A woman has sparked debate after saying she gets “mixed reactions” when she asks guests to take off their shoes in her home.
Writing on British parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman explained that some visitors have no problem with her house rule, but others “roll their eyes and seem uncomfortable.”
Responses were somewhat divided, with many people saying it’s “rude” to ask a guest to take off their shoes, while others said it’s “disgusting” to wear shoes inside.
A woman has sparked debate on Mumsnet after saying she gets ‘mixed reactions’ when she asks guests to take off their shoes in her home (pictured)
Explaining her opinion, the mother wrote: ‘I don’t think I’m being too unreasonable by asking visitors to my home to remove their shoes at the front door.
“I’m proud of the house but not a clean freak by any means – just my personal preference for cleanliness and hygiene reasons when walking around indoors in my bare feet.
“Some visitors, especially friends, are fine. But some family members or other visitors roll their eyes and seem awkward.
‘I take my shoes off at other people’s houses when I visit them because I like to practice what I preach. Do you enforce the same rule in your home?
The woman explained that some visitors are okay with her house rue but some “roll their eyes and seem awkward”
Many argued that she has the right to set the boundaries in her own home.
One person said: ‘Your house, your rules. Anyone who doesn’t like it should stay away.
Another wrote: ‘I have slippers in my house but don’t ask others to take their shoes off. But it’s your house, so do what suits you.’
While a third said: ‘Your house, your rules. The only time it bothers me is when it’s dressy and my shoes are off ruining my outfit!’
But some disagreed, saying they don’t like being asked to take off their shoes.
Many argued that if it’s the woman’s house, guests should play by her rules with one person saying “anyone who doesn’t like it should stay away”.
One person said: ‘No. I hate being asked to balance awkwardly in someone’s hallway to take off my shoes, then leave them there for everyone to see, and then sit with my socks on display. All very inelegant and embarrassing and I tend not to visit again.
Another said: ‘It’s not customary where I live either and it would be seen as the height of rudeness if you insisted. You would be the speaker of the congregation.’
While someone else said, ‘No, and I hate being asked to sit there in my socks at someone else’s house.
“Fortunately, I’ve only been asked once (by my mother-in-law’s neighbor) and I’ve never been back to her house.”
Others admitted that they would prefer guests to walk around their home in shoes rather than bare feet.
Others admitted that they would prefer guests to walk around their home in shoes rather than bare feet
One woman said: ‘Having shoes on doesn’t bother me downstairs as we all have hard floors which are easy to clean.
“While I have full respect for other people’s rules, I think it is poor hosting and bad manners to insist on it from guests.
“I know some people with diabetes who are advised to wear shoes or slippers and people’s foot care is more important than my floor.”
Another wrote: ‘It’s up to you but I don’t think it’s more or less hygienic and personally I prefer shoes to potentially smelly socks or bare feet.’
While someone else said: ‘Only on Mumsnet do I see this. None of our friends would dream of asking. I don’t want your mangy feet on my floors, please keep your shoes on.’
Some people admitted they were “shocked” at the number of people who don’t take off their shoes indoors for hygiene reasons
Some people admitted they were “shocked” at the number of people who do not remove their shoes indoors for hygienic reasons.
One person said: ‘It really boggles my mind that most people on Mumsnet don’t take their shoes off! I find it fascinating.
“It mildly annoys me that some family members don’t take their shoes off in my house because we have little crawling babies, but I’m not too hung up on it.
‘But I would NEVER dream of walking into someone else’s house with my shoes on! It feels sooo rude and disrespectful.
“The vast majority of people I know feel the same way. Also for what it’s worth – the family members who don’t remove them for me are older and would insist on shoes being removed in their own home.’
Another agreed, saying: ‘We’re a no-shoes house, it just seems weird to want to stomp through your house in shoes you’ve been walking around outside in.
“All the people we know automatically take off their shoes when they visit, even if I visit my old friend when she lives with her 75-year-old parents, I automatically take off my shoes because it’s always been a shoeless house. It is only automatic.
While someone else said: ‘Every single person I know takes their shoes off when they come to my house. I never had to ask! I do the same when I go to other people’s houses. I’m quite surprised that so many people have a problem with this.
While some others pointed out that it is the norm in the countryside to take off your shoes as they can be muddy
While some others pointed out that it is the norm in the countryside to take off your shoes as they can be muddy.
One person explained: ‘Those who keep shoes on – do you all live in cities/suburbs? I think the point about people living in the countryside is a good one.
“We live in the country and everyone takes them off automatically – most have a trunk or porch where the shoes go. Similar to country people who use the back/side door more often than the front!’
While someone else argued that it should be the same rule after walking on city pavements, saying: ‘Would expect people to either automatically take their shoes off or ask if I want them to.
“To me, it’s strange that someone would think it’s OK to walk on someone’s carpets with shoes I’ve walked on like city sidewalks and to bring in everything from dog poo, spit, vomit and chewing gum (as I can assure er that is what you find on most pavements in London…).Just basic hygiene and common sense.’
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