When people enter, they’ll see the “shoe area” with you and your family’s shoes, they’ll see you (and other household members) without shoes on, and hopefully they’ll put two and two together. [1] X Research source

If you create a shoe space without any shoes to occupy it, your guests may not realize that you want them to put their shoes there.

You can include a cute phrase on the sign like, “Leave your worries (and your shoes) at the door. ”

If your guests have to go through or pass by the mudroom on their way into your home, it will be quite easy to encourage them to use it.

If you feel it is necessary, give a good reason for asking them such as having had new carpets or having just had them cleaned, the weather being particularly foul, or you can say that your driveway is gritty and you’re trying to minimize how much of it gets brought in on shoes. Try saying something like: “I’d appreciate it if you took your shoes off when you come in. We’ve just had the carpets cleaned. ” “Please take your shoes off when you come in the house. We like to avoid tracking in toxins and bacteria whenever possible. ”[5] X Research source Remember that it is your house, so you have every right to ask your guests to remove their shoes.

You could say, “Oh, by the way we don’t wear shoes in our house. You may want to bring some slippers or socks. "

If there is a cultural or religious reason for not wearing shoes in the house, be open and let your guests know how important it is. For example, “I’m very sorry this caught you off-guard, but where I’m from taking your shoes off before entering is a sign of respect. It would mean a great deal to me and my family if you could do us the honor of entering our home without your shoes. ” Remember that you are well within your rights to ask your guests to remove their shoes, but if this makes your guests uncomfortable, they may choose to leave. That is a risk you must be willing to take.

However, you will probably find that most guests will prefer to be in socks or bare feet than wear borrowed slippers. You can also try buying some disposable shoe covers (like the kind doctors wear over their shoes) for your guest to wear over his bare feet. This way, she won’t feel strange borrowing someone else’s socks or slippers and you can throw away the used covers after she leaves.

This cultural difference is why it’s a good idea to provide socks or slippers for your guests.