Uhm, yeah. I think it is a little strange to require no shoes in the house. Personally, I take mine off when I walk in the door because I’m Southern and I just hate to wear shoes. But I don’t think I’d beat myself up if I were to parade around the house in shoes. I mean, I do have a vacuum cleaner and all.  What in the hell are y’all walking in that’s crudding up your carpet so much. That is the real ‘ew’ part.

I think it’s normal, and polite. Normal to take them off and expect others to, and polite to do so when a guest at someone’s house. I will not allow people in my house with their shoes, and make sure my son knows to take his boots off before going further than the entrance. My boyfriend doesn’t allow it. My family, same thing. When I was living in Serbia, people kept spare slippers around for guests, becuase it’s taboo to wear shoes inside. That’s my take.

well, we’re asian.  we keep our shoes by the door.  i’m pretty lax about wearing shoes in the house (we have hardwood floors and they’re mighty cold), but the girlfriend is adamant about taking off the shoes in the house.  when we have company, we tell them beforehand that they’ll need to take off their shoes upon entering our house.  people are pretty good about it.  we do have extra slippers for people to wear if their feet get too cold, though.

where i come from (if you visit a local family’s house anyway), if you don’t take your shoes off you might as well spit in the homeowner’s face. it’s disrespectful. now that i live on the mainland, i have to put a sign on my door that says “aloha, please remove your shoes.”  sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t.  i’m getting better about it though.  like i don’t mind sometimes if the person will at least ask me if they can leave their shoes on.  but if they just come in and start trampling all over the place, i feel disrespected.

Hubby and I do not wear shoes in the house. It’s not some rule. We just never have. I suppose it does keep the carpet clean. I would never ask someone to take off their shoes because I think it is rude. When someone visits they are typically there for a short amount of time. I would image what you do on a daily basis effects your carpet more than an occasional visit from friends or family. For what it’s worth, I have never been asked to take my shoes off at someone’s house.

I think it’s okay to ask your guest to remove your shoes. She should have removed them without asking too, anyway, knowing that it;s a new apartment. And, besides, what kind of socks was she wearing. She didn’t want to take off her socks because she was ashamed of what they looked like? I don’t get that

I just don’t get it how people can wear shoes in the house, especially if they have wall-to-wall carpet. I know it’s a culture thing (we Finns don’t wear shoes in the house), but it’s still hard to understand how people manage to keep the house clean if they walk around with their shoes on. I guess it depends on where you live.

I wear shoes in my apt unless it’s wet/slushy outside and then we leave our shoes in the kitchen.  I don’t think it’s a big deal.  Just another interesting layer to your evening.  She probably had a hole in her sock and was self-contious (sp?) about it.  No biggie!

wow daniel, i’m surprised by the responses here:  i didn’t realize so many people had ‘take off your shoes rule’ and i am really surprised that so many people seem ‘offended’ by people that wouldn’t assume there was a no shoe rule. 

most places i’ve lived have had hardwood floors so i’ve never asked anyone to remove their shoes.  unless i swiffer everyday they always seem to get peoples socks kinda dirty.  sometimes i’ve gone to places and been annyoed at having to remove my shoes when i know my shoes aren’t dirty, but i would totally respect anyones rule if that were the case (and i wouldn’t bitch about it).  if i had a no shoe rule though and i expected to have company, i would probably provide nice cozy slippers for them to use as well.  adds a little something extra, ya know?

Wow, I am surprised,too. I had no idea that so many people had a no shoe rule.  I guess I’ve always just had a mat outside my door and said, wipe your feet! Maybe I’ll have to go look around my floors with a keener eye. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to take off my shoes in anyone’s house before. Interesting topic.