Is it rude to ask guests to remove their shoes ?
Different cultures have different views on whether or not to wear shoes inside the house. While as Americans we bring our shoes into the house, with some of us even crawling into our beds while wearing them, this is not the case in most Asian countries. In Korea and China people are expected to remove their shoes and replace them with house slippers before going inside. This puts a clear separation between the outside world and their home.
As a result, people often wonder whether they should take their shoes off in the house. If this is the case with you, search no further, as this post is exclusively a treat for you.
Personally, we do not wear outside shoes inside the house. We have a rug on our front door steps informing guests to remove their shoes. Generally, there is no straightforward answer to this question as cultural practices will always vary. But, for sanitation and health reasons, it would be best to take your outdoor shoes off in the house and use house shoes only inside. Also, it may interest you to know that walking bare feet at home from time to time is quite beneficial, especially for kids.
Still in doubt? This article covers everything you need to know regarding this subject. Continue reading to learn more.
Should you have a no shoes policy in the house?
As stated above, it is advisable to take your shoes off in the house; You may choose to walk bare feet or wear indoor shoes and flip flops in the house and leave shoes outside or by the front door where they belong.
That said, some people may disagree with this based on their experience. They may have used their muddy boots indoors for years, I’m exaggerating, and have seen no decline in their health. But how true do you think this is? Read on!
Indeed, you may not experience any significant decline in your health after using your outdoor shoes indoors because not all bacteria are harmful. Nevertheless, using your outdoor shoe indoors may bring in some harmful germs to the human body. In another case, you may be infected and not even realize that your outdoor shoe are the infection(s) source.
Whatever the case, it is best to take the safer option. Get indoor shoes you can use in the house and keep your outdoor shoe outside. Wearing shoes in the house is totally fine, indoor shoes that is.
Why should you remove shoes before going into someone’s house?
Typically, if we take a look at health professionals, specifically lab technicians, we would realize that their shoes in the hospital are not what they use on their way home. Putting aside the scrubs, they do that to avoid carrying harmful pathogens from the hospital to their homes.
Taking your shoes off at the door ensures that your home is clear of any outside germs that your shoes may have picked up on their journey outside. Besides, it also helps to keep your floors clean.
Our family is already practicing this and teaching our kids too. we have a shoe tray in the foyer where we keep outdoor shoes and indoor cabinets in which we keep indoor shoes, most of which are slippers for adults and shoes for kids. Everyone has their own slippers, or shoe, even our guests, nobody wants shoeless guests. We want our guests to feel comfortable, wearing socks is fine as well but we ask guests to take off their shoes. If you want to avoid the confrontation, which is what most people do, use a cute sign instead ” No shoe policy”.
Indoor shoe Vs. Barefoot: Which should you go for while in the house?
As discussed above, you should take your outdoor shoes off and put on your indoor shoes or walk about barefoot inside. The following reasons can help you make this decision.
Why should you use indoor shoes?
There are several reasons why indoor shoes should be used indoors.
- It keeps your legs constantly warm, which is good for blood circulation.
- It keeps your feet safe during accidents that involve broken glasses or sharp objects.
- It prevents you from picking up infections. For example, you could work out at a gym and pick up fungal spores under your shoes. If you get into your living space with that shoe, you will contaminate the floor and contaminate your feet when you walk barefoot. This will end up with you likely having the athlete’s foot, a very common fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet and toes. Typically, college students who often walk barefoot in their dorms can easily pick this up.
- Having a pet raises the bacteria levels at home. Using indoor shoes can help reduce the chances of infection.
- It prevents the elderly from falling. Age comes with instability and a decrease in the ability to hold back yourself in case of a fall. The elderly are advised to put on steady, firm shoes at home to prevent them from slipping and falling.
Why should you walk barefoot in the house from time to time?
There are several health benefits that results from walking barefoot once in a while, including;
- It boosts the immune system by stimulating the nerves. This makes kids less susceptible to disease.
- It improves your overall posture by strengthening your foot muscles and making them more flexible.
- It enables your body to absorb negative ions from the earth, which balances the positive ions in your body, thus improving your overall well-being.
Notes!
Despite the advantages stated above, you must always be careful not to always walk barefoot. It is healthier to spend more time indoors wearing indoor shoes rather than walking barefoot, as it’s especially detrimental for the elderly.
What are some of the downsides of walking barefoot at home?
Many of us wiggle our toes in ecstasy when we arrive home after a long day with our feet trapped in tight, stiff, tiny, or generally uncomfortable footwear. It’s thrilling to let go of our toes and feel the wood or carpet beneath our feet.
Going barefoot at home could be exciting, but it may also constitute a potential source of harm. Some of which are listed below.
- Walking barefoot at home puts your feet in danger by exposing them to sharp items. For instance, you will likely get wounded if a glass breaks or if you step on tact, small sharp objects, or sharp edges toys that fall to the ground.
This is unpleasant for anyone, but it is especially so for patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (numbness in the feet).
- Also, people with flat feet often feel better when they have the support of a nice shoe. For such persons, walking about barefoot overworks the foot, causing aches and pains and other typical foot disorders.
- Again, your foot has many tendons that connect muscles to bone. Walking barefoot can result in tendonitis, a condition in which the tissue becomes inflamed, causing pain.
Disposable House Shoes for Guest
Here are a few disposable guest shoe ideas for your home. This list is refreshed daily
Conclusion
Bacteria and viruses are found everywhere, which is why we deep clean our houses often. Having a clean house is good, but maintaining its pristine state is even better.
As a result, we should remove outdoor shoes outside and use indoor shoes from inside. This will increase well-being by keeping your house free of unnecessary dirt, bacteria, viruses, and germs.
Keeping your shoes outdoor does not mean you should walk barefoot indoors. It is advisable to use indoor shoes indoors and only walk barefoot once in a while to reap the few benefits that come with it. The elderly should not walk barefoot but rather use sturdy shoes that can reduce the chances of slip-offs.
FAQs
Should guests remove their shoes off in your home?
From what you have gathered so far from this article, I believe the choice is yours to make, given that it is your own home. Read on for easy tips to get this done.
it’s the polite thing to do. We advise that you ask guests to take off their shoes as you have no idea about the places their shoes have been to and the bacteria found beneath. Also, it would be best to take off your shoes in homes where they are not allowed indoors but leave them on in homes where outdoor shoes are being used indoors.
How can you ask guests to take off their outdoor shoes?
It can be very challenging to ask a guest and close friends to take off their shoe as it may result in offense. You must develop smart strategies that can make them take off their shoes without you asking verbally.
One of such strategies is putting a sign in front of the door which says, “Please take your shoes off and get a slipper inside” or “No shoe policy “ Do not forget to keep indoor slippers for guests. You’ll find decent house slippers at your local dollar store.
You may want to keep an outdoor shoe cabinet beside the door with a compartment that says “Visitors shoes here.” You may not necessarily use the same phrase. Just get the idea.
Are you a member of the no shoes in the house movement? let us know in the comments.
Thanks for reading to the end!
