Shoes on or off?

I came across an interesting discussion on the HGTV message boards. People are debating about "Shoes on or off" rule in the house. I guess some lady is having problems having her parents (of all people) respecting her rule of having everyone take their shoes off before entering her home.

I grew up in a house where we had to take off our shoes before entering. That's the way we grew up. We lived on the west coast and it seemed like the norm. We took off our shoes when we went to our friends and to our families homes. No questions asked.

Was it the norm because most of our family friends were of Asian descent? Actually, I think it's a sign of respect to do what the homeowners are doing. So if they're shoeless than we go shoeless. Not a big deal. After all, we're guests. They've opened their home to us so we should respect their home (& their rules).

Some bring up the issue of their own comfort. It's not like you're going to be shoeless for 12 hours or something! It's for a couple hours right? You're just visiting, not living there. It's another thing all together if a person can't walk without shoes (this was brought up in the thread). Of course, I'd respect someone's need to wear orthodics to walk. But if you don't need shoes to walk then go without the shoes!

Then there's the issue of what shoes bring into the home. I'm sure we've all seen that carpet cleaning commercial where that gal is jogging over lots of yucky stuff. I'm really surprised that folks are willing to say that the shoe mats outside their home will get all that junk off their shoes. I don't think all the yucky stuff is off! Stuff gets tracked in no matter how much you rub your feet on those mats. Go ahead and vacuum with a Dyson! You'll see how much crud is packed into your carpet. A regular vacuum can't get into the fibers the way a Dyson can. There's dirt imbedded in the carpet and the padding. Ew! Gross! Plus, how often do folks get their carpets steam cleaned? Once a year? Twice a year? Never?

It was also brought up that this gal should "pick her battles" when it comes to her parents. Hmmm... I know that I'm an adult and my parents respect my opinion. They also know when they're visiting my house that it's MY house -- not theirs. If I ask them not to do something in my home than they won't. And yes...my Dad walks with a cane. Again, it's a sign of respect.

Now then, what do people in cold climates do when it's snowing outside? They wear boots, right? Well, what do these folks do when they go inside their home? Take off their boots and put on some shoes to walk around their house? Or do they walk around in socks/slippers once inside their home? I'm not being snippy about this...I'm seriously curious because I've never lived in a snowy climate. Anyone got input on this "snowy climate" question?

Okay...okay...I had to get all of this out. If I offended anyone, SORRY! It's just how I feel about the topic. I just can't believe some of the responses that were on that message thread. I got all frustrated with the stupidity of it all.

Again, if the homeowners are shoeless than go shoeless! It's not going to kill you! If you don't want to go shoeless (& you know they've got a no shoes rule) then bring some thick socks or your own slippers. Easy as that!

If you want to read the debate in its entirety here's the link