Wearing shoes in the house?

[carslo 0]

Okay I will try again with the poll.

Oh, now I see one must close the poll to be successful

Janet

[jennleah72 0]

what a good poll!

this drives me nuts !

[Flames9_RN 358]

Think the last time (has been brought up often,lol) the shoe's on or off in house ----it became quite heated,lol. Well not as heated as the off-topic forum--but heated for the CDn forum,lol I take mine mine off!! Don't want ur dog ####### on my floors,lol

[July09Bride 1]

This is a great poll... but, I'm from the US and taking OFF my shoes drives me nuts!!! Tie on, untie, wriggle out, wriggle back on, unzip, zip back up. I put my shoes on in the morning before work, I wear them around the house before I leave, and when I get home in the evening, I generally take them off only after I know I'm not going anywhere else in the evening and have changed clothes (sometimes just before bed).

The first time I went to Canada, I could not understand why there were shoes by the door. And at that, in most places, I don't want other people's feet containers near my feet containers (aka shoes). I don't know what foot issues other people have. Shoes by the door can be unsightly and actually, I feel put out and quite uncomfortable walking around other people's homes without my shoes on. Kinda creepy.

BUT, I am also quite aware of the varying customs in different countries. So, as much as I'm bothered and sometimes grossed out at the thought of wearing only socks in other places, I just get over it.

Here's something even funnier. Living here in Michigan, many people do the same thing! They take their shoes off at the door and leave them there. I don't like it here in Michigan, either! I vacuum each week (sometimes each day - especially in winter to pick up salt & dirt from shoes) and keep the carpet/floors clean. Being from Arizona, where there is not much weather (sunny days don't really count as being weather, in my book), one doesn't worry about tracking in mud, salt, water, etc. from the snow, rain, or ice.

When people come to my house (for a party or whatever), typically I leave my shoes on, some leave theirs on too, and others automatically leave them at the door.

Honestly, in my opinion in my home, whatever makes people most comfortable, is what I would hope the people would do. Leave 'em on or take 'em off!

So, perhaps the shoe thing is regional? Hmmm...

[JillA 2]

OMG! It is definitely an American thing, and drives me nuts! I find it so rude when people come over and wear their dirty, stinkin shoes in my home! Take them off, now! I have new carpet, and I don't need you tracking in pee and dirt in my home! Pee, you ask? YES, PEE! When you go to a public washroom, no doubt pee gets on the bottom of your shoes, so dirty! I specifically ask when people come over now for them to please remove their shoes, I don't mind asking anymore. Also, when I go to one's home I also take them off. I just can't stand it, ahhhh!! In Canada, no one wears shoes in the home. I am a germaphobe, so this one really bothers me

[July09Bride 1]

OMG! It is definitely an American thing, and drives me nuts! I find it so rude when people come over and wear their dirty, stinkin shoes in my home! Take them off, now! I have new carpet, and I don't need you tracking in pee and dirt in my home! Pee, you ask? YES, PEE! When you go to a public washroom, no doubt pee gets on the bottom of your shoes, so dirty! I specifically ask when people come over now for them to please remove their shoes, I don't mind asking anymore. Also, when I go to one's home I also take them off. I just can't stand it, ahhhh!! In Canada, no one wears shoes in the home. I am a germaphobe, so this one really bothers me

Jill, if I come visit, I promise I'll take my shoes off... just 'cuz I can say I "know" ya!

I must add, that if I am at someone's home and I am quite familiar with the people/family, I'm okay with taking off my shoes. Just really uncomfortable in new situations/environments where I need to take them off.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yep exactly--pee and pooh!! lol But each their own!! Ijust ask people to be respectful of my house. I have never had a problem of it. But this question gets asked a fair bit on here and other forums I visit, and wow, some people get so UPSET if they are asked to take their shoes off at someones house! Some have stated they would NEVER go back! Like I said each their own! I vacuum usually every 2 days--thanks to 2 cats and a dog,lol And My Bissel carpet cleaner has more than paid for itself.

[TimandJoyce 1]

For sure I take them off!! However, when I go to a house, and the floors don't look "clean" well, then I'll leave them on. I have also left them on in my house, but only cause I knew I was in quick, and out the door again. I can't stand wearing shoes all day!! I really like going barefoot.

And yes, shoes on in a house is a little more Americanized. I work at Curves for women and a couple years ago, we had a gal from California come up for the summer as she and her husband were camping nearby. I just loved her. She was so funny!! The subject of shoes came up, and she said "I can see why you need to take them off!! You all have so much more DIRT up here!!" She told me she never had to sweep out her camper as much as when she was here! Oh, how I loved that!

I'm not going to be too upset when I have company in my new home and shoes are still on the feet. After all, I'm in their territory. Who am I to try and change what everyone is used to. Who knows? Maybe my example will catch on? ...

Edited June 20, 2009 by TimandJoyce

[carslo 0]

Some interesting reading below

Kindly Remove Your Shoes!

I was at a place called Color Me Mine recently and noticed a ceramic plaque to paint that said "Kindly Remove Your Shoes."

I smiled and was immediately drawn to it. I recalled a party I had a few years back where I had printed a sign for my door that said the same thing...and ended up with nearly fifty pairs of shoes in the hallway. Some people laughed, some were embarrassed and said they should have worn nicer socks, some resisted the idea, and others understood and were gracefully compliant. Fortunately, unlike Carrie Bradshaw in a Sex & the City episode, no one rushed off with someone else's Minolo Blahnick's.

I began taking off my shoes in my home while living in New York City. I had started to study Feng Shui and had a new sense of reverence for my environment. I was aware that was standard practice in Asian countries such as Japan, China, Cambodia, Taiwan and India - and soon learned that it is also traditional in Sweden, Canada, Jamaica, Turkey, parts of Europe and the UK, and Hawaii.

While some cultures, like the Japanese, take off shoes primarily to keep their floors and tatami mats clean (because they sit and sleep on them), others have a more religious origin related to removing shoes before entering a sacred space or place of worship.

The fact is, there are millions of people around the world doing it, yet somehow, here in America, we often balk at the idea. Perhaps it's because of the inconvenience or maybe because we feel "exposed" without our footwear.

Why do it? Well, to be frank, shoes are dirty. We walk around all day - on surfaces ranging from sidewalks and pesticide treated grass to offices, restaurants and retail stores. And, let's not forget public restrooms! We pick up dirt, bacteria, and chemicals and it stays on the bottom of our shoes - then we carry that into our home. We relax, put our feet up, step on a chair to get down a vase, and eventually take off our shoes and crawl into bed.

Granted I am a bit of a clean freak...it comes with the territory when you are Feng Shui consultant and interior designer, but the statistics do not lie. As cited in a first-quarter issue of Parenting Magazine this year, 85% of the germs in our homes are carried in on our shoes.

An ABC Good Morning America report, based on studies done at the University of Arizona, found infection-causing bacteria on people's shoes - 90% of which transferred to the floors in a house. For carpets, the percentage was even higher. The researchers noted that toilet seats were actually significantly cleaner.

And, while some of us just walk on our floors, many have pets and children that spend hours crawling or playing on that surface - toddlers putting their hands in their mouths up to 100 times in a single hour. That alone should be reason enough!

If you need additional encouragement, consider a few more philosophical reasons:

1) Our home is a sanctuary (or it could be). We revere people, food, clothing, and cars. However, often forget about our environment.

2) Bare feet can help us feel more relaxed and grounded. Just like changing from our work clothes and slipping into "something more comfortable," we can achieve a similar feeling when we leave our footwear at the door.

3) It's a great "transitional" tool. When going from outdoors to in, this practice can support us in shifting our energy to being "at home."

If you dislike bare feet, have socks, slippers or other "indoor" footwear near the door. That will keep your floors, carpets and rugs and overall home cleaner, and your immune systems stronger. It will also help reduce noise, and establish a sense of reverence for our homes.

If we shower, wash dishes and brush our teeth every day...perhaps we can also remove our shoes to honor and respect our home in the same way we honor ourselves. Won't you "Kindly remove your shoes?"

Coach Marie Elena Rigo

[JillA 2]

OMG! It is definitely an American thing, and drives me nuts! I find it so rude when people come over and wear their dirty, stinkin shoes in my home! Take them off, now! I have new carpet, and I don't need you tracking in pee and dirt in my home! Pee, you ask? YES, PEE! When you go to a public washroom, no doubt pee gets on the bottom of your shoes, so dirty! I specifically ask when people come over now for them to please remove their shoes, I don't mind asking anymore. Also, when I go to one's home I also take them off. I just can't stand it, ahhhh!! In Canada, no one wears shoes in the home. I am a germaphobe, so this one really bothers me

Jill, if I come visit, I promise I'll take my shoes off... just 'cuz I can say I "know" ya!

I must add, that if I am at someone's home and I am quite familiar with the people/family, I'm okay with taking off my shoes. Just really uncomfortable in new situations/environments where I need to take them off.

Thank you my dear! LOL When Glen came to visit my apt for the first time, he was clueless about shoe removal. So he walks in, saunters over to the couch with his sneakers on. It had been raining, so he tracked in some wet leaves and there were spots on the floor. I literally stared at him for a moment, like what is wrong with you? It was almost a dealbreaker, haha then I told him right away he had to take them off in my home and also in my parents when we went over! He proceeded to run to the kitchen for paper towels to wipe it off the floor. Now, he is so used to it that even at homes around here he takes them off, I taught him well

[JillA 2]

At my in-laws, they always say I can keep my shoes on when I go over, but I won't do it! It may also be a Canadian thing because of our winters, perhaps we get so used to having to take them off due to the wet and snow on them, we can't wear them in the home. Maybe that's how it started!

[reeses16 8]

I (USC) grew up never taking shoes off (unless they were used in yard work and covered with dirt or grass). I'm the type of person who washes my hands regularly and thoroughly and when I'm cooking I use separate knives and chopping boards so there is no cross-contamination. But until I me met my hubby (who always insisted on taking off shoes) I never thought about it. I asked him why (I assumed it was cultural), and he was like are you kidding me the streets are filthy. Since then, I always take my shoes off.

I usually insist that people take their shoes off. As an USC, I know some other American's may be offend so there is always a teeny bit of anxiety when someone new comes over. The worst is when repair guys come...most usually comply, but a few times I've been told that it was against company policy. True or not, I needed my stuff repaired so I just had to disinfect and clean after they left. I don't have repair men over too often. But I was thinking of getting those hospital shoe slip-ons as a compromise.

[trailmix 77]

I definately think people should take their shoes off, but it doesn't drive me crazy either. Then again, it's not like we know anyone here, so people aren't tramping through the door every day.

Question for those who don't normally take their shoes off. There is always that thing where someone (in this case Jill) says that Canadians are used to taking off their footwear because of the snow/wet etc.

America is also, generally, covered in snow all winter - so what do you do in that case, do you come in from the snow with your shoes or boots still on?

[July09Bride 1]

If you need additional encouragement, consider a few more philosophical reasons:

1) Our home is a sanctuary (or it could be). We revere people, food, clothing, and cars. However, often forget about our environment.

2) Bare feet can help us feel more relaxed and grounded. Just like changing from our work clothes and slipping into "something more comfortable," we can achieve a similar feeling when we leave our footwear at the door.

3) It's a great "transitional" tool. When going from outdoors to in, this practice can support us in shifting our energy to being "at home."

If you dislike bare feet, have socks, slippers or other "indoor" footwear near the door. That will keep your floors, carpets and rugs and overall home cleaner, and your immune systems stronger. It will also help reduce noise, and establish a sense of reverence for our homes.

If we shower, wash dishes and brush our teeth every day...perhaps we can also remove our shoes to honor and respect our home in the same way we honor ourselves. Won't you "Kindly remove your shoes?"

Coach Marie Elena Rigo

Janet, I think that's my issue. Because I was not raised in an environment where shoes are removed, I do feel "exposed" and uncomfortable when I am someplace new AND have to take off my shoes. Especially IF I don't have socks on (like during spring & fall) many of my "school" shoes are slip-ons (or tie up, like espadrilles).

Quite a different feeling when something as simple as removing one's shoes can turn what was a confident person into an uncomfortable, uneasy, and immediately introverted person. Such a simple thing. Hmmm...

But, here's another question to the flip side of the germ/dirt debate of shoes. Stats also show that the more "germ-free" our environments become, the more likely we are to get sick. For example, kids at school whose parents constantly have their kids use the Purell hand sanitzer (which, I do carry in my purse) and are the uber-uber-uber-UBER germaphobes (these are the "glove people" NOT the typical germaphobe who likes to always have things clean and cleans/straightens up once or twice a day - like Matt Lauer or Howie Mandel), have kids who are more likely to get sick on a more regular basis. Studies show, this is because the kids are not given an opportunity to grow immunities to the random germs around us. After reading various articles about such a topic, I now know why the, ummm... not-as-clean kids are always at school and never home sick.

By the way, I'm ALL about keeping homes clean (for I have two dogs who shed... that drives me nuts!) and speaking of cleaning... I need to step away from the computer and get back to finishing the house and the laundry!!!! lol

[July09Bride 1]

I definately think people should take their shoes off, but it doesn't drive me crazy either. Then again, it's not like we know anyone here, so people aren't tramping through the door every day.

Question for those who don't normally take their shoes off. There is always that thing where someone (in this case Jill) says that Canadians are used to taking off their footwear because of the snow/wet etc.

America is also, generally, covered in snow all winter - so what do you do in that case, do you come in from the snow with your shoes or boots still on?

For me, it depends on which boots I have on. Seriously, if I have my snow boots on (I have a pair of Sorels), that means there is at least 6 or more inches of snow on the ground and the boots are too bulky to really wear anywhere, I will take those off and I have a tray I put those on. But, if I have on my hiking boots (which I like to wear during the winter because I can wear them to school/work and they look okay with the pants I wear), I will typically leave them on. Only because I've been driving in the car and I pull my car directly into the garage and that is attached to the house. So, the water is typically gone and dried by the time I walk the 10 steps from my car door to the door into the house. Again, if I have tracked water & whatnot into the house, I probably followed up later that evening with a quick "wet Swiffer" of the floor and cleaned it up. But, I think that is the southwestern American in me coming out - not removing the shoes and just cleaning up after the fact. That's what my mom always did with us kids.