Leave your dirty shoes at the door

All shoes are dirty. There are some people who will ask (insist) that you take off your shoes before entering their home. There are many cultures where that is the norm. Countries like Japan, Finland, Sweden, and the Ukraine are just a few where it is expected. On the other hand, there are countries where it is not customary, but may be the culture of that particular home. USA. The main reason to make this a habit is hygiene and cleanliness. Your shoes carry infectious bacteria, germs, filth, chemicals, and dirt. You significantly reduce the possibility of spreading these things at home if you leave your shoes at the door.

Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of taking off their shoes. This could be for a myriad of reasons: ugly toenails, bunions, corns, etc. Or, they think it is a stupid practice and don’t see the point of complying. When you are visiting someone’s home, you are subject to the rules of that household. This is true even when you disagree. You must act in accordance to their wishes.

If you choose to disregard this rule, your host has every right to refuse you entry into their home. They can turn you away, which is the right thing to do. Your refusal to take off your shoes is unsanitary. But your behavior is obnoxious when you display your sense of entitlement. Your wishes will never supersede the rules. Your host can make an exception, but it is entirely at their discretion. Refusing to take off your shoes is also disrespectful. You are taking the stance that you do not care about the host’s practice, feelings, and opinions. It is a matter of common courtesy to be considerate and just take your shoes off. It can be a very awkward situation if your host asks you to leave. You should be embarrassed.

If you are invited to someone’s home, it is not normal to ask ahead if you can wear shoes indoors. It is also not typical for invitations to specifically state that shoes are not permitted inside. In rare cases, a host may include a note to that effect in the invitation.

What are you to do when invited to someone’s home? Assume you will be asked to take off your shoes. Make that assumption 100% of the time. If you suspect that your host is the type to be a stickler for a clean floor, or has carpets, go with your gut and prepare to take your shoes off. If your feet are hideous, bring along a pair of socks. Otherwise make sure that you are keeping your routine pedicure appointments.