Guest Etiquette
>> Sunday, February 22, 2009
With the recent changes made out our home -namely the carpet, the removing of shoes has become an absolute M.U.S.T.
Parting with this kind of hard earned money is a real motivator to make things last. It's our house, Kyle and I make the rules..so there are no questions asked in regards to whether or not our boys are required to remove their shoes. Because they are -No Questions Asked. Kyle and I also remind each other.
But what about outside guests? You know, the ones that don't actually reside here, and are just visiting. Do you ask people to remove your shoes? What's proper etiquette? 90% of our close family removes their shoes out of habit, as they have similar rules in their own homes.
I personally don't feel right about asking the neighbor or visiting teachers to remove their shoes. What do you do at your house?
18 Pepsi Points :
My husband is a stickler about this. But, I don't like to make people do it. I don't mind doing it at other people's homes, but I just don't care that much.
He even wanted to put a note at the door!
But, if I had new carpet, I might feel differently.
In Hawaii, EVERYONE takes their shoes off before entering into someones home. My husband is a mainland transplant and in the beginning of the relationship always walked in the house with his shoes on. Until my aunt barked...."Hey, your dirtying up my carpet. Take those damn shoes off. The beers out back!"
That's when he became a real part of the family. :)
I've gone to a store that had cute "Take your shoes off right outside the door" so maybe that could work for you. Without having to tell every single guest to your home to take their shoes off.
My brother and SIL have a cute sign just as you walk in their door that says "Come in, relax, sit down and bask, remove your shoes is all we ask." One of our neighbors has a similar sign.
When we first moved in to this neighborhood, I was amazed at how all the neighbors (including the kids) removed their shoes just inside the door.
I think it is ok to ask folks to remove their shoes...most people are really nice about it.
With new carpet? Heck yea, I'd make EVERYONE take their shoes off!! Maybe buy a cute little shoe organizer thing to go outside the door.
I'm sad I didn't meet you at the lunch! Too many people I guess....
This is a good ? I am always too embarassed to ask people to take them off. What if they have a big hole in their sock or stinky feet? If they offer I say yes but otherwise....
i would politely ask... i dont blame you at all.. and so i would just be sweet and ask whoever! loooove the new look by the way!
We always take our shoes off at the door too. It's a habit. I don't ask people to, but do keep "museum shoes" handy up in farrr N.Idaho for when a plumber or such comes over. They rarely ever think to take off their shoes/boots and it seems they are the ones who stomp in mud puddles and have rocks imbedded to their soles!! My porcelain tile floors are nearly indestructable but the wood floors in the loft are soft and tender! (The museum shoes are paper/clothe booties that slip over your shoes.) FYI: Barefeet are one of the worse things on carpets. Ones feet have oils that are much more difficult to get out than ordinary dirt, so make sure to have extra sox at the door.;<)
Our family members always take off their shoes, but I never ask guests to do so. Some do on their own. Some don't.
I would just tell them that you have new carpet and would like to keep it looking as good as possible for as long as possible. You already have small children and pets that you can't always control...so if they wouldn't contribute to the dirt in any way, that would be good.
Then just pray no one has stinky, nasty feet! =P
Is there any chance of putting a really good rug outside the door that you can ask them to wipe their feet on before they enter? They might volunteer to take the shoes off if they see how serious you are about keeping carpets clean.
I would TOTALLY ask people to remove their shoes. New carpet is not cheap and you want it to last.
Another option, you could always keep some of those disposable surgical booties around for people who do not want to remove their shoes.
It's your house.
I don't think there's nothing wrong with asking people to take their shoes off, especially when you have beautiful new carpet in your house. If it makes you feel uncomfortable to ask, then you don't have to say anything...their shoes probably won't be all that dirty anyway, especially if they wiped them when coming in.
I like it when people automatically take their shoes off when they come to my house, but I don't really care if they don't either. Most of our floors are hardwood though, so it's easier to let it go.
With that investment there is no shame in telling your visitors to take 'em off.
I have a sign on the door that says "Please remove shoes when entering". I don't care for the cutesy sayings or signs that I've seen.... just not my style nor does it match anything else I have in my house.
I'm not embarrassed to remind those who forget... I don't want their dirt or germs on my carpets. Eww!
People are usually happy to oblige. I've never had anyone who didn't, unless it was someone briefly dropping something off and then they are happy to stand on the porch or in the entryway (where there is no carpet).
Since we don't have carpet anymore, we're not big about shoe rules. But at the old house we were big on it since we had a lot of carpet, so I know where you're coming from.
I think it is fine to ask, and personally I prefer being shoeless, so it is fine with me. The only thing I guess, is I think some people have a thing about thinking their feet are ugly, so I guess some people wouldn't want to take their shoes off.
Everyone takes off their shoes here too.
With my brother-in-law though, the smell of his feet make it a punishment.
We have a house full of heathens. So I cannot contrubute to the conversation. Love the new look though.
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