Please remove your shoes when you come in my house;here's slippers!!!

shoes -  is healthy to stay without shoes
Romania
March 14, 2010 3:26am CST
I have several pairs of slippers as precaution in the hall closet, for friends coming to visit ... but for people who come first in my house .... just i do not know, is not polite, I give them to choose if they want theirs shoes remove or not.. It is hygienic, is a sign of respect for the host ... but it is also polite? Our leg feels comfortable when it is empty, so the best bet is to let him free, without a shoe that you raise. Moreover, foot comfort is vital for any other action, so do not hesitate to give up shoes by the door yet. In some countries you outta your shoes to the door is required by tradition, and each room that has come his shoes. For most of us outta our shoes to the door is a sign of respect for the host. When hosts do not let the visitor to shoes is a proof of gratitude. There are some practical reasons for which the door is necessary outta our shoes. The most upsetting for a housewife is to clean the carpet after a visitor was not the door barefoot. For reasons of hygiene, shoes must be left somewhere where they can ventilate, isolated from the room in which the stand. What method have you and your guests when they come in the house , asking them to take off shoes, and give them a pair of slippers, or you let they choose ... and you think as much you work after they leave?
5 people like this
32 responses
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
14 Mar 10
A lot depends on the custom and traditions of the country you are living. If everyone takes offf hteir shoes before entering a household, than that's what you do. In Europe, for example, you don't take off your shoes - you keep them on , but you take care they are clean, so the host will not have to clean heavily after you. It's just a matter of being polite and having manners and respect.There are also houses that if you take off your shoes, it's very disrespectfull and you hurt the host.You don't want to do that. So, who ever said" how many houses as many customs - was perfectly right! Again, the proper way of doing it, is to know the customs and traditions of each place you go, and just respect them.In this way, everyone is happy.
4 people like this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
I live in Europe, so i know very well customs, i ask about good sens traditions only; all is permited, all is polite if host know how to make people to feel good, if they want a pair of slippers, why not? if they don t want is good too, depend how much they are understanding
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
14 Mar 10
In my country context, most households remove their footwear before entering homes of theirs and others. It may be a form of respect, hygiene and a whole lot more. For me, it's basically towards hygiene mainly (and I respect if others have another way of thinking about this). And that home slippers is a fresh idea too... to cater for guests. Some might have cold feet, and they would like to come into someone else home with clean footwear. So that's cool. I have had friends before coming wearing socks, barefoot, but all of them leave their footwear outside the door, which is cool for me.
3 people like this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
Hi, is cool for everybody i think, is a sign of respect for woman who live there, i mean that i can t enter in somebody house with all dust on my shoes, and there can be kids, who play on the floor...
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
18 Mar 10
That's right...as a sign of respect, I agree with that too..
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
14 Mar 10
I think it is a good idea that people take off their shoes when going into someone else's house so that they do not dirty the floor and carpeting. Some of my family do that and I ask people to take their shoes off when coming into my home as well so that my carpeting doesn't get dirty. It is a polite thing for people to do. Nothing wrong with that at all. I take my shoes off as well going into another home.
• Romania
15 Mar 10
A nice and polite host will ask, :you don t want to feel more relax, i can offer to you a pair of slippers do you accept it?"
@VotreAmie (3028)
• United States
15 Mar 10
In Hawaii, when you go to somebody's house, you have to take off your shoes and leave them by the door (outside). If you don't do that it is considered not polite and they would not like that. My husband lived many years in Hawaii and now he is used to that tradition and everyone has to leave their shoes by the door. I think that it is good manners and it is very useful because it keeps my house clean especially in winter time. We just ask people to leave their shoes by the door and we always have different sizes of slippers for those who would like to wear slippers. Take care.
3 people like this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
This is great, i think that this "rule"is very good, is a sign of respect and is some friendly, make all feel more relax
@Wizzywig (7847)
14 Mar 10
I know of very few people who either remove their own when visiting or would expect visitors to remove them at their house. If my shoes were muddy, I would ask if it was ok to take them off but, otherwise, I would just wipe my feet well on the doormat. I dont really like people to take their shoes off as they enter my home. I consider it to be an over-familiar gesture... I do not much want to see their feet and certainly wouldn't want people to be sharing slippers, nor would I want anyone walking barefoot on my floors. I would leave someones house before I would put on another persons slippers - I dont see that as hygeinic. Just a case of different practices in different places
3 people like this
@Wizzywig (7847)
15 Mar 10
I do see your reasoning behind what you do. We are all comfortbale with different things
• Romania
15 Mar 10
I have few pair of slippers just for guests, be sure that i don t offer my slippers, is just my idea, i don t talk about customs or countries we come from, i ask them nicely to try just to feel good in my house, and in same time i keep clean my floor too,
@MrKennedy (1978)
14 Mar 10
I always take my footwear off before entering somebody's home. I take it as a sign of respect, and I understand why they wouldn't want dirt walked through their house. After all, I wouldn't like it if somebody walked in and covered my floors in mud, so I do the same and take my shoes off. I'm not really a big fan of slippers though, I prefer walking around in socks
3 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
14 Mar 10
I think that's a very awesome gesture from you, MrKennedy..
• Romania
14 Mar 10
You know, is not very polite in someone else house to stay in socks,to your home is ok, but there is better to accept slippers , depends how friends are with host. However, I find the socks better than that wear shoes outside, the carpet can host a child playing, can their love to be watching TV, lying on the floor ...
1 person likes this
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
15 Mar 10
it is hour home and you are free to impose such rules whichever you want. I believe you are oriental by nature and , it is your custom to do so. we have to respect it. Most people won't understand it.
• Romania
15 Mar 10
Hi, if Romania is in Orient, maybe i can be from Orient; whatever, let s say that i am for good sense, i think that in a polite way, we can try(just try, not impose)to make guests to feel good, and keep our home clean too
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
15 Mar 10
hi maranna45 I do respect your customs but we have mats at our front doors in the US that remove any dirt or dust from the soles of our shoes. we do not have the custom that you do of leaving our shoes outside.For me as I wear a shoe with a built in brace it would be impossible for me to walk without that shoe.It is just our custom to not take our shoes off although I admit that the rugs would stay cleaner if we did take our shoes off and walk around in stocking feet. but we really do not follow that custom as a rule.Do you have some sort of slippers you then slip on to wear in your house?
2 people like this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
I don t talk about customs, i live in Europe, where are same customs as are in US too, of course that if is a protocolar visit, or a party, i don t let people shoes off, but if they are friends who come in visit; why not? i can give then some slippers, to feel relax,
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
14 Mar 10
hi marianna, regarding slippers,we call them as chappals also,i have posted a discussion regarding this matter some one month back,most of the Hindu families does not use slippers in the homes including me/us,we feel not to walk in the home,due to sanctity,but modern people and some other may use the slippers in the home,have a nice day
2 people like this
• Romania
14 Mar 10
hi there, of course is very healthy don t wear slippers in home, but here in cold time, is need to wear slippers, i can t walk withaut slippers
1 person likes this
@harmonee (1228)
• United States
15 Mar 10
While I don't require it, I do have an area by the door where our family shoes are kept. People see it and usually take them off as well. Not wearing shoes in the house keeps things so much cleaner and easier to pick up. I also don't really like wearing shoes indoors. I'd much rather have some comfy socks or slippers.
2 people like this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
this is great, almost all time people who come, first,look to our shoes, to see; are shoes or slippers, and they ask; you can give me some slippers too?
@geniustiger (1694)
• Philippines
14 Mar 10
shoes, leave, outside, house - shoes, reamain, outside
In my place I often off my shoes before entering the house of my friend. Specially the floor is so shiny and waxed. Some also houses here depending on the host they let the visitors wear their shoes in entering the living room . They dont like to be misinterpreted by the visitor or friend. Mostly as what I have used to when I will go upstairs in other house I let my shoes remain in the entrance of the ladder or door. But it is okay to adjust whatever style they have in visiting the house the most vital is how you entertained well. It is a part of hygiene and good health. Your ways are very good to avoid disease.
• Romania
14 Mar 10
Let s say that the rules of courtesy, at least in Europe say i do not ask the guests to the shoes, so I chose to give them a pair of slippers, which make them feel relaxed, and at the same time I and keep my carpet clean.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
16 Mar 10
Welcome here my friend at this site! Hi macetheace! It is a very good rule in your house. And you also have followed it , its because that is your custom of entering the house. That is true that it can help our healthy hygiene for not having the dirt from outside. Wearing socks inside the house quiet comfortable of you. Go on at what you are used to do, the important is you deal th person well as he visit our home.
• United States
16 Mar 10
We have a rule at my residence that people should remove their shoes upon entering. My Mom and Dad took the custom from their time in Japan, and it is supposed to haelp extend life and make a person more comfortable. I like lounging in my socks, shoes are hard and stuff....:)
@kaylachan (55707)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Mar 10
When my hubby and I have guests if they are going to stay a while I ask they remove their shoes. But, if I've got someone coming to do spraying, fire inspection, or something where they are in and out and its over like that, then I don't bother to say something. When we had our tile work done, it was recommended everyone ware shoes or stay out for safty, but that's the only exception.
2 people like this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
Of course that i can t ask to fire inspection to let theirs boots to my door, but for friends, who like to come in our homes and stay for few hours, we can , polite say to them that they can feel better, relax, with a pair of slippers.
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
14 Mar 10
Now this i like. In my contry we are in and out of each others houses, with your shoes on. I can hit the roof, when i get these marks on my tilefloors. I wonder if i can get some of those slippers. What will my friends say? There problem. Either you take it off or you stay outside. This is such a nice idea. TATA.
2 people like this
• Romania
14 Mar 10
I have a locker in the hallway, entry, and try to suggest, politely as i can provide a pair of slippers, as it will relax them, and I let them choose, but I think in my mind that It would be to accept, because it is so large dirt outside.
1 person likes this
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
14 Mar 10
I am definately going to try this. TATA.
14 Mar 10
This is a very interesting discussion. I like reading about cultural differences between countries. I'm from Britain and here you are not expected to take off your shoes when you go into someone else's house. In fact, most people would find it rather strange. Those people who do require guests to remove their shoes are considered rather fussy and even, sometimes, rather rude. I live in the country so sometimes there is an exception if someone calls round with muddy shoes or boots on. Then, of course, they will take them off at the door.
• Romania
15 Mar 10
Are not many differences between UK and Romania, believe me, both are in Europe, I have friends from France, from UK, who come in visit, and because know that i have kids, they ask me slippers, and they stay hours, and feel relax; i am sure that is rude to come with dust in a house, where kids play on the floor, all this small gesture don t have anything with what country we come from.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
15 Mar 10
marianna45, I do not feel that it is impolite to ask our guest to observe certain culture or customs or a little house rule. It will equally be reflective of being a bad host if we are too compromising to the extent that it is becoming uncomfortable. I don't suppose any understanding guest would mind removing their shoes outside the house if they see a clean and their host removed theirs as well. Also, I am sure being grateful guests, messing up the house would be the last thing on their minds. As such, I feel that we should be a gracious and hospitable hosts especially when our guests are trying to relate and understand our customs or house rules.
• Romania
15 Mar 10
hi, yes, i am sure that we can make our own rules, of course in limits of good sense.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
16 Mar 10
Yes Yes Yes, My whole family takes off their shoes and slip into slippers. I can't even imagine how gross it would be to walk around in your house with shoes that you wear outside, even if you mop your house. Like in the middle of the night, or when you quickly get up, you must walk barefoot where you just walked with your dirty sneakers. And plus, walking around in the house or sitting down with shoes on stinks, since it is uncomfortable, and you can't lift you rlegs up to sit in comfortable postitions, with legs propped up, Indian style, or just lie down for a minute. Wish it was more typical in the U.S. But many of my friends do take off shoes in the house, though often no slippers. But when we have big events like parties or concerts at my place, we do not have people take their shoes off, adn we just make sure to mop galore before and after the event.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
17 Mar 10
Good for you and your guests! May I ask where you live, and is it custom to?
20 Mar 10
We live on the East Coast of Scotland, where its very cold and windy for much of the year. Also the roads and footpaths are usually quite muddy and sandy. Changing from shoes to slippers is second nature for us.
17 Mar 10
We also all take our shoes off by the door and change straight into slippers. Many of our friends do the same.
• United States
14 Mar 10
This reminds me of an episode of Sanford and Son :)) I'm in the States where most people leave their shoes on when entering someone's home. The reason that TV program was so funny because in rare cases, you will find someone with an expensive (like Persian) rug or they have near white or very light-colored carpet. My carpet is beige and needs to be shampooed as I write though I hardly have any company. Using a shampoo machine is not hard but it is still housework. If I were going to stay at my current place for a long time, I would just shampoo once and invest in a dark-colored area rug.
@pandaeyes (2065)
15 Mar 10
I think that it is your home and you have the right to say to anyone,'please remove your shoes'. One of my childhood friends was not allowed to wear shoes in the house and all their shoes stayed outside the front door(apartment block so they had an inside front door). If we went into their home to play ,we had to take off our shoes too and leave them outside the door.
1 person likes this
• Romania
15 Mar 10
Never i tell anyone to remove his shoes, but in elegant way, more in joke more seriously, I ask them if don t want to feel more relaxed, and I offer a couple a pair of slippers. Say it's a trick question, if well accepted, if not, of course i let them enter with shoes, but so far nobody has refused shoes, and who often comes in our house, they knows already and they ask them slippers.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
14 Mar 10
Well, i have kept a board at the side door. Please remove your foot wears here..clean home. I have cupboard for the guest and friends to leave their slippers and shoes.They dont prefer to wear slippers rather they come in, wash their legs at our rest room. Even i dont prefer them to wear slippers at home.
1 person likes this
• India
14 Mar 10
ya i think it is a good behaviour..... also it prevents lot of diseases entering in our home........ i appreciate your habit
1 person likes this