What is a polite way to tell people to please remove their shoes when coming in your house?

I love my mom-in-law, but I am very frustrated with her "forgetting" to remove her shoes when she comes into our house. I have a 10 month-old baby that crawls everywhere, and I really don't want the extra dirt on the floor!





I made a point to tell her that a contractor had been at the house and got dirt all over the floor with his boots, hoping that would refresh her memory that we ALL take our shoes off at the door. It worked that time, but the next few times her shoes stayed on! I should also mention that she is physically capable of taking off her shoes, and that she does it in her own home. We both have houses less than one year old.





I'm pregnant, and I'm sick and tired of mopping the floor after she comes over. I can't seem to find a nice way to make a STRONG point that the shoes need to come off. Please help! Thanks!

What is a polite way to tell people to please remove their shoes when coming in your house?
We, too, have a "no shoes" policy in our household for the exact same reason as you: Hygiene. While most respect our rule (and get the hint when they see shoes by the door), we still have the one or two who, for whatever reason, feel compelled not to remove their shoes.





The problem was solved when we put a, "Please Remove Your Shoes" sign above the doorbell. (We had it engraved on a brass plate.) Also, we provide "house slippers" for those who prefer to have something on their feet once inside or those surgical booties to put over their shoes -- their choice.





You can also kindly ask her if she forgets, "Could you please take your shoes off? We're a no shoes household for the baby's sake. Thanks!"





Good luck!
Reply:Greet your guests as they arrive at the door and as they enter ask them if they'd mind removing their shoes. They should understand, but if for some reason they don't, tell them you don't want your child playing in dirt their shoes will track in or that you don't feel like sweeping again that day.





Hope that helps!
Reply:On the practical part, you can put a shoe rack right outside your door and put a message telling everyone to put their shoes or slippers on it before entering the house.


Normally most Asians have no trouble with this tradition that tells us that it is kind of rude entering houses with shoes on.





Next is may be you should ask yourself hard questions why she refuse to take off her shoes. It could be that your floor is more dirty than the soles of her feet.





Next time mother in law comes calling, have a play pan ready and put your baby inside it so that your baby does not have to crawl all over while visitors are around. By the way, it is kind of rude having your baby crawl all over when your visitors come for a social visit because baby might think it is fun to play with them.





Do something deliberate like quickly get hold of a wet mop and make the floor wet so that you have an excuse to tell her to remove her shoes.





Worse come to worse just tell her directly at the door to just remove her shoes which means you have to be brave enough to listen to all the taunts that you are a rude daughter in law.
Reply:Just say it. "Please take off your shoes."





That way - she'll KNOW to do it - and you'll say "Please" - so it's polite.





If you have to say it every time she come over - then - well - just do it.





Saying "Please take off your shoes" - is a lot easier than mopping the floor.
Reply:Say, HEY I consider you to be as much of a part of our family as everyone else...and they all take their shoes off, so you will too. 1st and most important its YOUR house, and though feelings are important, this involves your children's well being and your sanity. Be smiling, loving and cheerful, but firm when you tell her, and mostly remember its YOUR house, YOUR rules.
Reply:What I do in my house is there always a couple of pairs of shoes on the front porch. I also bought a sign that asks guest to take off their shoes and it is situated right above the pile of shoes. Most of the regular visitors know about my no shoes house and take theirs off when I open the door. There have been a few people that just don't get all the clues. What I have done is simply told them on their way in. I will just say something "Oh I forgot to tell you we don't wear shoes in the house." They will usually say something like "oh really" Then I just respond with "yea so if you could all just leave your shoes on the porch that would be great."
Reply:Buy some nice slippers for her and just say these are especially for you to wear when you come to visit us. Then you hand them to her at the door . Best of luck.
Reply:Hmm. I never had a problem(nor my son)asking anyone to remove their shoes..


But I think it might be helpful to have a shoe rack, (we have two shelfs that hold the shoes), and keep a few extra pairs there, or if not shoe stand/rack, then just put a few pairs where u expect others to take off their own shoes..


Just politely point and smile, and walk away, as if it is not a big deal.


If your mom in law, STILL will not do it, then, I would sit down with her, and say"________, I have tried very hard to help u understand we ask everyone, not just you, to remove your shoes, it's very much appreciated..


If she gives YOU a hard time, remind her she does remove her shoes in her home, why not here, too? Then, if that does not work, tell her her son will have to speak to her about, as u seem not to be understood.


THAT should nip it alllll in the bud!
Reply:YA LL COME ON IN.


TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF.


SIT A SPELL.











YA LL COME BACK,


YA HEAR !








RAGINGREB ATLANTA GA USA
Reply:Why don't you put a small rug or rack near the door. Put a pair or two of shoes on it,and great her at the door(if you know she is coming over )And then point to the rug or rack! Ask her if she would mind taking them off! Talk to her,explain why you want her to remove them! This reminds me of just a few weeks ago,there was a cable tech working on my t.v in my bedroom.I just mentioned to him that i had the rug cleaned a few day's before.reason being there were water marks where he moved the furniture to get to the t.v. And he went out to the truck and put shoe covers on! Then one week later another tech came with a trainee .And they tracked mud all over!when they were leaving he said there may be a little dirt. I said then clean it up ! I just kidding.He went and cleaned it up! All people are different. If you have to take the shoes off at her house,then she should remove them also! Good Luck!
Reply:I keep a shoe rack next to the door and have a couple shoes in it people usually get it when they come in. If she "forgets" to take them off Have your husband have a word with her voicing your concerns since u dont wanna argue with the inlaws. Good Luck
Reply:I used to run a pest control route where several of my customers simply put a small sign outside the door requesting that shoes be removed. Or, like my mom does to everyone she opens the door for, smiles and says, "don't forget to take your shoes off."



computer