Removing your shoes before entering a house?

Is it rude to ask someone to remove their shoes when they come into your house?
What is your preference, do you prefer people to remove their shoes before entering your home?

I don't think it is rude to ask and I do think it is very rude to not just do it automatically.

My son's uncle will come here with his family and NEVER take shoes off. That is ten feet all tracking in crap. And I am no longer allowed to suggest it to them because he gets all pissy and just stays in the doorway and only stays a short while.

I don' t think its rude at all, especially if there is a rug or wood floors around. I usually remove my shoes when I go to someone's house, especially if it has been snowing or raining.

Their house, their say, I guess. I don't know if I would go so far as to have people take their shoes off as a general rule, but if your shoes look dirty, then I may have you check them at the door.

If I had that practice I would let people know that we do not wear shoes in the house so they know and make sure they are not embarrased by having socks with holes.

I think it is a neat practice. I lived in Korea a total of three years and got used to taking shoes off when entering homes.

You have a great day.
Friendly Veteran

I don't think it's rude to ask guests to take their shoes off but I have to disagree with Red that it's rude for a guest to not automatically do so (unless their shoes are obviously dirty or wet.) I don't know if you get Showtime, Red but on the series Shameless (set in Chicago!), Joan Cusack's character is a stickler for that LOL.

Chris wrote:Is it rude to ask someone to remove their shoes when they come into your house?
What is your preference, do you prefer people to remove their shoes before entering your home?

i have a friends who just moved into new house last year before xmas, and thats one of their rules, and no i dont think its rude. they have really nice carpet and kinda live out of town, so lots of dirt out there.

as to where i live? only when its snowin/rainin do we leave shoes at our door, and ask guests to do the same

alan smithee wrote:I don't think it's rude to ask guests to take their shoes off but I have to disagree with Red that it's rude for a guest to not automatically do so (unless their shoes are obviously dirty or wet.) I don't know if you get Showtime, Red but on the series Shameless (set in Chicago!), Joan Cusack's character is a stickler for that LOL.

The reason I just do it, and think it is the right thing, is because if I ask someone they may be too kind to tell me their preference. It will always stick in my mind the time that I visited a friend I had not seen in ages. My son was much younger and walked in before I asked about shoes, and when I asked, she said, no don't worry about it. They had all hardwood floors, and so, we left them on. It wasn't until we were leaving that I noticed they had a sign on the door (garage entry door) saying something about taking shoes off and also had a ceramic frog that was holding a little sign stating the same!

Oh, and I need to see if that show is online...I saw the first one and really liked it. But at that time I was just getting Show as a promo.

I don't think it's rude and it wouldn't bother me to take my shoes off, so long as I could keep on my socks.

I usually remove my shoes unless I'm told to keep them on.

No, it's not rude to ask someone to take off their shoes. If it's what the homeowner/apartment-owner prefers, then they have a right to say it.

As for question #2, I honestly don't give a damn if people take off their shoes or not, unless of course they just stepped in horse maneur or something really offensive and extreme like that. I'm sorry, I just don't want my house looking or smelling like a stable.