Would this be off putting at a baby shower

[clairebear]

I am hosting a small baby shower (around 10 people) for a friend. She wants it at a house not a restaurant. However we don't wear shoes in our home and I am putting in new floors this week. I really don't want people walking over the floors with shoes, especially high heeled ones that may make a mark. Would it be off putting to request people to take their shoes off? We do it when friends come over and never had an issue, but this is a larger group. Keeping it outside might be an option, but it's FL and still pretty hot and buggy. Or do I just move it to a private room at a restaurant?

[meanie]

Maybe mention it when people rsvp so they can plan their outfits, and have some new socks on hand to give out. I was in this position once as a guest with no heads up and I felt really uncomfortable having to take my cute heels off and walk around barefoot - I would have been fine if I knew ahead of time and had socks.

[mommyatty]

Could you do something baby related that’s cute? Like give everyone one blue sock and one pink sock and then tell them to pick the color to vote on whether they think it’s a boy or girl (if you don’t already know) and wear their vote, or get fun socks that match the nursery theme?

And I guess ask the guest of honor whether she would like a restaurant or a shoeless party. She should know her friends and family best, right? I agree on telling everyone ahead of time though. I would be surprised if I wasn’t expecting it.

[ECB]

Big picture- as a guest, I would always want to respect the hosts request for no shoes. But as I live in an area that can go either way but most people allow shoes in their house, I would appreciate a heads up. If there is a way to let people know ahead of time - do it. It might change what they want to wear, or they might bring socks or a pair of indoor shoes to wear... etc.

[heygrey]

Cue the Canadians who are horrified this is even a question. Of course you can ask people to take their shoes off. If you need to give them a heads up, do that.

[macmars45]

Sept 23, 2024 8:33:19 GMT -5 heygrey said:

Cue the Canadians who are horrified this is even a question. Of course you can ask people to take their shoes off. If you need to give them a heads up, do that.

Serious question: what do older Canadians do? My house in shoe free, however my parents and grandma need the support shoes give and/or have a hard time taking shoes off/putting them on. So they are the only people who wear shoes in my house.

[scm1011]

We are a shoes off house so this wouldn't bother me in the least (nor do I ever feel guilt about asking people to take off their shoes in my house). I feel like its more common than not around here to be shoes off, especially our generation and younger. My parents/in-laws definitely find it odd but whatever.

[heygrey]

Sept 23, 2024 8:40:50 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Sept 23, 2024 8:33:19 GMT -5 heygrey said:

Cue the Canadians who are horrified this is even a question. Of course you can ask people to take their shoes off. If you need to give them a heads up, do that.

Serious question: what do older Canadians do? My house in shoe free, however my parents and grandma need the support shoes give and/or have a hard time taking shoes off/putting them on. So they are the only people who wear shoes in my house.

People often bring slippers (especially in the winter) or indoor shoes. I have friends in their 40s who have indoor runners because they have feet issues that require supportive footwear. We just go prepared.

[rubytue]

Sept 23, 2024 8:23:16 GMT -5 meanie said:

Maybe mention it when people rsvp so they can plan their outfits, and have some new socks on hand to give out. I was in this position once as a guest with no heads up and I felt really uncomfortable having to take my cute heels off and walk around barefoot - I would have been fine if I knew ahead of time and had socks.

This! I was once that guest, too. I was wearing sandals, because I had a mild case of athletes foot (it was early stage, red and itchy but not gross yet). That was awkward as the reason they gave for no shoes is the crawling baby. As I was completely unprepared, and didn’t know these people at all (was my college friend 4 hours away).  So I was walking around barefoot, too, with feet that seemed, to me, to be worse than the shoes I only wore from the car to the house (I drive in other shoes). 

Edit - least anyone ask why I didn’t fess up and ask for sock or something. I was in my 20s. I’d driven 4 hours from DC to rural VA, and already felt awkward as hell walking into the house where I knew no one but mom to be, wearing a cute dress when everyone else was in jeans and t-shirts. I felt I was coming off as city girl, and didn’t want to be high maintenance city girl. 

[midwestmama]

I would not at all feel slighted if asked to take my shoes off (but I would just naturally take my shoes off), but agree that it might be nice to tell people in advance in case it changes what they wear, and/or they may want to bring a pair of socks or slippers to put on. I grew up in a house where it was ok to wear shoes around the house, but the thought horrifies me now. As soon as I got my own place, the rule was no shoes inside (unless they are specifically inside-the-house shoes only) and thankfully DH feels the same. (Although he grew up with the no shoes inside rule, so no change required on his part.)

Agree with others on getting input from the mom-to-be on if this changes her preference of a private room at restaurant/church/club or have the no-shoes rule implemented at your house.

[DarcyLongfellow]

As a fellow Floridian, yes -- that would be off putting.

I mean, guests would comply, but when you've put together a cute outfit for a baby shower, then you're asked to go barefoot, it feels weird.

I'd give the guest of honor the choice between a shoeless party at your house or a party elsewhere. Then, if you go with a shoeless party, I'd give the guests a heads up.

I know shoes off inside houses is normal in other parts of the country, but in the South -- especially at a party at someone's house -- it's not expected.

[loira]

Sept 23, 2024 8:40:50 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Sept 23, 2024 8:33:19 GMT -5 heygrey said:

Cue the Canadians who are horrified this is even a question. Of course you can ask people to take their shoes off. If you need to give them a heads up, do that.

Serious question: what do older Canadians do? My house in shoe free, however my parents and grandma need the support shoes give and/or have a hard time taking shoes off/putting them on. So they are the only people who wear shoes in my house.

I'm going to imagine they would have an equally hard time trudging through dirty snow, so probably their shoes stay relatively clean. When older people come to my house, I let them keep their shoes on and give them an old towel to wipe any water or grime off. Most of them will still insist on taking their shoes off.

My grandmother also had a hard time putting on and taking off shoes but I don't recall her ever wearing shoes in her own house.

[wanderingback]

It’s totally normal where I live for no shoes. Walking around with Dog shit on the street and children crawling on the floor at home, no thanks.

I would include it in the invite and can provide socks/slippers.

[circa1978]

Flip flop theme?

[mpc]

I am also in FL and I feel like no shoes is totally fine. I mean, we live in sandals or flip flops most of the year. Please don't make me wear socks.

[peachie]

Have these on hand for guests that don’t want to be barefoot? I often wear ballet flats without socks and I would hate to be caught off guard and go barefoot in someone’s house.

a.co/d/hUrBQoJ

[scout8]

This would not bother me in the slightest, but I am sure it is regional.

[pixy0stix]

I'm always caught off guard when I'm asked to remove my shoes.

[wanderlustmom]

I think these situations happen a lot, we are a shoes on household but I don't mind at all taking my shoes off at a house if I am asked or I see everyone else taking their shoes off. I do think you could mention it in the invite though to let people be prepared. I know my husband likes to wear his and will take them off if asked but he would normally keep his on

[starburst604]

Sept 23, 2024 8:23:16 GMT -5 meanie said:

Maybe mention it when people rsvp so they can plan their outfits, and have some new socks on hand to give out. I was in this position once as a guest with no heads up and I felt really uncomfortable having to take my cute heels off and walk around barefoot - I would have been fine if I knew ahead of time and had socks.

Same, I was all dressed up for a NYE party and had to take my heels off. Womp womp. I would have worn something entirely different if I'd known. My feet are usually in BAD shape in the middle of winter. 

[flygirl]

I have never understood this. Do you all wear shoes in your own house? Why do you want shoes that have walked who knows where walking all over your floors/carpets?
I never wear shoes in other peoples houses even if they tell me it’s ok.

I’d do what the other poster suggested and get punk and blue socks or something shower themed or tell people to bring something else as you just got new floors and are shoe free

[cville]

I wouldn't mind, but I'd prefer a warning.

[starburst604]

Sept 23, 2024 9:22:01 GMT -5 flygirl said:

I have never understood this. Do you all wear shoes in your own house? Why do you want shoes that have walked who knows where walking all over your floors/carpets?
I never wear shoes in other peoples houses even if they tell me it’s ok.

I’d do what the other poster suggested and get punk and blue socks or something shower themed or tell people to bring something else as you just got new floors and are shoe free

I do wear shoes in my house, because it's my house and I do what I want there. I clean my floors regularly and I don't eat off of them. I do wonder about people who are strictly no shoes but have dogs that presumably walk outside barefoot and come back in the same way. 

[plutosmoon]

I don't usually wear shoes in the house, but never ask guests to take theirs off. I assume most people will want me to take my shoes off when visiting and always prepare for it. In this case, I'd let people know ahead of time that they should plan to bring socks, slippers, or indoor (non heeled) shoes as you don't wear shoes inside.

My mom needs to support of firm footwear or she falls down due to her neuropathy, she can wear whatever she wants when she visits me, since I don't want her to fall. My brother's wife is very strict about no shoes and doesn't even allow indoor shoes, my mom brings a very structured slipper when she visits them.

My exh was Canadian and he and his family always wore their outdoor shoes inside. I never knew shoes off was a Canadian standard. I was constantly asking him to change his shoes since he had indoor shoes!

[hermione]

I don't like being asked to remove my shoes. In this instance it for sure means my maxi dress or skirt would be dragging on the floor.

[brooke77]

We are a shoes off house, so I expect to take my shoes off when entering someone’s home. If this is not the norm, I would give people a warning in advance. Something simple like “We just got a new floor, so please plan to keep your shoes at the door.” I might also try to provide slides or something in the gift bag if you think people will not want to be barefoot.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 23, 2024 9:22:01 GMT -5 flygirl said:

I have never understood this. Do you all wear shoes in your own house? Why do you want shoes that have walked who knows where walking all over your floors/carpets?
I never wear shoes in other peoples houses even if they tell me it’s ok.

I'm more concerned that a majority of people don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom then I am about where my shoes have been.

Also, aren't you concerned about picking up foot fungus?

(Honestly I don't really care about this issue, but it's fun to rile people up.)

[orval]

Sept 23, 2024 9:22:01 GMT -5 flygirl said:

I have never understood this. Do you all wear shoes in your own house? Why do you want shoes that have walked who knows where walking all over your floors/carpets?
I never wear shoes in other peoples houses even if they tell me it’s ok.

I’d do what the other poster suggested and get punk and blue socks or something shower themed or tell people to bring something else as you just got new floors and are shoe free

I always wear shoes in my own house.  I hate being barefoot.  I do have slippers for the evening/mornings but other times I am wearing shoes.  
I would definitely want a warning if you want me to be shoeless in your house.  I would also be uncomfortable the entire time even with a warning and being prepared.

[TR]

Sept 23, 2024 9:37:39 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Sept 23, 2024 9:22:01 GMT -5 flygirl said:

I have never understood this. Do you all wear shoes in your own house? Why do you want shoes that have walked who knows where walking all over your floors/carpets?
I never wear shoes in other peoples houses even if they tell me it’s ok.

I'm more concerned that a majority of people don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom then I am about where my shoes have been.

Also, aren't you concerned about picking up foot fungus?

(Honestly I don't really care about this issue, but it's fun to rile people up.)

Wait WHAT? A majority? Was this a poll here or something? Barf

[rachers]

I never ask guests to take off their shoes. A) I don't like other people's bare feet and B) my floors are cleaned regularly. I don't mind if that's someone else's preference but I would prefer a heads up or the sock option.

Although I do usually ask the kids to take off their shoes because they are the more likely culprits of tracking something nefarious in.

We host things pretty regularly and I'm actually more uncomfortable hearing everyone's bare feet on my floors or on my couch.