tamp75 properties that are under refurbishment are an exception and shoes should be absolutely allowed for H&S reasons ;)

It is refreshing to see that most people do take their shoes off when coming to someones house. I think this is just pure manners and you can yell at me all you want, but those who don't take their shoes off just lack the basic etiquette and should be gently educated ;)

I wouldn't wear the guest slippers. Obviously I would take my shoes off as it's polite and comfortable etc. I Would bring slippers to wear and that is what most people do when visiting me house.

We have a combination of wooden floors and carpet and the floors are cold and slippery. It's sensible to wear slippers on them.

I only expect guests to be comfortable and would never ask them to remove shoes. I have oak flooring and tiles on my ground floor and both are hard-wearing and look great. My only exception is muddy wellies! Let's not get too precious, your house is your home.

I think most people take off their shoes especially when entering homes with pale coloured carpets. With flooring - not so sure and certainly I would not wear the slippers on offer. I am just about to replace my stair carpet after the builders has left and will be placing a small box of the blue plastic shoes at the bottom of the stairs if someone needs to pop upstairs and does not wish to remove their shoes.

We have a small note on our front door, inside the porch saying,' please remove your shoes, ' and that's enough for guests to know before they knock.

My mum had new Lino fitted once in her kitchen once and a young lady came in , walked all over it in her stilettos and left holes all over it. Had to be replaced all over again!

Hello Claire,

I actually think asking people to remove their shoes is rather uncivilised and not the "done thing" so nothing to do with education and definitely not a lack of etiquette, rather the reverse I dare say.. .. People often ask when coming here as I have painted floor boards and it's possibly some new air of politeness but the offer should be graciously refused..

I always say "no don't worry at all but thank you"..... For me it's a bit like telling people they can't smoke or something, even if you don't like it.. I am rather loath to the fusser in the home, and I don't want to appear that way as I personally find it lacks sophistication. It's definitely not welcoming.

I am though extremely particular nonetheless, manners are everything! .... Of course people will make their own choice about their homes and that is their right... For those in kitten heels,stiletto's tip toe on "soft wood" would be the foot forward!

I would say to you, do what you think is best for you. : ))

We don't ask them verbally, and a lot of the times guests will ask us if they need to remove their shoes and we just say it's ok, although we do have a polite written notice on the door and so I do think it's rude that guests should ask. I always remove my shoes in people's houses. Shoes are for outdoors and full of dirt and bacteria which I'd rather not have spread throughout my home.

I never ask guests to take their shoes off but they always seem to take them off without being asked and I really appreciate it, so I'm lucky in that sense but if they don't, I will ask them to do so because I have a wool rug which was a bit out of my budget & want to keep it looking the way it is for a long time! I think sometimes, the inside of a home, (its surroundings), is just enough to tell you if it is a shoes on or off, kinda place. I agree with farveena's last sentence, shoes are for outdoors.....