I decided to choose this for my blast-from-the-past (October, 2008) this week NOT because I wish to dwell in controversy, but because I’ve been talking about values this week. Personally, I value my productivity – not saying that is a virtue! – above cleanliness. I also value my visitors. When, as a guest, I am required to take my shoes off, I may feel less welcome, although I probably shouldn’t.
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Increasingly, I am feeling alone in this. But I don’t know that I care. When I am puttering around the house, I wear shoes. In fact, if I’m not wearing proper outdoor shoes, I feel as if I’m not dressed – simply lounging.
Jennifer was wondering.
How about the rest of you? Are you like Jennifer, wearing house shoes in the house and keeping a pair of outdoor shoes near the door for running into the yard or to get mail?
Tell me I’m not the only one who needs shoes to feel dressed!
I never wear shoes in the house. I am usually slipping my shoes off before I put my keys, or even my daughter, down.
Shoes track in dirt, pesticides, and toxins that I’d rather minimize in my house. Plus, I like looking at my manicured toes!
I almost always wear shoes in the house. I have a substantial leg length difference, so am most often wearing a lifted shoe on my right foot.
I also never wear shoes in the house for all the reasons that Jennifer S has mentioned.
Although I do wear house slippers (that has a felt bottom) when I’m walking on my hardwood/tile floors when my feet get cold in the winter.
I love wearing slippers inside when it’s cold, and bare feet when it’s hot.
My husband is unable to wear bear feet and must always wear closed toe shoes (just brought up that way), even when it’s 40 degrees (104 degrees farenheit).
I always wear shoes, unless I’m taking a nap! My feet are kind of fussy and get sore if I’m barefoot. I usually wear Danskos in the house … from 8 am til 9 pm!
I usually, though not religiously, wear shoes all the time, though I usually end up kicking them off at some point once I’ve settled in for the evening. Possibly connected, I’ve never been able to stand being barefoot outside on any sort of surface, even as a very small child.
What you said about needing shoes to feel dressed – this is opening a can of worms, but that crosses my mind every time I have to take off my shoes in someone else’s house. Not to be critical – people should be able to run their houses however they like, and obviously, if that’s the convention of the home, I’ll do it without hesitation or complaint, but I never feel completely comfortable being in public in that condition. Face it, it’s pretty hard to feel dignified while running around in socks.
I’m with you, Mel. If I know ahead of time that I need to take my shoes off at someone’s house, I will wear slip on shoes (and argyle socks, of course). But I generally take it as the person’s carpet is more important than I am. You can pray for me. 🙂
Wow, I never wear shoes around the house. Shoes track in so much crud and I find shoes not as comfortable to wear. I do wear slippers in the winter time to keep my feet warmer, or maybe to help with traction on hardwood floor.
I’m curious for those who do wear shoes around the house: do you put them on first thing in the morning, too?
You would love the Fly Lady. 🙂 One of her recommendations is that one gets dressed “to shoes” every morning.
I personally hate the idea. I approve of getting completely ready for the day early on, but I can’t stand to wear shoes in the house!
I can’t stand shoes in the house either. Many cultures (like Indians) think that Westerners and their shoes in the house are extremely unhygienic and disgusting, and I learned this from them. I love walking barefoot, the feel of the different textures of the floors, carpets, rugs feels sensuous to my feet. Also, I have less cleaning to do, and I can play with my kid on the floor.
I can’t stand wearing shoes anywhere if I can help it. I let my kids go barefoot to church in the summer (blush). When I worked at an office I always took my shoes off the instant I sat down at my desk.
What a fun topic! Shoes indoors seem so gross and dirty — and had to laugh about the pedicure comment — so true! Plus as others have said, less housecleaning, YAY! It is a bit awkward when people come over though — my friends totally accept our “no shoes please” in our house but our family throws a hissy fit about it, so funny . . . but seriously, thinking about it, our homes are our castles and refuge from the outside world, there is no way I’m letting icky stuff get tracked into my abode, the thought just makes me shudder. Right now we live in S. Korea so it’s the custom, thankfully, for everyone to take off their shoes — even some businesses expect visitors to exchange their street shoes for special indoor slippers they provide. At our college the Korean professors and staff also change their shoes for office slippers (in the privacy of their own offices, of course) — a fun and comfie custom.
I have a love-hate relationship with shoes. On the one hand, I adore shoes. I love the look of shoes and the things high heels do for my legs. On the other hand, I adore going barefoot and really loathe wearing socks. Typically I put shoes on when I head out the door for work and take them off when I get home. Sometimes I will wear shoes at home or in another person’s home – if it is a cocktail or formal party and the shoes are part of my ensemble – and the host is doing the same. On a day to day basis I see shoes as a buffer between your feet and the ground, and I don’t want to track stuff on the ground outside all over my apartment! I always thought that it was normal to take off your shoes when you come inside.
I much prefer going barefoot and never wear shoes at home if I can help it. I also change out of my work clothes into more casual (and washable) garments. Not grungies… I’m all for being color-coordinated and tidy… just stuff that isn’t dry-clean-only.
Minnesotans commonly ask guests to remove shoes during the winter and the muddier parts of summer (thus, all but about six weeks of spring and autumn), so I’m deeply committed to owning socks that work well with my outfits.
I grew up being barefoot as much as possible, even outdoors, even on a hot roadway. Somehow I reached where I am now and I always wear shoes, though sometimes thong sandal barefoot type shoes. I guess I want the sole under my feet and don’t like the fit of socks. I resisted socks for most of my life and now do like them with certain shoes or boots or to sleep in when it’s cold. But not to walk around in.
I do remember as a college girl being on a date at the art museum during the times when I wore uncomfortable shoes and walking home to the campus with the guy, many miles, barefoot because I had no other choice. I didn’t mind at all but he was shocked, shocked.
I forgot to add: I don’t feel dressed when I don’t have shoes on either. And that’s kind of the point. I want to feel comfortably not-dressed at home.
Emily – I think that’s a function of your age. When I was growing up, nobody asked their guests to remove their shoes. But then two things changed: the world became more global (many other cultures, as you see here, customarily remove their shoes indoors) and white and light colored carpets became fashionable. Which came first? I really don’t know.
And concerning the dirt aspect: that weighs into my preference as well. But, since I am not about to wash my dog’s feet everytime she goes in and out (although she will sit still to have them wiped when it’s muddy), my floors are going to be somewhat dirty all the time anyway. And my hero, who generally goes barefoot around the house, is not going to remove his shoes everytime he needs to run into the house for something when he’s working outside. I don’t like to walk in the dirt. But that’s not my primary reason for preferring shoes.
Jennifer – to your follow-up question: Right now, I am sitting here reading my email and eating breakfast with my hair wet, dressed but no jacket or shoes. When I get done here, I will go put on socks and shoes and either a big flannel shirt (my apron substitute) or a blazer, depending on whether I’m working at home or heading out next.
Great topic! BTW, when children come over to my house and immediately try to take their shoes off, I give them a choice: shoes or barefoot. The reason is our hardwood floors. When our kids were younger we allowed them to run around in just socks and one of them slid into the other, resulting in a trip to minor emergency and stitches.
Shoes. Always. I’ll wander around barefoot for a couple hours after a long run, but once my feet feel happy and relaxed, they’re slipped into flats, sandals or full-fledged shoes. Then I feel happy, relaxed… and dressed.
Everybody else in the family is happy wandering barefoot most of the time. That’s okay with me.
Rebecca – You might have a point re: age. My great grandparents always insist that everybody can leave their shoes on when we go to their house. My grandmother, on the other hand, would have a fit if anybody left their shoes on to walk on the light blue carpet in her living room.
I always wear shoes. I put them on first thing in the morning when I dress. That’s how my (admittedly old-fashioned) mom taught me. One time we had guests when I was a kid, and one of the women stayed in her slippers all day. She was dressed and did her hair, she just didn’t wear shoes. I was so horrified. I know I’d probably go barefoot (or sock-footed) more often if I didn’t have small children. As it is, shoes keep me from stepping in spills.
After reading CharityGrace’s comment, I have to add: If someone is coming over (and isn’t a good friend/houseguest), I prefer to wear shoes – I don’t feel fully dressed without them.
I also grew up wearing shoes in the house–only children and old or sick people wore slippers during the day. And this was in Minnesota! You would take off your wet, muddy things (boots, obviously, or dirty shoes) at the door, and then put on “house shoes,” but they were regular, clean shoes–not slippers. I still don’t feel properly dressed without shoes. I put them on every morning when I get dressed. In the winter, I might pad around in slippers or warm socks in the evening, but for me, that is the equivalent of slipping into a pair of sweatpants! My husband also prefers to wear shoes, at least during the day. Kids mostly wear slippers–I do try to keep something on their feet.
I never give this issue a thought, honestly, and I find all the strong opinions about it almost unsettling. Why on earth does it matter if someone kicks their shoes off in your home? I take that as a supreme compliment that I have made my guests feel comfortable and at home.
I live in Texas, and I don’t know anyone who takes their shoes off just as a rule when they go in a house. I hosted a family from South Dakota once, and they walked in my front door and immediately asked if they should remove their shoes before we’d had a chance to even introduce ourselves. I thought it was the oddest thing ever. I told them to just do whatever made them feel most at home.
I am barefoot anytime I can possibly be barefoot. But moments after I get out of bed, my hair is fixed and my teeth are brushed. I don’t care a hoot about shoes, but I need good hair to have a productive day.
I will say that every time certain people visit my home for more than one day, I know I will have to have my carpets professionally steam cleaned when they leave. Why? Because they wander around outside and then come in and wander around on the carpet, dragging all sorts of dirt and street grime with them. Oil, tar, mud — it’s awful. They have hardwoods at home, so I guess they aren’t in the habit of wiping their feet on the mat. GROSS.
I am usually barefoot indoors, but I also wear flip-flops all the time. I used to wear shoes all the time, and I had a pair of clogs that were specifically for wearing when I was at home, but that was because I had broken my ankle and using my foot muscles too much resulted in pain.
nononononono, no shoes in the house. It’s cultural, my husband is Norwegian and that’s what they do there. Sounded like a great idea to me when I met him; I can’t drag in all that stuff from the street into my home…Having a dog is hard enough!
I usually do not wear shoes around the house, but sometimes, if I’m not thinking about it, I’ll keep my flip flops on. However, after picking up a book about “green” cleaning that stressed just how much gunk we bring in on the soles of our shoes without even knowing it, I try to be more careful and take my shoes off once I come inside. I figure I probably won’t care so much once the kiddos get older.
Good point! If I had babies, little ones crawling around on the floor, I’d probably do what Sheri grew up with: wearing outdoor shoes outside, but having a pair of real, clean shoes to change into when I come in.
Wow, strong feelings about this topic! My husband prefers to wear his shoes in the house… says it’s more comfortable.
At other people’s houses, I do whatever they prefer. But, I prefer to keep my shoes on… stinky feet, holey socks, etc.
However, the Chinese (and most Asian cultures) way is, no shoes in the house, including at other people’s houses. At large family events there will be a huuuuge pile of shoes at the door, and it just cracks me up… they’re usually all black too.
I wear shoes, it’s drafty here in Canada 7 months of the year. And I resent being asked to talk off my shoes when visiting someone’s home. If you have and use a doormat (and change it regularyl so it is not grotty, what is on your shoes comes off. Or we wear bots and cary shoes, whcih we slip on. I don’t enjoy sliding around someone’s floors, ruining god tights, or picking up god knows what form their floors. Shoes were invented for a reason.
never wear shoes inside, yuk!!! you realize what is getting on your floors
The germs coming into the house via shoes thing is an interesting argument–but I know many people who grew up in homes where shoes were worn (myself included) and we have fine health!
I want to respect people’s wishes and not wear shoes in their homes if they ask, but I feel a bit defensive about it because I have never felt comfortable going barefoot (particularly on non-carpeted floors). As a guest to their home, I feel a bit put-upon to take me out of my own comfort zone to accommodate them. I was brought up and taught to wipe my feet and definitely remove shoes if they’re muddy/wet.
My new plan of attack on this issue–if I know someone doesn’t allow shoes than I bring indoor shoes/sandals to wear. My fiance grew up in a house that doesn’t allow shoes indoors (this is how this whole topic came up for us!) and so I have sandals that I wear around his house. If I’m unaware of the person’s desire to keep their home shoe free, than I’ll grin and bear it, but next time I’m bringing my sandals!
Wearing shoes at home is a terrible habit- it just ruins floors. People should always take their shoes off at the door.
I have an whole blog dedicated to this subject. You might want to take a look.
I grew up in Russia where taking off shoes is a must. Here in the US, I don’t ask my guests to take off shoes but never myself wear outdoors shoes in the house. I feel that shoes are an outerwear because they are ment to protect the feet. Unless your house has very cold floors, what is there to be protected from? it is like wearing a hat indoors.
Someone mentioned that being asked to take the shoes off makes them feel that their hosts prefer their carpet to the guests. I don’t think it is the main issue. It just feels gross and unhygenic to wear outdoor shoes inside. But once again, I never request my guest to take shoes off because I would not want to make them feel uncomfortable.
On a similar topic, what is up with wearing outdoor shoes in bed? Our son just started going to preschool and they have children going to bed with their outdoor shoes on! This is in the middle of November in Colorado. The childcare is very highly recommended, not to mention costing us a bundle. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with this? Is it normal for kids to wear shoes in bed? Should we complain and ask that our son is allowed to take shoes off? I am so unprepared for the whole issue, I did not even believe my son when he first told me they keep shoes on.
Julia – I do get cold when I go around barefoot. But you make the point well that it is so cultural. The reason I think it is a matter of people preferring their carpet is because the change in practice coincided with the popularity of white carpets. But then so did the interest in all things Japanese. I have also had quite a few people tell me that the reason they have guests remove their shoes is to protect their floors.
I have never heard of having kids sleep in their shoes. That can’t be comfortable! I’ll post your question, see if anyone else has heard of it.
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I don’t know if my other comment was posted so I will say it here again that I like this blog post 🙂
For our rental properties we used to, and still do, change carpets often, which gets to be expensive, because people wear shoes in their house all the time. Not to mention diseases etc.
Waving hi to my 2008 self!
It’s funny to see the old comments.
I think for me going barefoot is actually a sensory necessity. I had to wear shoes full time for several months due to a foot injury and I realized that shoes make me feel very clumsy. Bare feet help me feel grounded and able to judge where my body is in space. So for me, bare feet are *more* productive. (When I don’t have a sprained foot!)
I don’t *require* guests to remove their shoes, although many do voluntarily when they see us not wearing shoes. I do require small children who have played in the mud to remove their shoes. 😉
Honestly, I think you are right – as in, it is no doubt healthier and more natural to go barefoot. Perhaps if I ever reach the “hot flash” stage of life that may seem more appealing! 😉