Whether or not you should ask your guest to take off their shoes before coming into your home is dependent on quite some factors, which include: cultural norms and tradition, indoor hygiene, the nature of your relationship between you and your said guest, and several other reasons. 

It is by no means rude or inappropriate to ask for such a request from a visitor, except in a case when your house is unclean or dirty at that moment. 

A well-cultured guest respects his host’s home and will gladly oblige to a simple home rule like removing their footwear from your doorsteps before entering your house. 

Reasons Why You Can Ask Your Guest To Off Their Shoe Before Entering Your Home: 

1. Cultural Norms and Tradition

The particular cultural practice you observe or give credence to has a great influence on your laid-down principles and how you choose to live your life. 

If you were born into a particular culture where tradition demands that one takes off his or her shoes before entering another’s home, then it is very much culturally appropriate to ask your guest to do such. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. 

2. Medical and personal hygienic reasons 

Speaking from a medical perspective, it is very much ideal for a visitor to take off their footwear before entering a home. And, this is not too much to ask. 

Underneath the shoes we wear lurks countless amounts of germs and bacteria. These shoes have been worn to different places and have accumulated a vast amount of dirt over time. This is to say it will be best to ask one to remove their shoes so as not to spread dirt on your floor. 

Another way to look at this is if you’re a germaphobe who cannot stand being in a dirty environment, you can kindly ask your guest to take off his shoes. 

How To Politely Ask Your Guest To Take Off Their Shoes

• Inform them before the appointment. 
• Make available comfortable indoor footwear alternatives. 
• Create a comfortable space to take off their shoes. 

Conclusion

Before asking your visitors to take off their shoes before entering your home, please ensure your house is clean. You have to be a person who is in the habit of sweeping and mopping your home regularly.

It is only reasonable to ask your guest to take off their shoes when you live in a neat environment, and also provide them with a clean pair of slippers. Otherwise, you’re making them collect dust on their socks before having them put their socks back in their shoes.