Shoes-Off Homes in Britain?

very common, too much dirt on your shoes, then you have kids playing on the floor etc, its cleaner

It depends...I know some householders who don't care (like me!) because they know what doormats are for and that most have the common sense to use it before entering their house. Others sadly insist on removing shoes, even in summer when there has been no rain, and so there's no mud anywhere and no puddles either! What dirt can there be conceivably on my shoes if I've gone from my clean carpet, down my mudless path, into my clean car, down their mudless path and wiped my feet thouroughly on their welcome mat?! And anyway the sweat from anyone's feet in summer would be quite pungent if they are wearing socks and shoes before being asked to remove the "offending" articles. Sorry, end of rant...I know of one household where the lady of the house INSISTS in a quiet but rather impertinent way on you removing your footwear at the door (she's a bit of a footwear faschist really!). A good number though don't say anything but look a bit disgruntled when they look at your feet and don't see them coming off, although they magically forget their quibbles after about 5 minutes!

So to answer your question, not many INSIST, but sort of expect you to take them your shoes off anyway, although they probably won't say anything if you don't...they'll just give you THE LOOK!

We used to have to take our shoes of at the door when we were kids. We also had to get undressed at the front door if we came home muddy. My mum used to lay newspaper down in a trail through the house until we got to the bathroom.

I decided not to have carpets in my house and went for wooden floors - less hassle

When I visit my cousin Mel, it's shoes off at the door and I always try to remember to pack some Very Warm Socks! I don't think there's anywhere else I go where it's expected. Since she has a dog in the house I've never really quite understood what it's about, but, it's her house.

We are friends with a couple who have a 'shoes off' regime, I don't mind but it drives my husband nuts.

They have very pale carpets so I feel they have every right to try and keep their home nice.

I have to admit that I am terrified of spilling anything whilst I am there!!!

I don't know anyone else that insists on shoes off.

We have wooden floors so as long as our visitors are not caked in mud I'm not fussed as it is very easy to clean.

I insist on shoes off particularly in the winter.Shoes bring in mud and doggy doo.

Edit>> I knew of a woman who would not let her dog in the house after a walk until she had hosed down its paws.She was a neighbour and i saw her do this 3 or 4 times a day.She was to house proud to keep the dog and got rid of it after a few months.I am not THAT bad.

I never wait for an insistence I always take off my shoes when entering another persons home out of respect.

I like to have my shoes off in my house but I would never ask guests to do it. I do not think it is that common I have never been asked to do it.

Expecting your guests to take their shoes off in a house in Britain is very very 'Non-U'.

Britishers going the Japanese styles! Or a hybrid culture emerging?Any way many cultures have it to keep shoes off.me too I leave my shoes outside and put on special slippers for indoors!

Most people I know have a shoes-off rule. It's a matter of respect for other people's property.