Parties: Shoes or no shoes?

[Martinus]

No, it's not a fetish thing.

Do you consider it normal to require/expect guests to take their shoes off when attending a house party? I got into an argument about this recently (some guy claimed it is rude not to take your shoes off - I argued the opposite).

[Tonitrus]

Whatever rules the host sets down.

[Martinus]

That's stupid. The host should make the guests comfortable, not vice versa.

[Sheilbh]

Generally I remove my shoes.  But it depends on what sort of party it is.

[Tonitrus]

That's stupid. The host should make the guests comfortable, not vice versa.

Make the guests comfortable by allowing them to track in all the mud, slush, spit and dog shit they've collected walking around outside?

Probably why I don't host parties.

[Iormlund]

Never been at a party where anyone took their shoes off.

[Josquius]

Up to the host.
Some people have a rule with their family of no shoes inside the house. Other people think it slightly wrong but it isn't that big a deal. Others just go around in their shoes all the time and don't care.

[Eddie Teach]

Others just go around in their shoes all the time and don't care.

I used to do that when I was a kid, only took my shoes off when it was time for bed. Now I can't wait to get them off when I get home. So much more comfortable.

[Mr.Penguin]

If I am visiting friends or family, do I always take of my shoes. However if it's a party I have been invited too, with some level of dress code do I always keep my shoes on. No need to show up wearing a nice pair of shoes only to take them off...

[Zanza]

Depends on the host. In some situations (carpets, inclement weather) it makes sense to take shoes off.

[CountDeMoney]

That's stupid. The host should make the guests comfortable, not vice versa.

The guests aren't paying for my fucking carpet.

[Tamas]

Point is, Marty, it is up to the host. There might be bigger considerations at play than your minimal drop in comfort (altough I couldn't feel comfortable trouncing around in muddy shoes on a nice carpet - that's just me I guess). Like, having to clean all the mess afterwards

[Eddie Teach]

The guests aren't paying for my fucking carpet.

You have a cat, your carpet is doomed anyway.

[CountDeMoney]

The guests aren't paying for my fucking carpet.

You have a cat, your carpet is doomed anyway.

I know how to take proper care of cats, so I never have that problem.
Besides, she is one militant motherfucker.  Little shit will dig to China for 20 minutes in that box before she does anything on the carpet.

[Eddie Teach]

Was also referring to scratching and shedding.