Door = Shoes Off
I just thought that since a reader of this blog decided to post about me and my house’s “shoes off at the door policy”, I would be kind enough to link to it for others.
Can Punks have a shoes-off policy?
Well, can they?
On further examination of my beliefs regarding this, I find that it’s not really a rule at our house, but just one aspect of a principle that we live by. We want to show respect to other people and their effects…showing our respect by removing our shoes to help cut down on dirt in their house is very respectful. We tend to only treat others in such a way that we are comfortable with people treating us. On the same note, I don’t feel disrespected when someone doesn’t remove their shoes at my door…maybe I would if they were to make it an issue that they weren’t going to remove their shoes.
My comment I left regarding the matter:
Hey, you’re talking about me — but in a nice way!
You know, coming from an ‘elbows on the table are OK’ kind of person, I can see what you are saying about whether or not persons with an antiauthoritarian mindset can request that shoes be removed at the door.
However, it is a request in our house and not a requirement. Here’s what we like and what we do…no one is going to send you back out the door if you don’t follow. Tis different from someone mistreating my child or husband, in my eyes.
However, all of our friends (who might label themselves in a manner similar to us) have the same shoes off at the door ritual that we have, so it is just second nature for them when they come over.
At parties and other large gatherings, there are usually so many people there who take their shoes off out of habit that it’s hard for one to ignore the pile-o-shoes at the door. Any person not familiar with a shoes off ‘policy’ would almost feel compelled to comply without ever being asked.
You bring up a good question. Even if myself and persons like me were to ‘require’ shoes off at the door, I can’t imagine it really being ‘called out’ or questioned. It does warrant some thought.
So, what are your thoughts on the matter?
Your readers are evidently more interested in talking about midwifery.
Comment by Matthew C — March 31, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I’m not a punk, nor do I ever ask folks to remove their shoes.
Like you, however, it’s pretty obvious that we don’t wear shoes here, and almost none of my friends wear shoes here either.
Hmm.
Comment by feebee — April 7, 2008 @ 12:31 am
I guess I’d fall into the category of punk and I have a sign on our front door that asks people to remove their shoes before entering. I have practical reasons,such as my kids get down and play on the floor people track dirt all over and more to the point, I hate cleaning. Most people oblige. There’s even a cushy bench for people to sit and take their shoes off at.The only person who does not ever,ever,ever remove her shoes is my Mother. I’ve called her out on it countless times but it doesn’t help. Now I just hand her the broom or a mop *shrugs*
Comment by Rebecca — April 7, 2008 @ 6:11 am
I usually do, but I have a concern about foot odor, too. At the end of a 12-hour day of chasing all over, I’m sweaty and so are my feet. They plain old stink! If I yank off my shoes, I am then tracking my sweaty, stinky socks over that floor, whosever it is, and if we’re in close company, everybody present is QUITE aware of it. Or would be if I didn’t choose to keep my footwear on.
My solution a couple of days ago when I was holed up at a motel, and various relatives joined us for conversation, was to excuse myself to the bathroom and give myself a quick foot wash. (This, after removing just one shoe.) I think everyone appreciated that. Problem is, most times this isn’t an option.
Comment by Stu — April 7, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
Rebecca, it is great to read that you are a shoes-off punk. I like your attitude.
Michele, I hope you are well.
Comment by Matthew C — April 8, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Stu- you know I don’t think I have ever worried about foot odor, but shoe odor - my G-d! I must say that I do have to make an effort to keep our little vestibule space from smelling like a high school locker room. I have one pair of shoes in particular that are terrible and all of my hubby’s shoes can be scary, but he’s also in them every day and working, so no one can or will complain!.
I think that excusing yourself from the room to go wash your feet quickly is quite fine. I mean, I don’t want to smell yucky feet, but I also would rather the shoes be off! This an interesting thing to think about. I would never be rude if someone said they’d rather keep their shoes on because they were afraid the smell might overwhelm/offend others. I would offer yummy soap in my bathroom and leave it at that — if they keep their shoes on fine and if they decide to clean up, well even better.
Matthew- Yes, most of my readers would rather talk about midwifery/child-birthing…but to many, those are much more important than shoes or no shoes! And myself and my family are doing well and enjoying Spring.
Comment by michele james-parham — April 9, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
Foot odour? Its usually not as bad as people make out, unless they wear unwashed socks.
I had eleven people come to my shoeless (of course) party in last autumn and I could not smell anybody’s feet.
Comment by Matthew C — April 10, 2008 @ 3:15 am
We are not a shoeless household. I do not fear dirt but I have a phobia about what people may be harboring within their shoes and therefore on their feet — bacteria and fungi and odor and what-not. I don’t want them spreading it around my house. I realize this is somewhat irrational, because what they are tracking in on the soles of their shoes in likely not much better. I can’t help it anyway. I think it stems back to a couple of incidents of visitors who made themselves at home by removing their footwear, the one had an odor to rival a skunk’s, and the second smelled strongly of tea tree oil — to combat his athlete’s foot, he was happy to let me know. So I prefer people keep their shoes on when they visit. Generally I don’t mind taking my shoes off if asked at others’ homes. But it does give me pause when I find out they have pets (because my socks will attract their pets’ fur which will then get inside my shoes, and I am allergic so the less direct contact the better) or when they have cold wood floors. Maybe I should start keeping a pair of in-house-only slippers in the car just in case.
Comment by Linda — April 10, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Linda- Fair enough! And if I ever visit your house, I will not take my shoes off. If you ever visit my house, I’ve got brand new nice stretchy slipper type shoes that you can borrow and then leave with me, so that you stay cat hair free — well your feet will; I can’t say much about your clothing.
Matthew- I can see foot odor as a reasonable worry…I mentioned how I’d handle it. I haven’t been concerned about MY feet smelling so funky that I would offend, but others are more sensitive to that sort of thing. But, I am not above going and washing my feet really quick or leaving my shoes outside if they are really bad. I value PEOPLE over THINGS in the very end.
Comment by michele james-parham — April 11, 2008 @ 10:40 am
i think of removing your shoes at the door as good for the environment. :^)
1 - you don’t track in as much dirt, so you don’t have to waste energy vacuuming.
2 - sand and grit don’t wear down your floors, so they last longer.
3 - you don’t track pesticides and chemicals in from the outside.
we are a shoes-off house! :^)
Comment by Lori — April 16, 2008 @ 6:53 pm