socks in the winter and taking off shoes is not a problem as my feet are just as warm without shoes as with them.
@myworkid1987 (755)
• United States
21 Dec 07
i always take my shoes off before i enter peoples houses. I was raised to take off my shoes before i entered my parents house so its natural for me and its a respect thing. everyone should take off thier shoes before going into someones house unless they are wearing shoes in their own house or they tell you otherwise.
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
21 Dec 07
We take our shoes off if that is what the person wants. Most people I know want people to take their shoes off when they visit.
@fanji008 (775)
• China
21 Dec 07
Hi,there! I do take my shoes off when I go into other people's houses.Actually I also do that in my own house cause we have floors and we always try to keep our floors clean.So I take off the shoes before I go in and then change to another pair of shoes in the house.I think doing this in other people's house is a good habit and it shows respectations.I don't want to bring anything troublesome to others:) Thanks for the discussion and have a nice weekend^_^