No shoes = less cleaning
Most people don’t enforce a “no shoe policy” in their homes, but I’m getting ready to because I’m tired of cleaning and re-cleaning the floors of my home. Instituting a no shoe policy may be where I am heading especially with my daughter eventually reaching the stage of “total dirt ball.” She will inevitably enter the house with shoes full of dirt and grime and track it throughout the house.
I’ve been to homes where they are militaristic in their no shoe policy and I must admit that it definitely keeps the floors and carpet much more clean. So, if your floors stay clean longer, it is reasonable to assume that you will end up cleaning the floors less often. Which frees you up to do things that you’d rather be doing, like playing outside with your kids in the mud.
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80 comments posted
Posted by Joakim - 10/13/2007
“Most people” must be americans then, because where I live (Stockholm, Sweden) shoes are made for walking outside and they come off right at the door.
I thought it was only in the movies that americans did that. Why invest in nice floors and rugs if you’re gonna wear shoes when walking on them anyway?
Posted by Jamie - 10/13/2007
Canadians don’t wear shoes in the house. You come in, kick off your shoes, and put them either in the closet or near the door. You might occasionally walk across hardwood or tile with your shoes on to grab something, but NEVER carpet.
Americans are strange.
Posted by DomoDomo - 10/13/2007
Well I’m an American who grew up wearing shoes in the house (I also ate peanut-butter banana sandwiches, oh those crazy americans!). Then I lived in Japan and China for a few years. I’m back in the states now and my fiancee is Chinese. I made the switch, and have gotten so used to taking my shoes off when entering the house, I can’t imagine every going back.
One thing I would suggest as a shoe placebo is slippers. And not those huge novelty ones that look like bigbird. Comfortable, super easy to put on, open-back ones. Because feet get cold.
Posted by twosandalz - 10/13/2007
I continue the ‘no shoes’ policy which I grew up with. Not only will it save cleaning time, but the carpets last longer. I live in the US, and some guests who aren’t used to going barefoot have a difficult time with the idea. A few things I’ve found that help them are: a chair by the door, loaner slippers or socks, a clear visual separation between the entry area and the living area.
Posted by Mrs. Micah - 10/13/2007
We almost always put our shoes in the front hallway. Then wore socks around the house or no shoes. I don’t think my mom ever had a policy, but it was convenient. We do the same now.
As we got older a certain policy did develop. If you tracked in anything visible (leaves, mud), you were the one who got to clean it up.
My mom wears slippers, like DomoDomo suggests. My Danish aunt and uncle had loafers which they called “house shoes” because apparently you weren’t supposed to be barefoot either. I wore flipflops, which were cheaper. And here I wear socks or go barefoot.
Posted by @nna - 10/13/2007
In France, it’s quite common, especialy if you live in an apartment.
It’s like when I wash my hands when I come home because of all the nasty stuffs you can catch in the subway ; I don’t intend to spread all the dirt from the sidewalk all over my place.
Posted by devil - 10/13/2007
Hmmmm…I would never do this. It’s too inconvenient and I expect floors to get dirty and need cleaning. We don’t eat off of them, so they don’t need to be THAT clean at all times.
But then, we have absolutely no carpet in the house. Carpet is the dirtiest thing you can put in a home.
No disrespect toward those of you who enforce the “no shoes in the house” rule…I just wouldn’t do it in my home, or visit a home where this was enforced. I’d feel too uncomfortable.
Posted by Melissa A. - 10/13/2007
My shoes don’t seem to track a lot of dirt. However, the cat likes to lay in the plants and gets dirt on the carpets.
Posted by Faculties - 10/13/2007
Having to take off shoes every time you come in the house seems silly to me. Why should we be inconvenienced for the sake of our houses, rather than our houses for us? And what really gets me is going over to the house of someone who prohibits shoes in the house. There you are, the only one wearing shoes, while everyone acts uneasy because you have broken the unwritten rule and failed to notice you should take your shoes off. You get all dressed up for a dinner party, you put on your heels — and then they all have to come off at the door? And all the fancily dressed guests walk around in little booties? Or have the hosts resenting them all night because they’re messing up the pristine floors by keeping their shoes on? I mean, come on! Houses are for people, not people for houses.
Posted by Chief Family Officer - 10/13/2007
As a Japanese American, I have always found it rather odd to wear shoes inside someone’s home. When my husband and I first began living together, he graciously accepted my no-shoes policy without a fight (I simply can’t imagine living any other way). I can tell that guests are sometimes put off when we ask them to remove their shoes, so I do keep some Japanese-style house slippers to offer to guests who are uncomfortable not wearing shoes. At first, the no-shoes policy was extremely discomfitting to my mother-in-law, so for a while I kept a pair of flip-flops that were exclusively for her to wear in our house. I would recommend this if you meet with any resistance while converting your household. I also recommend storing frequently-worn shoes at the front door (the pockets that hang on a closet door are fantastic). Shoes worn infrequently can be stored in a bedroom closet and brought out only when needed.
Posted by Zora - 10/13/2007
I used to be a dedicated “N0 SHOES” person. It’s easy in Hawai’i. It’s the norm. Then I got arthritis. My left foot tends to roll inwards, which puts stress on my hip, which resulted in arthritis. I have to wear expensive orthotic sandals to keep my foot from rolling. I wear them in my house too; the foot pronation doesn’t stop because I’m in the house.
I have two pairs of sandals and I try to keep one for inside, one for outside. But because they’re the same, I forget. It’s also embarrassing when I visit people. I have to explain that if I’m to walk at all, I have to wear my sandals.
Posted by Adam - 10/13/2007
Some people are very strict about the no shoes rule and almost are rude about it. I’ve always worn my shoes in the house, who knows when I may need to go outside and I don’t feel like constantly putting my shoes back in to do something quick. Plus when you live in a cold climate place it is just nice to keep your feet warm instead of walking around in socks. However I’ve begun to change into slippers in the winter time or sandals for the warmer months if I don’t plan on leaving the house anytime soon. I just like something to be on my feet.
Posted by Colleen - 10/13/2007
It’s funny, I have never thought anything about taking my shoes off when I come in the house. I grew up in Japan and then spent 9 years in Canada so when I came to the states I was amazed and appalled that people kept their shoes on indoors. I couldn’t imagine why you would want to when who knows what you had been stepping in out there… or your guests were stepping in. I know it is fairly common in the states to keep your shoes on but it is an old custom that needs desperately to be rethought. If a person wants to keep their shoes on in their own home I guess that is up to them but I find it extremely rude when a person who knows that we take our shoes off in my home and they don’t (and there are some). As for people who have foot problems, my mom does and she has her indoor shoes and her outdoor shoes. As for cold feet, I have discovered some great wool slippers that I wear as soon as I get home.
Posted by Rebecca - 10/13/2007
It is rude to convey the message that one’s belongings are more important than a guest is. So, asking a visitor entrance is like saying they are somehow dirty and shouldn’t be allowed to sully one’s floors. Even if it is true, it’s not hospitable.
There are a lot of etiquette standards that have nothing to do with how convenient it is to the host. It’s about making one’s guests comfortable–not about how easy it is to keep a clean house.
Posted by Lolo - 10/13/2007
What does one do about dinner parties then?
This is all well and good for when people are casually coming over to your house in their jeans - walking around in socks then is fine and perfectly acceptable to most people.
But I know I’d feel uncomfortable wearing (and I’d feel uncomfortable asking people to wear) a nice cocktail dress, jewelry, pantyhose, and no shoes.
Posted by R - 10/13/2007
If you have a no-shoes rule in general, there’s nothing stopping you from lifting it for an evening if you want to have a dinner party or other fancy-dress occasion. I don’t see the problem.
Posted by Patricia T - 10/14/2007
My take: if in the United States it’s important to you that people NOT wear shoes in your house and if you plan to entertain people whom you don’t know well, it would be courteous to stipulate that in the invitation so that people can prepare accordingly.
Posted by Brandon - 10/14/2007
I think this is a great idea! The construction of my house is not yet complete, but I chose a rather light color for the carpet and want to keep my cleaning work to a minimum. Faculties said that “Having to take off shoes every time you come in the house seems silly to me” - rather, I think that it’s a good artificial boundary. I.e. When I’m at home I feel like I’m at home (comfortable) and I know I don’t have to go anywhere for a while. Putting on shoes then becomes a trigger to mentally prepare you for going out and getting stuff done (work, errands, fun, etc.)
Posted by Scooter in Japan - 10/14/2007
A balance is possible, and I had it when I lived in the States. Friends knew I preferred shoes to be removed. When I had dinner parties, I suspended the no shoes rule, and just cleaned the floors as part of the post-festivity clean up: launder linens, wash dishes, wipe surfaces, clean floors. What’s so hard?
Posted by Mary - 10/14/2007
Wow. I only found out very recently that most Americans keep their shoes on in the house and are deeply offended if they are expected to take them off. I’m another Canadian who finds that shoes off is very much the norm. It’s rare for people to request that you not bother taking your shoes off. Most of us do it automatically, no matter what the circumstances are, and no offense is taken.
In university, I once was part of a market research team going door to door in various Toronto neighbourhoods to have people sample beer. For some reason, I often wore a pair of Capezio sandals that took a long time to lace and unlace as I went into and out of houses. The occupants were generally quite patient, though, because — free beer! In fact, a few told me not to bother and let me walk inside shod because — free beer and life is short!
Posted by mikey - 10/14/2007
Isn’t there a middle way? While I was raised in the USofA to remove my street shoes on entering the house and have continued the practice throughout my long years, I don’t expect visitors to remove theirs. Unfortunately, some people are so unaware of what’s on their shoes, they do leave a mess. As a result, I often clean house after the guests leave. No big deal for me.
My reasoning for removing the shoes is that I prefer to go barefoot or in stocking feet (in winter). I know where those street shoes have been and I don’t care to walk in that junk. Having no carpets would be a reasonable solution but, selfishly, I prefer carpets. Effective carpet cleaning solutions are dangerous and bad for the environment so the less I clean them the better.
Posted by Ihab - 10/14/2007
I live in the gulf of Arabia, and local people they don’t wear shoes, they wear leather slippers because the weather is hot, they all take off their shoes at the door when they inter their house, even when they receive visitors they are asked to take off their shoes outside the door, I think we have to admit that this old hobbit is finding a lot of supporters today, and I think they are right, just ask your self one question, its healthy to bring all the dirt attached to my shoes into my house, or should I keep it outside?
3 months ago I shifted to a new house and decided to follow this strategy; every one should take off his shoes near the entrance door before entering my house, even all my family remembers, and its working fine…less cleaning and more cleaned house.
Posted by bakelitedoorbell - 10/14/2007
In Japan/Canada/Arabia, what is the custom when going into a place of business, like an office building or a bank? Do you take of shoes then as well or is it only in personal homes.
Posted by Mary - 10/14/2007
Shoes stay on in public buildings in Canada. We take off shoes only inside private homes. The large numbers of people going in and out of public building would cause a lot of congestion if everyone has to remove and replace shoes, assuming that everyone would trust others not to steal their shoes. More likely, there would have to be shoe check services, adding to the expense and delay. Public buildings just invest the money in floor cleaning instead.
Posted by lisa - 10/14/2007
shoes on/off in one’s own home is a just a personal preference. but at someone else’s house, i think a good guest would follow house rules out of respect for the host. i think the key when visiting someone is to try to handle any surprises gracefully.
on the flip side, if you are entertaining people in the united states, it would be a nice gesture on the hosts’ part to offer slippers and socks for guests.
either way, i don’t think anyone would want to visit someone who couldn’t politely ask guests to remove shoes OR want to invite someone who refused to remove shoes after being asked. both situations seem extremely rude no matter where you live!
Posted by PJK - 10/14/2007
I have a question for those of you living in the US who don’t mind people wearing shoes in the house.
Does the “shoes are allowed” rule change at all if the weather outside is wet (rain or snow) or muddy?
I live in the northern US and while my husband and I generally take our shoes off indoors, sometimes I’ll leave mine on if I’m going out again soon and the weather is dry. When guests come over, I think it’s a nice gesture if they take off their shoes, but I rarely ask them to. If they directly ask, “Would you like me to take my shoes off?” my answer depends on the weather. If the shoes are likely to be dry because it’s nice out, I’ll say, “Whatever you’re more comfortable with.” If it’s wet out, I’ll say, “If you don’t mind, that would be great.” I would say it’s rare for anyone to come in our house with wet shoes and not automatically take them off, which is why I don’t usually have to ask anyone. Also, our only wall-to-wall carpet is in the finished basement, so I’m not as worried about dirt because mopping is easier than cleaning carpets.
Posted by Yogesh - 10/14/2007
Where I grew up (India), much like most of the world, it is very much the norm to take shoes off before entering your own or anyone else’s home. You would NEVER EVER see anyone wearing shoes inside a home in India - a lot of people have “house slippers” which are worn inside the house. These habits are ingrained in kids right when they start walking. And wearing shoes in the kitchen (where food is cooked, of course), is something totally unheard of anywhere in India or any Indian home in any country !
Posted by Louise - 10/14/2007
Like Zora, I have a medical condition that does not allow me to go barefoot. Ever. I put on my shoes with the orthotics in them to walk the seven steps to the bathroom in the middle of the night. To do otherwise means severe pain. This condition is completely invisible to others. My shoes look normal and I do not walk with a limp, etc.
When I am asked to remove my shoes, I must refuse. I do not carry special clean “inside” shoes with me and must wear my dirty shoes in your house. While you may be willing to make a special exemption for me, like most people with a handicap, I don’t like that. I don’t want to be your special “it’s okay that you’re dirty because you’re broken” guest.
Imagine how a person in a wheelchair would feel as your guest, knowing that you hated their dirty wheels on your special carpet.
I certainly believe that you can do whatever you want in your home. I would ask that you consider this: anytime you ask another person to change something physical about their appearance to adapt to your home, you may be forcing them to reveal a carefully accommodated physical handicap.
Once I know that a friend requires me to remove my shoes at their home, I refuse all further invitations to visit them. Sad, but reality. I must choose lack of pain over your clean carpet.
Posted by STL Mom - 10/14/2007
I don’t have a medical condition, but I do have rather flat feet which get tired and sore when I go barefoot or wear slippers. I find that I have much more energy if I wear supportive shoes around the house. Sometimes I’m in and out of the house a lot, so I wouldn’t want to switch shoes over and over, especially lace-up shoes.
Also, I have a large dog who can’t take her paws off at the door. Since we have to clean up after her, why not clean up after everyone? But I find that large mats at every door catch a majority of the dirt. When we come in with muddy shoes from soccer or gardening, everyone knows to take them off in the laundry room.
Posted by mary 2 - 10/14/2007
I would never ask an adult to take their shoes off. I’m not sure why everyone is getting so much dirt in their homes from shoes. Do people not wipe their feet outside. My house is a home not a mosque. I have slate, tile, hardwood floors and some area rugs in my home. Cleaning is easy. I also have a dog. What do you do if you have a dog or an outside cat? They aren’t allowed in your kitchen and family room? I’ll gladly take my shoes off in someone’s house though.
Posted by Marten - 10/14/2007
I don’t believe the shoes off custom (of various world areas) is always about dirt and cleanliness. It’s also about respect. Do you respect your things? Your floors? Your neighbors? Your guests?
I am an Asian-American living in the US and we do have a no shoes rule for the house, but we don’t think of it as a dirt-limiting factor as much as a comfort factor. We want our guests to be as comfortable in our home as we are and that involves removing shoes. Yes, I understand some people have disabilities.. and I do have two friends in wheelchairs who we have over often. We have no problem with their chairs. (And their shoes tend to stay on since it’s a physical inconvenience.)
I’m surprised, though, at the number of people posting here who are completely against removing their shoes. In all our time here and with all our friends and visitors, we have only once ever come across someone who refused to remove their shoes and they admitted it was due to a foot odor problem. Luckily it was a summer day and we agreed to sit outside instead. But, honestly, I feel this is more about comfort levels than dirt - it’s the same as if you refused a drink I offered. I don’t trust people who refuse my hospitality, so I wouldn’t invite them over again.
To the person to stated they never go if invited to a shoes off home, please consider the great insult you are giving to those people who obviously care enough to have you over. You are slapping them in the face and, it seems, do not deserve the invitation you have received.
Posted by PJK - 10/14/2007
@ mary 2
My mom wipes her dog’s feet with a rag towel when he comes in from outside. hehe
I’ll admit that we do the same when it’s wet out or if the lawn was recently cut. If not, then it’s not just the floors that have to be cleaned, but we’ll find grass and dirt on the bedspread and anything else that the dog jumps on, including our laps.
Posted by PJK - 10/14/2007
@ Marten
“We want our guests to feel as comfortable in our home as we are and that involves removing shoes”.
I take the first part of that sentence to mean that you want your guests to feel comfortable and “at home” in your house, right? Like when you have a good friend and you want them to feel okay about going into your kitchen and getting themselves a drink without feeling formal and waiting to be asked if you’ve forgotten to offer?
Well, what if “comfortable” to them is keeping their shoes on? I’m not trying to be antagonistic, but it sounds as though you’re forcing your idea of comfortable onto everyone else. If they’re more comfortable with their shoes on, then you really are not helping them to be “as comfortable in our home as we are”, you’re doing the exact opposite. Following your logic, I’m most comfortable in my house when I take my bra off and put my pajamas on, so all of my guests should do the same???
If I were the person with the foot odor problem, I’d feel VERY embarrassed about the fact that I had to reveal that problem to you in order to keep my shoes on and I’d probably be uncomfortable visiting your house again. Luckily I don’t usually have that problem and thus don’t object to taking my shoes off, though I can honestly say that I’m rarely asked to take my shoes off in other people’s homes. I only take them off if my shoes are wet or dirty, or if I’m at a close friend’s house and want to kick back and relax. Of course if I was in a house with a “shoes off policy” I would respect it, but I can’t say I know anyone with such a strict policy.
Posted by Larry - 10/14/2007
Ugh. Since when did hospitality include instituting “policies” for what people wear in your home? If you’re so concerned about your carpets (and as you said, all that cleaning) then perhaps you shouldn’t have people over. After all, think all the extra dishes and glassware they might dirty….
Lots of people (from the posts above, for example) are more comfortable with shoes. Other cultures handle this differently, but it’s a shared expectation. Here the general expectation is to remain shod.
If the point is really “No shoes = less cleaning,” then hospitality is going to be sacrificed on the altar of your rugs. On the other hand, if the point of “uncluttering” is to have more time to enjoy life and to be free from unnecessary encumbrances, perhaps the first thing to be disposed of is an attitude that puts your spotless rugs above the value of hospitality and simply enjoying your friends and family.
My sister always had this poem on her fridge when she was raising her kids:
——
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
(by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton)
——
Posted by Heather - 10/14/2007
Is carpeting more special than a guest’s comfort? I don’t ask my guests to remove their shoes because their comfort is more important than my floors.
I also don’t like to take my shoes off at the home of people I don’t know very well. I get cold feel and only feel comfortable removing my shoes at the home of closer friends, where it’d also be OK for me to get my own glass of water and put my feet on the coffee table. I feel half-dressed and awkward at a more formal setting.
But maybe part of it’s because we live in a rural area, many of us have hardwood floors and we go in-and-out all of the time to where buckling and lacing is a hassle.
Posted by Frederick Boudreau - 10/14/2007
Everytime I go to the washroom at work and notice the lack of marksmenship of my fellow male coworkers, I remember why I never wear my shoes at home.
However I do find that wearing socks at a formal party is, well, unformal. The compromise I found is, although for everyday gatherings I always remove my shoes, for formal parties I bring along a clean (and well shined) pair of shoes in a shoe bag and I remove my ‘outdoor’ shoes to put on my ‘formal’ shoes when entering a host’s home.
Posted by spark - 10/14/2007
I personally find it rather insulting for you to invite me into your home and then treat me like a pest upon arrival. If my being there as I come is such an inconvenience for you, why did you ask me over?
You will find two mats, for which to wipe your feet, when you come to my home. I would expect that you will wipe your feet, but I would never ask you to remove your shoes. An outdoor mat to remove debris, and an indoor mat that absorbs water, keeps my floors rather clean.
Carpet is evil…in my opinion. I can’t think of anything else more difficult to clean. It attracts and holds more debris, dirt, allergens, dust, and just plain old grime than anything else. And it’s damn near impossible to truly clean it.
No shoes on the furniture is the rule I grew up with and still believe in. But floors are made to walk on and we walk in shoes around here.
On the kids issue, I do remember my parents requiring the kids to remove their shoes after outdoor play because they often had mud and grass stuck to them, and below a certain age, kids don’t really do a great job “wiping” their feet. But an adult should know how.
Please don’t treat me like a pest or a child when you invite me to your home.
And yes, I am much more comfortable in my shoes when I’m in an unfamiliar environment. I’d have to really know you well before I’d be comfortable taking my shoes off and sprawling out on your sofa with the tv remote.
All that said, if there’s a rule for me to remove my shoes based on a cultural or religious thing you practice, I’d certainly respect that. But if you ask me to remove my shoes solely on the fact that you think I’m too dirty to come into your home, I’m going to be insulted.
Posted by Jen / domestika - 10/15/2007
Maybe it depends what climate you’re in, whether shoe-removing is the standard etiquette or not? Here in Atlantic Canada, it is the convention that shoes come off when the feet come in — most people would raise an eyebrow if you tromped into their home with your outdoor shoes on. Part respect, part practicality… For ourselves, we’ve even trained the dogs to wait in the mudroom until they get their paws wiped off — the only way to survive the mud-and-snow seasons without spendng hours with mop in hand!
Posted by Jen / domestika - 10/15/2007
p.s. - But I’ve never come right out and asked anyone to remove their shoes: that would just feel a bit rude to me, personally, unless they’re dropping great clumps of barnyard detritus with every step! That said, there’s never ever been any need to ask…
Posted by LazyLightnnig - 10/15/2007
I suppose that generally, when I come home, I have armloads of stuff in my hands. I would need to set it down (groceries on the kitchen counter, for example) before taking my shoes off, otherwise how would I get them off? Then there’s the storage thing… Do most women keep shoes in their bedroom closets? or in the hall closet? Mine are in the bedroom closet (and I have a lot of em). Generally I go in there and take them off, and put them away. So, while I don’t walk around the house all night with them on, I don’t find it practical to take them off first thing, either. Unless there is muddy or wet weather outside of course. I suppose it does help that I live a few floors up in my building, so I actually wipe my feet on the ground floor mat, and walk quite a ways on carpeted stairs and hallways before I even get to my door….
Posted by scameronde - 10/15/2007
I find this discussion interesting. People coming from countries with a “no shoes in house” policy are thinking that it is rude if someone is wearing shoes inside the house, people from “the other side” are thinking that it is rude to if they have to take their shoes off.
One question to both sides:
What is most important where you come from: the guest being comfortable or to respect the customs of the host?
What if you go abroad? What do you behave like? Do you try to adapt to the habits of the country you are visiting, or do you expect that the people accept you the way you are, because you are a tourist and therefore a guest?
Posted by Kate - 10/15/2007
How do you ask people? When you open the door do you say “Welcome to my home, please take your shoes off?”?
England - yes, children take their shoes off, especially if muddy but - well, in my world - adults don’t have mucky shoes, or if they do they they take them off themselfs… >shrug<
I don’t like having ‘rules’ in my life when they are not needed.
Oh - any what would FlyLady say? The unclutter / shoe wearing maniac!?
Posted by Nicky - 10/15/2007
Having grown up in a house where shoes were not allowed inside the home, I never wear them in my own house and hope that guests will be repectful enough to take theirs off when they visit.
I always take off my shoes when I visit other people and consider it to be quite rude not to, as if the person you’re visiting has to ask, this can be embarrassing for both of you.
Posted by Anne - 10/15/2007
I have a policy where regular, frequent visitors know shoes generally aren’t worn in my house, and they are expected to follow. However, I won’t ask or obligate infrequent or formal-type visitors to take off their shoes. Sort of like how a frequent visitor might help out with dinner where an infrequent one maybe would not be asked/expected to do so. And of course if I had a frequent visitor that needed their shoes, then he/she would also be welcome to keep shoes on as well. Keeping things clean is great, but it’s not worth being a jerk about it, especially if family members and frequent visitors are 98% of the house foot traffic anyway.
Posted by Dee - 10/15/2007
From a clutter point of view: a big pile of shoes in the entryway just doesn’t look good. I don’t care if you have special cubby holes for them or whatever, a whole stack of shoes is not exactly art or something that I want to look at first thing upon entering a new space. I lived in Eastern Europe for several years and the big pile of shoes was always a regular feature in the entryway of people’s homes. I prefer the American way. If you have enough people over, regardless of your storage plan, there will be shoes on the floor in the entryway waiting to trip people.
From a simplicity point of view: Why would you create two storage spaces (bedroom closet and entryway) for shoes when one will do? Why would you need to create storage space for items (other people’s shoes) that don’t even belong to you?
From a chi / energy flow point of view: When we arrange our homes, we usually arrange things so that the space appears inviting. My natural inclination is to accept the invitation by moving, uninhibited, into the space. Not stop, bend over and deal with my feet. So, for an American at least, shoe removal feels like a disruption of energy flow.
Posted by Dee - 10/15/2007
Also, some people’s feet are just not attractive and I would prefer not to see them.
Posted by Cyrano - 10/15/2007
Newsflash, people. Cultures are different. Not always better or worse, just different.
Posted by Dee - 10/15/2007
I think everyone here understands that cultures are different. The discussion here is about whether it makes sense to adopt a new cultural practice that is different than one’s given. People are sharing their experiences, hopefully assisting someone in their decision to adopt the practice or not. Whatever that person decides will be fine for them, I’m sure.
Posted by ellipsisknits - 10/15/2007
I don’t really see where the big conflict is…
I grew up in a ‘typical’ American shoes-on house. You wiped your shoes on the doormat, and if they were particularly wet and messy, took them off to dry. Otherwise it wasn’t a problem. My grandmother required you to take off your shoes to save the carpet, and was considered rather persnickety for doing so.
In college, my husband & I had a large proportion of asian friends/roomates, and got into the habit of removing shoes. We continue to do so out of habit, and since it seemed to work out well (you always know where your shoes are!) but we would never specifically ask a guest to do so. Our college friends do of course, and if someone notices the shoes by the door and asks if we want them to take their shoes off, our response is ‘we think it’s more comfortable, but it doesn’t really matter - whatever you prefer’.
It ain’t that big of a deal…
-C
Posted by Linda - 10/15/2007
I don’t mind taking my shoes off at other people’s homes, but I never used to care about my own home and would wear my shoes around it.
Then someone reminded me of the things I walk through out in the city: garbage, green areas sprayed with pesticide and fertilizers, old food, animal droppings, gasoline runoff.
The last straw was when I walked barefoot in my apartment and stepped on a tiny shard of broken glass that I had tracked in with my sneakers at some point.
Now my rule is to take off my shoes as soon as I enter the door. I cut slack for other people, but I might implement a “no shoes” policy at some point. Not because I want to keep my belongings clean, but just for health and safety’s sake.
Posted by kitties! - 10/15/2007
My bf and I recently started doing the “no shoes” thing due to recent construction in our apartment building. We noticed that we were tracking in shards of glass, metal shavings, strange white powdery substances…all of which my dog was eagerly licking off the carpets.
My co-worker also recently instituted “no shoe” policies in her home when her dog came down with lead poisoning. They couldn’t figure out what was causing it until they realized that her sons who are contractors were working on demolishing an old house. Their shoes were tracking lead (from old paint) and other toxins into the house.
Posted by dancing monkey - 10/15/2007
I can’t believe no one’s mentioned that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie’s Manolos are stolen after a shoeless dinner party!
Clearly, everyone needs to compromise on both sides of the debate. Guests, remove shoes if there’s no compelling reason why you shouldn’t — ’cause it’s not about you. Hosts, feel free to suggest their removal but be flexible if the request is not honored — ’cause you’re not going to get cooties.
I grew up in the United States, the child of Asian Indian immigrants (say that five times fast) in a **mostly** no-shoes household. Shoes were banned in most bedrooms, the living room and dining room but allowed (though not encouraged) on the hall carpet and uncarpeted spaces including the kitchen and bathrooms. My parents who even forced contractors and plumbers to put plastic shopping bags over their workboots before entering shoe-free zones.
As an adult, I try to maintain similar standards in my own house though my apartment has the same problem as my parents’ house — no separate entryway/mudroom. All my rooms branch off a short central hallway near my front door, so I end up walking pretty far into my apartment to reach the cluttered space where I remove my shoes (and forget about a chair). Plus, I end up walking across this hall to reach other rooms, so I’m just tracking the dirt around with my slippers/socks and getting my socks dirty. Most guests follow my lead, but I don’t press.
I totally commiserate with the folks who have posted about their medical need to wear shoes. I recently attended a party with a friend who uses crutches to get around. The hostess (who always alerts her guests about her no-shoe policy ahead of time, in the invitation) had us wipe down her shoes with antibacterial wipes before letting her enter. I don’t think we wiped off the crutches. :]
Posted by malthusan - 10/15/2007
I’ve seen this same debate rage on several sites, and I must say this is the most polite version of it I’ve run across so far. As such, I thought I’d add my two cents.
I spent a few years in Japan, and I always removed my shoes when I visited someone else’s house. I also removed my shoes in my own home, and guests removed theirs. This was culturally accepted and expected — not even questioned. In fact, I worked in a high school and I had to take my shoes off before going to work.
Back here in the the States, I don’t care one way or another. Sometimes I wear shoes inside, most times I don’t.
As a guest, I will do my best to respect the wishes of my host. If that means removing my shoes, I’ll do so. If I’m made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or self-conscious because I have, unknowingly, violated my host’s rules, I will offer my apologies. And then I will never return.
As a host, however, my primary responsibility is the care and comfort of my guests. I don’t ask them to remove their shoes; I provide ashtrays and a dry and sheltered place for my guests who smoke; I provide alternative dishes/drinks for those guests who have dietary restrictions. If I knew “shoes-off” people were coming over, I would probably make sure to have clean slippers for them. If I thought I’d made a guest feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or self-conscious, for any reason, I would do everything I could to make it up to them.
Guests and hosts both have responsibilities to one another. In my opinion, the host’s are more numerous and more important. A guest’s duties are few: be polite, have a good time, and know when to go home.
Posted by Colin - 10/16/2007
I think it’s fascinating that people are playing the “it’s not typically American” to take shoes off. The majority of our friends do take their shoes off, and the majority of them are Americans. In my wife’s case, it derives from growing up in slush-bound Ann Arbor. I certainly wouldn’t insist that someone take their shoes off when they come to the house, but then if they were the type to get all up in arms about not removing shoes as a matter of principle rather than necessity, they probably wouldn’t have been invited in the first place ; )
Posted by Andamom - 10/16/2007
I guess I am late to this comments party. Really this must be one of the most commented on postings here on Unclutterer.
We have seriously considered mandating all shoes be left at the front door to prevent dirt from being tracked all around… but someone inevitably forgets (that’s usually the teenager’s friends). We have our stroller there too though and sometimes that blocks people from having space for all shoes… We have two small rugs, but in general our wood floors are cleaned very regularly to prevent any dirt that has been brought in from getting in the way of the toddler who is more than happy to spread it around.
I am happy to comply with anyone’s requests for or against shoes in the house. As a guest, I should respect the people who have invited me.
Posted by Serene and Not Herd - 10/16/2007
I was born and raised in the south, and basically went barefoot for the first 5 years of my life.
I’m all for shoe-free homes under most circumstances. However, I felt I should share this story with those of you that have a mandatory policy in your home.
I did some part-time work for my apartment complex back a few years ago, and went on a service call to an apartment that had a madatory no-shoes policy.
However, once shoe-free and inside, I found that the floor was filthy, wet with dog-pee in places, and stuff everywhere, so it was like walking in a smelly, dirty briar patch.
Once I had assessed the problem, the work required the use of a ladder. My wife calls me Mr. Safety for a reason. You never climb a ladder, or do any work requiring tools barefoot. Closed-toed shoes are a must when working with hammer, nails, or any other pointy objects.
I had to insist the apartment tenent allow me indoors with my boots on, or I wouldn’t complete the work. The management office backed me up on this, and finally I got the work done.
A shoe-free home must be a barefoot-safe zone, and exceptions sometimes have to be made for safety’s sake.
My two cents.
Posted by Twitchy - 10/17/2007
Carpet or not, we have a (flexible) no-shoes policy. We’d prefer people to take them off, but some feel VERY uncomfortable doing that. We will, however, in the future start stocking a small supply of cheap house-slippers so as to cater to the scaredy cats.
The floor in a home is used for more than just standing on - people sit on (we don’t have enough chairs in our little apartment for all our party-guests), or for lying on (when the missus gives me a massage a hard floor is better than a soft bed). Add kids to the equation, and there are NO compelling reasons to continue to wear outdoor shoes indoors.
Posted by Jani Rahkola - 10/18/2007
First I must say my opinion about hospitality. If someone invites me into her/his home, I feel honored. My home is the most intimate place in my life, par my mind. So when I visit someone elses home, I do just the way I’m asked.
I’m from Finland, and here we take off our shoes when we go inside. And our guests do that also. Why?
Because it is habit in Finland
Also, as said by the Swedish guy, shoes are made for walking - outside! I like to put my feet on the table, lie on the bed and so on, but I don’t like to have dog crap and a pile of sand left behind. You Americans just don’t care?
There can easily be -30C(thats -22F) during winter, but I have yet to visit a house in which I would have got cold feet. Maybe you should use more insulation there in the USA? Of course slippers are nice for those who get cold feet easily.
Feet problems are an interesting thing. How is it possible that humans have managed to walk barefoot for thousand of years without problems and now when we use super suportive shoes all kind of problems start appear? And to all stinky feet over there, what do you think is the main reason for you not-so-nice odor? Could it be non-breathable shoes that you wear 24/7? I don’t want to blaim anyone, I have feet problems my self.
By the way, if using shoes is so comfortable, why don’t you sleep with them? And high heels, are they really so comfortable that you just can’t take them off?
This shoe policy thing is splitting opinions remarkably. And it seems to have many dimensions.
Posted by consumer_q - 10/19/2007
‘It is rude for the host…’
Is it rude to have a no firearms policy in my home? Howabout no smoking, which used to be commonplace? Really, my home is a personal and private place. ‘Tis the only place I am allowed to be truly comfortable by having things set up just the way I want them. Please respect my private space and do no be offended by my house ‘rules’.
Personally, I am fine with shoes in my home (sans wet and mud)*, but I ask before going into any other persons house “shoes or no shoes”, because I am intruding on their personal space, and I wish to tread lightly.
My dog has learnt to wait for me in the breeze way before going into the main house. She will sit there until I either say “okay” for dry days, or on wet days I will grab a towel and she will raise her first paw to be wiped.
*This discussion has me thinking of moving to a “no shoes” policy.
Posted by Trish - 10/20/2007
I grew up in a home where we were allowed to wear shoes in the house, but we were not allowed to go in certain rooms. I never had a problem with shoes in the home until I had babies and I thought about all the dirt and germs being tracked in. My husband and I began to remove our shoes, but still had difficulty asking guests to do so and would leave it up to the guest. I didn’t mind too much cleaning the floors afterwards, as they had been invited guests. Recently, a few people came over for a party. Some removed their shoes and several did not. Two that did not were women with heels. After they left my husband and I noticed hundreds and hundreds of little dents in our hardwood floors. Evidently on of the heels must have had the plastic covering over the nail worn down. Our floors are ruined and must be sanded down and restained to repair. Our home will have a no shoe policy once we repair the floors. I was willing to sacrafice cleanliness for guests, but I am unwilling to check the soles of friends shoes for nails so I would rather just start a no shoe policy.
Posted by Trish - 10/20/2007
I grew up in a home where we were allowed to wear shoes in the house, but we were not allowed to go in certain rooms. I never had a problem with shoes in the home until I had babies and I thought about all the dirt and germs being tracked in. My husband and I began to remove our shoes, but still had difficulty asking guests to do so and would leave it up to the guest. I didn’t mind too much cleaning the floors afterwards, as they had been invited guests. Recently, a few people came over for a party. Some removed their shoes and several did not. Two that did not were women with heels. After they left my husband and I noticed hundreds and hundreds of little dents in our hardwood floors. Evidently on of the heels must have had the plastic covering over the nail worn down. Our floors are ruined and must be sanded down and restained to repair. Our home will have a no shoe policy once we repair the floors. I was willing to sacrifice cleanliness for guests, but I am unwilling to check the soles of friends shoes for nails so I would rather just start a no shoe policy.
Posted by Lee2706 - 10/21/2007
I grew up here in America, so it’s quite “American” for me to take off my shoes at home (that’s how I was raised).
And yeah, I expect my guests to take of their shoes before they come inside. Part of it is a cleanliness thing, sometimes I like to sit on the floor and I’d prefer it not be dirty.
Some people were concerned they’d feel not completely dressed without shoes. I wouldn’t require such a formal dress code for people to come over.
As for Carrie getting her Manolos snatched at the party, sucks to be her. Stop spending so much on shoes.
Posted by Gretchen - 10/21/2007
In norway we take are shoes off when we enter someones home. At a party, remove your outside shoes and put on your in shoes or dress shoes. It is aslo common to have in shoes or slippers. You just don’t wear your outer wear shoes indoors. It is just respectful.
Posted by JB - 10/23/2007
I used to live in an upstairs apartment. Out of courtesy to my downstairs neighbors, I started taking my shoes off at the door. Within a couple weeks, I noticed that my floors stayed much, much cleaner. In addition, going without shoes is comfortable and habit-forming.
Even though I don’t live upstairs anymore, I’m still in my stocking feet all the time. It would feel weird to have shoes on in the house now. Take off your shoes and relax in your socks or slippers!
Posted by PBriscoe.com » Blog Archive » Pet Peeve: Leaving Shoes on in the House - 10/29/2007
[...] By wearing shoes in the house, we’re bringing all of these contaminants with us, which is very unsanitary and can lead to illness and allergies. It’s hard to ask people who see nothing wrong with wearing shoes in the house to stop doing it, especially when it has been a lifelong trait. However, my spirits were lifted after reading a couple of other blog posts on this topic.The majority of peoples’ comments were against household shoe-wearing. In fact, Americans (and some Canadians who’ve adopted these values) seem to be quite a minority when it comes to this matter. In many cultures, wearing shoes in the house is disrespectful and very taboo. But, don’t take my word for it, here are some of the comments from the articles I read here and here: [...]
Posted by rose - 10/29/2007
so you walk about outside in all the nastiness that’s on the streets and sidewalks, and then go home and DON’T take off your shoes and walk all over the floors. then your babies crawl all over the floors playing with their toys that are all over the floors, chewing on the toys and that’s ok with you?
not to mention it’s so much easier to keep a home clean when you leave your shoes at the door. and what’s wrong with respecting someone’s wishes re; their house rules?
just saying…
Posted by Matthew C - 10/30/2007
Having a no-shoes rule is an excellent thing to do. I dedicated a whole blog to this subject.
Posted by AA - 10/31/2007
I want to dispel the myth that ALL Americans are shoe wearing heathens
Seriously though, I’m your typical American with no specific cultural background and I prefer to take my shoes off when I walk in the door. If I have gotten ready to leave, have put on my shoes and realize I left something in another area of the house, I may or may not take my shoes back off to run get it before heading out. Most of that determination depends on whether taking my shoes back off involves a lot of unlacing, etc.
As for guests, almost all of my friends and acquaintances simply note that I slip my shoes off and ask whether they should too. My response, “Whatever is more comfortable for you.” Most people choose to remove their shoes, but I do feel that guests in my home should feel comfortable and if that requires shoes, then so be it.
In other peoples’ homes, I have only been unnerved at taking off my shoes if I can’t remember whether I grabbed a nice pair of socks or a pair that should be heading to the trash
Posted by Jeremy - 10/31/2007
Our family practice at home is no shoes, with indoor slippers available. We keep a largish wooden shoe rack near the front door (with our mail sorting on top, so it works nicely). Our home is two story, with carpet only on the upper floor and laminate and tile on the ground floor. With a cat, dog and an almost 2 year old, the non-absorbing floors in the common areas have saved a bunch of time. When guests come over, they are welcome to keep shoes or not. I think it is a good compromise to keep the outside shoes absolutely out of the bedrooms while our guests dress as they are comfortable.
Posted by Sasha - 11/02/2007
Wow, I did not realize that it’s customary to take your shoes off at the door in some countries. That’s interesting. =) I can understand the reasoning. I think it’s a personal choice. It doesn’t both me either way. =)
Posted by King - 11/07/2007
I`m Norwegian and for me it seems totaly wicked useing shoes at home. Come on folks! Do you really want pee from dogs and homeless all over your place. Have you ever thought about how much stuff your shoes get on, during a day.
Think about the hygienics. Don`t you people have kids crawling all over the floors?
For a country with your health-insurance policy, I would strongly recommend takeing the shoes off.
Posted by monica - 11/08/2007
It’s about where you live, not about cleaning ease.
If you live in New York city for example, just take a look at the sidewalks…there’s urine, feces, broken glass, food, and all kinds of trash on almost every block. I would never walk barefoot in the city, so in my home I wouldn’t wear shoes and walk barefoot, it would have to be one or the other. Even if you have a doormat, not all the dirt comes off, it’s pretty unhygenic wearing shoes indoors.
If you live in a more suburban/rural area, then yeah, it’s ‘cleaner’ and I wouldn’t mind natural dirt (grass, mud)…as opposed to city dirt (made by humans) being tracked into my home.
As far as hosts and guests, I don’t think a guest should feel forced to do anything, but at the same time you are an invited guest in someone else’s home and should respect how the host lives — do whatever you want in your own home. I understand not wanting to remove your shoes due to insecurities and embarassing foot odor (agree with previous poster that foot odor is caused by your feet not having enough ventilation!), but I can’t understand otherwise.
It shouldn’t have to take a baby crawling around to realize the hygiene aspect, it’s common sense — to respect yourself.
Posted by Trixi - 11/13/2007
Curious ~ how did this become a forum about hygiene and varied personal/cultural preferences? A desire to not have to clean so often fits in nicely with an uncluttered approach, but this thread seems to miss the whole issue of unclutteredness.
No shoes may = less cleaning, but my guess is no shoes = more clutter ~ at the very least by the entranceway(s). And more clutter almost always = more time spent cleaning!
How about getting back on task here and addressing the clutter-related issues of this topic rather than the hygenic and/or cultural ones?
Posted by Sara - 12/12/2007
Wow. So glad I’ve grown up in Canada! I knew that most Americans didn’t take their shoes off, but I’ve never had to ask someone to take their shoes off in my house, it’s just what you do! I wouldn’t want to be tracking dirt and who knows what all over my floor. Personally, I like carpets. They are soft and comfortable to sit on/walk on (unless you are wearing shoes, I suppose!).
However, if someone did want to wear their shoes, or had a medical reason… I don’t see what’s so difficult about saying “I’d rather not, if that’s alright.” I can’t imagine ending a friendship over shoes!
So silly.
Posted by Dancing Monkey - 12/20/2007
Keep your shoes on in your own home, if you like, but take them off in houses with children … because you can track in enough lead on the soles of your feet to harm them, according to this article.
Posted by elrj - 01/02/2008
As an American who grew up in Asia, I find these comments fascinating. I, who prefer to go shoe-less, never quite know which side to fall on. I do a lot of entertaining (1+ parties each week), and consequently, a lot of cleaning too. My own shoes are stacked on a pretty shelf right by the door, which occasionally inspires a guest to remove their shoes without any comment. If I had my way, it would be a shoe free home, but since the American sentiment is (clearly) that removing shoes is rude to the guests, I never ask people to. I understand there are exceptions to every rule, and if a person says a simple “I prefer not to” they are off the hook without a further question. I do get rather tired of vacuuming after EVERY party though.
Posted by Matthew C - 01/17/2008
Elrj, I am sure people would not be offended if you politely asked your guests to remove their shoes.
I think removing shoes may be more common in the USA than here in England.
Posted by Helena - 02/06/2008
As a lazy housekeeper who lives in the United States, I developed a no-shoes habit in my house when I had two sons who were constantly tracking in dirt. The grit that sticks in the soles of sneakers is especially damaging to hardwood floors.
A lot of other parents had the same custom, and all the boys were used to shedding their shoes at the door. I have a photo I took one time of twelve pairs of shoes (and I use the term “pairs” loosely) in our front entryway.
I still take off my shoes in my house…mostly because I find shoes uncomfortable. I keep a pair of warm slippers under my desk at work for while I’m sitting at my computer. Delicious!
I prefer it when people take their shoes off when they come into my house, but don’t have a rule about it and don’t ask them to do so. Since I live out in the country, this means I have sometimes have to clean up other people’s tracked-in mud, but it’s no big deal.
My sons, who are now adults, still take off their shoes in my house and their own. Especially my older son, who now lives in Japan, and has become a fanatic about the no-shoes-indoors thing! Who knew I was inadvertently raising him right : )
Posted by Paul - 02/17/2008
I just wanted to second the comment that not everyone in the US wears their shoes in the house. In fact, I think a lot more people are adopting the shoes-custom here in the US.
I went to Norway and Denmark with an orchestra while I was in high school, and had no idea that Scandinavians didn’t wear shoes in the house. Perhaps it was because it was summertime or our host families didn’t want to seem inhospitable, but no one said anything to us when we wore shoes in their homes. I feel so bad, and I wouldn’t have had any problem kicking off my shoes. It’s nice when a host makes it clear whether they want you to take your shoes off or not so you don’t feel awkward as a guest (plus I think most people don’t mind kicking off their shoes!). Anyway, apologies to the Scandinavians on this board; we Americans don’t mean to be rude, sometimes we just don’t know the customs;!
I have had a shoe free home since I moved out on my home. While I have no problems making exceptions for people on this issue, I certainly appreciate people who respect this custom. Can anyone seriously say they don’t find it relaxing to take off their shoes after a day of work or running errands for a couple hours?
Posted by dancing monkey - 05/08/2008
More support for the germ argument, from The Baltimore Sun:
“Gerba ran tests to see how efficiently our shoes deposit bacteria on what had been clean floor tiles. Very efficiently, it turns out: 90 percent to 95 percent of the colonies on the shoes found a home on the tiles.
‘Every step they took, we sampled after them - 10 to 20 steps,’ he said. ‘We could still find plenty of organisms on every footstep.’
Once the microbes are in a home, anyone can pick them up - especially young children. While adults may have immunity to some of the pathogens, others will be new, especially to children. And germs are changing all the time.”
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