Shoes on or shoes off at home?

**MaryJane** · November 18th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Since Gwyneth Paltrow's corcern (Gwyneth Paltrow's germ fears for Apple) proved to be a very controversial topic, as suggested by WickedHo I start a brand new thread about it and include a poll.

Personally I have never asked, and I never will, my guests to take their shoes off in my house...even only for the simple fact that nothing would guarantee me that their feet are cleaner than their shoes!!

muchlove · November 18th, 2005, 04:02 PM

What if the person is dirty and has dirty, bacteria-laden socks? Then what? Are you going to ask them to take those off and go wash their feet?

I think the whole topic is funny. It's really not a big deal, but I hate it when I'm wearing boots and I have to sit down and pull them off, and then struggle to get them back on to leave. It's a pain.

WickedHo · November 18th, 2005, 04:06 PM

I have no home of my own, but if I did, yes, I would ask people to remove their shoes in the foyer. However, I would have slippers available for them to use. I wear slippers or socks when I'm at home, and those slippers and socks are never worn outside on the dirty(er) ground.

Taking shoes off tracks less dirt and grime into the home. It's a simple fact. So I have no sympathy for those who roll their eyes at the request to remove their shoes. Bending over for not even a full minute takes less time and energy than it does to sweep, dust and/or mop your floor, people!

WickedHo · November 18th, 2005, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muchlove

What if the person is dirty and has dirty, bacteria-laden socks? Then what? Are you going to ask them to take those off and go wash their feet?

I miss the good ole Biblical days of feet-washing! How did we ever stray so far from foot worship?

muchlove · November 18th, 2005, 04:18 PM

It's so funny... my boyfriend's mom just got brand new cream colored carpet in her dining room/living room... first new carpet she's had in like 20 years. So she's determined to keep it clean.

She orders all shoes OFF at the door, and she has a clear plastic carpet runner going down the main walking path between the two rooms (and it's soooo tacky looking). Then she has area rugs covering other spots, like in front of the couch and in front of the stairs to the second floor, etc. At this point, you can barely see the carpet she's protecting, and we always joke with her that she could have saved money and just covered the floor in cheap area rugs.

LynnieD · November 18th, 2005, 04:49 PM

OFF!! In the winter in particular! I live in an area that gets tons of snow, so everyone is trudging through snow/slush/salt/sand and crap all day--then into my house. HELL NO. But like Frank Rizzo said--regardless, you step in shit all day and then want to track into your home? I never really had a big thing w/this until I had a baby--and that baby was crawling around on my floors that others had tracked through w/their shitty shoes. EEECCCCKKK!!!

I know very few people that DON'T make everyone take their shoes off when entering their homes. And I have no problem doing it.

A*O · November 18th, 2005, 06:23 PM

I don't mind either way - but if I go to someone else's house and see a pile of shoes by the door I always take mine off too. But most people here walk around in bare feet anyway - including to the supermarket!!!

BlueEyesCryin · November 18th, 2005, 06:30 PM

OMG, I would never dream of asking someone to take their shoes off when they are visiting me! Sure, if they have something apparent on their shoes I would somehow take care of it, but asking them to remove their shoes is paramount to saying that you would rather not clean than have them visit!

I went into a state senator's office just yesterday that had a sign in the front window that said to take your shoes off if you had grease on them. I thought to myself, surely the Senator's wife doesn't know this sign is in the window?

Woohoo, that's an indication that you can't afford your nice new carpet if you're worried about the dirt, and if you're worried about the kid's health, a little dirt is not the worst thing they will encounter. Life is for living, not keeping things clean and germ free.

Grimmlok · November 18th, 2005, 06:34 PM

Why the fuck wouldnt you take your dirty shoes off in your house? why would you want to track in the crap from outside? How do you sit on furniture if you're constantly wondering if you're going to leave shoe marks everywhere?

WickedHo · November 18th, 2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueEyesCryin

OMG, I would never dream of asking someone to take their shoes off when they are visiting me! Sure, if they have something apparent on their shoes I would somehow take care of it, but asking them to remove their shoes is paramount to saying that you would rather not clean than have them visit!

I went into a state senator's office just yesterday that had a sign in the front window that said to take your shoes off if you had grease on them. I thought to myself, surely the Senator's wife doesn't know this sign is in the window?

Woohoo, that's an indication that you can't afford your nice new carpet if you're worried about the dirt, and if you're worried about the kid's health, a little dirt is not the worst thing they will encounter. Life is for living, not keeping things clean and germ free.

No, it's an indication of respect for public, government property.

muchlove · November 18th, 2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

Why the fuck wouldnt you take your dirty shoes off in your house? why would you want to track in the crap from outside? How do you sit on furniture if you're constantly wondering if you're going to leave shoe marks everywhere?

This isn't about "dirty" shoes... unless you think all shoes are always dirty? I'm looking at the bottom of my boots, and there's nothing on them at all. So what's so dirty about them? Like I said, someone's socks could be just as dirty. My neighbor goes out to check the mail in her socks every day!

FierceKiten · November 18th, 2005, 06:53 PM

Personally, I cringe when people, 'who've been god knows where', tread through my house with grime and dirt. The minute I feel like i wanna trot through the tulips bare on my carpet, there that factor of catching something. Im a serious germ-o-fobe. I mostly leave my shoes on anyway, cause Im lazy.