Holiday season Kilting.....

[Derek]

My converse boots (as thats all I wear) come off straight away whoever I am visiting. Like Steve its a common occurence here in Wales and not only that I feel more comfortable too .. and yes Steve .. my wife wife as well, always reminds me to check for the holes in socks syndrum. What would we do without em' eh lol
Iechyd Da
Derek

[HuDonald]

I believe removing shoes before entering someone's home is a polite gesture - to not track dirt and whatnot into their house. So I usually at least ask if they'd like me to remove my shoes. If I see everyone else's shoes at the door, I usually don't even bother asking.

I don't think I feel any different between wearing a kilt vs wearing pants or jeans or shorts.

[Muddy]

I personally find this practice INCREDIBLY annoying. In fact, if I know beforehand that somebody is gonna ask me to remove my shoes upon entering their home, I usually just don't go. I find it that annoying for some reason. Just seems rude to me.
That said, part of the problem for me is it makes me feel cold which I loathe therefore, having wool kilt hose on would help I suppose. Not much though. I just much prefer to remain "shod".

[Spartan Tartan]

Certainly, you should not feel funny without shoes. Whether in a kilt or trousers, if that is the practice at a house, then everyone will be in socks all the same.

Personally, I always remove my shoes. I would prefer other do so in my home to keep dirt from tracking in. So, I just remove mine--I get uncomfortable IN shoes, especially while visiting someone else's home.

[tulloch]

I would certainly remove my shoes if it is requested. If I know I am going someplace it might be appropriate then I bring my slipper socks. Wonderful, cozy and clean.

[JohntheBiker]

Removing your shoes is quite common in Canada. I have become quite used to removing my shoes when visiting. It is considered quite polite that if you see a pile of shoes at the door to remove your own.

Kilted or not it is only common courtesy to follow the custom of the house you are visiting.

A good excuse for my wife to remind me not to wear the pair of hose with the hole in the toe.

***

[Tobus]

This has been an interesting discussion, and I'm chalking it up as one of those "you learn something every day" type experiences. I've long been aware that removing one's shoes upon entering a home is common practise in Japan, but had never heard of it being done in places like Canada or Wales. That sort of thing would only be done here (in Texas) if there were extenuating circumstances. I remember a New Year's Eve party at a friend's house where she had just installed white carpet (a poor choice, all things considered). It has just rained a few hours before the party, and when midnight came, everyone went outside to view the fireworks. Yep, her new carpet was ruined by all the mud tracked inside afterwards.

If asked, I would certainly remove my shoes when entering the party. But if I knew that such a thing were going to happen beforehand, I would likely plan ahead for it. Especially if wearing a kilt, where I wouldn't want to risk damaging/soiling my good kilt hose. Snags on the flooring, or just the wear on the bottom from mingling amongst the guests, would irk me. As well as the difference in traction when wearing only socks. Perhaps it would be better to wear one pair of shoes to the event, but carry another pair for wearing only indoors? Not 'slippers' as others have suggested (which might look odd with a kilt), but just regular shoes.

It would probably be best to ask the host.

[BCAC]

Don't people have doormats (or use them) in the USA (or in Canada or Wales)? Their purpose is to clean shoes so that dirt is not tracked everywhere into the house.

[Tobus]

Don't people have doormats (or use them) in the USA (or in Canada or Wales)? Their purpose is to clean shoes so that dirt is not tracked everywhere into the house.

That's what we use down here. Usually made from a stiff bristle type material. An occasional boot-scraper will be seen as well. Up north, though, where they have to deal with winter snow, they have curious things called "mud rooms" where folks can shed their outer garments and dirty/wet boots indoors, before entering the house proper.

[HuDonald]

Don't people have doormats (or use them) in the USA (or in Canada or Wales)? Their purpose is to clean shoes so that dirt is not tracked everywhere into the house.

lol.. doormats don't help much in terms of tracking stuff into the house. Sure it helps a bit, but not really if you consider the amount of stuff trapped inside the treads of shoes. Think about the amount of time one is likely to spend on a 1.5'x3' doormat compared to probably a couple hours on the bigger doormat called "carpet".

It's easier to understand not taking shoes off if the house has hardwood or another type of hard flooring where mud, dirt and wetness can be very easily cleaned off.

If I go to a friend's house, and it's got hard flooring, I don't feel so bad leaving my shoes on if they insist. However, I almost always offer to take them off if it's carpet. (another exception is with with rental apartments)